Wounded Badge Vista

by Kieran York

  “She was my example,” Hertha answered.

  After picking up the young Golden retriever, Hertha sat in the back so she could put Gold Honey at ease. When Honey was dropped off at her new home, it seemed to encourage a thousand squeals.

  Sara and Andy, and their grandparents, were delighted. They photo-phoned the celebration to Nick and Bev at the rehabilitation center.

  Nick prophesized, “Gold Honey’ll be fitting in her K-9 outfit in a month or two.”

  The sheriff agreed. “It will just fit. I wondered if her name was gold because she’s a Golden retriever. After seeing her this afternoon, I realize, she’s ‘gold’ for so many reasons.”

  Nick remarked, “We love her. Royce and Hertha, thank you. I couldn’t love her more.”

  Hertha said, “That’s the object of animals. Sleep well, and Nick, get recovered fully so you can finish training Gold Honey. She needs her matching badge.”

  Chapter 22

  Morning was busy. Royce went on two calls immediately after she’d arrived at the Sheriff’s Department Office. When she arrived back, Deputy Terry and Stella, from Forensics, were talking. They beckoned her to the conference room. D. A Mike had taken a seat at the oblong table. On a small counter next to the table was a computer, and another smaller instrument.

  As Royce was seated, they tuned on the audio.

  Terry’s voice was only slightly recognizable to Royce. However, it was a remarkable imitation of the voice on the tape at the Drop-On Buy. There was a harshness, somewhat of a mumble, just as Coleen ‘Cookie’ Herman had used.

  [The dialogue was short.]

  “Delton, this is Cookie. Coleen. Buck and me need some ideas.”

  “Coleen, what the hell are you calling me for? You’ve got your orders.”

  “This is getting nuts.”

  “Damned right. You’d better get a move on it. You tell Buck he’d better make a move. You’re not on your honeymoon.”

  “Delton, they’ve made us. It isn’t easy.”

  “Shut your mouth. This needs to be taken care of. You’ve been paid a hell of a lot more than you’re worth. I told your boss you were both useless. But no, he wanted two nuts. Keep to the last plan. Like I told Buck, the first area. The vista. Get her up there. Just do it. Your boss is very impatient. He’s not fucking playing games, you dumb, blinked out slut. And keep your mouth quiet.”

  The sound of a disconnect was clearly heard.

  Royce and Mike were speechless. Royce finally asked, “Have you sent this to Dallas?”

  “Not yet,” Terry answered. “We wanted to clear it with you.”

  “Good plan, so only those of us in here, and Sam, I presume, have heard this?”

  “Sam, yes. He helped me with it,” Terry responded. “He said it was explosive, and probably need approval to move along the line.” She smiled. “Well, he actually said it was above his pay grade. We should keep it undercover.”

  Everyone in the room smiled, thinking exactly how Sam would have said it.

  Royce commented, “Mike, we don’t know who knows what in Texas. If the information gets into someone else’s it could be dangerous to them, and to us. I’m hoping Delton doesn’t make contact with Buck, or with his client, Sumner.”

  Mike grimaced. “To me Delton sounds like he just wanted get back to his own business. My best guess is that even if he calls one of them, everyone will suspect Coleen of drugging. I think they all just want this to end. That makes Buck Eisner very dangerous. For now, let’s sit on the audio. After the capture of the criminals, we can present it. Proof positive that Sumner made the blueprints. Esquire Mel Delton okayed the blueprints.”

  Royce affirmed, “And Cookie and Buck are going to try to make the plan work.” She looked away. Then she stood. “Terry, you were brilliant. I want you to stick around here in Timber, but if you decide on Hollywood, watch out Meryl Streep.”

  “No thanks, Sheriff. I was very nervous.”

  Everyone gave her praise. Blushing, Terry stepped out of the conference room.

  Mike said, “She was terrific.”

  The sheriff mentioned, “She didn’t want to stay for an applause. So, I’m hoping she’s not filmland bound. I’m pleased she’ll stay with us.”

  Stella’s dry words said it all. “We can always use her for undercover.”

  Royce chuckled. The clock ticked on. Royce was the prey.

