PREVIOUSLY ON CH 19
EP 20
I spent most of the following morning unloading my trailer and putting everything away. Lucy showed Daryl around the city and pointed out the library and a storage facility that was owned by her parents. He rented an area large enough to hold his belongings at less than fifty percent of the going rate. He and Lucy were done well before 11:00 and Lucy rushed upstairs to help me with my clothes. She took one look at some of my wrinkled shirts and slacks and shook her head. “This will never do, Matt,” she said as she scooped the clothes off the hangers. “I’ll pass these to Ingrid. You won’t recognize them when she’s washed and ironed them.” Then she kissed me again and I hoped she’d repeat that every day of our lives.
We met with Daryl in the dining room for lunch and Lucy asked what he wanted to eat. “What do you have,” he asked.
Lucy and I laughed. “Just tell me what you’d like.”
“Um…how about grilled ham and cheese, maybe with some chips?”
“What would you like, Matt?”
“That will work for me, too. Two sandwiches for me, please.” Lucy just shook her head and gave me an expression that said, “DUH!” She disappeared into the kitchen for a minute and was back, sitting in my lap and hugging me. I enjoyed the softness of her cheek against mine until the cook served our first sandwiches and Cokes on ice. We talked and joked while we ate then we spent the afternoon at the pool. Unfortunately, Daryl’s presence meant no sex and bathing suits the entire time. We went out to dinner at Carter’s. I wasn’t at all surprised when Jasmine joined us, lightly kissing Daryl’s cheek before taking her seat. For some reason we didn’t have to wait at all even though the restaurant was crowded. I guessed that was an advantage of owning the business.
We spent the next morning really showing the city to Daryl. This was more than a sightseeing trip. As a police officer knowledge of the city, its neighborhoods, and streets was essential, although with GPS it wasn’t as critical as it was twenty years ago. Lucy and I had driven Daryl and Max for almost three hours when Daryl commented, “I can see why you like it here, Matt. It’s a beautiful small city and all the people I’ve met so far seem to be friendly. Lucy, what do we do about uniforms?”
I interrupted because I’d had a few ideas that I had researched at home and with Chief Paul McCormick by phone. “Lucy, unless I’m mistaken the police force currently buys uniforms for the men and they are responsible for their care. Is that right?”
“Yes, that’s the way it’s always been, why?”
“I did a little research at home and also with my friend Paul McCormick, the chief of police in Memphis. I think we could do better with a uniform rental company. Each man would get a week’s supply and the uniforms would be washed and pressed and the process repeated every week. They would be responsible for any repairs and replacements. Paul has told me that they save more than $17,000 a year by leasing. We wouldn’t save as much, but there would be some and there’s also the benefit of having the police look more professional. I’d also like to make some uniform changes.
“I don’t like brown for police. It reminds people of Hitler’s storm troopers and many black people find it offensive.”
“Is that true, Daryl?”
“It is, Lucy. Brown uniforms are usually worn by white supremacists like the Neo-Nazis.”
“I prefer blue for police with white shirts for the officers and station personnel and I’d like to introduce tee shirts in hot weather and do away with the ties.”
“Why?”
“Police should always use clip-on ties because they can be seriously injured or even killed if a perpetrator pulls on it. Want to bet that some of ours use a regular tie? I know from the arrest of the two in the diner that some of their procedures are weak. Catch this, Daryl; one of the city cops was going to remove my handcuffs and then replace them with his.”
I could see the disbelieving expression on his face in the rearview mirror before he even spoke. “You have got to be kidding! Where the hell did he get his training?”
“You’re assuming that he even had training. Things have been so lax here and so political that I’ll bet at least half a dozen have no training because they’re connected.”
“I’d never take that bet, Matt because I know too well that you’re right,” Lucy replied. “Haynes’ son is one example and he has a buddy who’s in the same boat.” I could see her agitation so I reached across the console to hold her hand.
“I think I’ll stop at George’s for a little chat. You’ll find this interesting, Daryl.” I made the turn at the corner and found a parking spot almost immediately. George welcomed us at the door, even Max. I introduced Daryl as a new lieutenant and George smiled. He clearly knew the score.
