Cahill

I could hear the din from the bar as I exited my SUV and I was still almost a block away. What a shame! I knew from long experience that would change as soon as my foot crossed the threshold. I tend to have that effect on people. I’m six feet six inches tall and I weigh an even 250 pounds—all of it broad shouldered muscle. My Body Mass Index at my last physical was less than four percent. My light brown hair is styled exactly the way it’s been for the past fifteen years—ever since I first joined the Navy. Sure enough, no sooner had I taken my first step into the bar than the noise died. When I turned left and stepped up to the bar the people there couldn’t back away fast enough. I took a stool in the middle of the empty space and sat down, waiting for the bartender to approach. “I’m not looking for any trouble.” “Good…neither am I. Give me a ginger ale.” He reached under the bar for a glass and some ice. Twenty seconds later he slid the glass in my direction. I pulled a fiver from my pocket and dropped it on the bar. He ignored it and walked away to draw a few beers and pour some wine. It looked to me like this was a pretty cheap crowd. Checking up and down the bar all I could see were longnecks and drafts. I reached into the lower left pocket of my cargo pants. Like almost everything else I was wearing they were a true deep navy blue. My heavy shoes were black as was my wide belt. My belt said as much about me as the bold white lettering across my chest. Just below the American flag over my heart were the letters that were my life—U. S. MARSHAL. On my right hip was my nickel plated .44 Magnum Colt Python, just behind two speed loaders in addition to the twenty-four rounds on the belt. On my left hip was my ASP Talon baton—every bit as deadly a weapon in my hands as the revolver. A pouch at the back of my right hip held my stainless steel handcuffs and its partner on the opposite side held my radio—my link to my backup team. I placed the photo flat on the bar as the bartender returned to me. “I’ll have another,” I said in a loud voice, continuing so I wouldn’t be overheard. “Don’t pick it up and don’t make a production of looking at it. I’ve been told that he comes here a lot. Is he here tonight? If he is and he escapes because you’ve given me away I’ll see to it that you’re arrested for obstruction of justice.” He gulped a few times but did as he was told, nodding slightly in response. I continued almost at a whisper. “If my nose is pointing to twelve o’clock, my right ear to three, the back of my head to six, and my left ear to nine, tell me where he is. Again, don’t point or do anything obvious and we’ll be fine.” He pretended to wipe the bar as he whispered, “About 4:30 with his back to you.” I picked up the reflection in the mirror then asked, “Red shirt with black and white stripes, looking away from me?” He nodded again. Now, in my normal tone of voice I asked, “Where’s the men’s room?”

Fredrick_Udele · ファンタジー

レビュー数が足りません

69 Chs

CHAPTER 47

>>>>>>

I was in an important meeting with Daryl and Dan Powell to review the budget requests Monday morning. I wanted their input to ensure that I hadn't missed anything so, of course, they found six issues that I had completely missed. Dan also suggested an alternative vehicle replacement system that might be cheaper but more effective than the one I had proposed. I decided that I'd hold that in reserve in case the City Council balked at my plan or if they wanted me to cut the budget once they realized how much I felt we needed.

We were into it almost an hour when Sandra called on the intercom. "It's Lucy, Matt." I took the call immediately. "Hi, what's the news?"

"It's confirmed. You're going to be a dad. I'm so happy. What are you doing now? Are you busy?"

"Yeah, I am. I'm in a meeting with Daryl and Dan Powell."

"Great! Invite both of them to dinner on Saturday. I'll invite my folks. I know Dan and his wife Marie very well."

"Okay, I'll take care of it right now. I'm planning on leaving a bit early this afternoon so we can have dinner and still get to the meeting before seven."

"Okay, I'll see you then. I love you so much, Matt."

"Yeah, I love you, too."

Daryl was smiling when I turned back to the table. "That was obviously Lucy. We're having a dinner party on Saturday. You're both invited. I hope you can come, Dan. I know that Daryl never turns down a free meal."

Daryl laughed. "You know very well that my mama didn't raise no fools. That Ingrid can really cook. Tell Lucy I'd like prime rib…on the bone." I just shook my head, but silently I did agree. Then we went back to work. Sandra made the necessary revisions. Thank God for word processing programs—and then she made enough copies for the City Council members and for the public. I left around three to hug and kiss my wonderful wife.

The official meeting was scheduled for 7:30, but I met with the City Council, the mayor, and the Council's attorney in executive session starting at 7:00. Lucy ran the show, wasting no time as she spoke first about Carl Haynes. "Our first order of business is what to do about Carl and his place on the Council. "Any advice, Martin?"

"I'd like to hear from Chief Cahill first. Is there any question about his guilt?"

"About as much as the sun not rising tomorrow morning; I apprehended him and Mrs. Haynes myself in the midst of buying what the DEA describes as almost ten million dollars in illegal drugs. In case you're wondering, there's no bail because a ledger found on Mrs. Haynes indicates that they have more than ten million in a bank in the Cayman Islands."

"Thank you, Chief. I recommend that you take action to suspend Carl pending the completion of the case. You can appoint a replacement if you wish."

I noticed an older woman raising her hand. "Lucille, I'd like to suggest that we appoint Jasmine Stone. I'm sure we all know what a wonderful job she's done at the library. She's intelligent, level headed, and well organized and she has lived in the city almost all her life."

"Thank you, Maude; I agree with your assessment. Anyone have another suggestion?" The group was silent so I assumed that there was consensus on Jasmine's appointment. "Next, I think we should ask Matt about the police officers who were arrested."

"I think the procedure is the same as for Carl Haynes although Mr. Albright can correct me if I'm wrong. There is always a presumption of innocence even in circumstances like this. There are two officers involved—Lt. Stan Irwin and Patrolman Gil Parsons. They should be suspended without pay until the trial is over then they can be either reinstated or fired for cause."

"Well said, Chief; even though they were caught in the act as it were, we still have to follow the law. What about Jeremy Haynes? You didn't mention him."

"Jeremy resigned verbally in front of several witnesses about a week before he was arrested. If he hadn't I would recommend termination for gross insubordination. He absolutely refused to follow lawful orders from both Lt. Evans and me. I recommend that you simply accept his resignation."

Lucy looked at Albright who simply nodded his agreement. "Okay, let's deal with these items quickly. I know that Jasmine will be here so she can be sworn in and participate in the meeting immediately. We also have some regular business on the agenda before we get to Matt's recommendations for next year's budget. That's going to take us a while. I think you'll find he's a lot more thorough than Wilson ever was." There was no further discussion so the executive session was adjourned and we walked from the small room to the large formal meeting hall.

We stood for the pledge to the flag and then the meeting began. Lucy took only a minute to explain about Carl Haynes even though his situation was common knowledge. She told me later that she wanted it on the official record. Jasmine's appointment took less than a minute and those present applauded in response. Albright gave her the oath of office and she joined her colleagues at the long curved table.

I was asked to review the reasons for the two suspensions which I did—again for the record—and the Council voted unanimously in favor. Then the Council attended to the routine business—approving bills, accepting several resignations, including Jeremy Haynes, and making appointments for openings—all at the mayor's recommendation. I was amazed at how Lucy moved things along. I was preparing for my remarks on the budget when architect Mark Fredericks sat next to me. He had several large drawings in his hands and I quickly approved of what he had to show me.

I quietly thanked him as I stood. Daryl helped to distribute the budget information sheets I had prepared. Next to each budget code was the deion and the current year amount. Under that I had given a rationale for my request and the projected amount. I gave the Council members a few minutes to scan the documents before beginning.

PREV INDEX Next