Chapter 12

Dust and debris floated through the air as the flames danced around what was left of the old warehouse. Several sirens cut through the silent night air as they continued their approach to the fire.

Ethan lifted his head and slowly flexed the rest of his sore body. Once he was sure he wasn't injured, he sat up and scanned the area for Doug and Tom.

"Hanson, Penhall!" he yelled their names out, coughing and choking on the thick black smoke that filled the air. He quickly got up and started walking towards what was left of the building. "Hanson, Penhall…can you hear me?" He was about a hundred yards from the fire when he spotted the two officers sprawled out on the pavement, motionless. Fear coursed through him as he took off in a sprint to reach his partners. Chunks of debris were scattered everywhere, so he had to watch his step along the way.

"Ugh." Doug muttered as he began to stir. "What the hell?" he said as he opened his eyes and saw the devastation around him. He slowly sat up and checked himself for any injuries. He felt a burning sensation throughout his right hand and when he looked down at it, noticed that it had several burn marks on it. "Shit."

"Doug, what's wrong?" Ethan asked, rushing to his side.

"I- I think I burnt my hand pretty bad." Doug answered, showing Ethan. Sure enough, the skin on his hand was singed pretty badly.

"Here, I'll help you up. Are you hurt anywhere else?" Ethan asked.

Doug shook his head. "No, I don't think so. Wait, where's Hanson?" Doug looked around frantically for his partner. He had been holding onto him when the bomb went off. Off to the side, he finally noticed the motionless form of his friend. Doug hurried over to him, calling out his name.

"Hanson! Shit, Tommy." He knelt down, careful of his injured hand and checked for a pulse with his good hand. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt a strong pulse beneath his fingertips. "Hey, Tommy, wake up buddy. Come on Hanson, open your eyes."

Tom began to stir as Ethan and Doug fussed over him. His whole body ached, especially his head.

"Doug?" he asked. He opened his eyes and found the two officers hovering over him. "What happened?"

"Well, we made it out before the bomb went off." Doug answered. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

Tom slowly flexed his sore muscles. "No, I don't think so." He then noticed that Doug was cradling his right hand to his chest. "Doug, what happened to your hand?"

"I think I burnt it when the bomb went off. Must've hit some debris or something." Doug answered. "It's not that bad."

As they helped Tom into a sitting position, several fire trucks, squad cars and an ambulance pulled up. Fire crews jumped out of the trucks and set to work at extinguishing the flames.

"What happened here?" An officer asked as he walked up to the men.

Ethan pulled out his badge and flashed it at the officer.

"I'm Detective Ethan Hayes and this is Officer Doug Penhall and Officer Tom Hanson. We were investigating a mobster by the name of Vinnie Carlton. He kidnapped Officer Hanson and then had him trapped inside with a bomb. He and his accomplice took off and then detonated the bomb. We barely made it out in time."

The officer looked the three men over and said, "Okay, you guys get checked out by the paramedics and then I'll get your statements. I'll put an APB out on this Carlton fellow and his accomplice."

"Great, thanks." Ethan stated. He and Doug helped Tom stand up and began their way over to the paramedics when Tom's world suddenly began to swim in front of him. He stumbled forward and was caught by Ethan at the last minute. "Whoa there Tom. I think you should sit down here. Could I get a medic over here?"

"I'm fine Ethan. Just got a bit dizzy is all." Tom said, closing his eyes.

"I think you've got a concussion my friend." Ethan said, concern in his voice. He stepped aside as a paramedic rushed over.

"I'm fine, really." Tom told the paramedic as he began examining him.

"Hanson, stop being so stubborn. You don't look so hot. Vinnie and Mark really did a number on you." Doug said.

"Fine. But I'm telling you that all this is unnecessary." Tom said with a pout.

"Yeah, that's why you almost fell on your face just now." Doug responded.

Tom rolled his eyes and snapped, "Shut up Penhall."

"Officer Penhall, let's go take a look at your hand." A young blonde paramedic said, coming up behind him.

Doug put on his best smile as he followed the beautiful woman. "Yes ma'am. Whatever you think is best." Doug winked at his partner as he passed by.

Tom rolled his eyes once more and said, "I swear he can pick up women anywhere."

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An hour later Tom found himself settled into a hospital room. He had fought the doctors about staying for observation, but Doug had persuaded him that it would be for the best. After all, a head injury wasn't something you wanted to mess around with.

There was a knock on the door and then it opened, revealing a tired looking Doug Penhall. Tom noticed the white bandage that circled his right hand.

"How's the hand?" Tom asked as Doug took a seat next to the bed.

"Mild burns. The doc said it's going to heal pretty quick." Doug said. "So, what's the news with you?"

Tom ran a hand through his hair, wincing as his head began to throb. "Pretty bad concussion. They want to keep me overnight for observation. I've also got some bruised ribs."

"Did Vinnie let anything slip about where they were headed next?" Doug asked.

Tom shook his head. "No, nothing. All he said is that they were packing up and moving their operation." Tom leaned back against the pillow. "We've got to figure out where they're headed Doug."

"I know. But right now you just need to relax and get better. Then we'll find him. Don't worry. We'll find him and put him behind bars for good." Doug said.

"Yeah, I hope so." Tom said.

"I'm going to go out and talk to Ethan. You try and get some sleep. I'll be back in soon. The doctor wants to make sure someone wakes you up every hour."

"Great, at least I'll get a good night's sleep." Tom said with a smirk.

"Funny Hanson, very Funny." Doug said. "Now get some rest."

"Yes mother." Tom said with a smile. With that, Doug rolled his eyes at his partner and left the room.