Shattered Dreams

by Frank Hayes

  Mayor Bob “Ears” Jamison smiled as he sat back in the chair opposite Virgil and crossed his legs.

  “Virgil, I wish everybody in town could know now what happened today. How you handled a situation that could’ve headed south in a heartbeat. Not a shot fired and state police waiting for that car soon as it hit the interchange. Major Travis said those four were shocked when they came at them from all sides. How’d you know they’d head for the interstate?”

  “Well, it’s what I would’ve done if I robbed a bank. Try to get out of the area as quickly as I could. Figured, they planned it out pretty good. The interstate would be the quickest way out.”

  “They knew about the armored car delivery and schedule,” Bob said.

  “Yeah, as soon as I figured that’s what they were waiting for, I made that call to Rosie. Once she got through to the company they were able to get a hold of the driver of the armored car. He called the bank with that story that they had a breakdown and were waiting for a tow truck. I reckoned that was enough of a wrench in the works to send those boys running. I was happy to see them go.” Virgil reached over to his desk, picked up a file folder, took a couple of sheets of paper out and placed them on top of the folder, which he had placed in front of Bob.

  “Virgil, there’s something eating on you? For a guy that averted what could have been a disaster you don’t seem too happy.” Virgil’s eyebrows furrowed, the pencil-thin scars on each cheek deepened, the one from the bull throwing him into barbed wire when he was running fence as a teenager, the opposite from the near miss of a bullet from Wade Travis’s gun six months earlier, which wore a little bit deeper groove. Virgil leaned over the desk, pushing the folder along with the papers on top closer to Bob. Bob’s eyes widened a little.

  “What’s this, some late-night reading material?”

  “Night or day it’s still gonna tell the same story.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “After things quieted down today, I did a little research. These pages show the trajectory of crime in Hayward on a chart over the last fifteen years along with a separate breakdown, a narrative, as to the type of crime, etcetera. Interesting reading.”

  “Where are we going with this Virgil?” Virgil could see Bob shifting a little uneasily in his chair.

  “Let’s back up a little, Bob. Do you know the last time Valley Federal was robbed, there was a guy standing outside holding the reins of three or four horses so the gang could make their getaway.”

  “That’s pretty good, one bank robbery every hundred years or so.”

  “Yeah, I’d agree with that if all the other statistics reinforced that probability. But I’m afraid that’s not the case. If you take the time you’ll see.”

  “Virgil, I’ll ask again, where are you going with this?”

  “Bob, Hayward is changing. Dave Brand tells me that he and Alex can’t handle their day to day anymore down at the Redbud Substation. Says sometimes it’s a two- or even three-day response time for some routine calls. That’s not acceptable.”

  “Well, you just got a new hire, Virgil.”

  “Yeah, and it looks like I’m going to have to send him down to Redbud. Then that leaves me, Jimmy, Dif—a part-timer—and Rosie for the rest of the county, including the town of Hayward. Rosie gave me three calls just since I got back to the office after our uneventful morning. Two of them are over twenty miles away down near Wilbur Flats. Then there’s what’s going on down in Cielo.

  “Hell, there’s nothing out there but cactus and coyotes.”

  “You been out that way lately, Bob? There’s a gravel and sand mining company with almost a hundred employees. A gas station and a Quick Mart opened within the last year, and I’ve been told the first phase of a housing development was just finished. I’ve also heard there’s talk of building an elementary school. You must know about that.” Bob was shifting more uneasily in his chair. “I’ve got no one for coverage out there. It’s a forty-minute drive and then some one way from here.”

  “Virgil, I hear what you are saying but what are you asking?”

  “I think we need another substation, more personnel. It also wouldn’t be a half-bad idea for the county to negotiate a contract with that helicopter service down in Sky High for some occasional aerial surveillance and emergency response. I know they already have a contract with Hayward Regional Hospital. According to Doc Sam it’s been money well spent. He said that was a factor in the consideration of expanding the hospital into a regional facility.”

