by CJ Murphy
Megan nodded. “I’m listening.”
“Tomorrow morning, I’ll make a call to Billings Security and have them install a camera system with a monitored alarm. Both of them will wear panic pendants, and a silent alarm button will be installed in each room as well as at the reception desk. I talked to Sarah Riker earlier. She’s agreed to teach a self-defense class when everyone can find the time. Both Jax and Lindsey along with Maggie, Dee, and a few others will have an excellent instructor. Those are the first things we’re going to do. Unfortunately, he hasn’t done enough for Jax to get a restraining order, but given Lindsey’s history with Leland, I think we can convince a magistrate to issue one on Lindsey’s behalf. The good thing is it will include her place of employment, which will offer some protection for Jax.”
Lindsey had curled her feet under her and leaned into Megan. “That paper won’t stop him. I’ll get it but getting him to abide by it will be a miracle. We went down this road before. The only thing that stopped him the last time was when he left town after he wrecked that truck he stole.”
“We heard later that his dad paid the guy off. After that, they hustled him off to Maryland with another family somewhere over in Baltimore. Up until recently, I hadn’t seen him since that last day he got kicked out of school. After Lindsey went to work for Jax, it seemed like he was everywhere we went. Two weeks ago, we went to a movie and passed him on the way out of the theater. His obsession with Lindsey is starting all over again. It’s like we’re back in high school.”
“I understand, Megan. That’s why we’ve got to get a handle on this now. The longer we let it go, the more brazen he’ll get. If I have to work out of the clinic as their armed security, I will. I’ve already made plans to do just that over the next week or so, until the alarm systems are up and running. I ran some background information on him a few months ago. He was under surveillance by several drug task forces over in the Baltimore area. They had a suspicion he was running drugs for the Murdaland Mafia Piru. Low-level stuff they don’t want those closest to them getting caught with. He was expendable, you could say. I made some calls to the task force over there, and they told me they aren’t sure why he came back over here. Personally, I think he’s tied in with the guy who tried to shoot me. Our task force is looking into the connection to see if the gang from Baltimore is trying to funnel product into the tourist industry here. Taylor’s digging a little deeper with them to pinpoint the connection.”
“Jesus.” Megan sat forward and ran her hand through her sandy-brown hair. “This isn’t good.”
“Megan, look at me.” Chance waited for her to comply, and then dropped her voice. “We’re not going to let him get to either of them, nor mule a drug train here under our noses. We’ll work on the security system and the restraining order. If I have to dog him day and night to find the chink in his armor, I will. Make no mistake, he’s a problem right now, and we’re going to take care of that, one way or another. We have resources and a plan of action. We will fix this, I promise you. He’s not getting to either of them.”
Jax spoke up. “Megan, I want you to know I won’t spare any expense to make sure we can go to work and be safe. Lindsey isn’t just my employee…she’s my friend. I’m not going to let anything happen to her.”
Lindsey wiped away a tear. “I consider you the same. We’ll keep each other safe.”
***
They all sat watching the fire until Chance noticed Lindsey was starting to fade. “I think you’d better take your best half home before she turns into a pumpkin. It’s been a stressful day. Tomorrow, we start fixing the issue.”
Megan rose off the couch and pulled Lindsey up. They walked to the door where Jax hugged them both before they headed out. “Be careful you two. Lindsey, text me that you made it home. Do you feel like coming to work tomorrow?”
Lindsey straightened, and Chance watched the slight woman find her strength. “I’ll be there. I won’t let him control what I do, and he’s not going to intimidate me into hiding ever again.”
“Then I’ll see you at nine.” Jax waved at them. Lindsey climbed into her car, followed down the driveway by a blue and gold cruiser.
Chance wrapped Jax in her arms from behind. “Okay, let’s go sit in front of the fire and talk.” She led Jax to the couch and cradled her while the emotions bubbled over. The tears rushed forth in hot waves as she sobbed.
“I was so angry. I could have slapped that smug look right off Leland’s face. It was bad enough the way he eyed me, but what he said to Lindsey? That was beyond crude, and it shook her badly. I don’t care what it costs, Chance. I don’t want that to ever happen again.”
“I’ll take care of it. I called Penny while you and Lindsey were talking. She’ll forward all my office calls to my cellphone. I have to meet with Brad tomorrow and handle a few things out of the office. After that, I’ll be working out of the animal hospital until we get things under control. I know you don’t want to be under armed guard. All I ask is, for a little while, you let me take care of this, and you.”
“I’m not arguing. I wouldn’t complain if I spent every minute of every day with you. I know that’s not practical. You have work to do, and so do I. We’ll get the security system up and running. If need be, I’ll hire a bodyguard who can act as an assistant. Leland Kurst isn’t getting anywhere near either of us ever again.” Jax settled with her feet tucked beneath her.
“Now that we have that out of the way, I’ll tell you about Midas. When I checked him, I didn’t see any major injuries. I think it’s more of a bruise in the shoulder area making him limp. A few days’ rest and I’ll recheck him.”
