Page 96 of Protected By West
"As soon as you have him secured, I'm sending in the EMTs." Weston turned to look at Fox and saw the way he leaned heavily against the counter, his elbows planted on the flat surface.
He was upset but West knew that he was still focused on his job.
"We're good, Fox. Let them in." Jack's voice came through loud and clear. "Dally?"
"I'll get the door."
West moved over to stand beside Fox and put his hand on the other man's shoulder as the front door squeaked open and Weston saw Jack standing just inside the door, holding the wooden door open.
"I think they're going to need that door replaced." West's comment proved true when the door sagged down, leaning heavily on Jack.
"Coming out the back with the suspect, West."
"Good work, everyone."
West looked down at Fox. "Why don't you come out and see them put him in the transport."
Fox shook his head. "I don't... I'll just stay here."
West didn't even want to entertain the thought of leaving Fox behind in the van. Instead of trying to coax him out, West decided to pull rank. "Get up and come outside with me."
The look on Fox's face bordered on insubordination.
The scowl West saw on his face... Well, he knew it was directed more at himself than anyone else.
"I don't recall giving you an option. Let's take this outside."
Fox got up out of his chair, but the look he had on his face said he wasn't doing it for any other reason than the fact that he'd been ordered to.
Weston was good with that.
He didn't mind a scowl or two.
By the time Fox had his boots on the ground, it was just in time to see the suspect being loaded into the transport van, his own bad attitude displayed on his face.
"Okay, boss." Fox's voice, which was normally deeper than most was downright gravely. He was somewhere south of Trace Adkins deep, warm bass. "I'll get a start on my report."
West took hold of Fox's arm just above his elbow. "Move your feet."
Fox knew well enough that he wasn't about to be let off the hook. West smiled as Fox's feet moved along with his own.
He was glad that his friend had decided to go along with him, but he wasn't above or below dragging his ass.
When they got to the ambulance, West felt Fox's attitude change.
The EMTs were working on the older man who'd been injured.
Julia's father.
"See?" Weston was leaning in, murmuring under his breath so he wasn't going to disturb anyone. "This is the point of all of this, Fox."
Almost as if Julia could feel that they were talking about her father, she turned, and it was plain to see the tears rolling down her cheeks. The tight and twisted expression of worry on her face lifted when she saw them.
She started to walk in their direction, but one of the EMTs stepped down from the back of the ambulance. "Miss? We're going to head over to the hospital. Are you coming with us?"
"Yes! Thank you!"
The EMT helped her step up into the back of the ambulance and as he moved over to close the back door, Julia looked up at them. And almost as if she knew that Fox had been the one on the phone call, she focused her eyes on his face and smiled, mouthing, 'Thank you.'
