His Hart's Command (Nothing Special 6)

“Ten-Four, Fox. What’s your location?” Tech responded, flying down another alley, then checking his rearview.

“Westbound on Courtland. Before the Ellis intersection there’s a Budget garage ramp on the right. Pull in there hot. I’ll be waiting for ya,” Fox rasped.

“Roger that.”

“Hang on, Free,” Tech huffed, still handling his massive vehicle like a NASCAR professional. “Syn didn’t waste a second on the backup. We’re okay, Lenny.”

Free was silent. He knew he’d caused this whole mess.

“Len? Lenny!” Tech tried to check the backseat.

“I’m fine. Just trying not to distract you,” Free answered. “Keep your eyes on the road.”

“Okay. I’m ‘bout to turn into the garage. Hang on, Len. This is tight.” Tech grimaced.

Free inched his head up as Tech’s tires squealed loudly and his back end fishtailed when he made the sharp right onto the ramp. It was three lanes wide but both sides were lined with two-foot concrete guardrails.

Free’s mouth dropped open at the sight of the large black, armored SWAT vehicle twenty feet ahead blocking the dark entrance into the garage. The tinted black sedan skidded into the lanes right behind them. They gunned it up the ramp, noticing the APC too late.

The top of the armored car burst open and a black woman with a helmet shielding most of her pretty face, emerged and tossed a small round object that sailed over their SUV and onto the front windshield of the sedan. Then she disappeared as fast as she’d come.

“Close your eyes!” Tech barked.

Free dropped behind the seat and pressed his hands over his ears. He knew how SWAT’s flashbangs worked. There was yelling and more tires squealing. Free inched up and watched in fascination as the rear door of the armored carrier flung open, Fox and two other men filed out in rapid succession, moving in synchronized steps.

The first man held a riot shield in front of the trio, Fox was in the middle—crouched low—his rifle aimed at the sedan. The man on his six had his mouth close to Fox’s helmet and his other hand tapping rapidly on his right shoulder.

It only took them seconds before the three heavily armed officers were next to his window. Fox fired off two rapid bursts at the sedan’s tires, sending it careening into the guard rail.

With the shield-bearer still in front, Fox yanked open Free's back door, his silver eyes frantically searching his body. “Check him, Doc.” Fox ordered, then tapped the shield-bearer’s shoulder, and they were gone down the ramp.

“Atlanta PD SWAT! Come out now and get on your knees! I WILL NOT ASK AGAIN!” Fox’s voice was thunderous.

“Keep your head down. They may have to flash ‘em again,” the officer in the backseat said while examining him. “You took some pretty hard bumper shots on the side. How are you feeling? Did you knock your head at all?”

“I’m fine,” Free said, his voice surprisingly calm.

“Shit. Lenny. Are you sure?” Tech asked, his gun still aimed toward the floorboard while he watched them. “Doc, check him over anyway.”

“I said I’m fine.” Free got off the floor and sat his ass back in the seat. He checked behind him just in time to see Fox and another officer cuffing the men on the ground.

Steele, Ruxs and Green ran up the ramp, not bothering to draw their own weapons. Fox had the entire scene contained in less than three minutes. Goddamn. Is that really how good Hart’s team is?

Free took more deep breaths, still looking around.

By the way, where is he?

Free

The doctor from Hart’s team was checking his blood pressure for the fourth time in the last thirty minutes. “Doc,” Free said. Addressing the older officer like everyone else had, but his badge said Mercer. “I really am fine. I think it was nerves earlier.”

“I heard you loud and clear, but I just wanna check your ribs one more time, make sure there’s—”

Free gripped the doctor’s hand as it reached for the hem of his shirt. “I sincerely appreciate your thoroughness. But, you’ve checked those twice. And my entire body. I still want to know if the blood sample was completely necessary.”

“You refused to go with me to the hospital for X-rays,” the doctor said.

“Of course I did. It was the equivalent of a fender bender.” Free laughed.

“Followed by a high speed chase,” Fox gritted out. “You’re laughing now, but you better be glad you don’t have a scratch on you, because otherwise…”

Free shut his mouth. Hart’s lieutenant was waiting for God and Day to return from the court building. They’d been in the DA’s office all afternoon trying to put together enough evidence for a warrant on one of Cornelia’s warehouses, but so far hadn’t been successful. However, that wasn’t what had Fox on edge.

Hart was also on his way.

“I don’t know about you guys. But I’m clearing the hell outta here before Hart gets back from headquarters.” The doctor packed up his bag and stood.