by Kieran York
“Shut up, Yancy. Just shut up. You say another word and I’ll use it as an excuse to blow you away,” Royce spat words. She pointed the rifle’s barrel against his temple. Icily, she repeated, “Don’t say another word.”
Dust stung her eyes. She blinked the particles away. For several moments she glared down the length of the gun. Her index finger began to squeeze. Then she lowered the rifle. She pulled his arm. “Now, very slowly. We’re going out.”
As he stood, she twisted the large, limping man around. “We’re going to book you and charge you with two counts of attempted murder and with three counts of murder. I did my homework, Yancy. There’s no statute of limitations on murdering an officer of the law who is killed in the line of duty. And, Yancy, capital punishment applies to that crime.” Royce’s dialogue was not boasting, yet it was not hollow. “We’ll get a conviction, Yancy. The term 'airtight’ comes to mind when I think of the evidence. We’ve got a case, and we’ll convict. You’ll be sentenced and you’ll be executed.”
With those words, she felt a shiver from his body as her rifle point pressed against his back. By the time they reached the rectangle of light that seeped through the mine’s ingress, he was trembling.
When they were out in the fresh air, Royce relaxed her trigger finger. She heard the sirens. She commanded, “Just stand right there until they get up here. Don’t move. Don’t say a word. Don’t turn around. If I see your face, the temptation to shoot might be too great.”
There were no tears. Royce did not even blink. That’s how it was.
***
“Mirandize him and get him back to Timber City,” Royce ordered. Her skin was gritty from mine dust. Lowering the rifle, she handed it to one of the other deputies. Two of the part-time deputies led Yancy away to a squad car.
“I’ll drive you back,” Nick offered.
“Yes,” she agreed as they walked to the Blazer. “We’ll follow behind their vehicle and make sure he gets locked.”
Nick turned on the ignition. “You did it. I smell a promotion coming up for you. City Council will vote you in as temporary sheriff. And you’re sure to take an election.”
Royce smiled briefly as she slumped in the passenger’s seat. “The pay raise will be great. Maybe I can send Gran and her sister to England.”
“Hell, what about that Chandler reward?”
“I was doing my duty. We can’t accept rewards. I’m going to recommend that the reward go back to the citizens of Timber City. First, to bail out the Times. People here deserve their own newspaper. And second, a trauma van with some updated equipment for the veterinary clinic. If it hadn’t have been for Smoky, Yancy would have killed us.”
“Chandler folks will be so glad that Luther lost his rights to the ranch, they’ll gladly go for that. Plus put your image up in bronze.” Nick carefully steered the vehicle down the winding road.
“That’s right. Luther gave false testimony. He perjured himself. He’s an accomplice,” Royce said, giving an indicting laugh, “and if we look hard enough, we’ll find some drug dealing. So Luther’s fate is sealed along with his brother’s. All’s well,” Royce sighed. “The Times. The clinic. And the ranch reverts to the Chandlers. I hear they plan to make it a home for troubled and delinquent girls.”
“All’s well for everyone but me,” Nick glumly lamented. “I’m not your favorite person.”
“If you’re staying in these parts, I want you to remain a deputy. As I always say, I want you where I can keep my eyes on you. And you’ll be a challenge. You’re insensitive, arrogant, sexist, bigoted, and a general asshole. I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least try to turn you around.” Giving his shoulder a shove, Royce grinned wearily. “And there may be some glint of goodness. You made a decent rush up to the mine. You didn’t seem too concerned about getting your pretty-boy ass blown away. Maybe you’ll make an enforcer yet.” Royce rubbed her eyes. “Then maybe we can even make a considerate, sensitive, fine man out of you.”
“I’ll try.”
“Just keep your feet off the desk,” Royce admonished. “Sure.” He slowed the vehicle as they approached Timber City. “Anything else?”
“Yes. Would you park as near the courthouse as possible?” Royce requested as she released a heavy yawn. “I can’t begin to tell you how tired I am.”
***
Royce stepped into her mother’s tight grasp, reassuring her, “I’m fine, Mom.”
“When your Gran called with the news, I was terrified.”
“It’s all over now,” Royce confirmed. Her mother’s face was still tense, blanched with concern. “Mom, I’m safe. Timber City is safe. Ray will be released, and Dad’s killer will be tried on three counts of murder. Two counts of attempted murder. We’re all safe.”
There was a glint of pride in Molly’s eyes. “Yes. I do believe we’re all safe again. You knew all along that Ray didn’t do it. You got your daddy’s ways. Guess I never realized that they include his strength and resourcefulness.”
“I’m proud that I’m like my father. And like you.”
“I don’t believe you ever told me that before.”
“Mom, I love you and I’m proud you’re my mother. Proud for having your qualities too.” She squeezed Molly’s hand and then reached to dry a tear.
“What you did today ... it was brave. Your daddy would have bust his buttons.”
Royce saw something in her mother’s eyes that she’d never seen before. Belief. Perhaps this beam of pride was acceptance. Royce smiled. She was being swarmed by townspeople. She returned Gwen’s victory clasp that nearly lifted her off her feet.
“Guess I’ve got my lead story. And,” Gwen whooped, “I’d be willing to bet that we’ll need to triple our press run. I do have the exclusive on this story?”
