by Kieran York
“Got it covered,” Sam replied. “There’s a chopper above, they were shooting video for us, so we could get our logistics right. We’re very near to you.”
Royce’s nervous laugh stopped as quickly as it started. “And here I was just saying I’m glad we got this on body cam.”
Terry’s voice chimed in. “We’ve all got our cams going. You’ll have every single angle of the arrest covered. Eisner had you in his site. You never laid a glove on him.” She laughed, “Not a smidgen of police brutality.”
“I guess that was how Chance planned it,” Royce commented. “And although Chance had apprehended him, was attacking him, Chance didn’t lay a paw on him.”
“More’s the pity on that,” Terry said. “I wouldn’t mind having seen her rip into the monster.”
Royce saw the deputies. One said, “Okay, we’ll take over from here. Forensics is in route.”
“Make danged sure when they rappel down, they don’t smudge the fingerprints on the gun,” Royce instructed. “And I spotted a SIG Sauer Coyote Tan in his belt. That is the gun that shot Nick, and killed Kirk Dillard. Take care in getting it back up. Let’s leave the fingerprints on both G.I. Joe guns.”
Royce assisted in moving Chance onto the stretcher. One of the deputies covered the shivering dog. She was in shock. When they got her loaded into the bus, Royce sat beside her. She began unwrapping Chance’s, muzzle. The adhesive tape must have been so painful she thought. When she saw the other side, Royce knew that Chance had been disarmed by a very heavy instrument hitting the side of her skull. Blood was matted. After the tape had been removed from the muzzle and front paws, Chance leaned nearer to the sheriff. The tremble was still visible. Royce saw her dog try to stand, she whimpered, and slid back down onto the blanket.
***
The High Country Animal Hospital bustled with the movement of the staff. Everyone was actively working to save Chance. “I’m going to do a complete blood panel, and get x-rays.” Hertha called to her assistant. “STAT.”
“What do you think?” Royce impatiently questioned as she followed Hertha into the surgery.
“I think I’d like to take the butt of a rifle and smash Buckley Eisner.”
Royce was always taken aback when Hertha showed anger. “Chance saved my life. I’ll show you my cam shots. Chance saved my life.”
“It’s going to take a few weeks to see where we are on this. For now, I’ll get information, go in and try to fix everything. Royce, I can tell you that she’ll be wearing a paw brace on her one foot. At least for a few weeks. I’ll know more after I get done in surgery and get the blood work report. Another veterinarian from Crystal is on her way down here to assist. You said this guy drug a quarter of a mile?”
“Yes. And he was being rough, as if he was trying to damage her as he yanked her. Drug her up the Corduroy Trail.”
Hertha’s eyes were on fire. “The brutality in the world never ends. Damn.” She took a breath, and said, “Okay, I’m scrubbed. Listen, I want you to go over and talk with your mom. See Gwen and Nadine. Call your Gran. I’m wanting the surgery cleared, okay.”
“I understand. I need to go to the office and file the reports, and check the deputy reports. I’ll e-mail files to Texas so that they can follow up with indictments against Sumner and attorney Mel Delton. I’ll write a custody report, even though I was as much in his custody as he was in mine. He held the AR-15. I had 13 bullets in my pistol. Criminals are now armed as if they’re in war. Oh, and I also need to talk with Coleen Herman.”
“To tell her of her accomplice’s death?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll call with the report after I finish surgery. I told you there’s too much violence in our lives, Royce.”
“I know, Hertha.”
“I don’t want more if I can help it.”
“Hertha?” Perplexed, Royce looked into Hertha’s eyes.
“I won’t add to unhappiness. I don’t want to continue with the world’s sadness. I’ve decided not to bring a case against Gregory Corby. Not so much for him, but for his daughter. She’s innocent. She’s lost her mother and her brother. I’ve also lost my mother and brother. And it hurts so badly. She shouldn’t need to lose anyone else that matters to her.”
Royce loved Hertha so much. “I’m sure she’ll be grateful to you. And I’d like to think Corby will also be grateful.”
With tears in her eyes, the veterinarian looked away. “Time for surgery. I’ve got a dog to save for both of us.”
