Hetch (Men OF S.W.A.T #1)(10)

“You don’t want to do that, Devon. Work with me on this. Give me something more, something I can go back to my bosses with. Then maybe I can give you what you’re asking for.” It’s all bullshit. Devon isn’t getting what he wants. In fact, Devon isn’t real. Devon is being played by Sergeant Kaighn, Team Two’s tactical leader, and while Team One and I are in place ready to eliminate the threat he's posing, it’s all for training and review purposes.

“I’ve already given you FIVE hostages! What more do you f*ckin’ want?” He’s escalating, and for the sake of today’s training session, I’m not going to be able to talk him down.

“You did, and it worked in your favor, Devon. We sent in food and some drinks. What about the injured guard? How is he holding up?” I press for more information, while Walker, our coms guy, works on getting us a better view inside the warehouse we’re training in.

“He’s doing good. He’s sleeping right now.”

Fucking Kaighn is busting my balls here.

“That’s not good, Devon. I need to get my men to him.”

“He’s fine!”

“Let me break it down for you here, Devon. If the guard dies, things are going to get a whole lot messier for you.”

“Oh, yeah? How much messier?”

“Well, for one, if he dies, you’ll be looking at murder. You don’t want that, do you?”

“I didn’t shoot him! It was an accident. He wrestled me. If he sat down as I told him instead of trying being a hero….”

“I’m in and I have a clear shot.” Tate lets me know his position. Preston Tate, the youngest officer on Trebook’s tactical team, is ex-special ops, five years on the force, and first year tactical. Tate’s fresh, but it doesn’t mean he’s not one hell of a good marksman.

One of the best I’ve seen.

Ignoring the coms, I continue to engage with Devon. “I know, and those witnesses in there will be able to vouch for you. We need to get him help now.” I can see him wavering on the video feed. His pacing has slowed as he rubs the palm of his hand down his face.

“Fine. But only the guard.” He gives me a chance to make my play.

“Good decision, Devon.” I hit the mute button and switch my coms.

“Okay, boys, we’re going in. He’s probably expecting a front entry, but we’ll continue as planned. Let’s hit ’em hard and smoke him out.”

The two teams will breach the building. Team One-alpha, consisting of Hart and Sterling, will go through the air vents. Team Two-bravo, comprising of Fox and Tate, will enter through a window on the fourth floor. Sterling and Hart will release a flash bang, creating enough distraction to get both teams down on the ground. Sterling and Hart will then cover the hostages while Tate will cover Fox, giving him enough time to secure Kaighn before he has a chance to use his weapon.

That’s the plan. We just need to pull it off.

“Copy. Alpha team in place.” Hart checks in for the first time, letting me know he’s on board.

Ryan Hart is the oldest member of the team. Before I made the team, he was the top negotiator the force had. Then four years ago, the poor bastard lost his wife to cancer. Mourning his loss, and trying to figure out the ropes of being a single dad to his two kids, he stepped down from the team and took a leave of absence. It took a few years for him to return. First coming on part-time, and then working his way back up. After passing his physical and mental exams last month, he was offered a full-time spot back on the team.

“Bravo team in place,” Fox whispers, confirming both teams are ready. Even though this is the second run through of the day, it's a new play, one I want to make sure we get right.

“Alpha team on my count. Three, two, one.”

“Alpha team breaching now,” Sterling speaks through his coms. The flash bang is loud enough for me to hear it outside the perimeter.

“Bravo team down,” I order, watching them all unfold the play on the small feed in the command unit. Hart’s flash bang is enough to get the boys on the ground while Fox and Tate manage to secure the weapon and place Kaighn in custody. It all happens fast like we’ve trained.

In and out in ninety seconds.

“Subject secure. All hostages safe.” The final coms come from Sterling, letting me know the play worked, and our team pulled it off.

“Good job, Sergeant Hetcherson.” My lieutenant taps me on the back, reminding me today’s training session was being closely watched. “Risky to split the team up like that, but it played out for you.”

“Thank you, sir.” I release the earpiece from my ear. Today’s training drill was to assess if the team is cohesively working as a unit. While each and every one of us is an asset to the team, we still need to make sure we’re working as one. I think after that run-through, both teams, not just ours, proved where we belong.

“Tell me. You’ve been acting team leader for three months now?”

“Yes, sir.” I nod, wondering where he’s going with this. It’s been a week since psych evaluation, and so far, I haven’t been removed from duty.

Is today the day I get pulled?

“You still feel like you’re the best person for the job?”

“I can’t answer that, sir. Only you and the team can.” I don’t know what to say, or if I should say anything. I want to say when I’m on the job, I’m focused, I’m switched on, and for the most part, I am, but when you’re constantly questioned on your mental ability in these sorts of situations, you can start to doubt yourself.