The man, Travis Kotzen, who Katherine had tried to save, had been confirmed DOA as soon as the helicopter had landed at the hospital, but that was due to the formalities in the healthcare system. The paramedics knew it within seconds of arriving at the scene. Their focus was on the living, and it took them less than five minutes from the helicopter landing to being wheels up with Joseph Anderson, John Eisenhart, and the shooter of those two men onboard.
Luckily for all of them, the only casualty that day had been Travis. They still didn’t have answers on what had happened to him. One minute he’d been shooting, the next he was breathing his last breath.
Smoke could practically see the Anderson clan standing around him as he now looked at the scene of the attack in the clear light of day. The family had been in shock, going from utter joy at celebrating Independence Day, to utter despair as the patriarch of the family had been shot. Tears had been running freely, no one knowing what to do.
Smoke remembered Chad taking charge of the situation that night, demanding a security team be sent to Travis’s room at the Veteran’s Center, ensuring it was locked down — not allowing a single person to enter.
He knew the police would want to search the quarters of the attacker since there were multiple shootings, as well as a death, but since that scum of a human was dead, Chad said he didn’t care what they wanted. Until Joseph gave the green light on entering that room there wasn’t a man on the planet big enough to change Chad’s mind.
It made no sense to anyone as to the shooter’s motive. He’d been given a second chance at life, free room and board, free healthcare, free mental care, unlimited educational resources, and more vocational training opportunities than he could get to in one lifetime. Why had he blown it? What had possessed him to attack this family that had gone above and beyond to help him?
Breaking free from the memories, Smoke felt the same anger as he had the night of the shooting. He looked over to see the same steely-eyed fire and determination in Chad’s eyes. Not only was Chad the head of their team, but he was also a member of this family someone had come after. It hit too close to home. Way too close.
“Smoke, I want you and Green to head over to the Veteran’s Center,” Chad said.
“We got the green light?” Smoke asked.
“It took a little time, but Joseph gave the okay this morning. Sheriff McCormack and I have been coordinating the time to meet up today; he just sent a text that he’s on his way there now. Some officials still aren’t happy that we’re stepping on their toes, but when Joseph demands something, he’s rarely denied,” Chad told him. “Go through that room with a fine-tooth comb.”
“Will do,” Smoke said, feeling his jaw clench. It might as well have been the same day of the shooting. All of his anger had returned.
“I refuse to use that piece of trash’s name, but he won’t have a single secret left when we’re finished with this,” Green assured Chad.
Without another word, Smoke and Green left the beach, their long strides quickly eating up the ground as they proceeded with their next mission.
“I’m driving,” Smoke told Green as he stepped to the driver’s side door. He hadn’t realized how frustrated he was until he nearly ripped the handle from the vehicle.
“Are you okay to drive?” Green asked.
If anyone other than a team member would’ve questioned him, Smoke might’ve ripped into that person, but Smoke knew Green was also angry and simply trying to make sure they remained levelheaded enough not to drive off of a cliff or crash into another vehicle.
“I’ll survive,” Smoke said, his jaw clenched. “I don’t know why I’m filled with so much rage right now. This happened over three weeks ago. It’s just being in this place and seeing it all in the light of day that has brought it all back,” Smoke finally admitted.
“I know what you mean. The Andersons are good people. I always get frustrated when good people try to help others and get harmed in the process, but it’s amplified with the Andersons because I see how much they do for this community and how much they’re spit on. They don’t seem to care though; they just keep pushing forward.”
“If that sonofabi—” Smoke started, his death grip squeezing the life out of the steering wheel.
“Don’t say it; Chad said we have to watch our language,” Green said with a smug smile that made Smoke press his foot a little harder on the accelerator.
Smoke growled as he glared at Green, who was right. Chad had warned that Joseph expected professionalism from the men working for him. He didn’t consider swearing to be classy, but sometimes a man needed to vent some audible frustration to the world.
“Just one?” Smoke asked. The bantering helped his temper deflate.
Green faced forward, a smirk on his lips. “Hmm, I guess one would be fine.”
Smoke smiled with a mischievousness glint in his eyes, his anger fading a little more. It was good to be with people who brought out the best in him instead of the dark side.
“Motherflippingsonofabiscutassdicklickjerkface!” He yelled the long word, feeling the last of his anger go up in smoke along with the modified cursing. Maybe Chad was getting to him more than he’d realized. He was in the privacy of the vehicle and he still wasn’t able to yell out what he’d been willing to just months before.
Several seconds of dead silence followed the cursing as the gate to the Anderson property opened and Smoke exited, pulling onto the street, heading in the direction of the Veteran’s Center.
When the silence went on too long, Smoke reached for the dial of the radio before Green slapped his hand away. Smoke shot him a look that would’ve burned most men. Green just shrugged, not in the least intimidated.
“Really? That’s it? You think you can get away with that?” Green finally asked, confusing Smoke.
“What are you talking about?” Smoke asked.
“Jerk face? Really? Jerk face?” Green asked, feigned shock and hurt on his face. The man should’ve been an actor instead of a soldier.
Of course, Smoke could’ve been on stage with him. “I said what I said,” Smoke finally told him, acting as if he was offended to be called out by Green.
It was only another couple of seconds of silence before the two men began laughing, both of them desperately needing to feel and hear the sound of mirth running through them.
“Jerk face? Jerk face? What happened to the big, bad Smoke who’s definitely earned his sailor’s badge in the swearing department?” Green finally asked.
“I think Chad’s gotten to me,” Smoke admitted, still laughing so hard tears welled in his eyes, making it slightly difficult to drive.
“I think that man’s gotten to all of us. I’m afraid we’re going soft,” Green said, a bit of worry in his tone.
“I feel the same,” Smoke said. “Sometimes I’m not sure who I am anymore. I get all mushy and crap.”
“Yeah, this family crap is making us soft,” Green said.
“Being married is making you really soft,” Smoke pointed out.