Page 11 of Scarred Trust

“Yeah, that’s right. No one should have to take their clothes off if they don’t want to. Doesn’t matter what the reason is. He said no. If there had been a girl up there. That photographer wouldn’t be allowed to get away with it.”

“Hey Dylan, they’re called women once they get over a certain age. I hope you’re not dating girls.” Donovan teased him.

“Honestly, Captain, I don’t think many of us have an issue with how Wes handled the photographer.” Lewis looked pointedly at Rhys. “She was out of line, and he held his ground. He did it in as polite a way as he could. I think the part we really need to be discussing is how he blew up at the ABS representative.”

“Yes, I concur. The captain responded. I'll let Wes speak to this situation in a moment, but I'd like to give a bit of background that may help some of you understand what brought this on. Is that okay with you, Wes?” I shrugged, not having any idea how to approach this with the crew, let alone with Cate.

“In the past couple of years, with each fallen brother, rumors have circulated that there was malicious intent behind the incidents that took their lives.” Captain Cole gestured toward the memorial wall, encompassing plaques of all the firefighters we've lost since the firehouse was first founded. Staring at my father and my brother's emblems up there, it was hard to know whether the emotion of anger or sadness was stronger.

“With those speculations, there are those who have stepped up to find answers for the victims' families, for all of us, so that we can make sense of what has happened and prevent it in the future. One theory is that these historical buildings are being targeted for their property value, so they can put more valuable real estate in their place.”

“That's bullshit. How can they do that?”

“I don’t want to get into the validity of the speculations. I am sharing this with you so that you can understand that those of us, like Wes and myself, who have lost dear friends and family members struggle at times with where to place the blame. Wes, do you have anything you want to add?”

“I think you covered most of it, Captain, and I appreciate that. I want to apologize to all of you. I lost my temper. There are so many questions I still have. Some days are more difficult to process through the pain and the grief than others. I'm sorry that it interfered and affected all of you.”

I looked around the room and saw most of the crew nodding their heads in understanding, though Rhys had his arms folded over his chest and grimaced.

“Hey Wes, we’ve got your back, no matter what. Just give us a heads up next time, so we can actually help.” Dylan’s statement hit a bit too precisely. In grieving for my brother, I had pushed away the ones that proved every day that they were here for me. It’s all a process, but a little more introspection will probably reveal similar missteps in my other relationships.

When the captain dismissed the meeting, I was gratified by the support the others showed me on their way out. Even Rhys gave me a brief pat on my shoulder. The night shift retreated to quiet parts of the station while the rest of the staff left.

As I lay on a bed in the bunkroom, contemplating the debrief, I pulled out my phone, wanting to talk to Cate about it. She still hadn’t called or texted. How could I bridge this gap, and did I want to? I made a note to call my therapist in the morning.

Chapter 7

OGDEN AND WELLS HAD a little office a few blocks south of the fire station on Michigan Avenue. It was in an old strip shopping center above a martial arts school. It had been recommended that I enter through the school, dressed like I was taking a class, and use the stairs at the back of the building.

As strange as it might sound to the average person, I knew ABS tracked my movements. I assumed the only reason I hadn’t been fired yet was that they had also listened to my conversation with my old law school friend, Helena Ogden, when we ran into each other at the tea shop around the corner.

We had kept our topics light, reminiscing. Even if they had been at the next table, they wouldn’t have seen the business card and note she had passed to me.

With a duffle bag at my feet, stuffed to look full, I waited in the comfortable lounge, listening to the yells and thumps from downstairs.

“I’d ask you how life is, but between working at ABS and your covert attire, I think I have my answer. Tea?” Helena Ogden came in with the confidence and swagger I had envied in school and shook my hand. I could hold my own in court, but it wasn’t effortless like it was for Helena.

“Tea would be great.” In my time as a lawyer, I have found that if I don’t know how to proceed, I let someone else talk while things unfold.

“Top of the class in law school takes some dedication.” The statement was obvious to us both, which means she was gathering her thoughts as she poured hot water into a cup.

“I had to be the best to get me where I wanted to be in my career.” A position at a prominent firm was supposed to be a stepping stone, not the cage it felt like, but I won’t add that yet.

“And are you there now?” She studied my face, handing a cup and saucer to me.

“What do you know about ABS?” I asked, skipping the small talk and hoping she was still as forthright as she had been in school.

“They are considered the best in town. They never back down, and they always win. They’re known for getting everything their clients want and more, no matter what the cost is to anyone else.” Helena stared at me as she spoke. If she was assessing my reactions to her words, I would tell her directly soon enough.

“Are we talking about ABS?” Julia Wells sashayed through the door with a cheery tone, like she had asked what flavor the ice cream was.

“Julia, you remember Cate Duffy from law school?”

“Of course I do!” Julia clasped my hand and pumped it enthusiastically. “She was the one to beat every time. Our professors's favorite. I have to admit, I was a little jealous of how easy you made it seem.”

“Easy? Wow! I had no life outside of law school.”

“Did any of us?”