  ***

  Later that morning Royce took an emergency call. “Sheriff, this is Virginia Kern. The Drop-On Buy Shop.”

  “Yes, you have a sighting?” Royce listened carefully. She motioned to Terry to listen in on the speaker phone.

  “The person was just in and paid in high currency bills. It was very strange. Sheriff, I acted like I didn’t recognize her. She acted a little strangely. The action was like the Mimic Maiden. But it was a man. I’d swear it was your suspect and she’d disguised herself as a man now. Please come, but don’t bring squad cars. I’m afraid of her. This person left behind a sack of groceries, and I’m sure he or she will be coming back. The car is a new model Chevy, I think green. Hurry.”

  Into the phone Royce said, “I’m on my way.” Disconnecting, she called to Terry. “Let’s go. The unmarked car. When we get there, we can call for backup if we need them.” Terry and Royce raced to the parking lot. They quickly got into the unmarked car. “This sounds a little wild, but I’ve heard comments on her poster photo. A couple mentioned that with the makeup, she looked like she could be a guy in drag. So, it’s not a stretch to believe this mistress of disguise isn’t boldly impersonating a man.”

  They parked in the back. The green Chevy hadn’t arrived. Virginia opened the backdoor for them. “I didn’t know whether to call because I couldn’t tell for sure. She or he is wearing denims and a loose-fitting shirt. I mean, it might be the person. The expressions were sort of the same. I tried to act natural.”

  Virginia was trembling. Royce comforted her, “It’s going to be okay.”

  “I mean,” Virginia’s voice shook, “if I cause problems, and it isn’t the person, they’ll probably fire me from here. I need to be sure about falsely accusing shoplifters, you know, or we’ll get sued.”

  “We’re here, now,” Terry reassured her. “We’ll check it out. And if we don’t make an arrest, it’s on us.”

  Royce planned, “Terry, as soon as the suspect enters, you go out the back door and move toward the front of the building. When I step out from the back room, Coleen will probably bolt out the front door. And you’ll be there.”

  As they waited, Royce and Terry watched from the side room. Royce called for backup, ordering the two squad cars to make certain they couldn’t be spotted from the Drop-On Buy. After fifteen more minutes, Royce saw the green Chevy rolling up.

  Coleen Herman stepped through the doorway. She walked to the counter. Royce quickly identified her.

  “Hey, I didn’t get all my stuff.”

  As soon as Virginia put the bag on the counter, Coleen looked down, examining the contents. Royce quickly approached her, grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her back. The sheriff shoved the suspect face down on the counter. She rapidly cuffed the suspect. Terry had entered, with gun drawn. Royce ordered, “Terry, tell the two squad cars to step down. We’ll handle it. And we are to keep this quiet. When we enter the Sheriff’s Department, we’ll take her immediately to box. Call Mike and have him meet me there to interrogate her. We’ve got to keep this on the quiet. Maybe we’ll catch a break and Buck will figure she’s run off, or she’s getting high. We need to keep a lid on.”

  Royce and Terry led the suspect to the car. They drove her to the Court House. And as they were removing Coleen Herman from the car, the young woman, dressed as a young man, spoke. “You got the wrong person.”

  “I think not.” Royce’s answer was solid. Icily, she added, “I’m very convinced I’ve got the correct woman.” Royce wasn’t sure if she was imitating a man, dressed up as a potential sapphic, or going in drag. She was
pretty certain it was a woman. It didn’t matter at all now. She was in custody. Royce Mirandized her.

  “My cuffs are too tight.”

  Terry rolled her eyes. “Life isn’t always perfection. So, shut up and we’ll loosen them when we get inside.”

  ***

  Coleen ‘Cookie’ Herman was seated at a small interrogation desk. On the opposite side were Mike and Royce.

  “Need a beverage?” Royce asked her.

  “Naw. You cops do that trick to get DNA. Not ‘cause you give a fuck if I die of thirst.”

  “Coleen Herman, we’ve got your DNA. We could start a fledgling country, or a blood bank, with all the DNA we’ve got of yours.” Royce read the list of what they knew about her.

  Mike added, “And when we photographed and fingerprinted you just now, Forensics checked your prints. Coleen Herman. Stop talking garbage. You’re in very deep trouble, young lady. If I were you, I would stop with the attitude.” He pointed to Royce. “You want to read her charges and rights.”

