by Kieran York
With those thoughts, Royce understood that it would all be fine. The Ute word meaning all right was towaoc. Everything was all right when she belonged to Hertha.
Chapter 24
Royce looked across the rangeland beneath the Silver Wilderness mountain ridge. She viewed the Center differently as she drove into the driveway entrance. Hers was the lead vehicle. Behind her were squad cars, one of which was carrying the D.A. Michael Parker, and consulting D.A., Lyn Evans. Behind the string of vehicles were three gleaming black passenger vans carrying representatives from both the CBI and the FBI.
Their first stop had been the home of Larry Austin. Austin had been stunned, and had resisted at first. Then his arms were lowered, and he held them out for cuffs to be slid around his wrists. He was advised of his rights, and then he was read the major charges against him. Two deputies led him to an awaiting squad car.
The second stop had been at Crystal Hospital, where Dr. Melvin Verner was arrested, cuffed, and taken to an awaiting squad car. He indignantly complained that he’d done nothing wrong.
Finally, the cavalcade of official cars drove to the front of the Silver Wilderness Center. Royce and Nick walked inside the Center, followed by a parade of women and men officials.
Royce entered the office of Eileen Austin. Eileen gasped, she reached for her phone. “What are you doing?” she screamed.
“We’re here to arrest you,” Royce answered. “If you’ll put your hands out to be cuffed, Timber County Undersheriff Nick Hogan will read you your rights. Then we’ll be taking you to be booked. You’re going to be interrogated. Ultimately, you’ll be arraigned, and my guess is you’ll be transferred to either state or federal facilities.”
“For what?” Her eyes were wild with fear. “I didn’t kill Seth or Alec. Larry and I weren’t in on any of that.”
“You aren’t being detained for their murders. If you have murder charges brought against you, it will be for neglect or abuse of a patient dying while under your care. There are a multiple of other charges. For now, we’re going with abuse, including financial abuse of the elderly in your care. We’ll get to the deceptive and fraudulent practices, Medicare fraud, and other charges at the courthouse. A very long list.”
“I want my attorney,” she spat her words. “This is preposterous.”
An FBI agent had several papers. “Eileen Austin, we’ll be presenting these criminal charges to your attorney. Legal representation is certainly a wise idea. At this moment, all funds are being frozen. Both corporate, and your private accounts. However, there are agents that will maintain the proper disposition of funds to both creditors, and employees. The continuation of the home will remain under our jurisdiction.”
As Royce turned, Lyn winked at her. She reported, “Sheriff, Timber County will consult with the FBI as to how the jurisdiction is to be handled. That will be determined as to the best way of litigation.” She smiled at both D.A. Mike Parker, and the FBI agents. “It is a nasty, tangled case of greed and conspiracy. Certainly, Timber County is going to cooperate fully with the FBI.”
Royce grinned. She was aware that Lyn could charm the most serious, grim, gruff, or surly agent. The agent smiled and nodded to Lyn. He said, “You people have done a superb job of evidence gathering and putting this case together. The agents, and staff will try to not to be too disruptive as we work. Dr. Norm Nilson already warned me on the phone that he wouldn’t be tolerating any sass. His patients were going to be taken care of first.”
Lyn teased, “The folks from Timber County are feisty. Doc Nilson is in charge now.”
“That’s our Doc Nilson. He is indeed in charge,” Royce took off her Stetson and gazed through the enormous glass window. The mountains were gleaming.
The agent said with admiration, “I’m sure I’ll be meeting him. Someone told me he’s pushing eighty, and that I’d better behave around him.”
“We definitely all try to behave in his presence,” Royce agreed. Royce shook the agent’s hand. “Very nice meeting you, sir.”
“And you, Sheriff. I like your town.” His gaze was what Grand would call homespun. “Timber City has a cozy feel to it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Walking back to their vehicles, Royce realized how fortunate she was to be the sheriff of a small mountain county. As Eileen Austin entered the backseat of Royce’s vehicle, Eileen’s glare at Royce was stabbing. She seethed, and with her most sanctimonious voice asked, “Why are you doing this to me?”
