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Chapter 9
Taylor's POV
I was just finishing up with another one of my clients when the phone rang, I bid them a quick goodbye and went to answer it.
" 's Office, How may I help you?" I said.
"Hey Taylor, it's Melanie. Would you still have time to meet me sooner than 3?" she said quickly.
I checked the schedule, today was her lucky day another client had switched their appointment leaving the next hour open.
"Yes I do, I have a break from 11-12. How soon can you be here?" I told her.
"Roughly thirty minutes, I'm going to walk over."she said.
"How about we meet at the bridge?" I asked her.
"Sounds good, see you soon."she said and hung up the phone.
I put the phone down and went to the kitchen to inform Chris; that I'd be going out for a while to see Melanie.
"Honey, I'm going to meet Melanie at the bridge and talk with her. I should be back by twelve, what are you going to do?" I said.
"I'm going to make lunch for when you get back, good luck with Melanie."he said giving her a hug and a light kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks, I'll see you later."I told him and headed out the door.
Barney's POV
The base in Jersey had a nice set up; compared to other bases we had to scale to rescue someone or escape from. Michael showed all of us to a conference room and the guys all took a seat except Lee and I; we leaned against the wall instead.
Michael hit the lights and a slideshow began from the projector in the ceiling; the first slide was of Cutter himself.
"Cutter's an expert marine and has the top level of training in every area from explosives to hand to hand combat. He leads a tight knit unit called'The Blades'all highly trained in knife combat." Michael said, glancing at Lee; I could see him smiling in amusement.
The next slide was a group photo; the guys looked at the personnel files on the table, taking in key details for later.
"First man to the right is Lt. Will Marks, specifies in explosives, he could bring down anything from a convenient store to a hotel. Next to him is Soldier Sam Smith, expert marksman, he's never missed a target. The middle guy is Soldier Grant Carson, he's the wheelman, long as it has wheels he'll drive it. Lastly the wild card of the bunch, goes by the name Daredevil. He can backup any position; he's smart, fast, and a hell of a fighter."Michael paused and changed the photo to a man beat up pretty bad.
"His work?"I asked, Michael nodded in reply.
"Next up is the compounds; Cutters and his definite location to use the technology."he said and changed the picture again.
"Cutters place is well set up; electric fences, guard dogs, guard towers, and guards walking patrol of course. His house is in the center, it's his base of operations. Transportation wise; he has a boat to get him from his place to the docks on High Lake where he gets aboard his plane to the mountains. Along with jeeps and suvs of course." Michael continued.
"Why not just fly from his place?"Toll asked, he brought up a good point.
"Going by boat first makes it easier to tell if he's being tailed, Toll."he replied smartly,
Toll bunched fists on the table but Hale placed a hand on his shoulder and he relaxed but glared at Kross getting the point across the same way.
"The mountains compound is similar to Cutters but with a few differences like cameras, lasers, and more guards. The big building in the middle is where everything will happen, it has all the technology and equipment."He finished showing us the last picture.
"What about your family? My team-member needs that intel."I reminded him.
"Of course, here's the file."he said handing it to me.
"Alright guys, lets go we're done here."I commanded and we headed out, I handed the file to Lee.
"What are you giving me this for?"he asked puzzled.
"To read, you get to give Melanie the intel."I told him as we climbed in the car.
"You always give me the crap jobs."he muttered.
Taylor's POV
I waited at the bench for Melanie to arrive, it was a nice day with sunshine and slight breeze moving the leaves on the trees and the water in the river.
"It's better when its calm."Melanie's voice said distracting me from the water.
I looked to my left to see her standing beside the bench, dressed in dark blue jeans and a green t-shirt, her hair lifted playfully in the breeze, just above the backpack on her shoulders.
"Everyone has their opinions, now then what'd you like to talk about Melanie?"I said getting us started.
She shrugged, "Here is better than your office for talking, the quietness was nerve racking."she commented.
"Everyone is different, some people like the quiet to get their thoughts organised and can think without interruption."I told her, I didn't care for the noise here myself but Melanie was a special case.
"I don't think I've got it in me to save or protect people anymore, it's like the thrill of it...is gone. I lost Nicole, I don't want to lose anyone else."she said.
"It isn't the thrill that's gone, its your confidence. You haven't lost someone on your watch before."I said, she looked at me sharply.
I waited knowing not to push her too much, squealing tires interrupted us.
Up on the bridge two cars crashed into each other, a third tried to stop but hit the side of the bridge instead.
Melanie dropped her bag to the ground, "Call it in!" she ordered to me, and ran onto the bridge. I did so and went over to the bridge to see if I could help.
Melanie's POV
Going up to the first car, I saw a young couple; they were both alright but the doors on their car were jammed shut.
I got up on the hood of the car and then the roof, I leaned over in front of the drivers side window; it'd been smashed out in the crash providing an exit.
"Come on, I'll help pull you out."I told them offering my hand. The guy grasped it firmly and I pulled while he pushed up with his legs.