Royce didn’t need to beg Hertha to take extra care of Chance. It was a given.
***
Royce met Coleen in the interview room. They sat across from one another, with Royce wondering how to begin the conversation.
“What the fuck you want with me now?” she asked the sheriff.
“Buckley Eisner tried to kill me this afternoon. As you can see, he was not successful, thanks to K-9 Deputy Chance. Known to you as that ‘f-ing dog.’ You remember, the one you and Eisner hated.”
“I hate dogs.” Her eyes squinted.
“Eisner died. He mis-stepped very near the edge of the cliff. It was where he was wanting to pitch me and my dog off.”
She squinted, “Naw. You killed him. You killed him.”
“Coleen, I’m sure you’ll be seeing the body cam video on TV. It was filmed by not only deputies, but by an assisting helicopter. Buck Eisler absconded with my dog in tow. He battered my dog. Hit her with the butt of his rifle. Taped her paws together and her mouth. And he dragged her up the mountainside. The dog is a hero, she saved my life. But Buck wasn’t so lucky. He lost his equilibrium. He danced right off that ledge all on his own. I repeat, on his own.”
“The dog charged him!”
“Yes, she tried to charge him. And she nearly lost her life to protect mine.” Royce saw no change of expression. Cookie didn’t seem to take the news badly. “You don’t seem broken up over the death of your hoax husband. Mock wedding bells didn’t live up to your expectations?”
“He was an asshole. When I pulled that bankcard fraud, it pissed him off. Claimed it would all come tumbling down ‘cause of me.”
“And so it did. Luckily, we nailed you. And because of that, we were near apprehending him. You flipped on him. You squealed your soul to get a deal. We were willing to go light on your sentence, in order get to the triggerman. The hitman’s life is now past-tense. So, now we only need you to keep your word and witness against Sumner and Delton. Oh, wait, we don’t really need you for that either. The two of them will testify against each other. So really, you’ll be doing double down time. Those two in Texas will never see sunlight again. You’ll be taking a very hard fall. Not as hard as Buckley Eisner. The only winner of the ‘Get Out of Jail’ card was Buck. And he did that the hard way. But you don’t care, because you hated his guts. However, you were his accomplice. You’ll be spending a great deal of your life behind bars. If not all of your life.”
“I didn’t pull any trigger. I shouldn’t get a long sentence. But now you’re saying the deal isn’t any good?”
Royce stood. “I’m saying that I hope you find yourself a good wrinkle cream. Because you and your cast of characters won’t be released for a very long time.”
How sad to love someone just because they hang out with you. And sadder yet to be loved only because you hang out with them.
***
After a long confab with Mike, Royce felt assured that justice would be done. She crossed the street to Molly’s Pantry. Gwen was seated at the counter. Molly poured a cup of coffee for her daughter.
“Are you okay?” Gwen asked.
“Fine.”
“How about Chance?” Gwen teased, “News on the street says that she did the heavy lifting on this case.”
Smiling, the sheriff acknowledged, “Yes, she did. She had the killer captured and cornered. The killer had his rifle aimed directly at me. Deputy Chance saved my life.” Royce’s eyelids batted the tears that were forming. “Hertha i
s in surgery with her now.” Royce closed her eyes. “Chance was very courageous. After her ordeal, she looked dazed. Probably the pain she was in.”
Molly said, “Bev called. One of the deputies, probably Terry, called Nick to tell him the good news. He said to high five you for him. Anyway, they’re asking the doctors if Nick can get physical therapy here in Timber County. There’s a chance he might get released from the rehab center in a couple days. Well, that’s what Bev believes.”
Royce allowed a small smile. “I’ll call him later, after I know what’s happening with Chance. There’s no reason he can’t get really excellent treatment here. And I know we all miss him.”
Gwen said, “I honestly think people do heal better in their own communities.”
“Gwen,” Royce apologized, “I’m sorry I didn’t let you know about the apprehension of Coleen right away.”
“I understand. But I’ve known since it happened. I wasn’t going to print it, even if I turned down an exclusive on the news story. So, you could have told me.” She shrugged. “You don’t trust me anymore.”