“Plenty amazing,” Royce teased, “a movie-of-the-week kinda story and you want the exclusive.”
“I don’t suppose you had time to take notes.” Gwen’s grin bloomed.
“I’m not even sure I remember enough to give a good deposition. But maybe you can color the story up a tad.” Royce then became serious. “Gwen, you’ve got the exclusive just as soon as I’ve gone over to the courthouse and given a statement. And there might be more for the Times than a story.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m going to make a recommendation to the Chandler family that their reward go to keeping Timber City’s newspaper afloat. And to better equipping the vet’s office and a trauma van. That way they’d be giving a gift to the community.”
“We’ve all already got plenty to thank you for. I guess one way of repayment would be to make you our new sheriff. But then I’d say that’s a given. You think Molly will be okay with that?”
Without reservation, Royce answered, “I know she will.” Glancing back toward where her mother was standing, Royce saw Faye. Royce understood her anguish. She went to her. “Faye, I’m sorry it turned out this way.”
“Know what that man always called me, Roycie?”
Royce shook her head. “No.”
“He called me his honkytonk woman.” Faye turned and rushed toward the Bell Ringer. Royce and the other citizens of Timber City had not believed that Faye loved Yancy. Royce realized that they had been wrong.
Leaning against the outside door of the Bell Ringer was Laramie. Thomas R. Buckley from Laramie, Wyoming, held up his fist and then lifted his thumb.
Royce tipped her head. Laramie would know that method of thanking him. He was a man of few words; he would understand.
Royce turned and felt a sudden staggering emotion. Valeria was walking toward Royce with her arms outstretched. As they embraced, Royce whispered, “You realize you’re being seen with me?”
“I know. Baby, I stopped by Molly’s for pastry and she told me.” Valeria lulled, “I was stunned. I thought that we would get back together after you cooled off. Royce, this ordeal has taught me so many things. How much I love you. Maybe it was my way of denying my feelings of fal
ling in love. All I know is that I couldn’t stand to think of you being killed. I’m so very sorry.” Valeria’s contrition was valid. Her eyes seeped as she embraced the deputy. “I’ll do anything you want to have our relationship back. It will be however you want, Royce. You’ll never know how sorry I am, how I regret the way I mistreated you.”
The press of Valeria’s body to her own weary frame seemed so different. Royce had once desired her each time they neared. Royce could see the sorrow in Valeria’s eyes. She could see the suffering. And she could see the loveliness of this woman for whom she had so longed. “Val, it isn’t the same.”
“I’ll make it better than it was. I’ll make it magic. Just give me the chance and I swear to you, I can make you happy. I’m ready to make any commitment you want. The thought of losing you was the worst I’ve ever experienced.”
Royce heard her grandmother’s Olds as it rolled toward them. She lifted her head and surveyed the street. She spotted Hertha’s somber expression as they parked. Hertha had seen Royce in Valeria’s arms.
Royce pulled away. “I’ve got to let Gran know I’m okay.” When the car door opened, Smoky pounced from the car and scampered toward Royce and Valeria. As if wanting to tell her story to Valeria, she whined.
Valeria glanced back at Hertha. With a dejection in her voice, Valeria murmured, “I understand now.” Her eyes tapped Royce and then Valeria knelt down to pet Smoky. “May I at least have joint-custody of Smoky?”
“Of course,” Royce replied as she leaned down. She touched Valeria’s arm. “Val, she loves you. You taught her how to be tough. Now let her teach you how to value yourself. You’re wonderful, not only on the outside, but inside as well. I know that. You showed me that part of you. Smoky knows it too. Now we want you to believe it.”
“Royce, I love you.”
“With all my heart, I want you to be loved. Really loved. It’s the most beautiful feeling in the world,” Royce whispered.
She then stood and made her way back to Gran’s car. She called to Hertha.
“Royce, I told you there wasn’t any obligation.” Hertha’s eyes were tranquil and her voice gentle. “I’m just happy that you’ve been spared. I can’t wait to tell Ray.”
Before Royce could stop her, Hertha’s proud stride headed for the courthouse sidewalk. “Hertha, wait,” she called. Royce felt her grandmother’s arms as she enfolded Royce. “Gran, I’m fine.”
“I knew you’d be solvin’ all this business. Sure enough, you did.”
“Gran,” Royce began. She watched as Hertha’s footsteps led away from her. Royce realized that if she hurried, she could be walking with Hertha. She kissed Gran’s cheek. “Gran, I’ll be right back.”
Royce wasn’t sure how she was able to sprint. She figured that perhaps it was because she was on the street that she loved, in the town she loved, approaching the woman she loved. “Hertha, wait.”
Their eyes bridged. “Do you realize that you’re walking away from her, Royce?”
“I did that when I fell in love with you. Now I want to walk with you.” Royce’s eyes questioned. “Would you like to walk together?”
“Through all times.”
“Yes. Really together. Absolute perfection. That,” Royce chimed with a chuckle in her voice. “That, and a warm bath, an iced bottle of beer, and a roll of butterscotch candy.”
“That’s exactly what I would have prescribed.”
“Plenty amazing to think just how easy I am to please.”