Pretzels are up, Alex announced, setting the bowlon the table and sliding it to the middle. Josies bringing the drinks.
Thanks, shrimp. Joseph Jones, Jr., nicknamed Triple J and often shortened to Trip, stuck a finger into the thick paperback book he was reading and helped himself to a handful of the salty twists.
So Alex was only five-ten. He hated the nickname Trip had stuck him with. Of course, as tall and powerfully built as the tank-size Trip was, anyone under six feet probably seemed small. At least my mama knew more than one letter of the alphabet when she was coming up with names.
Trip looked up from his book as the others, including Holden Kincaid on his cell phone beside him, laughed. Good one, peewee.
Yeah. Like that was better than shrimp.
Thank Josie. Alex pulled out a chair and took a seat between Sergeant Delgado and Captain Cutler. She saw us on the news. She wouldnt take my money.
What? Hell. Rafe Delgado glanced over his shoulder at the bar where Josie and her uncle, the Shamrocks owner, Robbie Nichols, were busy serving drinks. She cant afford that.
I left a twenty in the tip jar for her, Alex assured him.
Cant even get one lousy order straight, he grumbled. The lanky, dark-haired sergeant spun his chair around and shoved it under the table. Im going to see if I can at least save her the trip over here.
Shes the one who offered to
But Rafe was already striding away. Alex turned at the strong hand that squeezed his shoulder. Captain Cutlers typically stoic expression was eased by a fatherly smile. Let him go, son. Its not personal.
The reprimand sure felt as if hed insulted Josie in some way. And he hadnt meant to. I paid her for the drinks, I swear.
I know you did. And somewhere under the strain of having that boy die in his arms this afternoon, he knows it, too. Cutler swatted Alexs shoulder and pulled away, including the other two men at the table with them in his explanation for the sergeants abrupt departure. Josies a hell of a lot prettier to look at than any of you. With what weve been through today, I dont blame Rafe for choosing her company over your ugly mugs.
Sarge likes her? Alex asked.
I think its more of an overprotective big brother thing, Cutler explained. His first partner when he joined KCPD out of the academy was her dad. Hes watched her grow up.
So no hitting on Josie or Delgado will cut you off at the knees, shrimp. In one smooth motion, Trip pointed a warning finger at Alex and scooped up half the pretzels remaining in the bowl. He glanced over the top of his book. And you cant afford to be any shorter.
Alex flicked a pretzel across the table, hitting Trip in the middle of his forehead. The book went down on the table. Alex caught the pretzel that came flying back at him and crushed it in his fist, crumbling the dregs down into the bowl.
Oh, you da man, Taylor.
Thats right, big guy. Im the man.
Children Captain Cutler warned with a smirk of his own.
Alexs and Trips respective pretzels were dutifully stuffed into their own mouths. The silliness of the interchange lightened Alexs mood, and while Trip went back to reading with a grin, Alex turned to spot Sergeant Delgado plucking the tray of beers from Josies hands and trying to squeeze a word in through the argument his actions triggered.
They were finally shaking off the grim events of the day. SWAT Team One was going to be okay. Alex was fitting in. No one was on his case for being too new, too young, too shorttoo lucky to have this job because he was a Taylortoo anything. He shifted his shoulders inside the black cotton sweater and leather jacket he wore and relaxed against his chair.
Liza said to tell everyone hi. Sharpshooter Holden ended the call to his wife and set his cell phone on the table. Im leaving after the first drink. I have orders to come home with cookie dough ice cream or not to show up at all. He tapped his cell phone and grinned in a boyishly excited way that belied his ability to go stone-cold still to make a kill shot or bring down a suspect. With the way her appetites kicking into high gear, I think we could be having the baby any day now.
Captain Cutler chewed around a pretzel as he spoke. I thought Liza wasnt due until Christmas.
Its practically Thanksgiving already.
In two weeks. Youre hopeless, Kincaid.
Oh, and when you and Jillian decide to start making babies, youre going to be all cool, calm and collected about it? Holden challenged with a grin.
The captain smoothed his palm across the top of his short, salt-and-pepper hair. I have a teenage son. I know about making babies.
So you and Jillian are working on giving Mikey a little brother?
Mind your own business, Kincaid.
Or maybe a little sister. Holden whistled through his teeth. Id hate to be the guy who tried to date her.
Alex easily pictured an image of Captain Michael Cutler, suited up in body armor, weapons and badge, greeting an already-nervous teenage boy at the front door. His daughters unsuspecting date would probably pee his pants. Wisely, Alex buried his amusement by pulling the snacks away from Trip and helping himself to a bite before they were all gone. Only golden-boy Holden could get away with such teasing.
You finished? The captain arched an eyebrow as Holdens chuckle erupted into laughter.
I cant hear myself think over here, Trip groused, giving Alex the evil eye as he easily reached across the table and pulled the pretzels back in front of him.
You can think? Holden snatched the book and the bowl from his hands before pointing to the booths behind Alex. Read on your own time. Single women. Go.
Trip grabbed the book right back, but turned his focus to Cutler. Permission to take him down, sir?
The captain grimaced, looking very much like a babysitter whod lost control of his charges. Where are those beers?
Right here. Rafe Delgado had returned, seemingly even more grumpy than when he had left. He plopped the tray down, sending foam cascading over the top of the frosty pilsner glasses. Help yourselves.
Wisely, each man kept his comments about the testy waiter to himself and reached for a beer.
Holdens phone vibrated on the tabletop just as the cell on Alexs belt buzzed. He set down his beer and wiped his hand on the leg of his jeans before answering. Trip and Sarge were opening their phones, too, as Captain Cutlers went off. The noise of the bar instantly muted and the tension around the table thickened as the captain picked up the call. Alex checked his watch. After 10:00 p.m. Theyd been off the clock for more than an hour. A call summoning KCPDs premiere SWAT team at this time of night couldnt be good.
Alex was clearing the Call Dispatch message off his touch screen when the captain rejoined them at the table. Got it. My men are still with meIll notify them. Cutler out. He disconnected the call and addressed the team. Hold off on those drinks. He glanced at Holden. Tell Liza the ice cream will have to wait.
Whats up, boss? Alex asked.
Looks like were getting some overtime tonight. Rafe, I need you to head on back to HQ to get the van. Well need all our equipment. Well meet you at the Plaza address Dispatch gave and suit up there.