  “Virgil, that hospital can rely on private endowments along with state and government support. We’re endowed by the taxpayers. The kinds of things you’re asking for are sure enough going to raise taxes. Hell, do you know what I had to go through just to get you that new hire? The council fought me tooth and nail.”

  Virgil raised his hand. “I know, I know. Your right arm, Hilda, says she’ll turn me into a soprano if she could lay her hands on a sharp, rusty nail because she got stuck with that nephew of Lester’s in the deal to get Simon hired. But, Bob, you’ve got to understand and they’ve got to see where we’re headed. We don’t have a choice here. It won’t be that long before someone else decides they are going to make an easy withdrawal from Valley Federal.”

  Bob Jamison stood up from his chair. “Okay, Virgil, I get it. Would you be willing to come to the next council meeting to lay it out for them like you did for me?” Virgil got up from his chair to walk Bob to the door.

  “If I have to, Bob, if I have to.” Bob tipped his hat to Rosie and walked out the door. Virgil stood for a moment looking after him then turned to face Rosie, who had been listening to the exchange.

  “Well, go on, say it.”

  “I think you’d have a better shot at milking a porcupine than trying to get those boys to become part of the twenty-first century, especially if you are going to confront them without warning at a council meeting. Helicopter surveillance. Virgil, they fought against putting in a traffic light on Main Street for over ten years. Look at how you had Bob squirming, and he likes you.”

  “You know I’m right about this,” Virgil responded.

  “Virgil, I’m not the one you have to convince. Remember, I’m the one who took those calls from Cielo and Wilbur Flats this morning, but if you’re going head to head with the council like you did with Ears, you better take a deep breath. For openers, know who you’re talking to. Let’s begin with Lester Smoot. Ever since Dif busted his nose that night in this office a couple of months back, he’s not likely to jump on any bandwagon you’re leading.”

  “What are you suggesting?”

  “Well, how about buying him a beer sometime when you accidentally on purpose run into Lester at the Lazy Dog or the Wagon Wheel. Then try reaching out to the others. You know you could use a couple of informal meetings to lay some groundwork, then when you drop it in their laps at a formal town council meeting they’ll be predisposed to listen.”

  “Guess maybe you’re on to something, but sucking up to Lester Smoot? I don’t know. That isn’t exactly my idea of a fun night out.”

  “Virgil, keep your eye on the prize. You’re not buying furniture together, just having a beer. And scale back your demands. Don’t send Simon down to Redbud, keep him here. I know what Dave told you but Dave’s inclined to exaggerate. Hell, he’s been doing it ever since I met him. That’s over twenty-five years ago. I can teach Simon the nuts and bolts about running the office if I’m not here. To help with the situation down in Redbud, get somebody to take care of the office like I do here. You know Alex has a sister who I know has been helping out since Alex and his wife came home with the new baby. That’s not going to last forever. Offer her the job. I’ve met her a few times. Nice girl. Got a brain in her head but she’s kind of betwixt and between right now. This just might be something she would like until she figures out what she’s going to do with the rest of her life. Then maybe, setting up another substation out toward Cielo might be an easier sell. Virgil, make sure
when you explain your proposal you get across the notion that the implementation will be gradual. I think it will go over much better.”

  “You know, Rosie, sometimes I wonder how this office would work without you.”

  “Well, you’re about to see.” Rosie got up from her desk, then went over to the row of hooks on the wall to the left of the door. She slipped on her coat.

  “Virgil, I need to leave a little early today.”

  “Some last-minute Christmas stuff?” She hesitated before answering.

  “That’s it, Christmas . . . tidings of great joy.” She smiled at Virgil then went out the door. Virgil watched her leave, puzzling over her comment.

  Rosita had only been gone minutes when Dif and Jimmy came into the office together.

  “You guys are a little early, aren’t you?”

