Game of the Blues

by Kenn C. Kincaid

  “Prisoners are not allowed jewelry,” Dan advised. I warned you. You go to jail. I get the toys.”

  “I’m holding you responsible for it!”

  “And, I’m holding it for you. You play nice, and you’ll get it back when you get out of jail.”

  The three pulled him up off the floor and double handcuffed him. Martin blew out the candles, and locked the door behind them with the key found in the prisoner’s pocket. Outside they discovered his counterparts did not wait on the grand Ischyres. Dan was grateful; a Devil a day is plenty.

  Dan and Ben took the opportunity of Willis’ calmness to secure his feet with another set of cuffs and strapped him into the back seat. Since he took to spitting at them, a cotton pillowcase was pulled over his head. Before he closed the door, Dan warned him, “You start up again, and I’m just going to shoot you.”

  Dan and Ben transported him to the lock up. Deputy Ternnka saw them coming, and yelled back to the other guards, “Got a spitter!”

  The search and paperwork was completed and Willis passed through to the inner chamber, two receiving deputies took him aside and instructed him quietly. His head nodded, and they slowly removed the pillowcase.

  Dan held up the amulet and swung it back and forth singing. “I got your power. I got your power.”

  “Give my property back!” Willis shouted, “When I get out of here I’ll put a dark curse on you. You won’t be so flippant then!”

  “Hey, don’t be getin’ him all wound up,” Ternnka complained.

  “Nighty-night Willie boy,” Dan baited still holding the amulet. “Don’t forget to say your prayers.”

  “We have the right to pursue our destined purpose without interference,” Willis shouted back as the jailer walked him out of sight.”

  “Come on guys! Leave him alone, unless you want him back,” Ternnka demanded.

  “Sorry, got carried away.”

  “We have to put up with him the rest of the night, you don’t.”

  “Sorry Bert, just demonstrating this eyeball’s effect. He fought like a grizzly protecting her den until I yanked it off, then he lost his ferocity. Whether it’s real or not, he associates this with some special power.”

  “You don’t buy that hocus pocus, do you?”

  “It only matters that he does, and five of us couldn’t restrain him until I yanked it. You return it at your own risk.”

  “I’ll mark the arrest sheet.”

  “You’d be smart to do that,” Dan said. The Duo turned to exit and they could hear Willis arguing with the deputies, “It’s a free country. I was in my own house…violated my civil…”

  They were back patrolling their beat when Dan remarked, “Willie just wants to be free. That’s all. But, none of us are free. Without rules life’s a hodgepodge and freedom is absorbed in the demands of fighting the chaos.”

  “He was crying about fulfilling his purpose. You should have asked him what it was, Dan.”

  “Gee, wasn’t it nice of us to funnel him into city government whose purpose is to provide every citizen life fulfillment.”

  “Thought that was ‘pursuit of happiness’.”

  “Either way, best government’s mud pond of regulations can do is pursue order and security.”

  “Dan, I think he’d make a good politician.”

  “Probably fit right in, but no one who relies on majority popularity for his welfare can pursue the good of the whole. Trust government to champion the people! Ha, there’s a pirates pledge! And they’re the ones making the laws.”

  “Don’t be so down on government, Dan. We need it. It tries to do what’s right. Some matters have lots of concerns to consider, before they can sort out solutions.”

  “Interesting, absolute freedom requires an adherence to unchanging boundaries, and government is the process of changing boundaries.”

  “So government can’t save us,” Ben sighed. “Tell me, have you been watching that white Volvo we’re following?”

  “A bit erratic, but it’s staying in its lane.”

  “You imply we aren’t really free to pursue happiness?”

  “I don’t know, but the Handbook seems to imply it can’t be found outside the guidelines our Creator established. Those boundaries are the outer membrane of true peace and…”

  “Your itch again,” Ben broke in. “Where we came from, and where we are going dictates…”

  “Purpose!” Dan added as he pulled alongside the Volvo at the light. “And for now, Willis will pursue his brand of fulfillment, as we do ours. Both hampered by self-interests.”

  “Let me guess; therein, is the mystery of rising crime?” Ben said glancing out the side window. “And, there’s the answer to another mystery! The dog’s helping grandma drive her Volvo.”