“I think the police should have been integrated decades ago and most of the community agrees.” He made one phone call and a few minutes later we had nine of his friends in to speak with us. I knew that Daryl would listen carefully. He’d had the same training in the Navy and Marshals Service that I’d had. I was also pleased that Lucy paid very close attention. We stayed for almost an hour before taking leave for lunch. Daryl assured George that he’d be back to do some shopping when he had time. Of course, we went to the diner. Lucy and I sat together and Max climbed up onto the other bench after Daryl was seated. That proved to be a problem because he was hit repeatedly by Max’s tail when two young friends came over to pet him. I moved him to the floor, telling him to sit.
After we had ordered I asked Lucy, “How did Carl Haynes become chairman of the council when it appears that most of the others disagree with his views?”
“He was the only one who wanted the job. In retrospect, I think I should have taken it, but we’ll have another election in November. He and two others are up for reelection then we’ll select a chairperson in January at our organizational meeting.” Mentioning Haynes reminded me that I wanted to phone Julia Adams, the State Attorney, for an update. After lunch we drove to the house that Daryl would be using. It was empty so he would need his furniture and that was due to be delivered tomorrow morning.
The next week was routine. Well, it was probably routine for Daryl and me, but it was a totally new experience for Lucy. The city’s house where Daryl was living was in sound condition but was in desperate need of sprucing up. So Lucy joined us for what we learned was her first visit to Home Depot for paint, brushes, and some accessories. It took us six days, but we were able to paint the entire living and dining rooms, as well as the kitchen and Daryl’s bedroom. I was surprised to learn that Lucy actually had clothes suitable for painting—tee shirts with holes in the seams and jeans that had seen better days. Later I learned that she had bought them from one of the maids. I laughed at her embarrassment, but then I kissed her and all was well between us.
Lucy turned out to be a great worker, concentrating on the trim while Daryl and I tackled the large areas of the walls and ceilings with rollers. I also learned how cute she looked with a dab of paint on the tip of her delicate nose. As hard as we worked during the day that was just how hard we played in the shower and after dinner in bed.
The week was broken up briefly by a phone call from Julia Adams. She asked if I wanted to be a part of the surveillance team at the drug buy between Parker’s roommate and Jeremy Haynes. It sounded like a good idea, but I turned her down almost immediately. “We had a bit of a run-in at a coffee shop here a few weeks ago. I’m afraid that if he saw me your entire sting would be compromised.” She did agree and told me that she would keep me up to speed on the investigation.
I thought everything was going well several weeks later—roughly a week before I would take over as Chief—so I used a morning when Lucy had an appointment at the beauty salon to drive to the county seat to transfer my license and registration from North Carolina to Tennessee. I had all of the identification required by the state and I had studied the DMV manual online, even taking several of the practice exams.
I was in my Marshal uniform as Max and I entered the building. An official called out from behind me that I couldn’t carry a gun into a state government building, nor could I take my dog. His arguments died in his throat when I turned around and he had the chance to read the front of my shirt. I had worn my uniform at Jonathan Bascomb’s suggestion. “You’ll get much faster service in uniform than in regular clothes, that’s for sure.” He was right; no sooner had I approached the information desk than one of the managers asked how he could help me. Five minutes later I had my new license plate and another five after that I was taking the exam. All in all, driving to and back had taken much more time than the actual work in the DMV.
I was driving along Main Street in Bascomb’s Landing and looking for a parking space when I saw something that made my blood run cold. On the sidewalk about fifty feet in front of me, Donald Craig had a pistol in his right hand and Lucy’s arm in his left. He was pulling her out the salon door and she was fighting all the way. I stopped suddenly right in the lane causing the man behind me to sound his horn. I always used my personal SUV for work so I put the flashers on and climbed out in a rush to the tailgate. I grabbed my vest and had it velcroed onto my body in seconds. I’d practiced this probably hundreds if not thousands of times.
I was yelling for everyone to get off the sidewalk as I walked quickly toward Craig. “Don’t come any closer,” he screamed. “I’ll shoot her. I swear I will and keep your damn dog back. I swear…I’ll kill both of them!”
I approached slowly with Max at heel, knowing that he’d likely attack Craig and get himself shot in the process. I stamped my right foot as I stepped forward, then again as I stepped sideways. I gave Lucy a look that said “DUH” and a few seconds later she showed recognition as she stomped down hard on Craig’s foot. By then I was in position, my pistol held up with two hands in firing position. Lucy was wearing shoes with three-inch heels. They weren’t stilettos, but they did taper to about a half-inch diameter. They would create a force of more than 300 pounds per square inch which was sure to get his attention.
