Scent of Murder

by James O. Born

  The man moaned, “Bad.”

  Hallett kneeled down next to him and gingerly moved the man’s hand from the wound. He’d seen much worse, but he wasn’t going to tell the man. Then he saw the handgun that looked like a Ruger semiauto on the ground next to him. “Jesus, is everyone armed?” He reached across and took the pistol. He ejected the magazine and pull the slide back, causing a 9 mm round to pop out into the grass. He stuck the gun next to the one he’d taken from Slaton.

  Sirens filled the air from almost every direction. Hallett turned to see Sergeant Greene jogging up behind him. He said, “Slaton’s down and needs help.” He was lucky it was the sergeant that found him and not some deputy who wouldn’t recognize him. He called for Rocky, and the dog trotted up next to him.

  Hallett turned back to the man and said, “We gotta get direct pressure on your hip. This is gonna hurt a little bit.” He almost collapsed himself as he leaned down to hold the man’s hand over the open wound just below his waist on his right hip.

  Hallett knew he had to keep it together for a while longer.

  49

  Tim Hallett was adjusting to his forced administrative leave. It was much better than the last time he had to take some days off. This time the media was using words like “hero” and calling Rocky a “courageous dog,” instead of mentioning how Hallett had used violence to coerce a confession from Arnold Ludner.

  Bill Slaton was under guard at a local hospital, recovering from his left shoulder, arm and hand being shredded by two different dogs and a bullet. But his major injury was the two bullets Hallett put into the right side of his upper chest. Hallett had relived that moment of pulling the trigger while Rocky’s body swayed in and out of his sight picture. At night he had nightmares about it, and during the day it popped into his head without warning. Bill Slaton had already been charged with kidnapping, and a new homicide detective had the rest of the case.

  Even though he wasn’t supposed to be acting in any official capacity during his so-called recovery leave, Hallett had stopped at headquarters to pick up a few personal effects. Of course, the only person he ran into in the D-bureau was John Fusco, who gave him a big smile, shook his hand, and said, “You can be a snotty prick, but you’re not a bad cop.”

  Hallett just stared at him and said, “Thanks, I think.” Then, as the detective started to walk away, Hallett reached out and stopped him, saying, “Fusco, be straight with me, did you plant the story in The Palm Beach Post?”

  Fusco looked him in the eye, shook his head, and said, “You should know me better than that. If I have something to say, I’ll say it right your face. And no one in homicide fessed up to it either. The story was actually positive about you. It just asked the same question I did: Why were you involved with this case?” He paused for a minute, patted Hallett on the shoulder, and said, “Let it go.”

  As he was about to leave, Sergeant Helen Greene came through the main doors, saw Hallett, and gave him a crushing hug.

  Hallett said, “Thanks for coming out the other night. You saved the whole operation. But most of all I needed someone to believe me.”

  The sergeant looked a little uncomfortable as she said, “I believed you, Tim. Or at least I wanted to. History counts for something. I know you’re a good investigator and could see connections in cases other people missed. But you’d been acting a little crazy, and I was told to keep you focused on things only K-9s could do. That’s why I wouldn’t let you get too involved in the actual investigation. But I still trust your judgment, and the loyalty of a friend like Darren is very convincing. When he called me, and I saw the photograph of the shoe print, I figured it was a sign from God. I had to help that night. And I’m glad I did.”

  “We’re all glad you did.” Hallett chuckled with her for a moment, then said, “Any other fallout around here about the case?”

  She shrugged and said, “You know how it is. Once you were proven to be right about everything, everyone jumped on the bandwagon. But I heard Danny Weil is being transferred back to the road. We could probably work out a spot for you to come back if you want.” She gave him an expectant look to show that it wasn’t an empty offer.

  Hallett thought about it for a few seconds, then shook his head, saying, “No thanks. I need Rocky to be a good cop.”

