Epistle of the Damned

by M. Lee Mendelson

  Meredith had gotten to know Frank during the many visits when he would come to see Mike. It took a while, but Frank grew on her with his boyish charm and playful antics. She realized that Mike was right. He really was a big teddy bear. She grew to love Frank as much as Mike did. When she met Nancy, the two became instant friends. Nancy and Meredith would constantly stay in touch. Nancy told Meredith how grateful she was that Meredith was in Mike’s life, and how happy she was that Meredith would keep her informed with all that Mike was going through. They were very happy and content in their lives together.

  It was finally time for Mike to graduate from law school. Cynthia, Frank and Nancy had joined Mike, Meredith and her parents to celebrate. Not only was this a special day because Mike had finally achieved his goal of graduating from law school, but this would prove to be the night that Meredith had been dreaming of since she first fell for Mike on that fateful day of their courtroom encounter.

  After the graduation ceremony at the restaurant, Mike and Frank had concocted a scheme to surprise everyone with a proposal of marriage. All of the important people in both of their lives were present. The setting was romantic, and with attention paid to all the special details. Meredith wholeheartedly accepted. Everyone was so excited. Love was in the air that night.

  Mike and Meredith beamed with joy. They danced and celebrated for hours. People they never met came up and congratulated them.

  Meredith could have never dreamt of a more perfect night.

  BACHELOR NO MORE

  T he evening drew to a close and it was late when they all returned to the hotel. Mike and Frank sat in the lobby and talked while everyone else went upstairs to get ready for bed.

  “Man, I can’t believe you’re getting married, brother! I’m so happy for you. She’s a special lady.”

  “Thank you, brother. Having you there tonight meant a lot to me. This has been the best day I can remember.”

  “I’m proud of you, Mikey. We’ve been through a lot together. I hope you know I’ll always be there for you.”

  “I know Frankie. I love you, man.”

  “Aw, you know I love you too, little bro. And I really love that Merry. She’s a great gal . . . you’re lucky. You better take good care of her or I’ll kick your ass!”

  Mike laughed and said, “Yeah? You and what army?”

  Frank laughed, “I’m the only army you need to worry about.”

  “She is a good woman, and I know I’m lucky. But I don’t think I’m the only lucky one. So, um, what was that thing that I saw between you and Cynthia?”

  Defensively, Frank said, “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t bullshit me, Moose. I’m not blind. Lucky for you, though, outside of Cynthia I think I’m the only one that noticed.”

  Frank uncharacteristically turned beet red. “Shut up, dickhead!”

  Mike laughed, “Frank Peterson, I do believe you might be in love. Don’t be so embarrassed, pal. It happens to the best of us. She’s a good lady. If she’s interested in you, I say go for it. You’re my best friend. I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”

  Meanwhile, upstairs in Mike and Meredith’s room, the other two best friends who shared everything were lying on the king size bed. Cynthia was ogling Meredith’s beautiful ring and said, “You’re so lucky. I wonder if that will ever happen for me.”

  Meredith answered, “You know it will.”

  “Frank is quite charming, don’t you think?” asked Cynthia.

  Remembering the night in her car when they first encountered

  The Moose, Meredith blurted, “Uh-oh!”

  “What? I still think he’s adorable.”

  “This time honey, I would have to say I agree with you. That first encounter I wanted to slap you, but he’s grown on me. He’s the sweetest guy I know, with the exception of my Mikey.”

  “You really like him?”

  “Honey, I would never let you be interested in anyone I didn’t approve of.”

  The two snorted with joy, and Meredith asked, “You think he might be interested?”

  “Oh Mer, we talked for hours tonight. He is so gentle and sweet. His gruff exterior hides a gentleness underneath. When we danced, I don’t think I’ve ever felt safer in my entire life.”

  “Hmmm, I think you’ve been smitten by the love bug. Just don’t get too distracted. You have to help me plan this wedding.”

  “You know I’ll do everything I can. It’ll be challenging from Philly, but thanks to my frequent flyer miles, I’ll be here whenever you need me.”

  “It goes without saying—you’re my maid of honor.”