“Of course, I do. Look, I promise I’ll give you the very next scoop we have.”
“Deal,” Gwen said.
Royce’s phone rang. She listened intently. Then she said to Gwen, “Here’s your headline, Gwen. Chance came through the operations great. Both her head, and her paw. No permanent damage. She’s going to be in pain. But Hertha said she should be fine with lots of TLC.” As Royce clapped her hands together, she confided, “There’s your scoop. And I’ll tell Hertha to make certain you get the first photos of Chance and me.”
With a slight bite, Gwen said, “I’ll take K-9 Deputy Chance’s photos first. She’s got more star power than you do, Royce.” Gwen winked. “She does. Maybe you can write a quotation about her work with the department.”
Nonchalantly, Royce walked to the door. “Gwen, I offer you a scoop, and you want me to provide a press packet, too?”
They laughed. As Royce walked across Main Street. She considered how wonderful it would be to settle in and cherish an evening without fear. “Okay, so here’s the plan...”
Chapter 24
There had been a couple days of reports that needed to be written. The finalization of a crime takes what Nick always referred to as the final scrub down. Paperwork with exacting details, and all follow up, were completed.
During those days additional search warrants were issued for the mountain hideout, and garage where the outlaw couple had attempted to be invisible to society. Some thought it might be abandoned, others figured the place was awaiting its owner.
Searching the residence, Royce saw how much clutter the two criminals had made in the cabin. Kicking though it, Royce had found notebook she believed belonged to Coleen Herman. It included what could have been adolescent drawings and absurd thoughts. Mostly of evil content. Royce had the suspicion that Coleen ‘Cookie’ Herman was either an evil person, or evil very often. All evidence needed to be tagged, bagged, and recorded.
They’d also searched the barn, where the stolen cars were stored. There was so much paperwork, Royce considered, that she wouldn’t have much time to help get ready for Nick’s Return Home party. The citizens of Timber County threw their shoulders, and their hearts, into readying the Welcome Home festivities.
Royce continued slugging it out with the murder case. She made some time for checking on Chance. She entered her home. “I’m just home to grab a sandwich,” Royce said as she kissed Hertha’s cheek. “Mom, Gran, and the rest of town are so busy getting ready for the arrival of Nick this noon, I hate to bother them.”
“I heard that one of the commuter airplanes is bringing Nick and Bev home later,” Hertha said. “I guess the landscaping is done at the Hogan home. Their house is well-surrounded with hundreds of columbines. I can’t wait to see Nick’s face. People were planting them there, then it spilled over to Wounded Badge Memorial.”
“I’m glad. It will help soften the emotional devastation of what happened there. The lovely vista will be ours again.”
“I think that was important to everyone planting the flowers.” Hertha’s arms gently looped Royce’s shoulders. “Both Nick and Chance were wounded there. And your last memories were terrifying.”
“We’ll work our way through it.” Royce looked away. “How’s the backyard committee doing for the Welcoming Home celebration?”
“No shortage of helpers getting the backyard set up. Gran said that tables are already being crowded with food for the guests.”
“Everyone I’ve talked with is planning to attend,” Royce stated.
“The kids are excited.” Hertha laughed. “You should hear Vannie scold Chance when she tries to get up. Being dragged so far over the rugged Corduroy Trail must have been agonizing. Royce, checking her over after the surgery, made me want to cry. I don’t know how in the world she didn’t have every bone in her body broken.”
“She’s got excellent medical care. I heard Vannie talking with her yesterday.” Royce smiled. “They take such good care of Chance. I know they want Chance to be there at the presentation Gwen is giving.” Royce worried that Chance would be spooked by the crowd. She had seemed skittish for the last day or two. Yet the German shepherd was still friendly and loving.
“I think it’s amazing that so many people will be there. Nick will love it.”
“I’ve got a spare half hour, I think I’m going to journey out to Wounded Badge and check the memorial. We’ve had Nick’s name, and ‘wounded’ along with the date, put onto the memorial.”
Hertha’s eyes went sad. “I hope there are no more names engraved.”
Royce didn’t respond. She knew the sadness.
