Serendipity

by Summer Foovay

  Craig looked down with a sigh. "I'm sorry. But there was no stopping him. You know what I think. I think -"

  "It's the guy who killed those women and kids in the arroyo." Kathy finished for him, "And I think so, too. So does Sgt. Morales."

  "What's going to happen to Hero?"

  "I don't know." Kathy admitted, swallowing hard. "But I am so glad you are okay." she said, blinking the tears back.

  "I’m fine, honey. I’m a lot more worried about what’s going to happen to Hero right now. I suppose I will have to talk to the police."

  "You're damn right, you do." came a voice from right outside the door.

  "Ramona!" Kathy shouted in relief.

  Sgt. Ramona Morales came in the door, her dimple in great evidence as she smiled and came up to Craig with her hand out. Craig shook her hand and she patted his shoulder.

  "I was sure glad to hear you were okay." she told him.

  Craig repeated again what the doctors had said.

  "They told me you were up to a few questions. So — if you don't mind?" Sgt. Morales asked.

  Craig shook his head no, "No, I'm fine. I'll be happy to tell you what I know — but it isn't much. I had gone down to the library to help a fella with his computer. Hero went with me. He usually does."

  "How was Hero acting? Did he seem agitated, or unusual in any way?"

  "Nope, just big, quiet Hero. Laid under the desk until I was done and then we started for home."

  Kathy broke in, "Hero has been fully vaccinated, by the way, including for rabies since we didn't have access to any records on him."

  Sgt. Morales nodded as she made notes. "Okay. So he's vaccinated. Been around any other animals though? I have to ask." she added, apologetically.

  "No. Luckily I don't have anything in the house or kennels right now. I did put him in the bite quarantine kennel. It's double fenced, has a top fence as well and is locked."

  "I'm sure he's secure for now. Obviously you know the drill for a bite better than I do. In fact, you ought to be standing here filling out a bite report. Then again, since he’s your dog I’m not sure how that’s going to work. I guess you can fill one in and file it when you get home." Sgt. Morales flashed a dimple, and then turned back to Craig. "So what happened when you started home, Craig?"

  Craig continued, "Hero seemed fine, his usual self. But then he alerted to something and started walking faster and faster until we were both pretty much running by the time we got to the bodega. He was growling like I've never heard him growl before. He paused a minute and looked at me — like, let go — so I did. Let go of the leash that is. And he spun and charged at that man that was in the parking lot and attacked him."

  "Okay. Tell me everything you noticed about that guy, okay?"

  "Well, he looked like a really big guy. Barrel chested, you know? Even though he was sitting down with his back against the bodega wall. He was smoking something, and sharing it with those kids that hang out there some afternoons. He was wearing a big black cowboy hat and a black western coat or jacket thing that went to his hips. I remember those really pointed curved tips on his cowboy boots. His boots were black and had those silver toecaps on them. And he was wearing jeans - like new looking jeans. "

  "Did you see his face? Do you know him?"

  "Just a quick glance of his face as he turned and looked at Hero. He is Hispanic, dark skinned, black unibrow, big black mustache and beard and he has scars on his face — you know like smallpox or something. And he had a big nose. Dark eyes."

  "How did he look at Hero?” Sgt. Morales asked with a meaningful look at Kathy.

  "At first he was startled but then — something real mean came into his face. He started to stand up and reached under his jacket. Looked to me like he was going after a weapon." Craig replied.

  Sgt. Morales nodded. "Then what happened?"

  "Hero jumped and hit him in the chest and the man went over backward. I heard a noise and saw a gun fall to the pavement, out of the man's hand I think, and then — well, Hero was all over him. People were all over the place, the kids ran and scattered, and then — well, I don't remember anything past that really."

  "Don't worry about it, Craig. It got pretty chaotic there for a bit, I know, I was there." She grinned, flashing the dimple.

  "What about Hero — what's going to happen to him?" Craig asked anxiously.

  Sgt. Morales sighed. "I don't really know right now. Kathy probably knows the law on dog attacks better than I do. " The State Police Sgt paused and added, "I will say — for your ears only — that all us cops who know Hero are pretty sure this is the man who killed those people. Hero got his man. Now it's up to us to prove him right."

