Home for the Holidays Ch. 01

This story is part of an ongoing series. The chronological order of my stories is listed in WifeWatchman's biography.

Feedback and constructive criticism is very much appreciated, and I encourage feedback for ideas.

This story contains graphic scenes, language and actions that might be extremely offensive to some people. These scenes, words and actions are used only for the literary purposes of this story. The author does not condone murder, racial language, violence, rape or violence against women, and any depictions of any of these in this story should not be construed as acceptance of the above.

Part 1 - Prologue

Author's note: this is a 'bridge' story to fill the gap to the next series of mysteries. Thanks for your patience.

"This is Bettina Wurtzburg, KXTC Channel Two News!" shouted the redheaded MILF reporterette at 7:00am, Wednesday, November 14th, from in front of City Hall. "Channel Two News has learned that the Town & County Council voted last night to indemnify and clear two Police Corporals in an Officer-involved shooting several weeks ago!"

"This controversial decision follows an incident at the recent Board of Inquiry, where the Officers and their Union Rep walked out of the proceedings, and no Police Officers showed up to testify before the Board." said Bettina. "Experts believed that the Council would act to terminate the Officers's employment, but sources tell Channel Two News that the threat of a Police strike may have been a factor in the decision.'

"It was not a unanimous decision." said Bettina. "Council Members Carnes, Adams, and Lewis were outraged at the action. Roll tape."

Tape rolled, showing Kelly Carnes saying "We tried to do the right thing, but Commander Troy's sycophants on the Council didn't care about the disrespect shown to the Board of Inquiry, and stuck to their usual bullying tactics of intimidation to force the issue. And it's only going to be worse when illegitimate Mayor Daniel Allgood takes the throne."

"I'm not sure these Police Officers would not have been acquitted of the charges against them." said Reginald B.F. Lewis. "But the process has to be respected, and in this case of the Police disrespecting the Board of Inquiry, an example needed to be made. But that argument fell on the deaf ears of the Republican members of the Council."

Back to Bettina live: "Neither the Police Officers nor their Union Rep would appear on camera, and Commander Donald Troy has not responded to repeated requests for comment. And in news related to Commander Troy, the lawsuit filed by the Citizens for Police Accountability has been assigned to the Courtroom of Superior Court Judge Rodney K. Watts. Previous lawsuits of this nature have been dismissed, but Judge Watts wants to explore whether or not these lawsuits are frivolous and being filed solely to force the defendants to spend money defending them."

"Commander Donald Troy has filed a countersuit against the CFPA" continued Bettina. "Similar countersuits by Commander Troy have been dismissed or had rulings against him, but Judge Watts is allowing this countersuit to be heard along with the original complaint..."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Hello and welcome!" said Catrina Pierce at 7:30am, Wednesday, November 14th. "It's a great new day here in our Town & County!"

"Yes it is, Catrina." said Meredith Peller. "She's Catrina Pierce and I'm Meredith Peller. We have several breaking stories this morning. The Town & County Council indemnified and cleared two TCPD Officers last night, despite those Officers and their Union rep walking out on a Board of Inquiry. The Police Union said the action was taken because one of the Commissioners on that Board had demonstrated strong anti-Police bias in the past, and the Union believed the two Police Corporals would not get a fair hearing. The Union also complained that the lead Commissioner refused to dismiss that biased Commissioner after the Union's objections, and seat another one."

"The Council instead accepted the findings of the Public Safety Inspector General," said Catrina, "who found that the Officers acted correctly and had no other choice but to shoot at a car whose occupants were trying to murder two other Police Officers. Police Chief Sean Moynahan had already returned the two Police Corporals to full duty, citing the lack of a speedy Board hearing for his Officers."

"Commander Donald Troy gave a statement to Fox Eight News," said Meredith, "saying that he was happy the Officers were cleared and everyone could move on. Asked if the Police had been prepared to go on strike if the Officers were disciplined or fired, which some Council Members wanted, Commander Troy said that he was not personally aware of any consideration of a Police strike."

"Commander Troy also said that he is looking forward to the Wildcats continuing their undefeated season!" said Catrina. "If the Wildcats win this weekend, they will clinch the division and will play in the Conference Championship game, regardless of the outcome of their game against their arch-rivals, the State U. Purple Hawks. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will complete their Conference schedule, and will round out their season against State Tech the Saturday after Thanksgiving."