  The light changed green and the car pulled away. With one hand on the wheel, the driver attempted to control the dog with the other. She accomplished neither effectively. Dan followed to a straight section. He activated the bar lights, but the distracted driver did not acknowledge the flashing lights. Ben “bleeped” her, and the siren excited the dog. The driver stopped the vehicle in the middle of the road. Her attention focused on the dog.

  “Pull to the curb,” Dan commanded over the PA. It took several minutes for her to comply.

  They approached the vehicle. Ben crossed over and distracted the yelping dog as Dan confronted the woman in her late sixties. “Your license and registration, please.”

  “Why was I pulled over?”

  “Because you were weaving in traffic. License and registration.”

  The distracted woman gave her best impression of Jack Benny; with hands to her cheeks she muttered “Well!” Stirring through her purse she eventually producing a wallet.

  “Ma’am,” instructed Dan, “You must restrain your dog so it does not interfere with your driving.”

  “Ma’am! Do I look like your grandmother!”

  “Mrs. Benton-Whitmore…”

  “MS,” She corrected.

  “Ms. Benton-Whitmore, You must restrain your dog so it does not interfere with your driving.”

  “Woofy’s no problem. He rides in my lap.”

  “Not anymore.”

  “Woofy doesn’t like the back seat. He can’t see out the windows.”

  “It’s after midnight! Where does Woofy need to go or see at this hour?”

  “Well! I don’t know it’s any of your business. He’s not driving.”

  “Had us fooled. Either tie Woofy in the backseat, or I’ll have to issue a ticket.”

  “You’d give a defenseless little dog a ticket,” she demanded angrily.

  “No, you’ll get the ticket.”

  “What on Earth for?”

  “Weaving, load interfering with driver.”

  “Well, I never!” she huffed opening the door forcefully. The woman struggled to keep the terrier in her arms as it yapped and lunged at the strangers. “I can’t obey your demands if you’re standing in the way.”

  Dan checked to make sure traffic was clear, backed up, and opened the rear door for her. She placed the dog on the back seat, and tied the leash to the seat belt. Ms. Benton-Whitmore slammed the back door shut, and Woofy jumped clear. She whirled around with indignation and slid back behind the wheel with another slam. “The Humane Society will hear of this! It’s dog cruelty. What’s your badge number?”

  “Two-nine-six,” Dan answered drawing out each number.

  “And what’s ‘thaa-at’ suppose to mean?”

  “Mean? I have no idea. It’s the badge number you requested.”

  “Are you done harassing us? Can we go, now?”

  “Yes, and do drive careful.”

  She pulled from the curb making an unlawful U-turn. Dan shook his head in disbelief.

  “We could tag her for the U-turn,” Ben suggested.

  “No way, that little lady will tie us up longer on one traffic tag than any two felony arrests. I’m cutting my losses and going the other way.”
>
  “I can see why she’s still a Ms,” Ben said.

  The radio quieted down as was customary for midweek. Taking advantage of the lull Dan suggested, “Best we check our doors before the bars let out. Keep some scoundrel from sneaking in on us.”

  “Your turn to yank awhile.”

  “Who says?”

  Lightning streaked the sky followed by a tumult of thunder.

  “Okay, I’ll get wet. I ain’t arguing with HIM! How come he’s on your side?” Ben asked.

  “Not sure He is. We can sit it out for a few minutes see if the rain slacks.”

  Again the sky lit up like a Fourth of July finale.

  “The lightning gods are messing with us.”

  “Lightening gods,” Dan responded. “I thought you Catholics had saints.”

  “I’m speaking mythological fable.”

  The cloudburst lasted ten minutes before it subsided.

  “Oh, myth-master,” Dan said. “We can get back to work now.”

  The dispatches and priorities weren’t demanding their time so they continued shaking doors. Dan turned in beside Max’s Vending Supplies and drove down the side parking area studying the windows. Two-thirds of the way back, he noticed light didn’t reflect off a pane and stopped. “Check the bottom of that one.”

  Ben found the glass missing, and keyed the radio. “508, put us on a PFO [Place Found Open], 1224 Ellis St.”