  "I have the information from his microchip written down at home. It may help that he is a trained police dog." Karen pointed out.

  "Yes and no." Ramona answered. "When a police dog takes an action their handler is the one who has to testify in court. Since Hero wasn't an active officer or with an active officer, and because he wasn't actively tracking this guy away from a crime scene — well, I don't know. It's going to be up to the judge, really. I'll do all I can to make sure nothing bad happens to Hero. I don't suppose there is any way you can say this man provoked him?"

  Craig shook his head miserably. "No. Hero was obviously tracking him from scent for quite a ways. He was already after the man before I saw the gun. " Craig stared the officer straight in the eyes, "But I tell you what. That man recognized Hero and he knew he was in for it."

  Sgt. Morales nodded. "Yes. I'm sure you’re right about that. I swear to you, I won't let you or Hero down."

  Patting Craig on the shoulder again, and giving Kathy a quick hug, Sgt. Morales departed in a business like hurry. She was on her way to interview the doctors who were caring for the big, ugly man. She had learned from the I.D. in his wallet that his name was Casimiro Po, and that he sure carried a whole lot of cash — as well as an unregistered gun.

  She had hopes about that gun.

  Craig was home the next day, but Hero had to stay outside in the locked quarantine kennel. At first the old dog stood at the gate and howled, well aware Craig was in the house and not at all happy that they were not together. Eventually Hero gave up and laid on the ground against the gate, his head on his paws watching the back door. Craig and Kathy felt horrible at leaving him outside — but with her position as Animal Control Officer it was already a delicate situation. She didn't want to make it look worse by favoring the dog. Even though most of the citizens of Columbus had come to her at one time or another as she went about her business and told her they could not believe Hero was a bad dog. No, it was Casimiro Po who was a bad man.

  They were soon to find out how bad.

  As Brave As The Dog

  Lupo Prieto did not want to talk to the police. He really did not want to explain to anyone why he knew this bad man. Lupo was ashamed that he knew this man, but he was also afraid — and worried. Lupo Prieto was an illegal immigrant.

  Months ago he had given Casimiro Po a thousand dollars to make sure his wife, Consuelo, and his daughter Arielle made it safely to the United States. They never did. Casimiro told him they never showed up to meet him, and no refunds. What could a poor man do? Po carried a gun, and was a ruthless, bad man.

  Lupo called home. No answer. He called his mother-in-law and she said that, against her advice, Consuelo and Arielle had left for the United States and if something had happened to them she would never ever forgive Lupo. Months passed and Lupo did not hear from his wife or daughter. He was sure something bad had happened, but who could he tell?

  Then the Hero dog attacked Casimiro Po and now the State Police were going around asking a lot of questions about Po. Lupo had asked some questions about Po himself a few months ago, when Consuelo and Arielle never showed up. Most people didn't want to talk about Po, or swore they had no idea who he was talking about. But in time, a few come to him in confidence and he learned that his wife and daughter were not the only women missi
ng, and that Po always seemed to be a part of their disappearance. He was told some other things about Po. About how he laughed about how many men he had killed — for any reason. Most people walked a big circle around Po rather than risk insulting him. Now that it was too late, everyone was eager to tell him how bad Po was and how unwise to have dealings with him.

  Lupo was miserable with his knowledge. He was afraid to challenge Po. He was afraid to talk to the police. So he spoke to the wisest man he knew, Tomas Garcia, who owned the bodega. Tomas brought his son Mateo into the conversation. Mateo grew up in the U.S. and he spoke the best English. He knew things about the law, too. Mateo was a very smart boy who had graduated high school. Together they made a decision.

  They decided it was unwise to speak to the State Police, even though the local officers had reassured everyone they were not in the business of La Migra. Plus, they were not comfortable discussing some of the things they knew Po did to women and girls with a female officer. So they went to the little yellow octagon house one bright, sunny morning when Craig was home and Kathy was out on patrol.

  Craig invited them into his home, and he made them good strong Mexican coffee and put cinnamon on the table along with sugar so they could flavor it properly. In fits and starts, the men told Craig what they knew, and why they had chosen to tell him only.