“For what you did to all the people you stole from, that you drugged, and you took the remaining good parts of life from them. For all those people you didn’t treat with dignity, and respect. For an octogenarian you believed to be helpless. That woman taught most of us our alphabet and how to write. She taught us our numbers and how to count. She provided wisdom and love. Most importantly, Daisy Barnaby taught us how to think, to have courage, and to be kind.”
Eileen flared, “For one old lady, you shut down a living center! One old busybody that drove us crazy,” She fumed, “You’ll be sorry when the place is no longer there and you want to stick your granny in a home.”
“The Center will be continued. As lawsuits are settled, you – the owners, will be losing everything. But there will be a new corporation with low maintenance – meaning low takings for the shareholders. It will be internally rebuilt to focus first on the residence’s welfare. Your staff is filled with competent men and women. They thought they were caring for the people. Meanwhile, you and your coconspirators were stripping the patients of their fortunes, and their dignity. Now, the staff will be able to care for the residents. Without your interference. Without your greed.”
“It isn’t that easy,” she countered. Her nails dug into her hands.
“I think that it will be easy, and fun. Without greed, the bottom line will be the care of the human beings. They are not cash cows. They are seniors that have contributed and assisted to build this country. Many have fought for this country. The Board of Directors selected a new name for the Center. That alone will bring respect, and regard for the elderly to the home. It will be named the Daisy Barnaby Center.”
The previous administrator’s head bowed. Tear began to drip. They drained from her eyes, down her stricken face. Royce shut the door.
***
Royce glance around at the large crowd that gathered around the Timber County Courthouse. The FBI agents escorted the three criminals inside.
Gwen held up her press pass, “Sheriff, can you say a few words to everyone?” She handed Royce the microphone.
There was a squeal from the mic, as she took it. “It’s been a busy week. First, let me thank both the D.A.’s office, and the area enforcers. There will be a change of guard at the Silver Wilderness Center. This is also going to require a change of heart. The Center is now going to belong to us all. I’ll admit, I was remiss in not visiting the Center more often. You see, we should all, as a community, make it our responsibility to look after both the newest generation, and the oldest generation. The Center will become the property of this county. That means that we’ll all be responsible.”
Gwen leaned toward the mic. “I’ve got signup sheets. We’re going to need volunteers to make our project work. So, see me after the sheriff finishes.”
Royce nodded agreement. “We’ll need lots of volunteers. And I’m going to be requesting that the huge, highfaluting entry way be a place where children, where teens, where we all come to play a game of checkers, or read to one another, an enormous and welcoming family room. And where dogs and cats are allowed to help us all be better.”
The cheer was deafening. Gwen whispered to the sheriff, “Hell’s bells, that applause was for the pets. Probably not for you.”
Royce laughed. She mused, once in a while a town gets a chance to make things better. The people of Timber County were embracing this chance. It seemed, to the sheriff, that there was a confluence of happiness happening, not only for her personally – but for her home. She had
just signed on to be part of the patching up of a community’s center for the elderly. And she had signed on to be a part of a wonderful family.
“In closing, please give a large cheer for the D.A.’s office, Sheriff’s Department, our county newspaper, and for all the contributions that you’ve all made over the past couple days. I’m proud to be a part of it all.”
For Royce the mountains that lifted around her hometown had always been a dazzling treat to her eyes. The Colorado high country was seductive, with tranquility, and with a refreshed generosity. Plenty amazing, she said to herself.
***
Lyn Evans’ rental car was packed. She parked in front of the High Country Animal Clinic just as Royce and Hertha were coming out. Lyn shouted, “Royce, I’ve just come to say goodbye.” Lyn got out of the car and wrapped her arms around the sheriff. “We are one hell of a great team.” Lyn then smiled at Hertha. “I’m Lyn Evans.”
Hertha put out her hand, “I’m…”
“I know, you’re Hertha.” Lyn stepped out of her embrace with Royce. “And I better unwrap from your woman.”
