by Kieran York
Royce was pleased.
Deputy Sam entered her office. “Sheriff, you look like the kitty that just cornered the canary. News on Seth Egan?”
“No. Nothing.” Royce returned his grin. “But we’ll find him.”
“If he’s to be found. I’m hoping we don’t find a body. The search team hasn’t found a darned thing. It would be easier if we knew for certain if he’s alive.” Sam frowned. “Usually there are clues. The missing person gets ahold of someone. There’s evidence of someone on the run. It’s getting to cold. And Seth would need some provisions. We searched the places I most suspected he would be found. If Chance couldn’t track him, he wasn’t there.”
“There’s that river crossing that would clean up the scent so Chance couldn’t trace. Did you, or do you know if Terry took Chance to the other side of that creek bed?”
“I know that I didn’t.” He grinned his contagiously bright grin. Then with an embarrassed chuckle, he blurted, “I didn’t want to take my trousers off to wade across. And I’m pretty sure Terry wouldn’t. She keeps her trousers very tightly laced.”
Royce’s warm, rich laugh burst from her lips. “Do you have a little crush on Deputy Doyle?”
Sam looked away. “She has never given me a second glance. Or a first.”
“She’s missing a good guy.”
“Sheriff, we couldn’t even work together. She kept telling me not to be facetious. So, romance is off the table.”
“I know we have restrictions about office romances. But it could be overlooked by permanently assigning one of you to Crystal and one of you to Timber.”
Sam walked to the door. “Too bad there’s no need for that.”
“If you have time, why don’t you take Chance? Drive out to the West Creek exit. There’s a place you can cross the stream without taking your britches off.”
He called to Chance. “I just hope Chance won’t object to getting her neck ruff wet.”
“It’s shallow, don’t worry. It’s almost a creek bed.”
***
Royce plodded over to the Times Office. Nadine was at the reception desk. “Daisy is in the conference room looking at old issues of the paper. Go on back. She was getting cabin fever, so came over early. It was dawn.”
“And you’re not talking to me?”
“Royce, I don’t want to get in between the feud you and Hertha are having. Gwen told me to stay out of it. And I agree. I will say that I told Hertha it was as much Gwen and my fault as it was yours.”
“Are they okay? The kids?”
“Yes. The kids are talking about the field trip. Well, nowadays lots of folks call it an outdoor education trip. Everyone’s fine. Hertha’s sad.”
Royce exhaled with a groan. “I came over to talk with Daisy.”
Nadine pointed toward the back. “She’ll enjoy your company.”
Royce entered the conference room and sat across from the circular oak table. “Miss Daisy, I have a few questions to ask you.”
“That’s good. Gwen and Nadine are treating me like royalty. But I’m getting a little bored. Not bored like when I was held captive at that Center.”
“I have some questions about when you were in the facility. Can you remember when you were being drugged, who usually gave the injections? Or gave you pills?”
“That phony Alec. Wore that doctor’s lab coat all the time. First time I met him, I called him doctor. Then one of the nurses said he wasn’t a doctor but he sure thought he was. He got all riled. He was wanting a date with that nurse. Her name is Amber. She was sweet, but not to him. When he’d walk out of the room, she’d make a face and that amused me.”
“The two nurses, Rhonda and Amber. You liked them?”
“I surely did. Good women. I could tell.”
“You would trust them?”
“Royce, I did trust them various times. I think they were on to me trying to keep myself conscious. They never fussed, and they didn’t squeal on me.”
Royce returned Daisy’s smile. “Thank you for your references for them both.” She paused. “And you say Alec wasn’t so trustworthy?”
“Not at all. He was evil. He’d give that needle a hard shove.”
“He would generally give you an injection?”
“Usually when he knew I was awake. I played possum so much of the time. I’d spit the pills out. Flush them. But when he’d inject me, it was a mild sedative, I think. I tried with everything in me to stay rational.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“Why there’s more folks there that shouldn’t be medicated like that. Injecting confusion when rationality is all that’s left. They’re still at the Silver Wilderness Center going through it.”
