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Dakota twisted to look at his sergeant. “Lee, this is ridiculous. You’re making something out of nothing.”
“SWAT trained snipers don’t get shaky hands and drop a cup of coffee.” Liam folded his arms.
“Look, Gage…” Dakota rang his hands together.
“It’s ‘Lieutenant.’” Gage sat back in his chair. Dakota’s history pointed to exactly one thing, and it was no good for him or the team. Anything Gage ordered went on his personnel file. It would always be there. Unless Dakota could handle it himself.
“So you’re gonna be like that?” Dakota glanced back at Liam. “And you,Sarge? I thought we were cool.”
“We were,” Liam said. “Until you jeopardize our lives and this team.”
Before Dakota could argue further, Gage said, “So what are you going to do about it?”
“I can handle it.” Dakota shifted to sit up straighter in his chair. “I can.”
“What’s going on? Because you know we can help,” Gage said. “We’ve got your back, no matter what.”
Dakota scratched at the hair over his ear, longer than his normal cut and dirty like he needed a shower. “Kyla broke up with me.”
Gage blew out a breath. “Sorry, bro. I know you really liked her.”
Dakota made a face. He was trying to be mad more than heartbroken, and Gage didn’t blame him. “She moved to Eugene. Said she likes it better, and her mom lives there.” He shrugged.
Gage nodded. “I know what it’s like when the woman you love leaves.” That was a long time ago now, and the situation had been a whole lot more complicated, but the particulars stood. “But if there’s something you need to deal with, we want to help.”
Before he could say more the alarm on the wall erupted into that tinny buzz, signaling a callout. “SWAT response requested. Union Street, First National Bank of Benson. Armed robbery in progress, possible hostage situation.”
“I got it.” Liam grabbed the radio on his belt and called in they were mobilizing so the dispatcher would mark them as responding.
Gage stood and held out his hand. Dakota clasped his wrist and Gage pulled him to his feet. “Let’s go, Masterson.”
“On your six,Lieutenant.”
Gage didn’t totally love the tone of that, but there wasn’t time to worry about it. The north end of the cave had a garage bay that led out onto a ramp up to the street. They pulled out a minute later, and Liam flipped on lights and sirens.
“Shouldn’t take us long to get there.” Gage didn’t even bother pulling up a map. They all knew the bank on Union Street in the middle of downtown.
Blake leaned between the two front seats. “Lieutenant, when are you gonna let me drive?”
Gage glanced over and saw his friend was at least partially serious.
Liam gripped the big steering wheel. “When you’re hauling my cold, dead body back from a callout.”
Gage blinked. “Bro.”
“Fine. But it stands.” Liam took a corner faster than necessary and Blake had to grab the door handle.
Gage faced forward again. “Liam drives until I say otherwise, got it?”
“Yeah, Gage,” Blake muttered.
He let the use of his name not his rank go for now, because Liam was already pulling between two parked black-and-white patrol cars. He parked the giant SWAT van in the center, close to the awning where the scene commander directed everyone. It would be a layer of protection against anyone gawking or cops here.
Gage got out and slammed the door. He strode to Captain McCauley, who he’d trained under at the academy. Liam didn’t like him all that much as they’d butted heads, but Gage had always respected the guy. McCauley was over the detectives these days, but they exchanged small talk on occasion.
“What’ve we got?” Gage slid the helmet on his head and clicked the snap.
McCauley barely looked up. He’d pulled a vest over his suit shirt. “Five guys got out of that van.” He pointed toward the curb in front of the bank, where a beat-up van had been haphazardly parked. “And raced in with automatic weapons. Opened fire. Created panic, and then locked down the bank. They’re still inside.”