“I’m going to miss you, Lyn,” Royce said, “And thank you for your help.”
“I’ve got a case that I’ve got to get home to shake the daylights out of. It should be a couple months long. A long couple of months. I would like to stay, but Mike Parker is going to be just fine. And how about you two?” Lyn inquired.
Royce took Hertha’s hand. “We’re going to be plenty amazing.”
“Hertha grinned. “Yes, I think things will be fine.”
Lyn spoke softly, “Be kind to one another. You’re too much in love to part. Just keep treating one another as if you’re giving each other the best piece of chocolate in the box.”
Hertha and Royce laughed. Hertha said, “Evans Candy is delicious.”
“I’ve got the kids on my gift list,” Lyn joked. “There’s a new line of Christmas candy. I’ll see that they get some.” She gave Royce another hug. Then hugged Hertha. “Finding love is not easy. Making love grow and prosper is less easy. I want the two of you to prove to me that it is possible for love’s continuance to thrive. Love doesn’t want to be extinguished.”
***
Nadine had called to tell the sheriff that a group of the hospital staff had gone to Daisy’s home to tidy up. They took a bouquet of flowers for the teacher. Gwen and Nadine had put together some sandwiches, and soft drinks. Molly would be there with cakes, pies, and cookies. Gran had made festive goodies. Many of the townspeople would be arriving to welcome Daisy home.
Hertha’s voice instructed via the phone call to Nadine. “Don’t take Daisy to her home until we get there. Royce is dropping by for me and we’re taking the kids and a surprise for Daisy.”
Nadine said, “Just ring when you’re ready for us. Daisy’s getting antsy to get to her home.”
“Royce is just parking now. Please wait five minutes until after we load up and leave.”
“What surprise?” she asked.
“We got a wonderful call last night,” Hertha explained. “Royce went to pick up the surprise. Got to go. See you in a few.”
Royce and Hertha loaded Hertha’s van. Antero, Vannie, Chance, and Louie were excited to be with the children, and going to a party.
When they arrived, Hertha directed, “Let’s all get inside, and everyone take something.” Hertha smiled over at Royce. “It will be so nice to see people from Timber and Crystal sharing joy.”
After they had debarked, and unloaded, everyone mingled. And then they saw Gwen and Nadine pulling up with their guest passenger. When Daisy entered, she saw everyone. “My goodness, I just saw all those cars out there. Thank you all for welcoming me back.”
“Someone wants to see you,” Royce said. She called to Vannie and Antero.
In Vannie’s arms was a black cat. She announced, “Betsy’s trying to get out of my arms to see you, Miss Daisy.”
Antero slipped the small pillow beside Betsy. “She can sit on this,” he offered.
The purr began as Betsy was placed in Daisy’s arms. “I never thought I’d see you again, Betsy.” Daisy snuggled near to her sweet cat. “Betsy.”
Hertha explained, “I got a call last night from one of the people living here seasonally. They found Betsy on their last trip to Crystal. They’d gone home to Denver with cat in tow. Returning earlier, they called the clinic to say they had Betsy. I told them Royce would be picking her up.”
Daisy lifted little Betsy up. She said to her, “Reunited!” As she clasped her cat, her eyes filled. She shared with the guests, “When I was kidnapped by those awful people, I talked with my imaginary Betsy as the drugs took over my mind. To maintain my sanity.”
Nadine held up a drink, “To Betsy. And your sanity.”
“And my dream,” Daisy said. “I’ll be getting that wildlife sanctuary right next door. Dreams make me stronger, so it will be possible. I always believed that I’m a bit of a visionary. Well, I’m not old. I’m just on the opposite side of being young. One thing I’ve learned about aging, when knowledge mixes with dreams there’s nothing impossible.”
Everyone toasted, and the crowd mingled. Royce approach Daisy. Molly hugged the school teacher. Then Gran gave her a very tight hug. Gran smiled, “Girl, I remember when we were in elementary school together. You said that you wanted a place where wildlife lived.” Gran’s giggle escaped. “I was thinking you wanted to end up at a saloon in Denver.”