"And also locally this weekend," said Meredith, "the Civic Center will be hosting the big Ballroom Dancing competition this weekend. Dancing veterans and newcomers alike will be competing for the trophy and a spot in the Statewide competition in early December..."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"And we're going to be at that dance competition." said Joanne Warner. "Commander Troy got us tickets. He and Dr. Fredricson are going to compete in it."

"He got us tickets, too." said Theo Washington. "I always thought the Commander was a brave man, but entering a competition like this with all those people watching... that's brave."

"Gotta start somewhere." said Julia Rodriguez. "So why aren't you married people in here not competing, also?"

"Heh." said Teddy Parker, who'd re-qualified with his gun and was back on full duty. "I can barely slow-dance, much less do Tangos."

"You were slow-dancing with Janice Holloway pretty good at the club last weekend." said Julia. "At least she was thinking so, by my observation."

"That's my man!" said Mary Milton. She went over and high-fived Parker, who was blushing a bit at the attention.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"What strike?" asked Chief Moynahan as the Chief's Conference Room hosted a rather large gathering. Sheriff-elect Griswold and Mayor-elect Daniel Allgood had joined the Chief, me, and my Angels for morning coffee. "Was that really going to happen?"

"I don't know." I said. "I might've lied to the Press about not knowing anything about it. There was nothing official, but I did hear some rumors that there was talk about it."

"And those rumors were true, sir." said Teresa Croyle. "And I'll add to it, for all of you to hear, that the rank-and-file Officers are getting tired of being treated like pawns by the politicians. The Union decided to make a stand over Finneran, and they'll do it again if he's on any more Boards of Inquiry."

"Finneran won't be a Commissioner after January 1st." said Daniel Allgood. "That's one of the first things I'm going to do after being sworn in as Mayor."

"Let me run some cover for you with that." said Griswold. "Some of the Council and a lot of people believe he's the only Commissioner willing to stand up to the Police."

"What if the Council passes a law before this year is out that they name those Commissioners... or that they have to approve your actions on them?" asked Cindy.

"They can't." I said.

"It's in the Town & County Charter." said Daniel.

"If I may..." I said. Everyone turned to me as I explained: "There are six members of the Board of Commissioners. Three are elected at-large, i.e. County-wide. Then three are elected from districts that are roughly what the boundaries were when we had three Police Precincts. That Board of Commissioners serves as the Education Board, the Highway Board, the Public Utilities Board, and whatever else has a Board in this County."

"If a Commissioner resigns or passes away," I said, "the Mayor can name an Acting Commissioner in that person's place... the only requirement being that the Commissioner reside in the district he's appointed for... and can go up to a full year before having to go to the Town & County Assembly for approval of the nominee. That's a big reason why the Mayor's Office is such a huge one."

"And after that," I said, "the Mayor has the exclusive power to name the members of any Commissions formed by the Council, which Boards of Inquiry technically are. Technically the overall Board of Commissioners must approve the Mayor's choices, but they're usually the Mayor's 'yes men', anyway. So the Council can demand a Board of Inquiry be convened, but they can't name who is on it... well, they could, but the Mayor can come along and overturn it, and name his own slate of people to it."

"No disrespect to you, Sheriff Allgood," said Teresa, "but gosh, that's a lot of political power in one man's hands."

"It was worse in the County before the merger." growled Griswold. "Much, much worse. What we have now is the last remnant of that old good ol' boy network."

"Why don't they change it?" Cindy asked.

"The State is whining about our Board of Education not being separate. The Board of Commissioners is the Board of Education." I said. "The powerful NEA, the Teachers Union, is pushing hard for change there, and may well get it. They also want control over revenue and taxation for education purposes, which currently is exclusively in the hands of the Town & County Assembly. That won't change."

"But more to your question, Cindy," said Chief Griswold, "it was a product of the people at the time, who created the Charter when the Merger happened. All the politicians of both political parties saw it as a way of exercising control... which both sides expected to have. And no disrespect to young Daniel, here, but every Mayor to this point has not wanted to give up that power, either. Vaughan was good about delegating it, but he would not even consider any ideas to change it."