  * * *

  Claire Perkins’s heart skipped a beat as she saw John Fusco in front of the restaurant where they were meeting for their first official date. Now that CAT had been reassigned, she and Fusco could have any kind of relationship they wanted and no one would get in trouble.

  As always, Fusco took a moment to straighten his tie and check his hair in the rearview mirror of his car. Then he zeroed in on her like a heat-seeking missile. They met between the cars, and she couldn’t resist jumping into his open arms. It felt good to be embraced with passion. Sure, she gave Tim Hallett or Darren Mori a hug now and then, but it was like hugging a brother. She had missed the attention of a boyfriend. The sad thing was she hadn’t realized how much until just this moment.

  She took her time kissing him and making sure he couldn’t confuse her intentions. She was dressed in a short black cocktail dress and heels that made her feel six feet tall. He had obviously just come from work, but he always dressed well, and his blue suit and red tie were a perfect match. He even held her hand as they walked into the restaurant and were immediately led out to a table that overlooked the Intracoastal Waterway. This was starting out to be the best date she had ever been on.

  After the first glass of pinot noir, John reached across the table and grasped both of Claire’s hands. He gave her a smile and said, “I have a crazy idea.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “Even though we haven’t actually dated, we’ve known each other for a little while. I thought we might try something bold.”

  She didn’t want to rush him, but she couldn’t wait to hear his idea.

  “What if we skip all the normal dating bullshit and go away this weekend together? I can get us a room in Key West, and we could leave Friday morning. We wouldn’t have a care in the world until Sunday night.” He wiggled his eyebrows and gave her a goofy smile. “What do you think?”

  “I love the idea, John. But I have to make arrangements for Smarty, and sometimes it can take a few days.”

  “You don’t have a reliable kennel?”

  “I would never leave him in the kennel for three days. I try to work something out with Tim or Darren for them to look after him. Plus, they couldn’t be working, because I wouldn’t want them to leave him alone for a whole shift.”

  Fusco released her hands and leaned back in the seat. “Now wait a minute. We are talking about your dog, right?”

  The comment couldn’t have hurt worse if he’d called her a nasty name. “If you think he’s just a pet I love when it’s convenient, I don’t think you’ve been paying much attention to any of the dog handlers you’ve been working around the last month.”

  “No, I get it. You guys love your dogs, but there’s more to life than caring for a dog.”

  “To someone like me that’s like saying ‘there’s more to life than caring for a kid.’” She took a breath to control her tone. “It just means that you have no idea about things outside your tiny little world.”

  “Now hold on, are you really going to war with me over a dog?”

  Claire realized this was a chasm she would never be able to fill. Not only did he just not get it, he wasn’t smart enough and tolerant enough to even open his eyes. It was the age-old gap between dog lovers and people who didn’t love dogs. To some people an innocent dog’s life was more precious than a human’s. It was an argument that could be made. She looked at John’s handsome face. What a waste.

  Finally, she said, “I’m not going to war with you, John. I’m surrendering and clearing the battlefield. I’d rather spend the weekend with Smarty at my little townhouse than a whole week with you down in Key West. I had higher hopes for you.”

  As she stood up
and walked away from the table, part of her hoped that he would call out and apologize. But it just reinforced her opinion as he sat in silence and let her walk out the door. That was the dumbest move any guy could ever make.

  * * *

  Hallett stopped by the hospital to visit Darren and was surprised to find Ruben and Claire sitting by his bed and Darren’s new girlfriend, Kim Cooper, lounging in a chair in the corner of the room.

  He heard Claire say, “I can’t believe they don’t let dogs in here.”

  Hallett felt awkward around his friend, who was obviously depressed. When he sat next to him, all Darren could talk about was when he could see Brutus. It had fallen on Hallett and Claire to visit the injured dog at the veterinary hospital in suburban Lantana. The Golden Retriever’s lower left front leg had been badly damaged, but a great vet was working to restore it. The jury was out on whether Brutus would resume his career. Overall, Brutus was recovering, but it was a sin that neither partner could visit the other while they convalesced.