With a snicker, Daisy’s hand lifted in a dismissive way. “Oh, Dora!”
Hertha looked around the room to see where Royce might be. She didn’t see the sheriff standing off to the side.
Royce was quietly listening to her mother, welcoming the woman she loved into the family.
Molly leaned near Hertha. Smiling, her eyebrows lifted. “I hear that you’re now one of us left behind law-wives?”
“I am. Proudly, I am.”
“I don’t need to tell you that you are takin’ on a family of enforcers, plus Gran and me?”
“Royce is also taking on my family. So together, one big happy family. And one big happy community, too.”
“Since that fella Sam is in the mix, it can’t help but be happier.” Molly frowned. “Must be genetic.”
“Was Grady Madison happy?”
“Most of the time my wonderful husband was happy. But at times he’d get moody, serene like. Just like Royce. He told me his emotions changed when he saw people harming others. I could always see it in his eyes. But always, always, Royce could make him smile, laugh, beam. Youth brings us back to a having gratitude inside us. Hertha, I see that pride in Royce’s eyes when she looks at Antero and Vannie. Pride and love.”
Royce moved closer. She smiled at Hertha.
She watched as the children played with Chance, Louie, and Betsy.
She recalled when she first fell in love with Hertha. They talked about love always bringing Royce back to her, including through dangerous times. Now, Royce believed, there were two youngsters for her also to return to. Chance stuck her snout in Antero’s face. The little fella’s face wrinkled up as he laughed. Vannie was watching her younger brother’s antics with giggles.
Suddenly Antero picked up a doily that was on a stand. Perplexed, he asked, “What is this?”
Everyone in the room laughed. Daisy answered, “It’s a doily. Why that is material made out of imagination, glowing fabric, magic stars, and designs.”
Pointing down, Vannie said, “Look, here are stars, and over here is the sky.” She held it up and looked through the scattered holes. “I love this doily.”
Daisy smiled. “I’ll teach you how to make doilies.”
“Me, too, please,” Antero asked.
Daisy offered, “I’ll teach you both. And anyone else, too. Passing on good learning is heartwarming. I hope never to stop passing out knowledge.”
Antero carefully placed the doily on his face. “Look, it’s like a mask I can see through.” His laugh was contagious. �
�I’m going to make a doily with a bear’s face on it.”
Vannie rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Hertha questioned Royce, “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
“I am,” she replied. What a perfect family, Royce concurred with her plethora of friends and family. Hertha was the only woman she loved. Hertha came with the family they’d both learned to love. All three had come into Royce’s life and brought brightness.
There were the children, Vannie and Antero, and the beguiling Hertha. Royce was astonished at how complete they made her feel. There would be times ahead of giving thanks. Times of laughter, mirth, and exaltation. There would be times of tribulation. There would be times of forgiveness. There would be times of self-inquiry, and bolstered confidence. It came down to one truth. Royce was in love with Hertha. Always had been, and was now.
The sheriff felt contentment. Such a wonderful emotion. Contentment.
Timber County Cuisine by Lydarose’s Daughters
The various appetizers, meals, desserts, et al, are available in
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Author Kieran York
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kieran York has lived in Colorado for the past few decades. Nearly all of her fiction has ties or is set in the Colorado area.
She has authored both Sapphic fiction and poetry. The lesbian mystery series, Timber City Mask and Crystal Mountain Veils, were originally written in published in the mid-1990s. A second edition of them was recently released by Scarlet Clover Publishers. A third and fourth in the mystery series, Shinney Forest Cloaks and Rasp Meadow Crossing, were published in 2015 and 2016. All four Royce Madison mysteries have been on the Amazon 100 Best-Sellers List – LGBT Mysteries. Autumn, 2016 a cookbook featuring culinary dishes from the mysteries was published, Timber County Cuisine. Release scheduled in 2017, is Silver Wilderness Range, the fifth Royce Madison mystery.