"Go to the end of the bridge, I'll get her." I ordered pointing to where Taylor was standing, others were joining her.
I cupped my hands to my mouth,"Taylor! Keep everyone back!"I yelled as the guy ran towards her. She gave me a thumbs up, I turned back to help the girl. I pulled her out and pointed to the side of the bridge, she hurried off and I started on the next car as the ambulances pulled up with their flashing lights.
I looked in on the drivers side and found a lady unconscious with blood on her forehead.'Must have hit her head during the crash.'I thought opening the door and undoing her seatbelt, I picked her up and carried her towards the side of the bridge where the paramedics took over.
I went back for the third person, he was banging on the glass and shouting too, though it was muffled. Obviously he wasn't hurt but he was still stuck in his car.
I knocked on the passengerside window and pointed down. He nodded and lowered the window, he started climbing out but lost his footing on the seat.
I caught him around the waist and began to pull. "Stop moving, just let me do the work."I told him as he struggled.
"I'll help you."he argued and pushed backwards making both of us topple over the rail. I managed to grab the ledge and the guy before he could fall any further but it was a strain on my muscles.
"Help me swing you up on the left side, use your leg and free hand to get the ledge."I instructed.
He didn't say anything and started to swing as I did too. We gained momentum and I counted, "1...2...3!"I said and swung him with all the strength I had. He got the ledge and I let go of his hand, he scrambled up and joined the others.
I started pulling myself up when another crash sounded on the other side of the bridge. I couldn't see what had happened but I heard multiple bangs and rolling sounds.
"Look out Melanie!"Taylor shouted loudly.
I swung hard with my legs and let go aiming for the water on the opposite side under the bridge.
Taylor's POV
I watched as the barrels rolled in Melanie's direction, we all heard the many splashes and ran to the railing.
"Melanie!"I shouted scanning the water.
"I don't see her."said one of the paramedics.
"Melanie!"I yelled again, I was getting worried.
"Taylor! I'm over here!"She shouted up to us, we ran over to the railing and there was Melanie floating in the water with a smile on her face.
I shook my head lightly, "I'll meet you at the dock."I told her. She gave me a thumbs up, and I headed down the path with two paramedics behind me.
When we got there Melanie was squeezing the water out of her hair,
"Is everyone alright?"she asked as one paramedic wrapped her in a blanket.
"Yes, thanks to you. Are you alright?"The paramedic replied.
"I'm fine, Taylor could you take me home please?"she asked me.
"I'm sorry Miss Melanie, but we need to check you over at the hospital just to be safe."he said guiding her towards the ambulance.
I got Melanie her bag, "Here, I need to go but call me later. You've still got it Melanie."I told her, she nodded and gave me a smile.
'There's still hope for her yet.'I thought as I headed home.
Lee's POV
"Why isn't she answering?"I asked Barney as I tried again.
"Maybe she left it at home?"he replied as the phone rang on the other end.
"Hey Lee, how's it going?"she answered finally.
"I've been calling you for the last fifteen minutes, why didn't you pick up?"I told her.
"Something came up, you guys get the info?"she told me, she was dodging the question but right now that wasn't important.
"Yeah, you'll be protecting Miranda and Maddison Kross. They live at 1256 Meadowrose Lane, be there by eight tomorrow morning. Miranda's taken her two week vacation time to stay at home with Maddie while Michael is gone. The kid's only 7, as far as she knows her father travels a lot for his work but that's all. You got all that?"I informed her.
"Got it, when I first joined you guys I didn't think I'd be doing protection detail while you guys have all the fun."she said.
"It's not always fun Mel, you know that better than the rest of us."Barney cut in.
"I know boss, good luck guys and come back safe."she said and hung up.
"What'd you do that for?"I asked him, there was no need to remind Mel about the killing involved in the job.
"She needs to keep everything in perspective and not get reckless."he answered.
My phone rang, "Hello Dr. Taylor."I said reading her caller ID number.
"Lee, I'm calling to tell you about the accident."she said.
"Accident?"I repeated in surprise, what was she talking about?
"Yes, there was a car crash on the bridge. Melanie and I were talking on a bench nearby when it happened, she reacted so fast and took command of the situation."she paused to slow down, she was talking too quickly.
"She managed to save everyone involved and even save herself when a truck of barrels fell over the straps gave way; she was hanging on the edge of the bridge then. She swam to the dock and the first thing she says is, 'Is everyone else ok?'. They took her to the hospital to have her checked just in case. She told me before the accident that she wasn't sure she could save or protect anyone anymore but I saw it, she's still got it. I just thought you should know."she finished.
"Thanks, I appreciate it. Goodbye."I told her and hung up.
I looked to Barney, he'd heard the whole conversation I knew.
"That's Melanie, she'll be fine. The soldier instinct in her is strong and it's her drive to save and protect people no matter what the conditions."he commented.
I nodded still wrapping my head around everything as we drove for Cutter's place; one thing was for certain: Melanie was on the right track.
Finally updating, please review. Cat414