  Hallett pulled a wadded-up shirt from a cargo pocket. “We had this made up for you.” He held up the T-shirt so Darren could see the front clearly. It had a sketch of three dogs straining at their leads and the words HONOR, DUTY, DOGS.

  Darren’s face lit up as he took the shirt. “Thanks, guys. It looks great.”

  They all seemed to take turns trying to cheer Darren up. He made another effort to smile, then said, “If they won’t let me leave in the next day or two, you have to sneak me in to see Brutus.”

  Hallett said, “You mean kidnap you from the hospital?”

  “I mean rescue me.”

  Now Kim stood from the chair and said, “You’re not going to risk your health. Brutus will be fine.”

  Just hearing her say Brutus’s name seemed to get Darren down. He said, “I wanted him to be a patrol dog, and when he finally acted like one, I wish he hadn’t.” He started to sob. “I’ll never have another partner like him.”

  Hallett reached over and patted his friend’s shoulder. “Brutus acted like that to save your life. Partnership is a two-way street. He’ll still be around, even if he’s not your partner at work.”

  Darren said, “I don’t want to think about him not coming back.”

  Ruben shook his head, saying, “Let me worry about that.”

  * * *

  After Hallett said his good-byes, Ruben followed him into the hallway.

  The dog trainer said, “I owe you an apology. I was wrong.”

  “About what?”

  He hesitated, obviously trying to gather his words. “I had the story run in The Palm Beach Post. I know the writer and made sure he didn’t say anything negative about you personally.”

  “You? Why?” Hallett felt like he had been hit in the stomach with a shovel.

  “It looked like our unit’s mission was finished in the D-bureau, but no one showed any signs of wanting to move on. I thought you guys needed to be reassigned, but no one in administration listens to me, and Sergeant Greene would never move you. I had to do it to help our overall mission. We have to keep producing results or the Canine Assist Team is done. I’m sorry, I did what I had to do for the team. The mission is more important than any of us.”

  “I expected more of you, Ruben.”

  The dog trainer looked at him and said, “Then you probably need to know me a little bit better. I have a job to do.”

  “And we’re just tools, like the dogs?”

  “Sometimes, I’m afraid so.”

  “Right now I think you’re the only tool in the unit.” He spun on his heel and walked away from the dog trainer. He didn’t think the week could get much worse.

  * * *

  A few hours after his emotionally draining visit with Darren at the hospital, Hallett was tired from playing tag with Rocky and Josh in front of his trailer. The activity never failed to cheer him up. He was trying to come to terms with Ruben. At least he understood why he did it. He might even be able to trust the dog trainer again someday.

  Josh was inside getting ready to meet their visitor.

  Rocky crouched low with his hindquarters in the air in his classic position to play tag. He let out a warning bark, and every time Hallett moved toward him, the dog used his lightning reflexes to hop from one side to the other.

  The poodles, Sponge and Bob, each yapped once every time Rocky barked. Hallett was getting used to the little dogs and realized he wouldn’t be getting rid of them. Just two small additions to the already sprawling family.

  Then Hallett stood and stretched his back as he saw Lori’s Mazda pull through the gate at the rear of the church.

  A grin spread across his face in anticipation. This was the bright spot he needed in his week.

  As she stepped out of the car, in a simple sundress, she gave him a dazzling smile. He greeted her with a hug and a lingering kiss. Lori leaned down and patted Rocky on the top of his head as his tail wagged furiously.

  Hallett turned as he heard the door to the trailer open and felt the excitement build in him as his girlfriend was about to meet his son. He already had ideas of the activities all of them could do. All of them included Rocky.

  Josh bounded out of the trailer and raced toward his father, skidding to a halt right next to him.

  Hallett said, “Lori, this is my son, Josh.”

  She leaned down and shook his tiny hand.

  Hallett couldn’t argue with the manners Crystal was teaching the young man. He caught something else in Lori’s expression. She looked up at him as if there might be a problem. Hallett said, “Josh, do me a favor and go check the animals real quick.” The boy turned and darted toward the pens, with Rocky right on his heels.

