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 · แฟนตาซี

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69 Chs

CHAPTER 67

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I was barely in the door when Lucy gave me a huge hug and my darling Melody crawled over to Max. I picked her up to hug and kiss her. She giggled, but she got really excited when I carefully placed her onto Max's back. We'd done this many times so Max remained perfectly still until Melody had a good grip on his fur then he walked slowly toward the fireplace where he laid down as Melody moved forward to hug and kiss him. A minute later she was sound asleep, sprawled over Max's huge body. He looked up at us then placed his head down onto the fireplace rug to rest.

Lucy and I retired to the couch where I described my day, the people I met, and those I didn't. Overall, my reaction was very positive. I phoned County Executive Sinclair Kerwin to tell him I would accept the position of acting sheriff, but first we both knew I would have to meet with and be approved by the county commissioners, which I knew would be a formality after my meeting with Miles Smart and him last week.

That meeting came on the following Tuesday evening and it went just as I had anticipated. I knew that the previous sheriff had earned $120,000 annually and I was willing to accept the same salary. However, Miles Smart opened the salary deliberations at $135,000 and rose almost immediately to $140,000 when I sat staring and silent. I finally agreed to accept $145,000. Amazing what five minutes of silent staring could accomplish.

Lucy and I had invited Daryl and Jasmine to dinner the previous Saturday evening. I wanted Daryl to hear all the straight info from my lips rather than through the grapevine. We had another issue to talk about—their upcoming wedding in two weeks. As close as Daryl and I were, I had never met his family. Lucy and I found out why that evening. "It's simple, Matt—my parents are racists. They're as bad as the Klan, but in reverse. They have no use for white people."

"Well, that should make for an interesting time between the rehearsal dinner at my in-laws' home and the wedding and reception the next day. How many of the guests are white?"

"More than half. You know that Jasmine's dad was killed in that hurricane, but she still has relatives on his side of the family. Between them and my friends here and fellow cops and marshals, I think the total will be about fifty-five out of the ninety-four guests. Jasmine has tried to mix the groups as much as possible, but my family members will be together which might be just as well. All of the bitching will be isolated to two tables."

I nodded my agreement before interrupting. "I went to visit the county sheriff's facilities on Tuesday. It's impressive and I'm going to take the job. I learned a good negotiating tactic when I met with the commissioners—sit still and give a stony stare. I got an extra twenty-five out of them. I wanted you to know that I've recommended you as my replacement."

"Do you really think that they'd appoint me—a black man?"

Lucy and Jasmine just looked at each other and laughed. "Daryl, my father and I have already contacted all of the council to tell them that we want you. I didn't phone Jasmine because she can't vote and I didn't want her to have to keep a secret from you. The vote will be unanimous. You'll see." Then Lucy moved forward to hug Daryl, narrowly beating me. There was more laughter once the awkward round of hugs was completed.

"Say, Matt…do you think that staring thing will work for me?" I looked at Lucy and then at Jasmine just before they broke out in hysterical laughter.

"Maybe next time, Daryl," Lucy told him just as we laughed again.

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The City Council accepted my resignation and approved Daryl's appointment at their next meeting, just four days before the wedding. Several city police officers were present and all applauded Daryl's approval. I shook his hand and hugged him just seconds before the other officers came to congratulate both of us. The rest of the meeting was just as boring as most, but Lucy moved it along at a brisk pace.

We walked into headquarters together the following morning, receiving congratulations from the Sergeants at the desk and an ovation from the shift officers before inspection which was by now more of a formality than a requirement. I left at two that afternoon so I could accompany Lucy for what we hoped would be her final OB/GYN appointment before giving birth. This time we knew it would be another C-section so she wouldn't have to endure any of the pain she'd felt when Melody was born.

Marylou was at our house when Max and I walked in. Melody was in her lap and she cooed and clapped her hands as soon as she saw Max. He ran to her and she laughed again when he licked her hands and face. Even Marylou laughed then she petted Max for several minutes while I gathered Lucy from the bedroom. We kissed everyone good-bye and I told Max to stay and protect as I walked Lucy out the door to my SUV.

After examining Lucy and checking the baby's pulse Dr. Murphy gave us the schedule for the birth. "I have you scheduled at the hospital on Friday the 24th. I'll want you to get there early—by 7:00 a.m. so you can be prepped for surgery. Of course, I never know what my schedule will be like, but as of today yours is the only birth scheduled for that day." She reviewed the procedures for the prior day, giving Lucy a sheet of detailed instructions. We were back at home early enough for me to check in at headquarters. No news was definitely good news.

We met at the AME Church with Pastor Michaels at 5:00 on Friday afternoon. He and I hugged as had become our custom then he introduced Lucy and me to Daryl's parents and sisters who had arrived about ten minutes before us. Lucy and I were friendly and outgoing, but our reception was cool at best until Mrs. Evans asked Lucy about her pregnancy.

"Just another week, thank God. This pregnancy has been difficult." That led to about ten minutes of back and forth about the difficulties of being a woman. While they were talking Daryl's dad asked how I knew his son.

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