Holiday Road 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, racism, 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.

There may or may not be discussion of political issues in my stories. If you are a Snowflake that feels you need to be protected from any mention of politics, then click the Back button now, and never attempt to read any of my stories ever again. You've been warned.

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Special note: this story wraps up the Crowbar-year and sets the table for new adventures. This chapter may be dry and tedious to some, but is needed. Your patience and indulgence is appreciated.

Part 1 - Prologue - The Loose Ends

"I found out long ago (Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh)

It's a long way down the holiday road (Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh)

Holiday ro-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oad

Holiday ro-o-o-o-o-oad"

--- Lindsey Buckingham, 'Holiday Road'.

Click!

All eyes turned to look at Teresa Croyle, who had expertly used the remote control to turn off the television as the Bettina Broadcast had been blaring its Bettina Bullshit at us.

"I'm sick of that shit," the Iron Wolf said bitterly. "When do they have to go bankrupt and off the air?"

"When I win all the appeals." I said. "My attorney Mike G. Todd says he believes the U. S. Supreme Court will take it up in their next session, which is next Spring."

"Can't come soon enough for me." Teresa said. Cindy Ross and Tanya Muscone nodded vigorously in agreement.

My Angels and I were in my office on the morning of Friday, November 4th, drinking coffee. The Sheriff was once again having a meeting with his Police, Fire, and EMS Chiefs.

"What's the meeting about?" Tanya asked.

"Cleaning up the Lawrence Watson mess?" Teresa ventured.

"That may have been the original intent." I replied. "But I'm pretty sure that now it's about Efram Elliott's suicide."

"Whaaa?!" exclaimed Tanya and Teresa together.

"Educate your fellow Angels, Green Crowbar." I said to Cindy.

Cindy said "I should have found it myself. As I was leaving the house at the crack of dawn, I heard what sounded like a car backfiring. I didn't think much of it. But when I got on the road, I went over the ridgeline and saw an expensive car parked at Promontory Point."

Cindy: "I figured it was a college couple or kids of rich parents there, but I had Betsy and Ben with me, so I didn't stop to investigate. Instead, I called it in and asked for a couple of Deputies to go check it out, and I continued on to my mom's to drop off the kids."

"I'll pick it up here." I said. "Two Deputies did go up there, and they called in to the TCPD to get Detectives to the scene. The car belonged to Efram Elliot, and his body was found in the driver's seat. It appeared that he'd committed suicide with his service weapon."

"Oh, wow. That's sad." said Teresa. "He was one of the few people here that really mentored me in my younger Vice days." I remembered that Elliott was a close associate of Captain Harold Malone, who had helped and stood behind Teresa in her dark days before I came to the TCPD.

"Any idea why he killed himself?" Tanya asked. "Did he leave a note or anything?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." I admonished. "Roark and Kerri just left a few minutes ago. Let's give them a minute."

"Why Kerri Ambrose and Roark Coleman?" Teresa asked. "Roark is on Team Teddy and Kerri is on Team Theo."

"True." I said. "Roark and Kerri were the first guys to come in, so I sent them. And it'll give Kerri and Roark a chance to work together and get to know each other."

"I'll bet Kerri never comes in early again." Teresa mused quietly. A red crowbar was waved in her general direction.

"I'm surprised you didn't go up there, Don." Cindy said.

"I have a feeling that it was a good idea for me not to." I said, almost introspectively. "But Mr. Roark and 'Ms. 82nd' can handle it."

"Hoo boy." Teresa said. "Claire Michaels already hates these nicknames, and now we're giving Kerri one?"

"Well, Kerri was in the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan." I said. "Some of the Rangers around here started calling her that, and yes, it's beginning to stick. It's a term of respect and endearment, and Claire knows I approve of such things."

Claire Michaels was the Captain of Detectives, and for some reason didn't like nicknames like that, and 'Ranger' Terry Halston in Intel.

"Changing the subject," Tanya said, to change the subject, "my husband should be here any minute. Rob Lawton was arrested about an hour ago, on the Federal warrants issued for him. They picked him up at his apartment, and Jack will bring him over after they finish processing him..."

Part 2 - Connections

8:20am, Friday, November 4th. The KFXU Fox Eight News broadcast had just finished when Jack Muscone appeared in my office doorway, with SSA Julius Jefferson right behind him. I suggested we all go to the Main Conference Room.

"So whassup?" I asked once we were settled in. I sat in my usual place to the left of the end of the table, with Teresa to my left and Cindy sitting in the Chief's spot to my right. Representin' Our Sheriff she was, dontcha know. Tanya was to Cindy's right, Jack to his wife's right, and Julius to his boss's right.

Jack Muscone said "Rob Lawton is going through Federal booking and will be over here for local booking in a few minutes. Let's coordinate how we're going to interrogate him, as well as determine our goals for what we can get out of him."

"That's an 'Easy Button' answer." Cindy said. "The Iron Crowbar asks the questions, and we take notes." Everyone but me chuckled at that.

I said "Naah, I know what Jack means. And my answer is that we should be prepared to offer partial and/or limited immunity if he'll give us what we want. And this may surprise you, but right now... I want Jerry Moore than I do Carmela."

"Don't blame you a bit, if you're right about Moore being behind burning your wife's house down." Muscone replied. "You think Lawton can give us what we need?"

"Possibleee, possibleee." I said. "It's only a matter of his willingness to talk..."

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

8:40am. Detectives Roark Coleman and Kerri Ambrose returned to Headquarters. Captain Claire Michaels and Lieutenants Teddy Parker and Theo Washington came into MCD to hear their report.

"He ate his gun, I'm sure." Kerri said. "The autopsy will confirm it, but I saw soldier suicides in Afghanistan, and this was consistent with them. Bullet went through the roof of the mouth and brain matter coated the roof of the car."

"Sounds grisly." Claire said. "I'm surprised Commander Troy and Deputy Chief Muscone didn't show up to see it."

"It's pretty standard for a suicide." Kerri replied. "Mr. Roark?"