  “I better be!” Cynthia exclaimed.

  Mike and Frank finished talking downstairs and were walking toward the elevator. Mike said, “Crap, I dropped my room key back at the sofa. Go ahead on up, buddy. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Before Frank got onto the elevator, he gave Mike a big bear hug.

  “I love you, buddy. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Okay Moose, you’re crushing my spine. I love you too, big guy.” Frank laughed then continued up the elevator to the tenth floor. Mike went back to look for the key card to his room. He located it under the sofa. When he stood up from the floor, he was overcome by a sudden chill. There was a whisper from behind him and he felt warm breath across the back of his neck. Mike spun around as his heart pounded. This was not his first encounter with this type of inexplicable event. The lobby was empty. Even the front desk clerk was nowhere to be found. It was eerily quiet. Mike collected his thoughts and walked briskly back to the elevator. His heart was still racing as the elevator doors closed.

  Mike breathed a deep sigh. “Okay, settle down Mike. Just push the button and get yourself upstairs.”

  Mike pushed the button for the tenth floor. Beginning to calm down, you’re just having early wedding jitters, he scolded himself. There haven’t been any dark encounters in a while, not since the nightmarish cases stopped. It must be jitters.

  When the elevator reached the fifth floor, it suddenly jarred to a stop and the lights went out. A legion of voices from a thousand tortured souls enveloped him as if in surround sound—they’re back.

  The voices shrieked, “MICHAEL, WE ARE WAITING. YOUR TIME IS NEAR! DON’T RESIST HER, MICHAEL, SHE AWAITS!”

  Then, in the reflection of the mirrored doors, Mike could see glowing red eyes behind him. He could smell the wretched stench of the bulls at his uncle’s farm and he heard a terrifying MRRAAAWWW!

  Mike screamed in horror and collapsed, landing in a crumpled heap against the rear wall of the elevator.

  Frank heard the scream from his room two doors down from the elevator. Frank recognized the voice as his best friend’s. “Mikey? MIKEY!”

  Frank bolted out of his room to the now open elevator doors. There lay Mike, in a state of shock, unresponsive, his eyes stuck in a fixed gaze staring off into eternity. He was sweating profusely and would not answer Frank. In the same gentle manner with which he had done before, the Goliath man stooped down and picked up his closest friend and carried him to his room. Other people had come out to see what caused the commotion. Frank went into cop-mode, assuring the curious onlookers, “He’s okay, everybody. Sorry about all the noise. He just had a little too much to drink, that’s all.”

  When Frank got to Mike’s room, Meredith and Cynthia were still awake. There was a knock on the door and Meredith said, “Mike must have forgotten his key.” When she opened the door, she was horrified at the sight of Frank carrying Mike like he was a helpless infant. Mike had been crying and was shaking, still not responding to anyone’s prompts.

  “Oh my God. What happened, Frank?”

  Frank laid Mike down in bed and said, “I don’t know, Merry. I went up ahead of him because he dropped his key in the lobby. A few minutes after I got back to my room, I heard a scream from the elevator. I ran and found him curled up in a fetal position on the floor of the elevator.”

  Twenty minutes later, Mike came back arou
nd, surrounded by EMS personnel and all of his loved ones.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  Meredith said, “I don’t know, sweetheart. We were hoping you could tell us. Let the paramedics check you out first, though.”

  The paramedic examined Mike thoroughly and said, “Well, all your vitals check out fine, but I recommend you let us take you down to the hospital. Having an unexplained blackout could be something

  serious. You really should be seen by a doctor.”

  Mike said, “No, thank you. I don’t want to go anywhere. I feel fine now. I can get checked out when I get home.”

  “Okay, sir. I can’t make you go, but you sure put a scare into everyone. I hope you feel better soon. I just need you to sign here saying you refuse to go to the hospital with us.”

  Mike signed the form, then sat up in bed. He was surrounded by all the people he loved.

  Meredith asked, “Do you remember anything, baby?”

  “No. I remember getting my key, then something spooked me and I got into the elevator. Next thing I knew, I woke up here in bed.”