"So who is more powerful?" asked Teresa.

"The Council and the Assembly." I said. "Only the Assembly can pass revenue and taxation bills. They set the millage rate for school taxes, all sales and excise taxes, and all County fees for services. The Council passes all the other laws, including business regulations, housing codes, land usage zones, etc. The Board of Commissioners cannot pass any laws, at all. The Mayor has power, but he's also only the Moderator of the Assembly and Council, and only votes in the event of a tie."

"And I suspect this Mayor is going to get to do that a lot this coming year." growled Griswold in a musing sort of way, pointing his thumb at Daniel.

"You missed your chance, Don." said Daniel Allgood, trying to needle me. "You could've run for Mayor yourself. You coulda been a contendah."

"Pul-eeze, Mr. Mayor-elect." I said, then said in a deep voice: "I have all the pow-errrr I neeeed... the Power of the Crowbarrrrrr." This was said as a red crowbar was waved in the Mayor-elect's general direction. Teresa and Cindy utterly failed to stop themselves from breaking out laughing...

Part 2 - Shifting Sands

"Cindy, would you mind staying for the Angels meeting?" I asked after we watched KSTD's broadcast in my office, a broadcast that added nothing to our general knowledge of anything worth knowing.

"Sure." said Cindy. "Whassup?"

"I want to talk with all three of you about these various vacation requests." I said. "Teresa, am I seeing this correctly? You're going back to your home town?"

"Yes sir." said Teresa. "Todd's coming with me. Father Romano suggested I go back there and make peace with my past. And I'll take some pictures of my family's graves, which I don't have any of, and pictures of the town and the schools to show the boys as they're growing up. I figure the week of Thanksgiving will be the best time... you're going to chain me to my desk for Christmas."

I laughed. "Yeah, right." I said. "And Cindy, you put in for next Monday through Wednesday, also. Going with Callie to L.A.?" I should note here that the Friday after Thanksgiving was treated by the TCPD and all the County Government as a weekend day, either a day off, or time and a half if required to work it.

"Leaving early Sunday morning, will come back the Saturday after Thanksgiving." said Cindy. "My father is flying back to Malaysia, so no family Thanksgiving with him, and you're trying to set records for hosting people on Thanksgiving Day as it is."

"And you're flying back home right in that crush of people flying about the country." I said. "Okay, then. I'll tell the Chief I've approved you both for leave time. Just make sure your subordinates know. So what about you, Tanya?"

"Jack and I and the kids are going to take the week after Christmas off." said Tanya. "We're going to go see New Orleans, Baton Rouge, historical places in the area."

"Works for me." I said. "Just don't come back doing any 'Who Dat' crap... I am not a New Orleans Aints fan."

"Noted, sir." Tanya replied.

"The man chooses all the wrong football teams." muttered Cindy.

"Who dat... gonna be Conference Champs?" I asked, peering wickedly at Cindy. She just shook her head sadly, and muttered something about needing a vacation...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

9:00am, Wednesday, November 14th. Sheriff Allgood had convened a big meeting in the Main Conference Room of the Public Safety Department in City Hall. The Police Chief, Fire Chief, Public Health Officer, Chief of Staff of the Sheriff's Department, and all Commander-level people were there. Sheriff-elect Griswold had also been invited, and sat at the end of the table opposite Sheriff Allgood.

"Good morning, everyone, thanks for coming." said Daniel Allgood. "Barring an emergency of some kind, this will likely be my last meeting with all of you here. So I'd first like to thank you all for your hard work and support during the last four years."

"We'd like to thank you for your work during these last four years as Sheriff." said Chief of Staff Charles T. Oswald. Everyone applauded Daniel at least politely.

"I'm also more than pleased that I'm being replaced by one of the greatest law enforcement officers I've ever had the pleasure to know." said Allgood. "I know that Chief--- er, Sheriff-elect Griswold will make the Public Safety Department even better than it is today." Another round of applause. This was getting to be like a BigAgraFoods Corporate Board meeting, I thought to myself sardonically.

"Okay, the other reason for this big meeting is that the budget that was passed by the Town Assembly was ratified by the Council, basically a rubber-stamping of it." said Allgood as the Intendent, Mrs. Peabody, passed out bound copies of the document to each of us. "I can tell you right now that some of you are going to be shocked." continued Daniel.