Roark said "The gun was his service weapon, and it fell to the floor in front of his seat. No sign of forced entry to the car. His wallet was in the back pocket of his pants, and his cellphone in its holder on the dash. No suicide note in the wallet, nor anywhere else in the car, though. And no alcohol or empty bottles were found, either."

"We'll get a warrant to search his home." Claire said. "Good report, guys. Going forward, I want 'Team Theo' to take this one. Roark, Teddy, the FBI is going to deliver us a human piece of trash that may have something to do with the student riots that ended up destroying Commander Troy's home..."

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

9:05am. As we waited for Lawton (what's the holdup here? I thought to myself), the Sheriff and Chief invited Cindy, Tanya, and me to the Chief's Conference Room.

"All three of you. Do not get involved with the Efram Elliott case." growled Sheriff Griswold.

"Case?" Cindy asked astutely. "It was a suicide, wasn't it? What makes it an ongoing 'case'?"

"Yezzz, it looks to beee a sui-ciiiiide." drawled the Chief. "But we're taking it out of your hands."

"IG taking it over?'" I asked.

"Somebody tell you?" growled the Sheriff, and it was an unfriendly growl.

"No." I said. "But I'm not surprised. Elliott and I had that confrontation at the Orange Order dinner, and I suspect he was an integral part of the TCPD plot to protect Lawrence Watson, which resulted in the death of Susie's mother and the burning down of my wife's home."

Me: "So anyone subordinate to me in the TCPD can't investigate, at least not without outside supervision, and that includes all of the Public Safety Department IGs. So that means either the Town & County IG or the SBI has to be brought in, and I know you guys don't want the SBI in here any more than I do."

"True enough." growled the Sheriff.

"So that's why you didn't go to the scene." Cindy said. "You had an idea this might happen as soon as you heard Elliott's name." I nodded vigorously in agreement.

Sheriff Griswold growled: "But here's what you don't know, that I'm not supposed to tell you but I am going to anyway. The Deputies got to the scene and called in the car tag at 6:45am. The Detectives were called in just before seven. At 7:10, in the midst of my meeting with my Chiefs, I received a text from the Mayor demanding that I immediately call him about the Elliott suicide."

"So I did." the Sheriff continued. "And Mayor Allgood spoke to me in the rudest tone of voice I have ever heard him use. He said then, at that time, to call IG Goodwin and bring him into the case, and to keep Commander Troy out of it."

"Are you eff-ing kidding me?" Teresa gasped.

"Mind your tone, Ms. Croyle." the Chief admonished, though affably.

"Minding my tone," said Cindy, "are you eff-ing kidding us, Sheriff? Who the fu--- er, eff, does Daniel Allgood think he is?"

Tanya said "My question is, how did Daniel... oh, excuse me, I should say 'how the eff' did Daniel Allgood know about it that quickly?"

"And figured all this out in Iron Crowbar time?" Teresa added helpfully.

"I beg your pardon." I said. "It didn't take me ten minutes to figure it out, nor how Allgood figured it out at all."

"Pardon me, then." Teresa said. "Soooo, what have you figured out?"

"A part of me wants to wait until Elliott's home has been searched." I said. "But just remember that Efram Elliott brought Daniel Allgood into the TCPD IA, and while I'm not sure, they may have been pretty close. So Daniel may have been acting on emotion."

Me: "And part two is that Daniel is somewhat protecting me by wanting me kept out of all this. He is right that I may be someone that they want to (air quotes) 'assist them with their inquiries'---"

*KNOCK!* *KNOCK!* *KNOCK!*

The door opened to reveal my lovely assistant Helena French. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but you asked me to tell you when Special Agent Muscone was ready for you. They're in I-3."

"Rob Lawton is in the House." I said. "Sheriff, Chief, if you'll excuse us, we should not keep him waiting."

"Go ahead." growled Griswold. "We'll handle this Elliott business..."

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

9:30am, Friday November 4th. I walked into Interrogation-3, with Jack Muscone and Teresa Croyle behind me. Seated at the table, alone, was Rob Lawton. He was tall, maybe six feet, had brown hair, and was beginning to lose some of that hair on top. He wore glasses and had a hideous five o'clock shadow, which gave him a scruffy appearance common to many White Leftist men. I estimated his age to be mid-thirties.

I had a file folder with me as I sat down opposite Lawton, and I placed it on the table in front of me. Jack Muscone sat down in the chair to my left, Teresa sat behind us in a chair against the wall; she was the Uniformed Presence. Well. she was wearing a uniform, anyways.

"Hello, Mr. Lawton." I said. "I'm Commander Troy, and this is FBI Special Agent In Charge Jack Muscone. First, the housekeeping." I read Lawton his Miranda rights from the card.

"Lawyer." was the first and only word out of Lawton's potty mouth.

"Have you called one yet?" I asked.

"He called one while he was being processed at the Federal Building." Muscone said. "I'm surprised he's not here yet."

"She." Lawton sniffed arrogantly. "And you bastards have been shuffling me around so much, she hasn't had a chance to catch up."

"Ms. Munson will be here soon, I'm sure." I said, Rob Lawton visibly started at the mention of Gwen Munson's name, showing me my 'edumacated' guess was correct, and showing him I was not to be trifled with. "In the meantime---"

"Didn't you hear me?" Lawton whined. "I've asked for an attorney. You can't question me without my representation here."

"That is admirably exact." I said smoothly. "We can't question you without your lawyer present. But I'm not asking you any questions. I'm telling you some things, and you'd be wise to listen. As Donald Trump once said on The Apprentice, 'Always be listening. Always. be. listening.'."

I took out two photos, one taken by J. J. Perry, and one by a drone. They showed Lawton and the filthy, odious Lionel Carmela standing together during the student 'rally' near the Bulldog Bonfire. I turned them so that Lawton could see them.

"As you can see," I said, "we have these photos and more that will prove that you were conspiring with a man who had Federal and State warrants for terrorist activities. We have the conversations from witnesses, and moles within your little group of wannabee domestic terrorists."

"Hardly wannabees." Lawton said. "Your house was burned to the bricks."

"The bottom line is, Lawton," I said, bearing down on him, "we have got you by the short hairs. You're looking at some serious prison time, at best." I leaned back in my chair and said "You're probably thinking that we'll offer you a deal, even immunity, if you give us Carmela's head on a spike."