  “Frank found you unresponsive in the elevator and he carried you here.”

  Frank was lingering over Mike, as concerned as a mother attending a sick baby. “Are you sure you’re okay, buddy?”

  “Yeah, thanks pal. Seems like you’re always there to pick me up.”

  “That’s my job, Little Mikey.”

  Mike smiled up at him. No one else in the world could ever get away with calling him Little Mikey except Frank.

  The incident passed and the wedding plans ensued.

  Back home in Boca Grande Shores, the wedding plans moved forward. Nancy came down to assist with the plans, and had practically moved in with Henry and Rebecca. After Meredith moved out, they had plenty of room and they all got along very well. All Meredith had to do was suggest an idea, and before she could change her mind, Nancy and Rebecca would have it taken care of.

  Mike still enjoyed being on road patrol and had actually joined the SWAT team. This afforded him the opportunity to get a little excitement without having to deal with things all alone, like in Major Crimes. Everything would be a team event, and like always, he enjoyed being part of a team.

  Frank and Cynthia were always coming and going, always having a part in all the planning. Unbeknownst to everyone else, they too were getting closer. Frank would fly to Philadelphia at least twice a month to spend time with Cynthia. Other times, they would mysteriously show up in Florida at the same time. Everyone was so busy with all the planning that they never took notice.

  February 2005. Mike had just passed the bar exam and was trying to decide what to do now that he was a lawyer. He still enjoyed the Sheriff’s Office and wasn’t in a particular hurry to leave. He was vested in his pension and was in no danger of losing anything, but his passion to be a trial lawyer was still heavy in his heart. Then an unexpected opportunity presented itself.

  Colonel Talbot, second in command of the Sheriff’s Office, was also an attorney and had been the legal counsel for the Sheriff’s Office for many years. When Talbot announced his retirement and that he would be leaving in two months, a vital hole for the agency would need to be filled.

  Sheriff Ron Hill was concerned because he didn’t have anyone else in his command staff that could do Colonel Talbot’s job. The Sheriff knew that Mike was in law school, but was unaware that he had finished. Talbot advised the Sheriff that Mike had indeed finished and had passed the bar. Sheriff Hill knew all about Mike’s reputation, and had followed his career for many years. One evening, he called Mike at home.

  “Deputy Carson? Sheriff Hill.”

  “Sheriff Hill? Yes sir, this is an unexpected surprise. How are you this evening?”

  “Very good, thank you for asking. Listen, Mike, I want to have a meeting with you. Can you be in my office tomorrow afternoon at three?”

  “Yes sir, I’ll be there. May I inquire as to what this is about?”

  “Let’s just say I have a proposal for you that I think you may be interested in.”

  “I’m intrigued, sir. I’ll see you tomorrow at three.”

  The next day at three o’clock, Mike was waiting outside Sheriff Hill’s office. His secretary, Amy Billings told him, “I’m sorry, Deputy, the Sheriff is running a bit late. He got held up in a Commission

  meeting, but he just called and he should be here in about ten minutes.”

  “No problem. Thank you, ma’am.”

  The Sheriff arrived. “Mike, sorry to keep you waiting. That damn commission meeting lasted forever. The new budget is going to be tight.”

  “No problem, sir.”

  “Okay then, come on in and have a seat.”

  Mike entered the Sheriff’s Office and sat in front of the desk.

  “I appreciate you meeting with me such short notice, Mike.”

  “No problem at all, sir.”

  “I was just informed yesterday that Colonel Talbot is throwing in the towel and retiring. My problem is, no one in the command staff has his credentials. My term ends in a little more than two years, and I’m not seeking re-election. His departure leaves me without an in-house legal counsel for the agency. I understand that you just passed the bar, and that you’re getting married to that hot shot —DA—Ms. Porter, isn’t it?”

  “Yes sir, true on all accounts.”

  “Well, son, I was hoping you might be interested in being my legal counsel. I can’t rightly put you into the Colonel’s title because you have no command experience. But I will be making some command adjustments, and have it within my means to promote you to Captain. I’ll be moving Captain Rodgers up to Colonel, leaving his spot open. Would you be interested?”

