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“Worst natural disaster your husband’s team was involved in?”
“The ice storm that froze half of Austin. A close second was the solar flair, but that was because TK was still recovering from an injury and we got caught up in it.”
Athena Grant leaned back in her chair and regarded her colleague from across the country. Carlos Reyes took a long drink of his beer and shrugged.
They were in a neighborhood bar in Chicago. The CFD was hosting several different major fire department organizations from around the country. Both the LAFD and AFD were invited, and the 118 and the 126 were among those stations chosen to represent their cities.
Athena and Carlos had tagged along separately at the behest of their husbands, to use the multitude of hours of vacation leave they’d saved up. While the firefighters and paramedics were networking, the lone police on the trip had made themselves scarce, instead taking over a table in the back of the small bar to compare notes and relax.
“There’s also the dust storm that took out a plane, but I’m still partial to the two disasters that nearly killed TK,” Carlos continued, shaking his head. “Should I ask what the worst was for your husband’s team?”
Athena paused, glass of wine frozen halfway to her mouth. You would think she’d have an immediate answer to that question, and she did… somewhat. But at the same time, was it the worst for his team or just the worst for them personally because of what happened to them afterwards?
“The tsunami that wiped out half of Santa Monica,” she finally answered. “Bobby’s entire team was either working in the aftermath or in the tsunami proper. I was helping with handling the riots.”
“Someone was in that?” A brief look of shock flickered across Carlos’ face. “How-”
“Buck’s luck, combined with needing to protect Eddie’s son,” she said, stopping the question before it could even be asked. “It was a terrible day, obviously.”
“Aren’t all natural disasters?”
Athena had to concede the point. They were terrible in their own ways, every single time. From the earthquake and the tsunami, to the mudslides and the summer heat taking out LA’s power grid, every disaster, natural or not, was horrible.
She tipped her wine. “Better question for you, Detective Reyes-Strand. Most ridiculous call you’ve worked with your husband?”
“You first,” Carlos said.