Lawton just smiled, and so I leaned forward and said "But I want more, Lawton. I want the man in whose interests your attorney Gwen Munson is really working. I want University President Jerry Moore's head on that spike, and if you give it to me, I'm authorized to give you limited immunity, which your attorney and our attorneys will work out."

I leaned back in my chair again and studied my adversary. Lawton said nothing, and he was trying to keep his face calm and passive. But his fingers began strumming on the table, his leg began swinging nervously, and his eyes began darting around.

"Well, if it isn't Commander Troy, browbeating my clients again!" a seemingly sweet feminine voice said. It was the blonde bombshell of legal beagles, Gwen Munson, Esq.

"I must congratulate you on the Wildcats's victory last Saturday." Gwen continued. "Using your Police Stormtroopers to arrest the quarterback of the other team got you the win you wanted. But quite a price you paid. Quite a price."

"Not nearly as bad a price as a mother and daughter paid at the hands of Lawrence Watson." I replied. "But you don't care about that, do you?"

"Oh yes, about that." Munson said cattily. "Are the rumors true that your Police Force, Commander Troy... and Commander Croyle... that your Police Officers shielded Mr. Watson from arrests in the past, leading to the death of that girl's mother? And after all she did for the both of you... nail drives raising money for your charities, giving you those crowbars that you use to beat blacks with."

"Shut up, Munson." Jack Muscone said flatly. "You're here to represent this guy, and I suggest you start doing so."

"I want to speak to my client. Alone." Gwen stated. Teresa, Jack, and I filed out the anteroom door.

"You know, you don't have to take that." Jack said in the hallway. "That's unprofessional conduct, and you can have her up brought up before the State Bar."

"Yeah." I said. "I let her rant on just to see what she'd say. And I noticed she was well prepared with those insults. Didn't care about Mrs. Haskins's death, but sure knew all about Susie and her nail drives for charity. Gwen also remembered that Susie helped save my life. Hell, the only thing she didn't bring up was Teresa's sister's death and the Dean Allen incident."

"She'd have died right then and there if she brought up my sister." Teresa said venomously.

"Which is why she backed off from it, I suspect." I said. More than suspect, I thought to myself. I continued: "Also, Jack, for her to be so unprofessional is par-for-the-course for her, but also speaks to an untoward position of power. She thinks she can get away with it. And depending on what she knows but I don't... she may be right."

"Sir," said Teresa, "do you think your little speech to Lawton will have an effect on him?"

"And will it get our case in legal trouble?" Jack said. "Even if you didn't ask anything, some judges think that you have to stop talking to him at all until he has the legal representation."

"To answer you first, Jack," I replied, "it really doesn't matter. If he talks voluntarily, it's likely with an immunity deal. If he doesn't, the local charges aren't much, and trying to convince a jury of his intent will be tough. We won't tell the second smartest woman in the world, though. Let Gwen figure it out."

"Who's the first smartest woman in the world?" Jack asked unsuspectingly.

"Hillary Clinton, at least in her own mind." I said. Teresa burst out in a rare fit of laughter. Jack just shook his head.

"Okay, you got me, on that one." Jack conceded.

"Anyhoo, Teresa," I went on, "I think Gwen will have Lawton holding out at first, but that little seed I planted in his mind will be triggered at some point, and he'll see the light. Or not..."

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

11:10am. Teresa and I moseyed into MCD some few minutes after Detectives Joan Laurer and Kerri Ambrose returned from searching Efram Elliott's home. Two outsiders were with them.

"Commanders," Claire Michaels said, "you know David Slater and Catherine Shannon from the I. G.'s office."

"Yes. Hi guys." I said, but did not offer to shake hands with them, nor did Teresa; and they did not offer to shake hands with us. We had 'history'. (Author's note: 'No Show', Ch. 02.)

Claire said "We are working with the I. G. Investigators in a spirit of full and harmonious cooperation. They accompanied Joan and Kerri on the search of Elliott's home, and likely will be taking over the investigation completely after Joan gives them the report on Elliott's finances."

"Okay." I said. "So in this case, don't keep me in the loop. Direct any information to the Chief, Sheriff, or the I. G.'s office. I just came in to tell Team Teddy about an upcoming interrogation. I'll leave things to y'all."

"We've got our combat-experienced, Airborne-qualified Detective on it." Claire said...

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

"Wow, what was up with that?" Teresa asked as we walked down the hallway towards the Interrogation Rooms. "Claire never makes pro-military comments like that."

"It was a shot. At David Slater." I replied. "He retired a full bird colonel, but he has exactly one less Airborne jump than you do. I would imagine he's being an asshole to our people, and that was Claire's response."

"Right you are, sir." Claire said, coming up behind us. "I know I can't talk about the case, but I am going to tell you that he tried to stop our Detectives from executing the search warrant of the Elliott home, insisting that he and Shannon do it alone. Joan Laurer told him the warrant was for the TCPD to execute, so they either had to work together on it, or he'd have to explain to Judge Doss why he needed another one."

Claire: "Hater Slater also didn't want our people looking up any data, but I told him we already had, so he might as well take what we give him and verify it on his own. Catherine Shannon intervened and said we could finish that out. I also have Martha's autopsy report, which I'll forward to them after I tell this wall next to you that it has every indication of being a suicide, with no obvious foul play."

"Okay, thanks." I said. "I'm going to go work on Rob Lawton."

"I wish I could watch that." Claire said. "But I think I need to be in MCD, protecting my people from Slater..."

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

11:45am. Rob Lawton was taken to lunch in the holding cells of Police Headquarters, and Gwen Munson went to the Courthouse. So per usual, we headed to the Cop Bar for lunch. On the way, Teresa noticed that I was looking into my rear view mirrors a lot.

"Are we being followed?" she asked.

"Looks like it." I said. "Ubiquitous white van. But not very professional at all. In fact..." I said no more, and we arrived at the Irish Pub shortly thereafter. As we parked, I looked over to see the white van in the parking lot across the street.

"Want me to call in a patrol to interdict them?" Teresa asled when I pointed out the van to her.