He screamed in pain and his grip on Lucy relaxed enough for her to break away. Thinking quickly, she moved down and to her left away from Craig and out of my line of fire. The loud report of my .44 Magnum broke the silence of the calm morning as soon as I had seen Donald Craig raise his weapon and point it toward Lucy. I had aimed for his shoulder and at this distance—less than twenty feet—I didn’t miss. The bullet tore through his muscle and bone and embedded itself into the nearby wooden light pole, exactly as I had hoped and planned. Craig’s pistol fell harmlessly to the concrete, landing just an instant before he did.
“Max, gun,” I commanded. He ran to stand over the weapon and I knew it would still be there when I returned for it. Next I tore the vest and my tee shirt from my body, dropping the vest, but folding the shirt into a long thin bandage. I wrapped it tightly around Craig’s shoulder and applied pressure to staunch the bleeding. Then my attention went to Lucy. “Lucy—darling–are you okay?”
“I’m still shaking a bit, but otherwise I’m fine.”
“Good; go back into the salon and ask them to phone the police and tell them that we need EMT’s, too.” She disappeared a second later and that was when I first noticed the City Police car parked less than seventy feet down the street. I was sure that my astonishment showed on my face. The two officers in the car had done nothing during the entire confrontation but sit and watch in the car’s mirrors. Even from this distance I thought I could recognize one of them as Jeremy Haynes. I made a note of the car’s number for future use.
People began to congregate around Craig and me despite my requests that they stand back. I was glad that Max had taken control of the gun. On my command Max brought it to me and then I had him turn and growl at the crowd. As quickly as they had swarmed around us, that’s how quickly they backed up. Minutes later the first police arrived. I recognized two of the officers from the incident at the diner and they recognized me, as well. I described what I had seen and done and Lucy gave a statement, as did eight people who had been passing by. The EMT’s took over, bandaging Craig’s wound and taking him off to the hospital. I passed his revolver to one of the officers and surrendered my weapon—a routine part of any investigation. The last thing I did was to show them where my bullet had struck the light pole.
“Pretty lucky to hit this pole, Cahill.”
“I’m glad you think so,” I replied with a chuckle. That was when I felt Lucy behind me. Turning, I took her into my arms. “Thank God you’re okay. I shudder to think what might have happened if I hadn’t been here.”
“If I’d had my purse I could have used my pepper spray, but it was on the counter. I was just about to get out of the chair when he ran in and grabbed me. How’d you think of stomping on his foot?”
“That’s standard procedure. I’m just glad you caught on.” Lucy kissed me right there on the sidewalk and, not surprisingly, there was plenty of cheering and polite applause. Then she returned to the salon and Max and I moved the SUV out of the road, parking in the spot that had been vacated by Haynes and his partner and donning an old shirt that I always kept in the SUV’s rear.
Max and I walked into the salon to wait for Lucy, but that only lasted for a minute or so before the odor of acetone began giving me a headache. Lucy told me about a sandwich shop down the street and around the corner. “The owner won’t mind you sitting there until I join you for lunch. Just tell her who you are.” She turned to kiss me quickly and I walked out, glad to be in the warm clear air. Max and I strolled down the street, saying hello to shoppers and their young children, many of whom had heard about Max from friends. They petted and hugged him while I talked quietly to their parents. Most were pleased that I’d be taking over for the retiring chief of police. Their comments about him mirrored those I’d heard about the force, except that they were much worse.
Lucy walked into the shop almost an hour later and was greeted immediately by the owner, a woman I had recognized from one of her parents’ Sunday parties. She brought menus to our table and we ordered subs and Cokes. While we were waiting I told Lucy that I had seen two police officers in a car do nothing during her emergency. Their intervention might have saved Craig’s shoulder—something he was unlikely to use again no matter how long he lived unless he had replacement surgery. A bullet like a .44 Magnum hits its target with an incredible amount of kinetic energy—so much that it will literally pulverize any bones it strikes.
Lucy was justifiably pissed off when she learned that the police had not acted to aid her so she took her phone out of her purse and called the main police station. “Ed, it’s Lucille Bascomb; can you tell me who is in car eleven today. Okay, I see. Thanks. Say hi to Adele for me, will you?
“You were right. It was Haynes and his partner—Gil Parsons. They’re bad news. I think I have to make a few more calls. She did, and when she was done I had been approved to start work tomorrow—Daryl, too. I phoned him on the way home, telling him I’d meet him at Lucy’s in an hour. We had a lot to do this afternoon.