  He’d given bad news to too many people in his career as a road patrol deputy to want to wait for it himself. He took Lori in a quick embrace, then asked point-blank, “What’s wrong?”

  She looked down at the ground and said, “Nothing we can’t talk about later.”

  “After this past week of surprises, I can’t wait for another.”

  Lori appeared distraught as she looked down at the ground. Biting her lower lip, she finally said, “I got a job offer.”

  “From who?”

  “The FBI crime lab.”

  “Where?”

  She looked down at the ground and mumbled, “Virginia.”

  “You’re thinking about it?”

  Then she dropped the bomb. “I took it already.”

  His head was spinning. All he could do was stammer, “What, when?”

  “I know it’s a lot to process. And I did take us, our relationship, into consideration. But at the end of the day, you’ve got Josh and Rocky. You’ll be fine.”

  Hallett just stared at her, not sure of what to say.

  Lori said, “I’m sorry, but it was hard finding the right time to say something.”

  She was right in everything she said. He was disappointed she was leaving, but when he looked over at his son playing with his partner, he knew she was right. He’d be fine.

  Lori said, “I need to go. It’s too hard to stay here with you. You’re weakening my resolve.” She stretched on her tiptoes and kissed him.

  Then she was gone.

  Josh came running back to Hallett and said, “Where did the lady go?”

  “She didn’t want to play today. Now it’s just us boys.”

  Josh gave him a smile and said, “Cool,” as he ran off with Rocky in close pursuit and Sponge and Bob trying to keep up. Hallett let a smile blossom, then chased after his son and his dogs.

  50

  He had placated Darren for an extra day; then on Monday they made their break. It was exhilarating in a way, but it was also pretty easy. Hospital security was geared to keep people out, not in. The hardest part was helping Darren get dressed. His upper body was black and blue, with four ribs broken, and his neck and shoulder were carefully bandaged. It was the fear of infection and internal bleeding that had kept him hospitalized for three days.

/>   Now, after stuffing pillows under the sheets like in an old-school prison break, Hallett and Darren walked slowly to a rear elevator, then left the hospital through the back door, where Claire was waiting in her Tahoe with Rocky and Smarty sharing the rear compartment. Hallett had to slide in next to them for the ten-minute ride to the veterinary hospital west of Lantana.

  No matter what the hassle, it was all worth it once Hallett saw the effect Darren had on Brutus. Instantly, the dog went from lying quietly in a large kennel to jumping up like a puppy, his head banging against the grate as he got used to standing on just three legs. The left front paw was heavily bandaged, with a splint stabilizing it as well.

  Once out of the kennel, he licked Darren’s face and whimpered like he was crying. Brutus wasn’t the only one. As Hallett wiped a tear away, he turned and caught Claire openly sobbing.

  She managed to croak, “Not a single word to anyone about this.”

  He cleared his throat and said quietly, “I’m going to get Rocky.”

  * * *

  Once outside, Hallett took Rocky off his lead and let the dog run free for a few minutes, chasing the occasional pigeon or squirrel. Hallett walked along the shaded trail near the parking lot and leaned down to pick up a discarded plastic Gatorade bottle. As he was fully extended, he heard Rocky approach and then felt the dog nip him on the backside. He stood and turned around to see Rocky crouched low, ready for a game of tag. It instantly lifted his spirits.

  Then Rocky winked. There was no stress, the light was good, and Hallett knew what he saw. Rocky winked, and he had done it with purpose. Somehow Hallett knew his life could never be boring while he had so much to learn about what made Rocky tick

  He had a partner and a family who loved him. Everything would be okay.

  * * *

  Rocky wanted Tim to be happy. Tim needed to be happy. Since Josh was not here, it was up to Rocky to ease Tim’s sadness. The little boy made both of them happy and should have been around them more. But now it was just up to Rocky.