"Naah." I replied. "I think they're the Press. Let's go in."

Normally when we would enter the Cop Bar, I'd say hello to Officers, sometime complimenting some of them on good jobs they'd recently done, and often Officers would greet me. Today, things got a little quieter, and no one greeted me nor Teresa, nor we them.

The Sheriff, Police Chief, Command Deputy Sheriff Cindy Ross, and EMS Chief Leonard R. Cordell were in the back 'Command Room', and we were invited to join them. Tanya Muscone had gone to lunch with her husband.

"Admiral, what is the status of your medical license?" Teresa asked Cordell after we'd eaten our delicious meals.

"Still tied up in the Courts." Cordell growled.

"Weren't the rulings made?" Teresa asked. "Even the Governor was involved. What's the problem?"

Cordell replied "Right now I'm fighting for it solely on principle, but I don't know how much longer I can do this. (CEO) Jeff Woolsey is trying to grind me down by attrition, and BigBenefitInsurance has a hell of a lot more money than I do for lawyers."

I said "I talked to Governor Marshall the other day, and she said she's at the limits of what she can do. She's fired the rogue State Medical Board members, but they're fighting it in Court as hard as they can... and BigBenefitInsurance is openly and blatantly paying for it."

Cindy said "Could she convene the Legislature to pass a law about it?"

"That would be a Bill of Attainder, which is prohibited by the U. S. and State Constitutions." I replied. "And you better believe Woolsey will be greasing Legislative palms, especially Republican palms, to not do anything against his interests."

"With all respect to Admiral Cordell," Teresa said, "I didn't realize that he would be so hated and have to endure so much just for operating on a child to save his life. It's just not right."

"It's petty." Cindy said.

"Also with respect to Admiral Cordell, it's about a lot more than just him." I said. "The Insurance industry is one of the most powerful 'special interests', for lack of a better term, in the Nation. You are required to have automobile insurance in order to drive your vehicle on public streets. And the money in healthcare insurance? Don't get me started..." I just shook my head.

"There's a saying in Japan." Teresa said. "And it applies to you too, Don: 'the nail that sticks out the highest... gets hammered'."

"And speaking of that," said the Sheriff, segueing nicely, "this Efram Elliott thing is getting big, and it's beginning to worry me. The I. G.'s Office has officially stated that the Public Safety Department, all of it, is off the case, and for us to cease and desist any further work on it."

"Did Goodwin say why?" I asked.

"Officially, he said to avoid conflicts of interest, upon which he did not elaborate." said Our Sheriff. Somewhat 'off the record', he said he doesn't want any public issues this close to Tuesday's elections."

Then, in a prodigious understatement, Griswold growled "But I've been around the block a few times, and I can tell when I'm being bullshitted. He was bullshitting me, through and through."

Chief Moynahan said "Goodwin called me and asked me to make all of you, but particularly yoooo, Mister Crowbarrr, available for interviews, with lawyers or Union Reps per your preferenceszzz. I agreeeed, of course, but asked him not to spring anything on you, and give you time to get your lawyers or Union Reps."

Griswold said "Does anyone have any idea what is going on here? Crowbar?"

"I don't have a clue, Sheriff." I said, my eyes glinting and a little smile on my face.

The Sheriff pointed at me and said "You are bullshitting me, Crowbar. Through and through." Our eyes held for a moment, then I began chuckling, and soon everyone was laughing.

"I won't say anything here in public." I said. "The Press has been following us around, and they may be using microwaves on the windows to listen to us. And y'all should stay alert in case you're being watched, too..."

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

1:00pm, Friday, November 4th. Jack Muscone, Teresa Croyle, and I went into Interrogation-3, where Rob Lawton sat alone.

"Where's Ms. Munson?" I asked.

"Oh, she left." Lawton said. 'I'm pro se now."

"So for the record," I said, "you are agreeing to speak with us without legal representation present?"

"Yes." said Lawton.

I asked "So why did Ms. Munson leave?"

Lawton said "She and I did not agree on what I was going to tell you in exchange for my full immunity from both Federal and State prosecution."

"We didn't promise you full immunity, only limited immunity." I said. "And that will depend on what you give us."

"So quit wasting my time, and yours." Lawton said. "Put your best offer on the table, and I'll see if it's enough."

I said "I don't think you understand, Mr. Lawton." I stood up, went around behind him, and leaned against the table next to him, bearing down on him as I said "You're going to give me what I want. If you don't, you should contact Ms. Munson again and have her begin prepping for your fair trial by a Jury of your peers."

"You haven't even told me what I'm charged with." said Lawton.

"Several conspiracy charges at the Federal and State levels." I said. "Conspiracy to foment insurrection, and at the Federal level, domestic terrorism. You see, we have those photos of you with so-called 'student groups'. They were also captured on video and film at the place and time of the arson at my home."

"Oh come on." Lawton said contemptuously. "You really think you can convince a Grand Jury of that? Much less a regular Jury?"

"Yes." I said. "You may not have been at the scene at the time, but you don't have to be. We have the eyewitness testimony of your conversations with those little arsonists. But like I said, if you'd rather go to full trial..." I got up and went back to my seat as Lawton thought about it.

"And your offer?" Lawton finally said.

"Non-Federal charges reduced to little shit, like disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, malicious mischief, stuff like that. You pay a fine, get probation. Hell, your street cred will go up, too! Whatta deal."

"And in exchange," I continued, "you give me information that will allow me to build a provable case against University President Jerry Moore. The word for today is 'crucify'. I crucify him, or the Feds crucify you."

"No probation." Lawton said. "And you keep it under the rug, especially when I win my Town Assembly race. And you, Agent..."

"Muscone." said Jack Muscone. "Here's my offer: you give Commander Troy what he wants, and the domestic terrorism charges are reduced to something manageable, you get a suspended sentence, and you become a secret Confidential Informant for me."

Muscone: " All I want out of you is Carmela. If you ever meet with him again, anywhere in the U. S., you tell me immediately. If you meet him and don't tell me, then it's off to Federal prison with you."

