Page 44 of Protected By West
Weston let his friend think on it for a moment, keeping an eye out for the last member of their team.
"There's so many variables in this kind of thing. Even when we practice negotiations it's just another officer playing the role. What is it going to be like to do it with a suspect who has a knife to someone's throat? Or has an automatic weapon pointed at a schoolroom full of children?" He lowered his gaze, and Weston saw the concern his friend was feeling. "I just got a clean bill of health from the department doctors to return to active duty, but I'm not sure I'll ever be able to take up the physical demands of the team, West."
Fox dragged a hand down his face, ruffling the hair at his temples but smoothing down his beard.
"You're still looking for officers on the SWAT team, are you sure you don't want to pull someone else, and I can get a job at headquarters."
The parking lot outside of Longhorn Gentleman's Club was on the dark side, but the lights that were there had a more than adequate light to show him the expression on Fox's face.
Older than the rest of the team, Fox had experience in and around San Antonio that made him invaluable on the team, but he was also someone who had a keen understanding of people. He'd always been credited for helping to ease tensions in tense situations. And when it came to understanding the interactions between people, Fox had always been more observant than others.
West was sure he'd be a star on the SWAT team, he just had to get Fox to believe it, too.
But the other Ranger was a man of action, and he'd likely have to be thrown into the deep end of the pool to realize that he could swim.
"Hey, boss!"
They all turned toward the shouted greeting, and West lifted a hand to greet the two men walking toward him.
Trooper Bonner was there, still in his full uniform even though he'd been clocked out for more than a few hours. With the way he held himself and the proud lift of his chin, West knew that James was a man who took his job seriously. Along with all of the other records and evaluations, he knew he'd made the right choice.
Myles Harrison was grinning at him and stepped forward with a broad grin. "Boss. I found the stiff here," he jerked a thumb at Bonner, "walking across the parking lot. Is he one of us or are you going to kick his ass for coming to a strip club in uniform?"
Dally laughed. "You weren't with us earlier. We met Bonner here at a traffic stop dealing with the worst kind ofKaren."
Myles lifted a brow at that. "What's the worst kind?"
Oxy chuckled. "The Texas kind."
Duval's laugh was more of a snort. "Here in Texas they're the worst. Biggest attitude by far."
Myles gave Trooper Bonner a measuring look. "Traffic stop? We'll see how you do on the team."
West watched to see what kind of reaction that Bonner would have to the other man's words. He wasn't looking for someone who'd add to the tension.
Bonner kept an even expression. "It's a new team. I'm sure there's going to be a few rough spots. I'll bet you'll be okay." Weston thought he saw just a hint of a smile on Bonner's face but then it faded away as if it wasn't there at all. "Eventually."
Fox clapped a hand down on Myles' shoulder. "Did you forget you were coming to meet the team?"
Myles gave the group a cursory look and shrugged. "I was working with the horses and had to replace some of the wood in the corral. I made it here, didn't I?"
Weston sighed. "At least dust yourself off and let's get inside. Any later and we might miss the chance to talk to Deputy Morgan."
Myles took the cowboy hat in his hand and dashed it against his jeans, knocking loose what dust might still be clinging to him and used this hand to shake his shirt to remove the rest. "Good enough?"
Weston lifted a brow at that. Myles was a good Ranger. No, he's great at the job and no one can best him in speed, even in full gear.
"This isn't our usual locale. So, I'm going to excuse you today, but come Monday when we start training, everyone is going to be in the same trench with each other. I don't need any attitudes."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Even Myles, who looked like he might have a mouthful of dirt, but he wasn't commenting. That was good.
If he had a budding attitude Weston was sure he could fix it.
It wouldn't be easy, but neither was finding precious stones in the dirt. It took work.
And work was something that Weston had always been driven to do.
