“Sugar supply critically low, need resupply,” Gau dutifully called into the radio.
“Roger that,” the radio responded. “We have the medication available. Will be arriving shortly.”
To his carefully concealed delight, Noah saw Erin and Clarke come out, weighed down by four huge bags of candy.
Soto’s face changed as soon as he saw his former lieutenant, and Clarke noticed. “Something you want to say to me, Soto?”
“No.” His former captain turned away.
“Weird because you seem to have something to get off your chest. An apology for torpedoing my application for captain?” Clarke asked.
“Nothing,” Soto said in a clipped tone.
“I was willing to let your little barbs about who your senior lieutenant was pass at the Unbirthday, but here you are again. You’re gonna pretend I’m invisible when you’re visiting MY firehouse? That’s rich, especially since you let Luna back in your good graces.”
“Don’t injure your career further in front of the Chief.” Soto was pink.
“I appreciate your career advice.” Clarke was far past caring. “He already knows about me and Luna. At least he was honest, unlike you. I’m by your side for ten years, and you recommend her six months into my stint as interim captain?”
“Because I can’t trust you!” Soto’s raised voice came out as a rasp, attesting to the condition of his lungs. “Ten years, I trusted you with everything, but her. You betrayed me,perdedor sin valor!”
Clarke didn’t appreciate being called ‘worthless.’ “I wasn’t the only one there. You forgave her.”
“She is my blood. You are not. And she was sorry. She saw what a stupid idea it was to shit where she ate. She broke up with you, and she’s with a good man now. A man better than you.”
Soto’s words had the effect of slapping Clarke from how he staggered backward. The rest of C-shift viewed the entire exchange with the avid interest of witnessing a long-brewing confrontation.
Noah wished he could intervene. While the past relationship was well-known within the firehouse, he was not going to address it publicly. No fire chief needed to justify any promotion or transfer to their subordinates.
Erin piped up, “Someone’s been eating too much sugar. Please excuse my lieutenant as his blood sugar is running off with his tongue.”
“I think we should eat all of the candy,” Lieutenant Gau said. He was in his mid-forties and did have a bit of a belly. “My endocrinologist says it’s good for me.”
“Only if your plan is to get a foot amputated. You should eat a Snickers bar. It has one entire extra gram of protein and only a gazillion grams of evil white sugar,” Erin said breezily. “Hey, group of children at three o’clock. Time to clean up the language and act like no one backstabbed anyone else.”
Her pointed comment was aimed at Soto who had the grace to retreat from Clarke. The klaxon rang, and Erin shrugged. “Duty calls! Come on, Aiden.”
The two members of A-shift left, and Noah took Soto out of earshot. “Was that necessary?” he asked in a low voice.
“I felt like it was.” Soto didn’t seem bothered.
“Don’t screw with me. You placed your lieutenant in an untenable position, and you know it. You and your niece saw to that.” While Noah wasn’t going into details, it was time he warned Soto off. Clarke had been punished long enough, and it was best Soto remembered which party had gotten off relatively lightly.
“She had nothing to do with it,” Soto denied.
“Don’t lie to me,” Noah said shortly. “As far as I’m concerned, they both are equally responsible.”
He prayed lightning would not strike him dead where he stood. His words were arguably hypocritical. On the other hand, he’d never been dating Hudgens when he was actively commanding her. Ideally, his new rearranged scheduled would keep her out of his direct line of command.
“I wanted to give her something before it’s too late.”
“I respect your feelings and the burden you must bear. But when you’re gone, is this how you want to leave things with Clarke?” Noah said carefully.
Soto was finally chastened, shoulders slumping. “He’s a big boy. Better he learns this lesson now, because I won’t be here forever.”
The doors rose behind them. The Ladder, Engine, and Medic left. Captain Williams was in the passenger position next to Jones who was driving.
Williams didn’t spare even a glance, reminding Noah that people were willing to take grudges to the grave.