"Put it in writing." Lawton said. I wasted no time calling Paulina Patterson in. When it was done, Lawton opened his cellphone. He'd secretly recorded conversations with Carmela and Moore. He had dates and times of meetings, and discussions about ginning up riots that would end up burning down the Mountain Nest.

"All in all, a fair deal." Muscone said when we were back in my office.

"If he sticks to it." Teresa said. "I wasn't getting a cozy vibe about his honesty in there."

"It'd be best if he wins his Assembly race, then." I quipped. "But we got a lot out of that thin deal, and for what was not much more than bluffing. I don't know if he realized it, but I wasn't out for a legal case against Jerry Moore. I was out to get a publicity case against him."

"Oh, yeahhhh!" Teresa said as it hit her. "They've been trying to barbecue you in the Court of Public Opinion, and now you're gonna give Moore a taste of it!"

"And if this won't get his resignation or have him fired, I don't know what will..."

Part 3 - Investigation Shenanigans

3:45pm, Friday, November 4th. The front Duty Desk informed me that Town & County Inspector James 'Curly' Goodwin and his team wanted to see me. Wondering who this 'team' was, I had the Duty Desk Officer escort them to the Main Conference Room, then immediately called my attorney Mike G. Todd. He arrived within minutes.

Goodwin was talking to Chief Moynahan in the hallway in front of the Main Conference Room. I saw that one of the men with him was David Slater. The other man was youngish, medium height, with a sallow face, eyeglasses, and a full head of raven black hair. Kind of a nerd would be one's first impression, but then I noticed the sharp, penetrating eyes that looked at me over his long nose.

Mike G. Todd and I went on into the Main Conference Room, and to our seats on the far side of the table. A second later the Chief excused himself and the I. G. team came into the room.

"You know David Slater." I. G. Goodwin said. Slater and I nodded shortly to each other. "And this is David Brierfield. He's consulting counsel for me."

"Ah yes." I said. "David J. Brierfield. Now why is Bedford, Benning & Bell's newest attorney interested in this case?"

Slater looked unfazed, even bored with my pronouncement. But Goodwin and Brierfield both looked shocked: Brierfield, at my knowing who he was; and Goodwin, at who Brierfield worked for, as if he hadn't known.

"You know each other?" a stunned Goodwin said.

"No, I've never met him before." I said. "But I know of his recent employment with BB&B. Anyhoo, this is my attorney, Mike Todd. Shall we get started?"

We all sat down, then Goodwin began by talking to his videocamera. After the date and time, he said "This is an interview of TCPD Commander Don Troy." He named all the persons in the room (but not Brierfield's law firm, I noted), then said "Commander, first I'll read you your Miranda rights." He did so meticulously from the card.

Goodwin then called upon David Slater to begin the questioning. Slater said "Commander, how would you define your relationship with Efram Elliott?"

"Cordial since I met him, but not so much the last few months." I replied.

"Cordial meaning friendly? Strained but polite?" Slater pressed.

"Neither, until the (air quotes) 'philosophical exchange of values' three months ago, which I'm sure you'll be asking about shortly." I said. "We weren't friends, but we spoke at the Orange Order dinners, had superficial conversations, as I did with many other people."

"Tell us about that altercation." Slater said.

I said "As you may or may not know, there was a problem with some TCPD Officers protecting a University football player from getting stopped for DUI. I am sorry to say that my worst fears were confirmed, and that player did indeed kill a mother of a teen girl as he drove drunk and crashed into her."

Me: "I made a speech to the Orange Order members at the dinner, and afterwords Elliott spoke to me about it, and it became a confrontation. Elliott made a point to insult Commander Teresa Croyle, and I shot back that he'd protected Harold Malone when Malone was using Police like a Mob enforcer. Sheriff Griswold stopped it."

Slater turned to Brierfield and said "Do you want to ask about that?"

"I certainly do." said Brierfield. "Commander, you just called Captain Harold Malone a Mob enforcer. Captain Malone was also accused in the past of racial discrimination against Black persons. Would you say that assertion was accurate?"

"Yes I would." I replied.

"Would you say Captain Elliott was also part of that racism? Was he a racist also?"

"Now that I don't know." I said truthfully. "He never expressed anything out loud that would lead me to that conclusion."

"Are you currently investigating anything that has to do with race or racial discrimination?" Brierfield queried.

I said with alacrity: "I am not answering anything about current Police investigations."

"Even if it may be pertinent to our investigation?" Slater interjected sharply.

"Even if." I said, then added "Especially not to outside counsel who has no need and no business to know about our current investigations."

Brierfield said "Even if Captain Elliott's death may be related to one of your investigations?"

"Which particular investigation are you asking about?" I asked back. "And don't insult my intelligence by saying otherwise."

Trapped, Brierfield said "I'm asking about your investigation of the Smooth White Boys. And the connections that Captain Elliott or any other TCPD Officer, former or current, might have with that group."

"And there it is." I said triumphantly. "That's what you're really on this 'phishing' expedition for."

"What are you talking about?" I. G. Goodwin asked, his voice connoting inquiry as opposed to skepticism.

"When this (air quotes) 'outside counsel', from Bedford, Benning & Bell of all law firms, comes in asking about confidential Police investigations involving possible racial issues?" I asked back. "I'd have to be pretty stupid not to see it for what it really is. So who asked you to bring him in here?"

"That's not pertinent to this inquiry!" Brierfield interjected thunderously.

"I think we've taken up enough of Commander Troy's time." said Goodwin, upon seeing my face. "Gentlemen, I'll be in touch about a Board of Inquest, if there's even going to be one..."

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

After the Duty Desk Officer escorted the I. G. team out, Mike G. Todd and I went to the Chief's Conference Room. Waiting inside were the Sheriff, Police Chief, and my three Angels. Mike and I sat down after getting coffee.

"What did y'all think?" I asked. They had watched on the monitor. And yes, you better believe we were videotaping it.

Tanya said with great perkiness "That lawyer just about pooped his pants when you called him out on the phishing."

Sheriff Griswold asked "Crowbar, you think he was trying to find out about 'Operation SMOOTHIE'?"

"Even worse." I replied. "This whole investigation was designed and orchestrated to find out as much as possible about our investigation of the Smooth White Boys."