“We’re working on fixing that, Miss Daisy.” Royce stood. She put her hat on slowly. “Thank you for escaping. We wouldn’t have known about how they’re doing this to people if not for your escape.”
“Royce, you have your daddy’s determination.”
Royce smiled. “I must have lots of my father’s DNA.”
Daisy’s face lit up. “I always tried to keep up with the times. That DNA is magic. We’re all authored by DNA. It’s this narrative thread of humanity. I just love watching those public broadcasting shows. We explore existence.” Her face became glum.
Royce looked away sadly. “I’m so sorry you missed out on some of that.”
“Oh, I’ll get back onto it, Royce. Sometimes I think about humans and their habitats. When does property become a hindrance? When are belongs a burden? I think those people just wanted what I had.”
“We’re going to get your home returned to you. I promise.”
“You’ll get this mess cleared up.”
The sheriff gently touched Daisy’s arm. “I plan to do just that.”
Royce walked to the door, with a lingering thought. Or die trying.
She slipped a butterscotch candy between her lips. She felt a shiver like lightning going down her back. Royce realized that she was now about her father’s age when he got shot down. So young, he was taken from those he loved. And from those who loved him. Tears filled her eyes as she made her way back to the Sheriff’s Department. Her farther, Grady Madison, had been in her thoughts. Royce never measured events by timelines, or by good or bad omens.
Recollections of her father were always with Royce. And he was probably also recollected by everyone that the sheriff knew. Royce reveled in stories the town’s people told about Grady Madison’s heroism – as well as his simple kindness.
Chapter 10
Entering the office of Director Alec Zellner was not the best morning experience, Royce mused. There were dozens of certificates on the wall behind his desk. ETM, awards for the groups he worked with, nursing awards, and a collection of other ego certificates. Royce wondered about how bogus they might be. She was becoming jaded, she cautioned herself.
As they greeted one another, he held out his hand. An automatic charm-wink was issued. Royce made a quick gesture of tipping her hat. Alec motioned for her to be seated directly across from his desk. His starched white physician’s consultation coat made him appear even larger than his six-four, 200 pounds. He had an engraved pin – gold, with his title and name.
With irony, he spoke, “We’re trying to run a nursing and assisted living center. We’re very busy. And you must have nothing to do.” His eyes peered at her through gold wire glasses.
“Listen closely, Director. I’m also very busy. Yet I am compelled to spend my morning questioning you. So, get ready.” She leaned forward. “You must be doing quite well, financially. You live an expensive lifestyle.”
“That isn’t any of your business, Sheriff.”
“Certainly, it is. From this time forth, your business is my high priority business. You have an expensive taste. You’re making a large salary. But probably not large enough for your fancy penthouse, sports car, vacations, parties – Well, it seems as though you spend lots more than you make. That makes me qu
estion how you could be finding funds for the difference. Were you born with a gold spoon in your mouth?”
“My family had money. My grandfather had money. My father was the black sheep in the family.” He gritted his teeth a moment. “None of my family’s money came down to me.”
“And?” She suspected he was making that up as he went along. Maybe there had been money, however none filtered down to him. But perhaps it wasn’t because his father was not a recognized heir.
“And I make year-end bonuses here. I’m certainly not in arrears with any of my creditors.” His shoulders lifted as he haughtily exclaimed, “You’re giving me grief because I’m living the life you’d probably like to be living. You’ve probably never been out of this pathetic little county.”
“My Gran has a saying. You can bloom where ever you grow.”
His smirk lifted. “Your Gran is my business. And old folks are big business.” His laugh was a snort.
Although he didn’t seem to lack confidence, there was skittishness. Royce attributed it to either anger or fright. She knew if she persisted, it would irritate him. She spoke slowly. “Does the Center use extra precautions with drugs being dispensed?”