  When they were done, Craig sat and thought quietly for a few moments. He knew that it was no good him telling Kathy and Sgt. Morales what he knew — they had to hear it from Lupo, and Mateo, and Tomas and the other men of the town and farms who knew things.

  At last, he stood and said, "I need to give Hero his breakfast. Please, come with me. He will be pleased to have visitors."

  This was not strictly true. In fact, since he was in quarantine, Hero wasn't really supposed to have any visitors. But Craig had an idea and he needed Hero to make it work.

  The men eagerly accepted Craig’s initiation. Mateo, especially, wished to tell Hero thank you.

  Hero met them at the door of the kennel, his thick tail waving gently. His dark brown eyes were full of wisdom and strength. The men stepped inside the kennel with him, and then all four of them squatted down to his level to give him a good petting.

  Mateo gave him a big hug and said, "Thank you, brave one, for saving my sister from that bad man."

  Lupo was timid around the big dog. He had not seen the attack, but he heard that Casimiro Po was still in the hospital, very badly hurt.

  Craig ran his hand over the big dogs head, then gently took Lupos hand in his, and ran it back until Lupo could feel the knot in the dog's skull.

  "This is where that bad man hit Hero. He shot Hero first, and then when Hero still went after him, he hit him here so hard that he knocked him out. That is the only way that this good dog let that man hurt all those women and children back in the arroyo."

  Lupe ran his calloused hand with unaccustomed gentleness across the hard lump on the dogs’ skull. Hero stared at him with eyes that seemed to reflect heaven.

  Mateo turned to Lupe. "Lupe — how can you not be as brave as this good dog? That bad man hurt him. He knew how dangerous Po is. But he faced him again, and attacked him again. Po had his gun — I saw it — but Hero still attacked him. He was not going to let Po hurt my sister — or any woman ever again." He paused for a moment to look Lupe straight in the eye before he went on. "How can you not be as brave as this dog?"

  Lupe lowered his head. Not so much in shame for being less courageous than a dog, as to hide the tears trembling on his eyelashes. He sniffed, and rubbed his nose, then stood.

  "Maybe I think I am, how you say, allergic this dog. Let's go inside."

  Craig let the men out of the kennel and filled Hero's food and water bowls while they walked back into the house.

  Scratching the big Shepard between the ears he leaned down and whispered to him. "I think you helped Lupe find his courage. Good boy."

  Hero answered with a soft wave of his tail and nudged Craig with his muzzle before turning to his food bowl.

  As Craig stepped back inside the house, the men stopped talking for a moment. Then Lupe sighed and said, "I am ready. I will talk to the Sgt. Morales."

  Judgment

  Sgt. Ramona Morales of the New Mexico State Police was not surprised to hear from Craig — but she was surprised at his news. As luck would have it — or was it serendipity? — she was at that moment having breakfast at Maria’s, with both Officers Delgado and Patch. The three State Police officers quickly finished their meal, and then loaded into the Sergeant's cruiser for the ride down the street to the little yellow house.

  Having been forewarned by Craig, she suggested that Officer Delgado might want to visit Hero while Officer Patch and herself interviewed the men inside.

  Dan Patch had a recorder on him, and Craig helped her to persuade the men to let him record the interview. Even though the men were talking now, Officer Morales wanted everything recorded in case Lupe decided to bolt in spite of her assurances that she would not turn him into La Migra.

  Although she wouldn't turn him in — Sgt. Morales knew that it was entirely possible that a judge would decide he was obligated to do so after taking Lupe's testimony. She would do her best to make sure that Lupe was treated as fairly as possible.

  Sgt. Morales stayed comfortably sitting in Craig's cozy kitchen drinking coffee after Lupe and the Garcias left. She asked how Craig was doing (fine thank you), and if Kathy might be home for lunch. Craig suggested she pass the message through dispatch, so she did.

  Kathy arrived soon after and Craig and Sgt. Morales brought her up to date. Officers Delgado and Patch had left so Dan could take the recording and signed statement that Craig typed on his computer and printed, and Lupe signed, into the State Police office in Deming. Officer Delgado went back to her cruiser and her regular duties with a satisfied smile on her face and a bit of dog hair on her uniform.