"You gotta be kidding meeeee." said Chief Moynahan.

"No sir." I said seriously. "And I could see it coming like a freight train. I was just waiting for him to ask about it, and sho'nuff... he did."

Teresa said "It's scary that he even knew to ask. Do we have moles, spies? Is the whole operation in danger?"

I said "This operation was 'need to know', and only a very limited number of people know about it. In fairness, I'd suggest an electronic breach somewhere. We'll have to tighten up our security. Paper records and phone calls only. No computers or texts."

"Consider it done." Teresa said, making a note. Then she looked up and asked "You don't... you don't think Elliott committed suicide just to have this investigation, do you?"

"Oh, no. No, no, no." I said. "But I think someone was looking for an opportunity, and very quickly saw this as an inroad. And if it wasn't the suicide, maybe something else would've been manufactured. But it definitely tells me that someone not only knows about the operation... someone is scared about it."

Griswold growled "You think Curly Goodwin is part of this?"

"That'd be a disaster." Cindy said. "The County I. G., on their side?"

"No, I don't think he is." I said. "He seemed genuinely surprised at Brierfield's line of questioning, my exposure of it, and he cut things off when it was coming out. I won't be surprised if we hear from him soon."

"All right, guys." the Sheriff said. "Let's reconvene at the Cop Bar. First pitcher of beer is on me." Practicing excellent asskissing skills, everyone enthusiastically agreed...

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

The temperature was dropping rapidly and clouds were forming as a weather front moved in from the west. So our intentions to enjoy the fire pots on the patio were changed to going indoors. The place was packed, so we retreated to the back 'Command' room.

The Sheriff ordered the beer, and I sprang for plates of nachos and buffalo wings. As we were eating, the Sheriff got a text. As he typed a reply, he growled to the Chief "Damn if Crowbar ain't called it again."

A moment later his words made sense when I. G. Curly Goodwin came in with a pitcher of beer. "Can I buy in?" he asked.

"Sure." the Sheriff said. "Crowbar's attorney is here with us, too." Indeed, Mike G. Todd had accepted our invitation to join us.

"Does this make this time billable?" Mike asked, perhaps jokingly (but knowing lawyers, probably not).

"You're on retainer, bud." I said.

Goodwin sat down, and was invited to dig into the wings. After some small talk, he said "I wanted to tell y'all something. About today."

"Something like... who put you up to that attorney? And the entire investigation?" I said.

"You're on top of it. I'm not surprised." Goodwin said. "I just want you to know that I had no idea of any shenanigans. I started the investigation in good faith."

"Tell us what happened." the Sheriff said. "Unless Crowbar has figured it out and wants to tell us."

"Easy Button." I said. "Mayor Daniel Allgood asked for the investigation into the death of his friend Efram Elliott. What I don't know is if he recommended that slug Brierfield come along for the ride. So just start at the beginning, Curly."

Goodwin said "Okay. I didn't make it a secret that Mayor Allgood requested the investigation. I talked to you, Sheriff, this morning, but it wasn't until later that Allgood called me again and said he wanted me to take an outside counsel to ask you some questions, Commander Troy. It was highly irregular, but I allowed it, not realizing the direction he'd take the questioning."

I asked "Did Allgood say who the counsel would be? Or what law firm he'd be from?"

"No." Goodwin replied. "And Brierfield introduced himself by name, but didn't say what law firm he was from. By the way, I'm not real familiar with Bedford, Benning & Bell. Who are they?"

I said "They're a City-based firm, with some loose ties to the City Mob, and also connections with White Supremacy groups. We've had run-ins with their attorneys before." (Author's note: 'Exigent Circumstances', 'Never Again'.)

"Oh, wowww." Goodwin said softly...

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

The party continued well into the evening. Jack Muscone joined us, Cindy and Teresa shared a pizza at the smaller table while the rest of us kept the Cop Bar in business, what with all the pizza we ate and beer we drank.

Despite the amount of food consumed, we were all buzzed, so the call for rides went out. Curly Goodwin got an Uber. Laura brought Molly, Callie and Todd to the scene. Teresa, Mike Todd, and the Sheriff had ridden to the Cop Bar with me, so Molly drove my SUV with me, the Iron Wolf, and Our Sheriff inside. I got the rare opportunity to ride shotgun in my own vehicle.

Callie drove Cindy's SUV, with Cindy aboard. Todd drove Tanya's van. He was the only one qualified and experienced with the handlebar steering and braking; after all, his company had built the van for her. Tanya and Jack were passengers, and Laura followed them, dropping off the Chief and Mike Todd at their homes, then picking up Todd at the Muscone residence. Teresa and Todd were dropped off at their home, then we converged upon The Cabin.

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

About 1:30am, the weather hit, and hit hard. Rain and wind lashed at the windows, lightning flashed and thunder crackled. I watched from the greatroom of The Cabin with Buddy and Bowser, who did not like the thunder very much. As I gave them skritchins, I wondered if the storm was a portent of things to come...

Part 4 - Electile Dysfunction

"This is Bettina Wurtzburg, KXTC Channel Two News!" shouted the redheaded MILF reporterette at 7:00am, Tuesday, November 8th, from the Decision Desk at the KXTC Studios. "Election Day is finally here!"

After the hard-charging intro music, Bettina began: "The polls are just opening now, and many important races will be decided during the next twelve hours. Races for Mayor, Sheriff, District Attorney, Solicitor, and School Board Chairman highlight a full slate of choices for Town & County voters!"

Bettina: "We have full Team coverage! Highly respected reporter Carl Lemay is at George Floyd Elementary, covering the polls on the Southside, while highly acclaimed reporter Martha Faulkner is reporting from Mitt Romney Elementary, covering the Northside and the important unincorporated County districts! But first, let's go to trusted reporter Amber Harris for more. Amber!"

"That's right, Bettina!" shouted the height-challenged, athletic blonde, reporting from outside the County Department of Elections. "This Election is going to be pivotal for political control of the Town & County Council and Assembly, as well as the crucial positions governing law and order here!"

Amber: "We're honored to have Savannah Fineman join Channel Two News! Thanks for being with us, Ms. Fineman."