  Dan parked and joined Ben to investigate. They found no broken glass in or outside. Nevertheless, several crates stacked under it allowed anyone to reach in and unlatch the window.

  “Looks old to me,” Dan said.

  “Why chance it?” Ben asked keying his radio, “508, is there a canine available?”

  “K-Five, available,” Officer Young answered. He arrived in minutes and Dan briefed him.

  “How bad you want it searched?” asked Young with the glee of a bear finding a honey tree.

  “No problem. I played hide and seek last time,” Dan said.

  “No way! That was a lost coin toss. It’s still your turn!”

  “Sorry, toss or no, counts as a turn.”

  “Ohhh, no! I’m allergic. I don’t do dogs!”

  “Shall we toss again, then?”

  “Hold on, guys,” Young interrupted, “Maybe we get lucky and get a bad guy. You want it searched? If not, I got places to go.”

  Dan looked at Ben, “I say we search it. What say you?”

  Ben buried his face in his hands. A muffled answer came through.

  “Couldn’t hear you,” Young said.

  “Search it.”

  “You two decide on the short straw while we search,” Young said. With that he climbed the crates with Sentry and they entered the warehouse.

  “K-Five, canine in the building on Ellis Street,” he informed the dispatcher, and then added, “Number three.” It alerted others of a possible ‘empty third’.

  Canines hunt for reward. When the rewards stop, the conditioned response stops. Therefore, after every third unsuccessful search the beat officer would hide. The dog searched again guaranteeing a find and reward. Thus, the dog remained focused. Officer Young was aware of Ben’s aversion to dogs having worked with them many times.

  Young and his dog made a thorough search. A few minutes later, he notified the dispatcher they were leaving the building. By the end of the search, Cars 505 and 507 arrived with Officers Follert, BC, and Jansen.

  “It’s clean. Sentry perked up in the office area on the first pass, but it wasn’t strong. Second pass he ignored it. Could’ve been someone in there earlier, or lingering perfume. Anyway, I’m sure it’s clean now,” Young paused then added, “So, who’s playing burglar?”

  “Not our beat,” the newcomers cheered, “We just came for the show.”

  “Come on guys,” pressed Young. “Need a bad guy. Ain’t got all night.”

  Hearing “bad guy” Sentry’s ears perked, he let out a shrill bark. Ben retreated toward his cruiser.

  “Okay, okay,” Dan said turning to Ben, “It’s fair we flip for it.” The others joined in agreement.

  “My coin, and I flip,” Ben demanded.

  “Fine! My call. Heads.”

  Ben eyed the dog. Reluctantly he fished a quarter from his pocket, flipped, but dropped it. The coin rolled in front of Sentry who sniffed it.

  “Tails,” Yong announced.

  “Dropped don’t count,” Ben said digging for another. This time he caught it.

  Ben revealed it. “CURSES!”

  “Put the bad guy suit on and let’s get on with it,” Dan said smiling.

  “He doesn’t have my size.”

  “Oh, yes I do,” Young remarked handing him a pair of folded overalls.

  Ben stripped his gun belt. “A partner who cared would step in for me,” he said sliding in a leg.

  “It’s tough love; making you all you can be.”

  The overalls on, Ben disappeared through the door with a flashlight in his hand and a radio in his pocket. Ten minutes later he radio, “508B, I’m ready.”

  The handler entered the building this time keeping the dog on leash.

  “Never thought he’d do it,” Gary said.

  “Me either,” BC agreed. “The way he shies off dogs? Wow! Doin’ a hide-and-seek.”

  “Peer pressure in action,” Dan said.

  “Listen to the fit the dog’s having,” BC noted.

  “Bet he’s locked himself in a closet,” Dan chuckled.

  They were belly-laughing when the radio called, “K-Five, need help in here!”

  Running for the door, someone yelled, “They’ve found a burglar—it’s gone bad!”

  Flashlights in one hand, weapons in the other, they worked their way to the rear truck bays. Dan was first to clear the door. Ben lay on the floor, his torso encircled with large tires, and the dog stirred to frenzy. Ben was unsuccessfully trying to kick off the tires. Young worked to calm the dog. The arriving officers had no idea what had transpired, but they joined the dog’s howling with their laughter.