Chance patted Zeus’ head where he rested it on her thigh. “They brought him down quickly. The second he raised that gun, Zeus was already in motion as I gave him the command. Midas was right behind him.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay. Thank you, Zeus.” Jax turned and kissed him between his ears. She looked at Chance and started again. “Now, tell me what has you on edge besides Leland Kurst.”
Chance let her head fall back on the couch. The only way the lines of communication would remain open was if they talked about their dreams and their nightmares. “The call at the Wilson’s brought up some painful memories. It was a similar situation that took my father all those years ago. He put himself between an abusive husband and his terrified wife, just like I did today. The difference was I wasn’t alone. I had Taylor, Zeus, and Midas. Harley was outside, and Chuck Wilson didn’t get a shot off. My father had no one when he put himself in the line of fire to protect an unarmed woman, a woman just like Mary Wilson.”
“I’m so sorry, honey. I wish things had been different for your father. I’m eternally grateful today’s incident didn’t turn out the same way.” She tapped Chance’s chin. “I’m looking forward to many years as your wife. Your father didn’t die in vain. His sacrifice made you a more conscientious officer. It also drove you to find a solution to the backup issue when you became Sheriff. I’ve spent half my life missing something that made me feel whole. That something was you.”
Chance pulled Jax close and held her so tightly she was afraid she might hurt her. Jax clung to her just as tightly, and both let the stress of the day melt into the embrace.
***
Chance sat behind her desk; the phone held to her ear. She looked at her watch. Agent Andy Treeland had pulled a case file from the DEA’s active investigations. Chance was trying a different avenue for information than she’d gathered through the other task forces.
“Leland Kurst, yeah, we have a file on him. Always seemed to avoid trouble when it was going down. We could never pin anything directly to him. That doesn’t mean there’s a single one of us that doubts his involvement.”
Chance rubbed her eyes. “Any chance he’s connected with the names I gave you from the kidnapping or shots-fired incidents we had earlier this year?”
“There is a very thin line connecting him with Dennis Cooley. They both worked at a small
tobacco store chain in a rough Baltimore neighborhood. That store is owned by the wife of one of the higher-ups in Murdaland. We’re pretty sure they’re selling more than cigarettes and beer in those places. You know how it is, long drawn out months, sometimes years, of surveillance. It’s one of those cases we have to have locked down tight before we go busting in with a warrant. Sorry, I don’t have a lot for you, but I’ll keep digging, Sheriff.”
“Don’t worry, Agent Treeland. Every little piece of information helps. I need to cut this pipeline before it floods my jurisdiction. I’ve got plenty of drugs that originate here in my county. Thanks again. I’ll let you know if I dig up any connection. Let me know if you need anything.” She disconnected the call and lowered the phone back into its cradle before picking it back up and calling Jax.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” Jax said when she answered.
Chance leaned back in her chair. “I like surprising you. Sometimes, I need to hear your voice.”
“You can call anytime, you know that, right?”
“I do, but I know you’re busy.”
“I love you, so I’m never too busy for you. I want to try and get out of here early tonight. Isn’t Kendra stopping by our place for dinner with your parents?”
“I love you too. Poor Kendra, I’ll bet she has hives by now, worrying about next weekend. I’ll stop by the store and grab some steaks. Wonder if Mags will let Dee have one or if I should pick up some chicken instead.”
“Let’s make Maggie happy. Get chicken, and we’ll make grilled chicken salads.”
“Your wish is my command. Okay, back to work for both of us. And Jax?”
“What, honey?”
“You make everything in my life better. Love you.”
***
Chance waited for Deputy Brad Waters to make his appearance. She’d pulled all the maintenance records on his cruiser. She’d even gone and checked the vehicle while he was performing his court duties. As the sheriff, she had keys to every cruiser. The test drive she’d taken it on revealed no issues. The lights and siren worked, as did the radio, air conditioning, and heat. She knew this was just one more way of Brad trying to establish his seniority. She looked up at the knock on the door. “Come in.” She looked back at her papers, purposefully ignoring Brad for a few minutes while she organized her notes. “What can I do for you, Deputy Waters?”
Brad sat in the chair across from her desk. “It’s time to replace my cruiser. Give me a new one and give Daniel one of the older cruisers. I’ve earned it.”
She checked a box beside her notes. She’d put a list together of the things she was sure Brad would bring up, and Daniel was one of them. “Deputy Waters, your current cruiser has twenty-seven thousand miles on it. Its last service at the garage was three weeks ago for inspection and regular maintenance. I’m not—”
Brad interrupted. “I don’t give a crap what the mechanic says. I’m owed a new cruiser, and if I have to file a grievance to get it, I will.”
Chance checked another box. “On what grounds?” She stared at him with true disgust.
“Differential treatment.” Brad sat back and crossed his arms over his chest, grinning.
“Deputy Waters, your cruiser has lower mileage than all of the fleet except my new vehicle. A cruiser is provided to you as part of your job. You have a uniform allotment and are afforded training opportunities based on your job duties here. You have all the same holidays, all the same insurances, you get the same pay raise, and you never have to do shift work. I see no place where you are being treated differently than any of the rest of the department. I took the liberty of test driving your vehicle and found it to be in excellent shape, except for the driver’s seat. I’ve made an appointment to address the broken welds with Tommy. You need to have it to him this evening. One of the deputies will pick you up at the shop and transport you home. Your request for a new vehicle is denied. If there is nothing else, sign for your written answer to your request.” She slid a piece of paper across the desk and pulled a pen from the cup at the corner.