"Thank you for having me, Amber." the decidedly blonde Savannah Fineman as the camera shot panned out to include her."

Amber: "What do you think is the most important thing about this Election?"

Savannah: "It's absolutely opposing the threat of Donald Troy that hangs over our Citizens and our hardworking Undocumented Workers. When I am District Attorney, I will fight to stop Troy's abuses and unlawful arrests, and the law as well as our Constitutional rights will be applied and honored equally."

After a couple more questions and answers, Amber went to Carl Lemay, who said "This is a pivotal election for Southside voters! The disenfranchisement of Town citizens is a key issue of Stacy Jacobs's campaign for Mayor. We have her with us now. Thank you for joining us, Ms. Jacobs."

"Glad to be here." said the relatively short woman of color, her height made even worse by standing next to the relatively tall Lemay, and also by her portly shape, a result of missing no meals, and then some.

Lemay: "You've campaigned against Daniel Allgood on many issues, including equal representation on the Council and where they're spending our tax dollars. What would you consider to be the most important issue facing Town & County voters?"

"Getting rid of Donald Troy." Jacobs said without hesitation. "From his abuses of Police power, especially targeting People of Color, to interfering with peaceful protesters, and siding with the Zionists committing genocide against the helpless people of Gaza, Donald Troy is a scourge upon us. Daniel Allgood won't rein in Donald Troy, but as Mayor I will terminate Troy's employment immediately."

Lemay sent it to Martha Faulkner, who was wearing all white like she did every Election Day. She said "One issue that is of extreme importance to County High School System voters is how property tax dollars are being allocated and spent. Industrialist Bill Redmond is making that his main plank in his campaign for School Board Chairman."

Martha: "Mr. Redmond has been endorsed by KXTC Channel Two News and by the State Education Association, the SEA, the powerful Teacher's Union. He joins us now. Hello, Bill."

"Good to be with you, Martha." said Redmond, trying to look 'folksy' in a criss-cross pattern shirt and blue jeans.

Martha: "Donald Troy has endorsed your opponent in this race. What do you say to voters that might still be listening to him?"

Redmond: "Take a look at Troy's record of abuse of Police Power and his total lack of understanding of what's important in this world. Look what he did to keep the University's best player from playing against his alma mater, using his Police like a pack of hyenas to hunt down that young man."

Redmond: "And remember that Troy and my opponent wrote the Charter to give our hard earned dollars away to other districts in a purely socialist way. That's my opponent, and that's Donald Troy, who must be removed, and this Election is the way to do it!"

Back to Bettina: "And the best way to ensure that Donald Troy is removed from the Police Force is to elect Edgar Silas as Sheriff, and KXTC has endorsed him in that pivotal race. We'll have an interview with Mr. Silas during our award-winning noon broadcast."

Bettina: "KXTC Channel Two News contacted each of the three interviewed candidates's opponents, but they declined to appear with us. And Donald Troy has refused to respond to repeated requests by KXTC Channel Two News for comment..."

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

"Okay, so if I've got this straight," said Teresa Croyle as she pretended to look at her notepad, "Commander Troy is running for Sheriff, for District Attorney, for Mayor, -and- for School Board Chairman. I say we re-write the Charter and just make him Town & County Dictator."

"Yeah, he can be the 'Boss Hogg' of our County." Cindy Ross added helpfully.

"Sounds good to me." I said amenably.

The Police Chief, my three Angels, ADA Paulina Patterson, and I were drinking coffee in the Chief's Conference Room. Our Sheriff was not present; he was out doing campaign things.

"That was some God-awful reporting by Bettina's Bunch this morning." Tanya Muscone said, sounding perky anyway.

I said "It's their last chance to help Democrats win by hook or by crook. My lawsuit against them comes to a head next Spring. If I get the result I'm hoping for, there won't be a KXTC Channel Two News when the next Election rolls around."

Paulina was looking at her cellphone. "I just got a text from Miriam (Walters). She said she was not contacted by KXTC at all, neither for an appearance nor for a response to Savannah."

I said "I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case with all of them, or maybe they got the infamous and ubiquitous KXTC 3am phone calls."

The Chief said "So where will everyone beeeee tonight? And not wearing uniforms, of course."

Paulina said "At Michael's party." Her lover Michael T. McGill was running for Solicitor. She added: "Then we'll go over to Miriam's if that race is not long over."

Cindy said "I'll be at the Sheriff's victory party, I'm sure."

Teresa said "I have to ask Todd if he has someplace he particularly wants to be."

Tanya said "If we get out at all, probably to the Sheriff's party."

And then all eyes went to me. I said "Well... if things go like I expect, then Laura and I will go to the Sheriff's party early, then Laura will join her sister at Daniel Allgood's party, while I go to Edna Carter's party."

"Oooooo." said the Chief. "And who will your personal protection be?"

"My buddy, here." I said, holding up the red crowbar.

"Very funny." said the Chief, who was most very 'not amused'. "Seriously?"

I said "(TCPD) Lieutenant Stevie Carter is Edna's relative, and he told me he'll be there. And Rudistan said he and his wife would be there."

The Chief was not mollified. "You need a detail of uniformed Officers---"

"Chief, I can assign him some Deputies." Cindy interjected. "There will be uniformed Deputies there, anyway, and a couple extra in plainclothes won't hurt. And protection details like that really are our job more than yours."

"Hey now!" I said. "I'm the Town & County Dictator! The 'Boss Hogg'! Call Deputy Strait!"

Everyone laughed, then Cindy said "I won't do that. He probably would show up for realzzz..."

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

11:00am, Tuesday, November 8th. Teresa and I were in my office, keeping tabs on the election sites and planning for any unpleasantries, when my lovely assistant Helena French buzzed me that Lieutenant Mary Milton, our Intel Branch chief, wanted to see me. I had Helena tell Mary to come on in.

After being seated in the near-side hot chair, Mary said "I found some information about Efram Elliott. I sent it to the Chief and our I. A, Chief, and to I. G. Goodwin in the same email. I'm supposed to keep you both out of the loop, but I ain't the one, and you'll find out anyway."

