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Alert to all units, 999 2P4 metro. The call went out across all channels for the sheriff's department. Almost evry cop in Bakersfield was now heading to the location, both police and sheriff's department. Stan looked over at Steven when he heard the call. For an experienced deputy having shot someone but not hurt himself, the call sign was different. So when he looked over at Steven and saw him on the ground bleeding he let go of the woman and rushed over to Steven. The bullet hit him on the side of his chest a little below the armpit, an area his kevlar vest did not cover. Stan applied pressure to the wound and tried to keep Steven conscious by talking to him. Within a minute of the call Eric showed up along with two other deputies and a couple city police units. An ambulance and fire truck came next and medical aid started working on Steven. Stan took a step back as he mumbled out something about his parents. Stan went to his patrol car and grabbed his cell phone and notebook with the number for Steven's house. He gave the phone to Eric after he dialed as he was sobbing and could not speak coherently.
"Hello?" Debbie answered.
"Debbie, this is Eric Daniels." Eric started.
"What's wrong Eric?" Debbie's voice raised.
"Steven has been shot and the medics are working on him right now." Eric came right out.
"Bryan wake up!" Debbie shouted. "Is he alive Eric?"
"Yes he is alive. He is getting loaded onto the stretcher right now. He is going to CGH which is two blocks away."
"We'll be down there right away!" Debbie replied and hung up.
Debbie and Bryan threw on some clothes, ran to the car, jumped in and sped out of the driveway.
I was out with Doug tonight and we were doing traffic stops along a popular stretch of road that is a big speed trap. We had only been on shift for three hours and had written six speeding tickets. We were about to stop another car when the radio cued up with a tone signaling an important message for all to hear. Attention all units, 999 for 2P4 metro. Code 33 on channel four. (emergency traffic only on channel four)
We turned our car radio to metro and listened to the traffic. In the background as other units were arriving we could barely make out what was happening in bits and peices. As one unit coded off he left his mic open a bit and I heard someone in the background say 'I have to call his parents.'
"Doug, that's Steven that's been shot." I said.
"Do you know where he lives?" Doug asked.
"Yea, floor it and make a right at the light." I directed.
We went speeding up the roads as I gave directions to turn. Doug went code three all the way to Steven's house. Just as we came upon it, a car came tearing down the driveway. Doug rolled down his window and yelled, "We'll escort you to the freeway." Traffic was light as Steven's parents stayed on our butt all the way to the freeway and other cars stayed out of our way. We pulled over at the freeway and Doug got on the PA system, "We'll be praying for him." as the car sped around the on ramp and disappeared from sight.
"Why are we not going down with them?" I asked.
"If the scene was still active then we would but there are more than enought city and county cops to handle it." Doug answered.
"Can we go to Jason's" I asked.
"Is that his boyfriend?" Doug queried.
"Yes. Steven and Jason would be pissed if the other one found out too late about something like this." I reasoned.
"Do you know where he lives?" Doug asked.
"I know the street, there are only a few houses on it."
"Okay, give me directions." Doug stated.
We made our way through town in the direction of Jason's house. We only turned on the lights and sirens once when we came upon a line of cars heading out to the prison. We got to Jason's street and turned on our spotlights and takedown lights to illuminate the area. I told Doug what Jason's truck looked like so he would know what to look for. We found his truck at the house at the end of the street. Doug stopped the car and we both got out and went to the front door to knock.
John answered the door, "Can I help you deputies?"
"Mr. Bedford?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Is Jason here?" I asked.
"Actually, we would like to speak to you and your family if possible, Mr. Bedford." Doug interrupted.
Mr. Bedford invited us inside as he went and got his wife and Jason. As soon as Jason came out and saw me, he dropped to the floor and started crying.
"What happened to him Dustin?" Jason wailed.
"He got shot and should be at the hospital by now." I answered as I knelt and held him.
Anne started sobbing and asked, "What about his Bryan and Debbie?"
"We just escorted them from their house to the freeway before Dustin wanted to come here." Doug replied.
"What hospital did they take him to?" John asked.
"County General. They were only a couple blocks away when it happened." Doug answered.
"Mom, I need to go!" I stood and spoke.
"We'll all go and I'm driving." John said.
I went in my room and threw on a shirt and some sandals and made my way to the truck to wait for my parents and talk to Dustin.
"Thank you for coming here and telling me. I would be pissed if I found out any later." I said with anger in my voice. Not because Steven's parents didn't call, not because Steven was doing what he loved but because of the asshole who shot him.
"I knew you would want to know as soon as possible or you would be pissed if I didn't tell you." Dustin said as he hugged me.
We got into the truck and peeled out of the driveway and headed to Bakersfield. Traffic wasn't very bad until we got off the freeway. As we were driving up the road towards the hospital, one of the side streets was blocked off and there were several cars down the street that had flashing lights. That had to be where Steven was shot. I just hope the person who shot him was dead or in jail. But as I saw the area and the people working my anger turned to sadness as I cried once more not knowing what I was going to hear as we pulled into the parking lot of the hospital.
Mom, Dad and I walked in the waiting room of the E.R. The person at the reception desk asked us what our need was.
"We are here for Steven Williams, we are family." mom answered.
We were directed to another waiting room and upon entering we saw a multitude of deputies in uniform. Among the crowd was Bryan and Debbie being consoled and comforted by colleagues and family. Debbie noticed us and made her way towards us with Bryan right behind her. Hugs and tears were exchanged as mom asked Debbie if she had received any news or an update.
Debbie grabbed Stan's arm and pulled him over to us. Stan remembered me from that day we met in the summer and spoke, "You are one hell of a friend to Steven."
"Stan, Jason is Steven's boyfriend. This is Jason's mom and dad. They want to know how bad it was." Debbie encouraged.
"The blood loss was ample. He was shot on the left side of his chest under his armpit. His vest did not cover that area. He lost consciousness in the ambulance and that is the last we have heard. No one has been out to speak to us in over an hour." Stan explained.
I sobbed silently, my body unable to produce anymore tears. We were introduced to the family that had arrived from Debbie's side. We met the Sheriff himself, always a light hearted man able to bring light into a dark situation. Another 30 minutes passed with no update until the door from the room to the E.R. opened and a doctor emerged.
"Family of Steven Williams?" he asked.
Bryan and Debbie approached and grabbed me to talk to the doctor.
"Mr. and Mrs. Williams, I am sorry...
Yes it is a cliffhanger and I had every intention of having one in this story. Makes chapter 24 that much more anticipated.
Thank you to my readers and stay tuned for the next chapter to appear shortly. All comments are welcome, please no flames. Send to namiosym@gmail.com