  “Well, we heard what an exciting day you had. We both were feeling a little guilty that we weren’t there for your shout for help this morning. Edna dragged me out the door just after sunup to get a Christmas tree over at Edgar Best’s farm. Jimmy here . . . well, there’s no excuse for him.” Dif nodded toward Jimmy, Virgil’s deputy.

  “I’m sorry, Virgil. Mom and Abby weren’t home when Rosita called. Abby was in school already and Mom was gone too. Just didn’t hear the phone.”

  “Not surprised,” Virgil said. “Trying to wake you is like trying to breathe life into a corpse. Don’t worry, it all worked out.”

  “We heard . . . great work, Virgil. So we figured you might like to get out of here a little early. Simon is coming in later to do nightly rounds with Jimmy, Virgil . . . remember?” Dif said. Jimmy didn’t say anything.

  “I forgot that was starting tonight. Okay, guys, you convinced me.” Virgil got up from his chair. “I am kind of tired.” Ten minutes later Virgil was on his way out of Hayward heading for home. It wasn’t quite dark yet. The road heading east was empty once he got beyond the town limits. It had been a day that he knew could have gone a lot differently. Virgil was not a man to dwell on what might have been, but for some strange reason he felt unsettled. He glanced at the top line of a far-off mesa. A strip of daylight rimmed its highest point. In the next couple minutes, a black thunderhead suddenly settled down on the ridge, blotting it out. Virgil spent the last few miles of the ride to the ranch wondering why that image bothered him.

  Chapter 4

  “So, Jimmy, I’m about to see Hayward in the dark. Is it going to be much different from Hayward in the light?”

  Jimmy wasn’t sure how to answer. He was more than a little intimidated by Simon. Besides, he was uncomfortable with his role as mentor. Most of the time when Simon said something directly to him, he just didn’t respond or he’d half smile or shrug. That had been okay when they were in the office and there were two or three other people there, but this was different. There were just the two of them alone in the cruiser. Jimmy had been dreading this all day.

  “Jimmy, is there a problem? I know you’re kind of quiet but I think there’s more to it than that. Pull off to the side here. Let’s clear the air.”

  Jimmy responded like he always did when told directly to do something. He pulled the car to the side of the road. They had come off the bridge on to River Road. They were about a mile from where Calvin Thompson had hit his own brother’s car a few months before, sending it down the embankment almost into the river. His brother, dead from a broken neck, would still be lying there in his car if Jimmy hadn’t spotted the headlights of the car before the battery died out. The incident had caused Jimmy to revisit the notion of his own mortality because of a near miss he’d had only a few months before. The motor quieted. Then Simon reached over and turned off the ignition. Absolute silence inside the car and out. Jimmy never took his hands from the wheel. He was looking straight ahead. After a minute the lights shut off and the two sat in the growing darkness.

  “You know all this is really new to me. I mean, I grew up in a much different place. So, I’d really appreciate your take on anything that could help me fit in with the people here, the area . . . anything, so I don’t feel so strange. To tell you the truth, I was a little apprehensive about tonight. I mean, you’re kind of an old hand as far as the job of law enforcement is concerned. I’m totally new at it. I don’t know squat about the people, Hayward, or even about the procedural stuff. Hell, if I was by myself now, I’d probably get lost.” Simon stopped talking. Once again quiet invaded the car. A moment passed then Jimmy cleared his throat.

  “I’m not that much of an old hand. I’m only twenty-three.”

  “I don’t think it’s about age as much as it is about experience. You grew up with these people. You’ve known them your whole life. This place, the geography, you could probably do this patrol blindfolded.”

  “But you . . . you’ve been all over. I mean, the war, the military . . . you’re . . . you’re a lot older. I mean you must be . . .” Jimmy didn’t finish the thought. Jimmy couldn’t see Simon smile but he could hear his laugh.

  “Now I’m really feeling bad. Maybe we’ve got to play a little one on one so you know I’m not ready to collect social security just yet.”

  “Do you?” Jimmy asked.

  “Do I what?” Simon answered.