  “Well, sir, as you said, I have no command experience, —but yes— I would be very interested.”

  “Understand, you will be a Captain, but your primary responsibility will be to perform legal counsel duties. Some of these duties may not be pleasant and can come in the form of discipline issues. You’ll also be reviewing all of our policies to make sure they are all legal. Captain Rodgers’ current duties will be divided among the other command staff.”

  Mike said, “I was undecided as to what I wanted to do, so this is an incredible opportunity, Sheriff. Thank you!”

  “And I thank you, Mike. This helps me out of a jam. Your promotion will be effective as of next Monday. I want you to work with Colonel Talbot for the next week. He’ll be your FTO,” Sheriff Hill joked.

  Mike laughed and asked, “Sir, will I be able to remain part of the SWAT team? I really enjoy my duties there.”

  “You’re a Captain now Mike, aren’t you? So, you tell me.”

  Mike knew where he was coming from and smiled. “Thank you again, sir.”

  A promotion, a pay increase and an upcoming wedding. Mike was excited. He now had almost two years to decide which direction he wanted to go with his legal career. Meredith could assist him along the way. Now, having this job he actually had time to attend some of her trials and learn from the master.

  That night, Mike told Meredith the good news. She was excited for him, and the extra money would come in handy. Though her parents were picking up a lot of the expenses of the wedding, Meredith didn’t want to depend solely on them. She wanted Mike and herself to be more independent.

  June 4, a week before the wedding, Frank flew into town for the traditional bachelor party, and Frank had big plans. He had gathered all of Mike’s buddies from the Sheriff’s Office, as well as some old teammates from college who lived in the area. They were going to paint the town red. Frank had rented a limo bus and planned a tour of only the best strip clubs in the Central Florida area between Tampa and Orlando. On board the bus would be a fully stocked bar and big screen televisions that would play only the finest midget pornography Frank could find.

  Frank had even employed the services of two call girls to be the onboard entertainment between the clubs while on the road.

  Cynthia arrived in to
wn at about the same time for Meredith’s bachelorette party, but her plans were not quite as extensive as Frank’s.

  3:00 p.m. “I don’t even want to know what Frank has planned for you guys, but promise you’ll be a good boy.”

  Mike laughed, “Honey, I’m not sure I want to know what he has planned, but I’m sure it will be memorable and filled with depravity. One thing you can be sure of though, is that you have no need to worry. There is only one woman that I will be looking forward to coming home to at the end of the night.”

  From downstairs, Mike and Meredith heard a loud air horn honking to the tune of Dixie’s Land.

  They looked at each other and burst into laughter, saying simultaneously, “Frank!”

  They hugged and Mike ran downstairs, where he was greeted by Frank exiting a large, blacked-out party bus. He was smoking a large cigar and wearing shorts, sunglasses and a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt. “WHAT’S UP, CAPTAIN DOUCHE BAG!?”

  All of the other friends disembarked as well, and Mike couldn’t believe how many guys had shown up.

  “Wow, you put all this together, Frankie?”

  “Oh, you ain’t seen nothing yet, pal.”

  Mike looked up, and Meredith was shaking her head and laughing. Frank looked up and waved excitedly at Meredith. She opened the window and shouted down, “You take care of him, Frank!”

  “I got it, Merry. He’s my boy. He’s in good hands. I’ll keep him safe,” Frank hollered back with a roguish grin.

  “Oh, dear Lord, keep him out of trouble,” Meredith said as she closed the window.

  When Mike entered the bus, there were two ladies in various stages of undress on top of each other on a mattress in the middle of the bus. There was midget porn playing on the two big screens, and several empty beer bottles strewn about the bus cabin already. He shouted, “God help me!”

  Frank got on board. “Hey, hey, hey there ladies, you can’t start that yet! Man, they’re frisky. Let the guest of honor get a few drinks on board first, geez! Mike, this is Bunny and this is Sunshine. Girls, say hi to Mike.” In unison, the two girls said, “Hi Mike.” Frank was laughing aloud with his typical animated, boisterous laugh.