  "Besides these statements," Sgt. Morales explained, her dimple flashing as she gave a small smile of satisfaction, "I have some other good news. The gun that Casimiro Po dropped during Hero's attack is the gun that shot those women and children in the arroyo. "

  "Is it wrong that I am happy to hear that?" Kathy asked, ruefully.

  Sgt. Morales sighed before agreeing, "Well, at least we know he did it. His fancy boots also matched some tracks at the crime scene and forensics is checking them and his clothes to see if they can come up with some traces of blood or DNA that can be connected to a victim. It's taking a while because there is quite a bit of blood, mostly Po's. However, the D.A. has already filed charges for the murders so that we can keep Po in custody even after he is well enough to leave the hospital. Turns out Po has a record on both sides of the border, but we'd rather see him in jail than deported."

  Kathy snorted. "Yeah, he'd be back on the streets of Columbus a week later, probably looking for revenge." She shuddered.

  "No doubt." Sgt. Morales agreed. "Although he's in pretty bad shape. I don't know what kind of life he can expect in the future. The doctors say he is probably going to lose use of his right arm at least. And not that he was pretty before, but Hero took about half of his face off, as well as a sizeable chunk of muscle out of his chest."

  Kathy shook her head, "Bite and hold dogs. They really are dangerous. I'm not sure we ought to be using them for police work, or much anything else. And we still don't know Hero's off command." she worried.

  Sgt. Morales looked at Craig. "You've been walking him all over Columbus for months, Craig. Has he ever acted like he wanted to go after anyone?"

  "He doesn't even chase rabbits — although he sure looks like he wants to. He growls if someone comes to the door and he's inside with me, but stands down the minute I open the door. No, I really don't think Hero is dangerous to anyone — except the man he saw kill a dozen women and children in that arroyo."

  "My thoughts exactly." Sgt. Morales agreed, "Now I just hope Lupe keeps his word to me to come to Deming and let us get a DNA sample from h
im. At least maybe we can let him know if Arielle is among the victims. Maybe if I can keep him safe, more people will come forward and we can get identities for those poor people."

  All of them sat in silence for a few minutes, thinking about the women and girls coming to the U.S. in hopes of jobs, education, a better life and in many cases to join family members who were already here. Living in the borderlands, they knew that most Mexicans come across to work, to go to school, and far from taking jobs away from Americans — they generally took the hardest, dirtiest jobs and were paid "under the table" far less than minimum wage. The jobs they do, most Americans would never consider doing — and certainly not for such low wages. Of course there were some criminals among them — like Casimiro Po — but there were many more good, hard working honest people driven to desperate measures to escape abject poverty.

  "What about Hero?" Craig finally asked.

  "I've talked to the judge about him. We can't claim the attack was provoked, but she does understand the situation. In fact, I needed to talk to you guys about that. Judge Ramirez is going to set a hearing date as soon as you can make it. Kathy, you need to bring all the documentation you have about Hero's life as a police dog — and if Chicago can give you more details the more we know the better. You also need a statement from Dr. Cordero about Hero's general health and disposition. Wouldn't hurt if you got a few character witness statements put together either. I don't imagine you will have a lot of trouble finding people who will vouch for Hero's gentle and good behavior outside of this one incident." Sgt. Morales grinned, showing not one but both dimples, "I may even put a good word in for him myself."

  "And then what?" Kathy asked nervously. In her experience, bite cases did not end well for the dog — but that was in a big city in the Midwest. She had learned that in New Mexico, especially the rural areas, things were a bit different.

  "And then you two will probably have to promise that you will keep him properly confined, or under control at all times. I know you've been really worried, Kathy, but we handle so-called vicious dogs a little differently here. If the owner will take responsibility, and can convince a judge that they are capable of properly handling the dog, then even if the bite wasn't clearly provoked the dog still might get to stay with the owners. On probation sort of — if he bites unprovoked again things will go differently. But both of you, and I, and Judge Ramirez, know that this was a good bite. Hero was doing his job, as he saw it. Po is a bad guy, a killer, and we all know that. It doesn’t hurt anything that you are the local Animal Control Officer. We could hardly find any one more clearly able to handle Hero correctly and insure his future behavior. Speaking of insurance, they might also require you to carry a liability policy that covers dog bites, too."