  “Play basketball? We have a little pickup game down at the high school on Thursday nights.”

  “I think I could get out of my walker for that. Got a couple of layups in me yet, I think. But I better warn you, my unorthodox hook shot is deadly.” He held up his prosthesis. It was Jimmy’s turn to smile. He turned the key in the ignition. Then he looked at Simon feeling a little more comfortable in his new role.

  “Okay. Lesson one. This is River Road, which runs along the river. Pretty much east and west, like Main Street runs through Hayward on the other side of the river. This is a 2009 Bronco with a hundred and ninety-five thousand miles on it. It’s what you get if you’re at the bottom of the totem pole.”

  “Got it,” Simon said. “Guess that means I’m probably in line for a scooter. What’s lesson two?”

  • • •

  Virgil was finishing his supper when he saw the lights of a vehicle carve out a path coming down the driveway to the house. By the time the truck came to a stop he was outside standing on the porch. He was surprised to see the Hayward Ranch logo on the cab, more surprised when Virginia, his newly revealed daughter, hopped out of the driver’s side.

  “What happened to your car?”

  “Nothing. I just needed the truck for this chore. C’mon down from your perch. Give me a hand.”

  Virgil did as he was told, dog trotting to the truck.

  “What’s up?” he asked.

  “Drove by a few times this week. Place looked like it always does.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  “It is when Christmas is next week,” Virginia replied. She had walked to the back of the truck. By the time Virgil got there, she had already dropped the tailgate.

  “Consider it one of your Christmas presents.” In the dim light Virgil saw a Christmas tree laying in the bed of the pickup.

  “What’s this?”

  “What’s it look like?”

  “I know what it is, but why? I mean, there’s nobody here but me and Cesar, and he usually takes off for a few days around Christmas. There’s no kids here or anybody but me.”

  “Sooner or later hopefully that’s going to change. In any event, one kid is going to be here. Remember your promise that we’d spend some time together around Christmas before I go back to school.”

  “I didn’t forget,” Virgil answered.

  “Well, I want to see some Christmas around here, especially if we’re going to have a party.”

  “A party,” Virgil echoed.

  “Yep. Rosita and I worked it all out. She’s taking care of the invitations. I’m handling the food. Margie is going to do the catering. We got a long list of people. Bet you didn’t realize you had so many friends. Of course, most of them are only coming for the free food and
drink. All you have got to do is decorate the house and sign the check.”

  “Guess this is a done deal. When is this party going to happen?”

  “We were figuring a week from Friday since Christmas is Wednesday.”

  “I don’t have any lights or ornaments for that tree,” Virgil weakly offered.

  “Guess you’re going to be pretty busy tomorrow then scaring some up. I’ll come by later in the week. We can trim the tree together. It will be fun. We’ll start a tradition.” Virgil couldn’t resist. He grabbed her in his arms.

  “I can hardly wait,” he lied with a straight face.

  Later as he stood on the porch watching the taillights of the truck grow smaller on the way to the county road, he caught the scent of the tree, which was leaning against the side of the house standing in a bucket of cold water. It was not unpleasant.

  “Wish you were here, Rusty. I think you’d get a kick out of this.” Then he took a last deep breath of the cold night air and went inside.

  Chapter 5

  “How did it go with you and Jimmy last night?” Simon had just come into the office. Virgil sat back in his chair.

  “It went well. Little awkward at first. We had a talk, got on the same page, then everything was fine. I like Jimmy.”

  “Good. Glad you got along. I was hoping things would work out between the two of you. Jimmy’s a little gun shy around new people. I was pretty sure you would figure that out. In a few minutes I’m heading down to the southwestern part of the county to look into something. I thought it would be a good idea if you could join me. Kind of important that you get oriented to the area. I’m hoping by next week you can have a regular shift, go on patrol on your own.”

  “That’s one of the things we talked about last night. I’d like that,” Simon said.

  “Me too. We need the manpower and the coverage,” Virgil added.