  Dan and Gary helped clear the tires, and Ben rose to his feet yelling. “Don’t do dogs! No more! NEVER!” Giving the canine ample clearance, he stomped out of the building.

  “You are going to let us in on the whole story,” Dan asked Young.

  “Certainly, but he’s really agitated. Let’s give him time to calm down.

  “He’s not barking anymore,” Gary pointed out.

  “Not Sentry, Ben. After I get Sentry secured, we’ll have story time.” Young returned the dog to the car while the others locked the building. Then he joined the group. Ben handed him the overalls and went back to lean on the rear of his cruiser.

  “I can’t tell it anyway near as good as it was, but I’ll do my best,” Young said. “But, it’s Ben’s story. Sure you don’t want to tell it?”

  Ben shook his head while adjusting his gun-belt.

  “Okay then. Sentry immediately picked up Ben’s scent and pulled me to the truck bays. He went straight for the tire storage loft’s ladder with such excitement I thought he was gonna climb the thing. Took all I had to settle him down, praised his find, and hollered for Ben to show himself. I’m not sure what happened, but that’s when it went crazy. Ben, you sure you don’t want to take it from here?”

  “You’re doin’ fine,” he said unemotionally.

  “Well, I saw Ben stand up and Sentry went crazy again. I called him off, rewarded him, and pulled him to the back of the bays. Then I told Ben to go ahead and leave. Like I said, not sure what happened, and doubt Ben’s going to say,” Young stopped to look at Ben who shook his head.

  “Come on, tell us firsthand what happened?” the group begged.

  Ben shook his head emphatically.

  “I’m guessing nerves, too big a hurry or something,” Young said. “’Cause he was standing, then all of a sudden disappeared. Reckon he tripped. Fell over. The next I see are all these tires rolling all over the loft.”

  The gro
up was chuckling as Young laid out the picture.

  “They banged off the brick wall and careened down the loading ramp with Ben inside screaming. I could hardly hold Sentry off, and called for you guys. You should have seen it,” He laughed. “Four tires coming at me, kicking legs out one end, flailing arms the other. Rolling down the ramp like the Michelin Man.”

  The group broke out in laughter.

  “Bet he’s ready to re-tire now,” Gary quipped.

  “Go ahead, laugh! NO MORE DOGS!” Ben turned and entered the cruiser and closed the door forcefully.

  The story group disembarked chuckling. Dan slid in behind the wheel of the cruiser. They sat quietly while Dan completed the PFO-317 report.

  “Hey, what’s with the silent treatment? Big Ben mad at Danny Boy?”

  “I’m not doing any more hide-and-seeks! Not part of the job.”

  “I’m proud of you. You put a full effort into this one. Bet you’re tired.”

  “That supposed t’ be funny?”

  “It IS funny. You just aren’t in the mood.”

  Ben did not reply, and Dan gave him a minute before saying, “You were never in any danger, except breaking your fool neck with the roly-poly trick.”

  “You aren’t standing even with me. I side with you on all your stupid dogfights. Stuff could get me fired. Least you could do is one lousy hide-and-seek in return!”

  “Didn’t know it meant so much to you.”

  “Cocky-poo-doo-doo! You really are dumber ’n dirt!”

  “Cocky-poo-doo-doo? Are we havin’ a lover’s spat, Sweetheart?”

  “Curses, to you, and your bunch! Go ahead laugh, I’m payin’ the bill.”

  “Go ahead an’ cuss. Know you want to. Get it out.”

  “You deserve it more ’an anybody. But, I start cussin’ you, and next I do it at home in front of the kids. You ain’t gonna suck me into that!”

  “Okay, I’ll admit, maybe, I’m a heartless knave.”

  “MAYBE! You’re a bum! You know I hate dogs.”

  “My word! Tell you what. The next two are on me.”

  “How BIG of you. Next two? Watch my lips. NO—MORE—DOGGIE HIDES!”

  “Okay, you tell me what happened in the loft, and I’ll do the hide-and-seeks from now on. Fair enough?”

  “It’s not negotiable, and you wouldn’t keep it to yourself if I did.”