  “I Mirandized her before the arrest. I’ll just read the charges.” Royce slammed the table, getting Coleen Herman’s attention. “Get comfy, Cookie, because we’ve got a multitude of charges.” The sheriff looked into Coleen’s eyes each time she read a charge. “Murder. Collusion to commit murder. Attempted murder. Kidnapping. Abduction with intent to murder. Conspiracy to commit a killing for hire.” She continued reading, and when she ended, she said slowly, “Now aren’t you glad you didn’t resist arrest when we picked you up?”

  “I know my law,” she bragged. Her head tipped up. “You can’t say I did all the stuff.”

  “Coleen, I’m going to interview you now. As the D.A. just told you, drop the ‘tude. And it would be much better for you if you’d be helpful with your answers.”

  Mike stood, “I’m leaving. But if you have any hopes of freedom in your lifetime, you’d better cooperate with the sheriff.”

  When he left, Coleen leaned across the table. “See, he’s going nowhere. He’s behind that mirror. Looking at me.”

  Royce leaned nearer. “Listen to me closely, you have passed your street criminology with flying colors. I’m not impressed. I want to know about you and Buckley Eisner.”

  “I don’t recognize the name. And you can’t make me talk about him.”

  Recalling the phony phone call Terry performed, Royce remembered Mel Delton mentioning about them not being on a honeymoon. “You married him, right? Or when he got out of prison and was planning this hit, he married you so you couldn’t testify against him.” She texted Terry to check for the marriage record and date.

  The dead air made Coleen anxious to boast. “See, you can’t make me say a damned thing about my husband.” She smirked. “If you were on fire, I wouldn’t waste good saliva putting it out.”

  Royce gave her another few seconds. There was no change in either of their faces. Coleen’s eyes gave off a sheeny look of nuttiness. Royce waited for the text. “You’re right. Or you would be right. You were married ten days before your eighteenth birthday. You were only seventeen. Probably no Colorado parental consent forms were presented. You aren’t married at all. And legally, that is a very bad thing for your presumed husband. And a very good thing for you.”

  Her eyes squinted, she looked away. “I’m telling you nothing.”

  “Coleen,” Royce’s voice softened. “We can help you. If you help us. We know about your ‘boss’ and your deal with attorney Mel Delton. You are caught right in the middle. We’re very near to capturing Buck. You said you didn’t kill anyone. But if you chain yourself to them. Buck, Sumner, Delton – you’re going to be the first to be thrown to the wolves.”

  “Buck won’t turn on me.”

  Leaning back, Royce crossed her arms. “Men have been turning on you all your life. Buck isn’t different. He’ll take the deal. He’ll compromise you. And you know it. You aren’t stupid. The streets toughened you up. You know it’s you against them.”

  “He said he would protect me.”

  “That was when he thought you couldn’t testify against him. It was when he thought you were married. But that was bogus. Coleen, talk to me. Let’s get you a gentle landing. Help me, help you. Colorado has the death penalty. Old Buck is going to scramble right over you. It will be a foot race to see who gets the deal. I’m talking to you about keeping you from the bad injection. But if you want, you can request an attorney and you can refuse to talk with me.”

  Her breathing became labored. She was adrift, and she was becoming terrified. The auburn-haired, sultry, mystical woman, and the tough street guy impressions were another world apart from handcuffed and sitting in an interview room. Coleen was able to adapt to any identity. Chameleon, a genuine chameleon, Royce thought. Coleen was a perfect role player. And now she was trying to make the most difficult decision of her life. It wasn’t a stretch to imagine she’d go for the helpless teen, or barricade with a steel bulwark on the side of crime.

  Just when Royce thought Coleen wouldn’t offer up, the young woman spoke. “You’re trying to make me roll over. Play us against each other. I know how you cops work. You hate me.”

  Whew, Royce thought, she hadn’t seen that passive aggressive pop up. “I don’t hate you. But I’ll be glad to send one of our deputies in. Deputy Terry Doyle isn’t as angry as I am.”

  “Yeah, you’re doing your good cop/bad cop.”