"That's an understatement." Cindy whispered to me as she looked at the Police budget. I understood what she was saying: her requests for basic armor had been cut in half, and requests for basic equipment for our Officers (gun belts, radios, handcuffs, etc.) had been cut by one-third. Money for vehicles had been increased, but it was the money for unassigned major capital expenses being tripled that got my attention... and a bad vibe.

"We took some hard cuts here, Sheriff." Cindy said out loud.

"Yes, and I hate it." said Oswald, speaking up since he was the budget expert for the Town & County Public Safety Department, and a very good 'expert', at that. "Our proposal was for the Police to buy new armor and equipment, and some of the older but good equipment would be handed over to the Deputy Sheriffs, to get them better armored. But the Assembly cut our proposal in half. So our plan will go forward, but not nearly as quickly as we wanted."

"Well," said Fire Chief Quinlin, "I'm certainly not going to complain about getting new Fire Engines and Fire Trucks. But where are we going to put them?"

"In the bays where the EMT vehicles used to be." said Oswald. "The idea of University Hospital stashing ambulances there for more rapid deployment was scrapped, and will not be happening."

"Again, no complaints there." said Chief Quinlin.

"There's a lot of capital expenditures in here, in all our Departments." said Public Health Officer Beth Paige. "And then there's some more in the general budget, not assigned to any specific Department. And money to purchase land? What's that about?"

"It's for a couple of new Public Health clinics on the Southside." said Oswald. "At least that's what the Public Health's allocation is for."

"And for the Police?" asked Cindy, a bit darkly... she had gotten the same vibe I had when she saw those numbers.

"Officially," said Daniel Allgood, "for 'facility upgrades'. But I won't beat around the bush on it: Eldrick Weaver got that put in to create a third Police Precinct again. I'm not saying that's going to happen, but that was his purpose and intent when the Budget was written."

"So go spend it quickly on upgrades," said Oswald, "so that there's no money left for a new Precinct."

"Way ahead of you on that." I muttered, but loud enough to be heard. There were some chuckles in the room at that, most notably from the Sheriff-elect at the end of the table.

"And the unassigned capital expenditures?" persisted Beth Paige. "Where are those going to?"

"I'm not sure." said Oswald. "That's a total surprise to me, and I haven't gotten a straight answer from anyone on the Assembly, nor Mayor Vaughan."

It was then that the insight came to me. I glanced over at Fire Marshal Zoe Singer. She was pretending to study the figures, but there was a tiny gleam in her eye. My own eyes did an excellent imitation of my daughter Carole in cutting to Chief Griswold. After a few seconds, he noticed I was looking at him. He kept his face straight, but his twitching mustaches gave him away. And I understood.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Jenna Stiles asked Callie, me, and Paulina Patterson to have lunch with her." Cindy said as we left City Hall. "So can I vent in your office later today?"

"Sure." I said. "I was hoping to talk to Chief Griswold, but he said he has a lunch meeting already. He's going to invite us to breakfast tomorrow at the Country Breakfast Diner.

"I'll be there." said Cindy. "In the meantime, I'll see you this afternoon..."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Thanks for coming, guys." said SDOJ Regional Director Harold Bennett, formerly TCPD Police Chief, as he, Chief Griswold and Chief Moynahan sat down to lunch at the Cattleman's Club. "Congratulations on your election to Sheriff, Grizz."

"Thanks." grunted Griswold. They placed their drink orders, and talked about innocuous stuff until their food orders were taken. Then they got down to business.

"I just wanted to tell you guys what is going on at the State level." said Bennett. "First, SBI Director 'Curly' Goodwin talked to me about becoming a Deputy Director of the SBI, in charge of the Narcotics Task Force division."

"I'm surprised to hear that." growled Griswold. "I know Governor Jared still wants to do away with the NTF entirely, and Goodwin was on the side of making that happen. So what's going on with it?"

"That's what I wanted to ask you." said Bennett. "Goodwin talked in terms of me taking the job to clean out the NTF. To make it 'reliable', was his term."

"My first question would beeeee," said Chief Moynahan, "do you want to do that? Clean up a pretty corrupt organization, that is. My second question would be if you'd prefer that to what you're doing nowwww?"