“All narcotics are accounted for. We have a small surgery, and a specially monitored room for all medications. Thumbprint recognition pads. Only those of us with permission are admitted. It’s pretty standard, Sheriff.”
“Would there be any way an employee could illegally retrieve drugs?” Royce broke, looking thoughtfully around the room. Then her stare was back on Alec. “Let me rephrase my question. Could an employee somehow short the patients being medicated? Sort of smuggle dosages?”
“We trust our staff implicitly. There wouldn’t be any of that going on. There are required drug test for all employees. I’ve never had a dirty drug test result. I’m proud to say.”
“But would it be possible – especially on night shift?”
“Not likely during any shift.”
“Have you ever suspected anyone?” Royce questioned.
“Of course not. If I suspected anyone, they wouldn’t be here very long.” He stood. “I hope you’re finished.”
“I always know where to find you. Here, or out on the bike trail.”
As he followed her to the door, she turned. She examined this nameplate. “I half expected it to say Valiant Dude.” She gave it a little flick with her finger. “Or do you save that one for riding the trail on your expensive mountain bike.”
His jaw muscles quivered. His eyes glared directly into hers. “You are so envious of my lifestyle. You’re not rich and you’re not a man.” With a nod of his head, he smirked.
“It doesn’t take being rich to make you a man or woman. And it doesn’t take being a man to please a woman. So, I guess I’m not envious of you at all.”
Her return scowl ended only when she turned and went into the hall. Sheriff - one; misogynist – zero. Her mental rejoinder required a smile.
Although she attempted to be objective, she wanted to arrest Alec for treating helpless, aged people badly. For stealing what was left of their lives by mediating them into oblivion. She wanted to cuff his hands behind his back, and read him his rights.
Alec Zellner had definitely displayed a hatred for the sheriff. That was exactly what she wanted.
***
Fortunately, while Royce was at the information desk asking about Eileen Austin, the administrator breezed through the door. “Just in time,” Royce greeted her.
“I’m on my way to an appointment. I haven’t time for you.” Her designer high heels tapped until they reached the sidewalk.
“I’ll walk you out.” She caught up with the woman. Eileen was definitely making a stiletto getaway. Evading politely, Royce thought. “I wonder if you could tell me about drugs and how they are dispensed.”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake! Like every other center for assisted living dispenses medication. Dr. Verner writes a prescription, and our pharmacist dispenses the drugs. The drugs are delivered to the locked station, and that needs a recognized thumb print. We have not had missing opioids, or any other medications. We have required drug test for every employee. Drugs are strictly regulated. We follow the letter of the law.”
“And I enforce the letter of the law.”
Eileen nearly caught her heel as she rushed to get into her gleaming Mercedes. She regained her stance, and swooped into the driver’s seat. The door’s slamming, and screeching away from the parking area, proved to Royce that Eileen wasn’t any fonder of the sheriff than Alec was.
Two morning wins were fine with Royce.
***
By the time she arrived back in Timber, Royce had received her mother’s call. Molly requested that the sheriff drop into Hertha’s Clinic. The reason, Molly clamored, was that the children were being bullied. Hertha had not wanted Molly to call to inform the sheriff. That hadn’t stopped Molly from telling her daughter.
“Mom, Antero told me that the kids were stealing his lunch. And they were also shoving him around. Hertha reported it to the principal, Jane Garnett.”
“That’s it, Royce. It isn’t the kids this time. That substitute bus driver insisted they go to the back of the bus, where they belonged, he said.”
“I’ll drop by to talk with Hertha. Then I’m going to their school and have a chat with Principal Garnett.”
“Are you going to make up with Hertha?”
“I was accused of neglecting her child, Mom. It just isn’t going to work. But I’ll help her with this bus driver business.”
“Thank you, Royce.”
Royce stormed across the street. She loved the children, and she was livid at the way they were being treated.
