One of the Good Ones (Strawberry Inn Book #1)

Chapter 2

HARRISON

"Hey Lieutenant, Captain Bridges would like to speak with you once you complete your check-in."

The message came over the radio from Captain's administrative assistant just as I was stepping into the barracks. It was seven on the dot and my men were lined up and ready for the morning check-in. As firefighters, we worked long shifts. You wouldn't find any eight to five workers back here in the barracks. A typical shift was forty-eight hours long and then you'd get forty-eight hours off. During the two days that we were on shift, the barrack was our home.

As the lieutenant, I was in charge of the men on my truck. Being the highest-ranking and longest-tenured on this shift, also meant that I led the entire firehouse during our shift. I sacrificed a lot to be in the position that I was at the age of thirty-eight. I went to all the extra training that was offered, I volunteered for extra shifts during my early years, and I studied hard for every test to move up in rank. The guys that worked with me respected me and it made the job that much easier.

My next goal was to become captain and I was hopeful that would be sooner than later. The next chance to take the exam would be coming up in two months, but in our city, it required a recommendation from your current captain or your deputy chief. I had brought it up with Captain Bridges a couple of weeks ago, so maybe that was what he wanted to talk with me about. I had insider information that some older guys up the chain were going to be retiring, this would be the perfect time to work my way up the ladder, even more, pun intended.

After a successful morning check-in, I made my way to the front office where Darcy, the admin assistant, looked up from her computer, "All done with your morning routine, Harrison?"

"Yes, ma'am, is Captain Bridges in there?" I said as I motioned over to his office.

"He is, you can go in, just be sure to knock first. You know how he can be."

"Any idea what he wants to talk to me about?"

"You know I'm never privy to that information, Harrison. He just tells me to make the calls, never why."

"I guess I was just hoping this time. Thanks, Darcy."

I flash my award-winning smile in her direction, leaving the woman in her early fifties with a blush on her cheeks, and head towards the door that was always closed. Captain Bridges and I have worked together for many years now. He was not the type of guy that was going to sugarcoat anything. Some people didn't appreciate his abrasive attitude, but I always felt that it made things happen quicker and more efficiently. Efficiency is important when you're dealing with emergencies and raging fires. I only knew him to lose his cool a handful of times, every single time it was deserved.

I gave the door two hefty knocks until I heard him holler from the inside to come in. I opened the door and he was right where I was expecting him, behind his desk working through a pile of papers. "Lieutenant Thatcher, there you are. Come on in."

"Thank you, sir." I entered and took a seat across from his desk. "Darcy said you wanted to talk with me."

"I did, Harrison."

"Okay, is this about the Captain's Exam?"

"As much as I wish I could tell you yes, unfortunately, the answer is no."

"Oh, can I ask why? I've been studying and I think I'm ready. I know some people think I'm still too young to be a captain, but I think what I've done in my career so far shows that I'm capable of doing the job."