“I’m not signing shit. My attorney —”
Chance cut him off and called for Taylor, who was walking by. “Can you stop in for a minute?”
“How can I help you, Sheriff?” Taylor’s eyes tracked to Brad, who sat red faced.
“I need you as a witness, since Deputy Waters refuses to sign.” Chance read off the statement then looked to Brad again. “Do you want to sign now, or do you want me to have Chief Deputy Lewis sign that you received this notification but refused to acknowledge it with your signature? It’s up to you.”
“It’s my right to report equipment I feel is inadequate and unsafe.” Brad bristled.
“As I mentioned, it was inspected three weeks ago, and I personally ran it through its paces not thirty minutes ago. I found no deficiencies except for the broken seat. Taylor, can you sign here please?”
“Wait a fucking minute, are you even listening to me? Fucking females. Things always have to be your way. Having women in law enforcement is a joke. Should have stayed at home where a woman should be. Oh, that’s right, you’re some big dyke who never understood what a woman should be. You probably slept with half the women in this county to get their vote. No way you beat me fair and square.”
Chance came around her desk so fast, Brad nearly toppled backward in his chair. Taylor grabbed her arm. “You are now guilty of insubordination and sexual harassment, have your attorney look that up. You’re suspended. Leave your badge and gun with Taylor and get the hell out of my office. I’ll notify you of your civil service hearing. I advise you to bring your attorney. This also means you’ll not have access to your cruiser. I suggest you call someone to pick you up, because no one in this department will drive you anywhere. Dismissed!”
“You can’t fucking suspend me. I haven’t done anything wrong. Fucking bullshit. You don’t know who you’re fucking with.”
Chance walked to her filing cabinet and pulled out the county personnel policy, as well as the sheriff’s department policies. “You really should read the personnel manual you’ve been working under all these years. I can suspend you and will take steps to fire you under the following provisions listed under the Disciplinary Action section of the policy.” Chance began to read. “Suspension, Dismissal, or Termination of Employment. The following actions are among those that may result in suspension, dismissal, or termination from employment with the county. The infractions listed below are illustrative, but are not all-inclusive, of the type of conduct warranting discharge. Section one. Insubordination. Insubordination includes the act of either carrying out an action in a manner contradictory to the spirit of an order or failing to carry out an order as presented by the employee’s department head or the city manager. In case you don’t understand who that is”—Chance pointed to her chest—“that would be me. Section Two. Sexual Harassment. Consistent with the sexual harassment section of this booklet. I’ll let you look that part up for yourself on the copy you signed for last year when we updated it. That’s just the first two violations you are guilty of in the last ten minutes. You are hereby relieved of duty. Taylor, adjust the schedule to reflect his suspension. Advise the rest of the staff we are looking for officers on shift work to work overtime until further notice. I’ll need you to type up what you witnessed today. Have Penny pull a set of suspension papers along with a comprehensive list of all equipment assigned to him.” Chance pointed to Brad.
Brad made his way out of the chair with his hands held up. “Now, Chance, be reasonable.”
Chance whirled on him. “I’ve been reasonable for the last two years. I gave you a job when you lost the election. You’ve done nothing but stomp on my generosity. I’m done. You have a right to an appeal, so I suggest you get that lawyer on a retainer. You’ll never work for this department again if I have any say in it. Your attitude is toxic, and I’m no longer letting it poison the rest of the good work we do here. I’m done talking. Taylor, get him out of here
before I show him the door myself!”
Brad shook his finger at her. “You’ll live to regret this, you bitch. Nobody treats me like this. I’ll be back, and you won’t be able to stand behind that badge and gun. We’ll see who has balls around here.”
Chance took two steps toward him. “Are you threatening me? Forget the suspension, you’re fired!”
“Let’s go, Brad. This meeting is over, and you need to clean any personal items out of that cruiser and your locker. I suggest you get to it. As a matter of fact, I’ll call Carl and have him accompany you while you clear out. If it was issued to you by this department, leave it behind.”
Taylor escorted a cussing Brad out the door. Chance gripped either side of the door frame. Releasing the internal volcano would have to wait. She needed to document the entire personnel incident and begin formal termination notifications. She needed to cancel his department-issued credit card and notify the state. There was little doubt Brad would sue to try and get his job back. That was the least of her worries. Inside the tall cabinet was a file on Brad as thick as the penal code. In all her years in management, from being a crew boss of smokejumpers to being a Fish and Wildlife officer, she’d never had to fire anyone. She wasn’t looking forward to this process in any way. It had to be done. If she let Brad get away with talking to her like that, it would undermine her authority with every member of her department. This was a justified termination after the threat, and she needed to lay out the framework that would seal his fate. Minutes later, Taylor came into her office.
“It had to be done, Chance. I have no idea how you didn’t feed him his teeth.”