  “You don’t know as much as you think you do, Coleen. We don’t play good cop/bad cop. Underneath, we are all really bad cops. We’re all angry.” Royce reached in her back pocket to pull out her wallet. She thumbed through her photos. She took out a photo of Nick in his uniform, with his wife and children. “I’m the baddest cop you’ll ever meet. Your partner shot this man down.” Royce finger touched Nick’s chest. Perhaps his heart. “This man would have given up his life to protect a citizen. And everyone that knows him is very angry.”

  When Royce saw Coleen reaching to wipe a tear away, she hoped for a breakthrough. Even that would be difficult to read. Coleen had the corner on playing emotions. So how could anyone be certain.

  “Coleen, do you really think Buck will step aside and give you the first pass to live?”

  “Hell no,” she seethed. Her emotions were suddenly upside down, sideways, and definitely inside out. “Naw. He even smacked me for using the goddamn credit card.” Her anger was suddenly erupting. “Claimed it would get us caught. Then he pulled his blunder.”

  “Blunder?” Royce stoked the story.

  “Yes. He called me stupid. But he was stupid for not killing those two witnesses. That was a blunder. He laughed. Said he wasn’t getting paid extra for shooting them. And they’d never be able to identify him.”

  The sheriff would continue to allow Coleen to spew her ego fiction. “But you would have killed those bikers?”

  “Of course. There was a chance they could identify me. If I didn’t have on a disguise. You know, I did pantomime. Acting. I got a voice, and can hoof it plenty good. Anyway, Buck says that killing isn’t any good if you don’t get pleasure out of watching fear.”

  “And do you believe everything Buck says?”

  “Hell no. Maybe all he wanted is to use me. We looked for a pussy-starved kid to use. See, I perform. That dumb kid wanted me, and I wouldn’t have looked at him twice.”

  “But you preferred Buck? To be Buck’s gun moll. Did Sumner or did Mel Denton introduce you to Buck?”

  “I met Buck. He knew Sumner and Denton. Hell yes, I was impressionable. I thought Buck was hot as a flaming sauna. And he said what a great actress I am.”

  Considering that Royce had immediately seen through her vulnerable performance, the sheriff wondered how talented Cookie was. Royce nodded. She had interviewed Coleen for several hours, continually setting the traps where the young woman might not see them. It was the most grueling interview Royce had ever conducted. She continued building the cases, not only Coleen’s case, but also the one against Buck. She continued to bring him bac
k into the crime.

  “So Buck was your fella.”

  “He said he knew a guy that would give him a hundred grand to start. And more. Half a million for killing a sheriff. For killing you.” Her eyes focused on Royce. “The money would have given us a start.”

  “Are you trying it on me? Saying that you needed a half mil to settle down?”

  Coleen looked away. She covered her eyes. “Aw fuck. We just got together to hang out. Hang out with each other. He didn’t want me to settle down with him, did he?”

  “Will you tell me about the attempted murder of Undersheriff Hogan and the homicide of Kirk Dillard?”

  “I watched the Dillard kid while Buck shot the Hogan guy.”

  “Undersheriff Hogan.” Royce swallowed. “And how did you participate in Kirk Dillard’s murder?”

  “When Buck came back to where I was watching the kid, we took the kid to dispose of the body. Tossed the truck over.”

  Royce felt sick to her stomach. “Didn’t it bother that you helped a killer shoot two human beings, one to death. The other nearly to death.”

  “Hey, I didn’t even know the one. The kid, I did feel a little sorry for. I thought I might give him a blowjob while Buck was shooting the undersheriff.”

  Dazed for a moment, the sheriff wondered if in some twisted way this eighteen-year old woman found that admirable. There was no way to tour Coleen’s intentions or her heart. Royce conceded that it may have been that she had no heart. Royce had interrogated many murderers. But this one impacted the sheriff. And Coleen was as nonchalant as if an incident report for a fender bender was being written.

  Royce placed the papers in front of Coleen. Written were her confession, and agreeing to Royce’s notes on the interview. She rapidly signed them. Then she drew a little smiley face off to the side.

  Royce stood. “In a few minutes someone from the District Attorney’s office will be in to have you sign some documents. He will answer any further questions you might have.