***
No matter where she went, without Chance, she felt a loneliness. She drove up to the monument. When she got out, she felt uplifted as she walked to the huge rock. People had planted columbines around it. There were even pots of columbines, so near one another that it resembled a carpet. Or perhaps it was a sea of blue, and light violet-blue.
The sheriff touched the newly engraved lettering. She brushed her fingers across Nick’s name. Royce also felt the terrible suffering she’d witnessed. The ache.
As Royce walked back to her vehicle, she saw the shadow of the large pointed stones. The badge-like peaks made its shadow look like mountains. The sheriff looked up into the skyline. She realized all good enforcers live in the shadow of a badge. That shadow is every single day when they walk towards danger. That shadow is the target that an enforcer and her or his family lives with.
Royce opened her SUV door, and then turned and looked back. Nick was going to be so pleased with those columbines. They were from those county folks that he served and protected.
***
Nick was in a wheelchair some of the time, but much of the time he leaned, from his left side, on a forearm walking crutch. His right shoulder, and arm were held by a sling. He seemed energized by the party. Large rows and rows of tables were filled with food and drinks. Bev stated that their backyard was huge, but for all the people arriving, they should have bought a couple more acres. Royce saw the deputies from all the surrounding counties, their families, and families in the community. All friends, all appreciative of Undersheriff Nick.
Royce had gotten to say hello to the Connors, the Dillards, D.A. Mike, Debra, Dr. James Glenn, Richard the Troubadour – along with his guitar, Faye Arnall, Chris Wyatt, and Virginia Kern were there. Doc and Stella. Even Claude, Spuds and Duffy attended. People always reminded her that this was her community. She belonged to Timber County.
As soon as they got the microphone set up on the back porch, Mayor Gwen was introduced. As mayor, she had been asked to give a few words. “Welcome, Undersheriff Nick. I think this is a fairly good showing for how much the community thinks of you. We’re glad you’re with us.” She cleared her voice. “And we put together some citizen commendations. To be known as the Nick Hogan Awards. Those who assist their fellow citizens and assist
us. Sheriff Royce Madison suggested we decorate those who help the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff…” she called Royce to the microphone.
Royce’s “It is so great to have Nick back. On behalf of the Timber County Sheriff’s Department, we want to issue the following citizen for this year their commendations. She read: Ron and Mandy Connor, Virginia Kerr, Chris Wyatt, Richard Troubadour, and Faye Arnall. Also, a special thank you to all those who assist us. Thank you.” Royce gave each of the people a framed letter. “Now then, back to our mayor, and then our guest of honor.”
Gwen took the mic, and called for the kids to bring Chance. “The other commendation is for this poor limping dog that saved our Sheriff.” Royce grinned and her eyes filled. That was why Gwen had continued to badger her to bring Chance. “So, without further ado, I’m going to pin this commendation to Chance’s safety vest. Although she’s a deputy, I think she behaves more like the SWAT team of Timber County. She single-pawedly, apprehended the killer of one of our citizens, and the shooter of our Undersheriff.”
Everyone applauded, profusely. Officer Sunshine Sam gave a stage whispered to the sheriff, “What kind of commendation did you get?”
Royce began laughing. “I got a scuff on elbow, and rope-burned hands.”
Gwen had overheard it, and she and the rest of the people laughed. “And the sheriff gets to polish Chance’s medal.”
“It will always be shiny,” Royce promised.
Gwen held up the microphone, “And now a word from our undersheriff who is hobbling remarkably well for his injuries.” Gwen joked as she set the mic up for Nick. “I don’t know which of the two heroes out-hobbles the other – Nick or Chance. But they’ll both soon be a hundred percent.”
Nick patted Chance’s head. “All I can say is that I’ve got more columbines than Chance does. But she’s captured more perps in the last week. Thanks, Chance. There are so many thanks to spread around. And of course, Chance saved my best friend. So, thank you, Chance. And I thank Chance for not trampling on my columbines. I also want to thank all the force, all of the teams, D.A. Office, Forensics, and the people. My wonderful wife, children, each member of my family. I couldn’t have made it without you. The medics here and at rehab, I appreciate you all.”