She entered and saw Wrigley, the beautiful, large male black lab, Melo the older black Cocker spaniel, and the Samoyed pup, Keena. Royce bent over to greet the trio of dogs. She had remembered everything about each of them. Wrigley had an emergency surgery to remove a tennis ball from his stomach. And Melo had a hip problem. Both had recovered and were now day-boarding at the High Country Kennel. The sweet Keena was waiting for her shots.
“Hey, pups, how’s it going,” she greeted the dogs.
“All is fine,” Hertha answered. “Lots of playing.”
“Too bad that isn’t the case with Antero and Vannie.” Royce sighed. “Mom said that there was some trouble with the bus driver.”
“Yes. That substitute bus driver. Earl Harris is his name. When the kiddos got on the bus, he pointed to the back. He said they belonged there. Or on a reservation.”
Royce felt her face flush. “I’m going out to see Jane Garnett now. Things had better get sweeter because the school is in jeopardy of having a lawsuit filed against them. Bullying and hate crimes are being taken seriously now. And Earl Harris is a county employee.”
“Royce, we can’t afford to get run out of town. Or burned out of town. You know there are some ugly men out there. I’m terrified the children will be harmed. It just makes me so angry.” Her eyes were moist from tears that Hertha was attempting to fight back.
The hug between the women was automatic. Natural. Royce touched the side of Hertha’s face with tenderness. “Don’t worry. We need to put a stop to this now. If we don’t, the bullying will continue. It always does.”
“I tried talking with Principal Garnett. She told me she would watch things. But perhaps the children are too sensitive about their heritage. That was her thought about the matter.”
“I’m still going to pay her a visit.” Royce released Hertha from her arms. “I understand, Hertha. I know you must feel as though it would be best to go back to your homeland – your people. But we’ve got to fight to resolve this damned racism. It isn’t fair.”
“I’m not going back.”
“I know you promised me that, but I’m just saying with this kind of hatred, I could understand. I would never want you and the kids endangered.”
“We’re staying. I don’t want to go away. You’re here.�
��
Sadly, Royce said, “I was here the last time you left. I didn’t understand your reason. I do now.”
“I was wrong. And Royce I’m sorry that I struck out at you the other day – about Antero’s fall. Everyone said it wasn’t your fault. I’m just upset about everything else, and I shouldn’t have blamed you.”
“It’s okay. Call if you need anything. And I’ll let you know how it goes with Jane Garnett.”
Royce crossed the street. She called to Chance, and they got into the Interceptor. Driving directly to the school, Royce saw that some of the children were outside during a recess. She felt their curious gazes following her as she entered the school. She was directed to the Jane Garnett’s office.
“Ms. Garnett, I hate to trouble you, but we have a problem. You spoke with Hertha White about her children.”
Principal Jane Garnett was a short woman, stylish, and with a fixed smile. Her makeup was scant, and her graying hair was drawn to the back of her head, and secured in a bun. “Yes, Sheriff. She’s making something out of nothing. Those children have never been harmed. And Earl Harris is a good man. He accompanies his wife, Laura, to church every week. He’s never been a problem.” She chatted away, “Laura and I were in school together.”
“I don’t know much about the Harris family. Can you tell me a little about them?”
“Laura Harris and I have been lifelong friends. She was married to Red Jenkins. She was widowed several years ago, and she was so downtrodden with grief. Last year she met Earl on a dating service. Online.” Jane shrugged and a grin escaped.
“And so they married. And you think that makes him alright?”
“Well, theirs was a match made in heaven. He’s a little rough around the edges, but he makes her happy.”
“He did not make those children happy.”
“Well, I expect he was trying to tease them. I did have a talk with him about it. He begged me not to fire him. It’s difficult to get a job around here. Laura urged me to put him on as a bus driver. I could only give him substitute work. But he is also qualified for janitorial work, and we might have a position for him next year. He’s helpful about moving things around. He fixed the auditorium chairs, and done some of the…”
