Training Day Part II
I got into the car, my hands still red with Dani's blood, my vision blurred with tears, my body numb, my head aching and visualizing her dying in my arms. I watched the ambulance scream off with lights and sirens.
I sat there a moment, took off my vest and tossed it on the passenger seat; her coffee cup was still in the cup holder. I started the car and began to head to the office to get my personal vehicle. My cell phone rang and I saw it was the Chief. I reluctantly answered.
"Yeah?" I answered.
My Chief excitedly said, "Tom, they got a pulse! They got a pulse!"
"Wait what?..Dani has a pulse?" I asked as my body went cold.
"Yes Tom, it's weak but the EMT told me as they were putting her in the rig, they're bringing her to Mercy Hospital!" he said.
With that, I hit my lights and sirens to head straight to the hospital. Not being very religious, I found myself pleading with God to spare Dani. My heart pounded as I wove in and out of traffic hoping and praying Dani would pull through this.
As I pulled up to the hospital I saw red, white and blue strobe lights of the ambulance and several Deputy Sheriff and Police vehicles at the entrance. My Chief, with eyes welled up, met me at the door and held out my shield and weapon.
"Tom, take these back," he said. Reluctantly I took them and put them back on my belt.
"Where is she?" I asked.
"They rushed her to surgery." He replied.
We both went inside. The waiting room was full of fellow Investigators, Deputy Sheriffs, local Cops and my Commissioner. My Commissioner was a tall black woman; she had a very pretty face with a beautiful smile and cheeks with tears running down them. She and I didn't always see eye to eye, as she was very Liberal whereas I'm very Conservative.
She walked over to me, hugged me and said, "It's all in God's hands now." She was sobbing.
"Yes it is," I replied.
I was greeted by most of my Brother and Sister LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers) with sorries, handshakes and shoulder slaps. Others sat and prayed to their Gods. A local Police Sergeant came in with a Box of Joe and two dozen doughnuts from Duncan Donuts.
I went to the men's room to wash Dani's blood off of my hands. I began to cry as I watched the bloody water go down the drain.
I went back into the waiting room, grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down. My body was still quivering in shock of what happened. My adrenaline was high but was starting to subside. My Chief came over to me with a woman and a man, who both looked about my age. The woman was attractive and I saw Dani's eyes and lips on her face. The man was a rugged looking kind of guy with a leathery face and full mustache. They both had tears in their eyes. My Chief told me that they were Dani's parents. I stood up and extended my hand. Her father took my hand in a tight grip.
I was searching for words but all I could say was, "I'm so sorry."
Her mother in a soft stammering voice said, "You have nothing to be sorry for Tom, she did what she thought was right. She always spoke very highly of you." I tried to hold back my tears but I couldn't, both of them hugged me as the three of us sobbed.
I heard the door open. I looked up and saw a blurred silhouette of a tall man in light green scrubs come through the door. The three of us wiped our tears. I could now see it was the doctor. His scrubs had blood on them and his brow was sweaty.
He said Dani was in critical condition and in a chemically induced coma. He explained that the bullet did penetrate but her vest slowed it down. He continued to say if it wasn't for the vest she would have been killed instantly. He said her heart was badly bruised and enlarged but the bullet did not penetrate the heart. Sighs and claps came from the crowd as they heard the news.
Her mother asked if they could see her. The doctor escorted them through the door.
My Chief came over to me. We talked about the good news. He told me to take as much time off as I needed. We sat down next to each other and he told me that Dani and I did a great job on the investigation. The incident should not not have any negative repercussions, however it would need to be investigated by I.A.D. (Internal Affairs Division).
Dani's father came through the door and he motioned to me to follow him. He brought me to Dani. She had an IV in her left arm, tubes in her mouth and nose, and one hooked up to a machine that went under the sheets, which presumed it was a drain in her chest. She had dark circles under her eyes but she was still beautiful. Her head and arms were the only part of her body that was exposed.
I slowly walked over to her and took her right hand in mine. My eyes welled up as I looked at her. I gently touched her left cheek; she was cool to the touch.
I softly said, "What ever happened to Academy 101 you dumb kid." I felt her hand twitch as I said it. I wondered if she was responding to my voice or was it just an involuntary spasm.
I bent down, kissed her gently on the forehead and whispered, "I love you Dani."
A nurse came in and told us we had to leave the room. She was tall with brunet graying hair and a face that could stop a truck. The three of us walked out to the waiting room, and my Chief was the only one who remained. He spoke with Dani's parents as I went to get more coffee. I saw Dani's parents sit down as the Chief came over to me.
He put his hand on my shoulder and said, "She'll be fine Tom."
"I know, I can feel it." I replied. I told him to go home to his wife. He patted my arm, agreed and left the waiting room. I went and sat across from her parents.
Her father looked over at me and said, "It looks like you and my daughter may be more than just coworkers."
A chill ran through my body and I replied, "Sir, I have taken a great liking to Dani, she's a great person and an excellent investigator."
He looked into my eyes and said, "I heard what you said to her, Tom."