She handed me a file folder with some papers in it. I began perusing them, then slowed down as the full import of the data hit me. I handed the folder to Teresa as I said "That's it, of course."

"What's it?" Teresa asked.

I said "The reason Elliott committed suicide. Guilt over being part of the operation to keep Lawrence Watson from getting caught driving drunk, which led to Watson killing Susie's mother."

"That's what I thought when I saw that, too." Mary said.

Teresa said as she looked at the papers: "Wow. So the day before he died, Efram Elliott had his lawyer create a trust fund for Susie Haskins with half a million dollars in it. The money was transferred to escrow that same day, so it was not a part of his estate as of the time of his death."

"Yes." I said. "And as executor of Susie's mother's will, I really should have been notified by now. I''ll call my attorney, Mike G. Todd, and have him make sure that payment went through."

Mary said "Once I. G. Goodwin sees this, he'll drop the investigation of you, won't he?"

"If he's smart, he will." Teresa said scornfully. "He never should have started one in the first place."

I said "And if he doesn't drop it, I'm going to demand a public and speedy Board of Inquest over it. With this information, he'll have to come correct or be embarrassed. But I think he's going to drop it anyway..."

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

"This is Bettina Wurtzburg, KXTC Channel Two News!" shouted the redheaded MILF reporterette at 7:00pm, Tuesday, November 8th. "The Polls are closing in this important and historic Election!"

After the canned Election music to make themselves sound as important as the Elections themselves, Bettina began: "With me at the Channel Two Decision Desk is our Election analyst and reporter, Martha Faulkner. Hello, Martha, what do you have for us tonight?"

"An election, Bettina, if we can keep it." the decided blonde quipped in reply. She and Bettina were both wearing all-white blouses, jackets, and pants. She looked at the camera as she said. "We'll be following all the local races as well as the more important races around the State."

"And we'll have full Team coverage!" Bettina practically shouted. "Our highly respected reporter Carl Lemay will be covering the Sheriff, Solicitor, and Council races, while trusted reporter Amber Harris is covering the District Attorney, Mayoral, and School Board Chairman races."

Martha said "Let's go to Carl Lemay now, at the rally for Edgar Silas for Sheriff. Carl!"

"That's right, Bettina!" said the lanky Reporter of Color, wearing black-rimmed 'Mythbusters' glasses. "We're here at the rally for Edgar Silas, who has run a spirited campaign against incumbent Sheriff Antonio Griswold. This race is considered important if our Town & County is to be rid of Police Commander Donald Troy's abuses of Blacks in the Town & County."

Lemay: "We'll also be covering the Solicitor campaign, where Alvin Whitner is running against White attorney Michael T. McGill, as well as the only strongly contested Council seat, which is Seat 3 in the northeast of Town. Edward R. Steele gave up the seat when he moved into the County, and Patricia Chang is strongly challenging against Republican turncoat Katina Jones."

Lemay brought in Edgar Silas, who said "We expect a strong showing in a tough election. And we know how important this contest is in getting rid of Donald Troy."

"Yes we do!" Lemay said enthusiastically. "Back to you, Bettina and Martha."

"Thank you, Carl!" said Bettina as the feed returned to the Decision Desk. "And Martha, with the polls now closed, do we have a projection?"

"Yes, Bettina." Martha said. "KXTC Channel Two News is projecting that Antonio Griswold will win the Sheriff's race by a comfortable margin..."

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

"Comfortable, my fourth point of contact." I muttered as the Usual Suspects watched in the 'green room' at the Sheriff's party at the University Hotel. "It's a frickin' blowout."

"Yeah, I think 89% qualifies as a blowout." Teresa Croyle said. "So Sheriff, you staying here or going to another party?"

"After we wrap up here and it's polite to do so, I'm going to go with Crowbar to Edna Carter's rally." Sheriff Griswold said. "Someone has to provide him with adult supervision."

"You two together?" Tanya Muscone said most very irreverently. "You both need adult supervision."

"True." said Our Sheriff, his mustaches twitching with merriment. After a moment, he said "What about you, Teresa? What party are you and Todd going to?"

"I'm not sure, sir." the Iron Wolf replied. "Todd got a call from Mayor Allgood, asking him... us... to attend his rally. And then I got a call from Melina Allgood herself, asking us to attend. I'm not sure why, but they really wanted us to be there." It should be noted that Todd was sitting next to his wife as she said that, and he was nodding vigorously in agreement.

"Can I offer you two a small piece of grandfatherly advice?" growled Griswold. "Don't go to the Allgood rally. Stay away from it."

Everyone in the green room was shocked. Some looked over at me, sitting next to my wife Laura, and may have seen the look of surprise in my eyes become one of understanding.

"Okay, sir." Todd said. "But I'm curious: why not?"

I said "Bob Gold."

"Yeah, Crowbar's on it." Griswold said. "They're at the Hyatt, and that racist turd Bill Redmond's party is next door, and he may show up or they'll try to pressure you into going to Redmond's party. Bob Gold gave a good bit of money to both their campaigns, and will be at those parties. I'm not telling you not to go, but Crowbar probably will."

"Nooooo, not me." I said. "Teresa is an adult and can make her own choices. Todd, however..."

"Ha!" Teresa barked a laugh in her husband's general direction. He just grinned and put his arm around her, and she snuggled into him.

"What about Laura?" Cindy Ross asked. She looked at Laura and said "You were going to Daniel's party, weren't you?"

Laura said "I was, but now I'm worried."

"You're Melina's sister, so it can be explained away that way, if need be." said the Sheriff. "But Laura, stay in the background as much as your six-four height in those high heels allows you to."

Todd and I burst out laughing at that, especially as it was so unexpected coming from Our Sheriff. Laura rolled with it, and Teresa and Cindy were not quite as amused. Maybe because they were nowhere near as tall as Laura...

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

At 8:05pm, Sheriff Antonio Griswold stepped out onto the stage to (relatively) raucous applause. As it was early in the evening, and since most of the crowd would migrate to other parties, the drinking in earnest had not started yet.

The race had been called immediately by KXTC snd KFXU, but the Fox station wanted the Sheriff to wait until 8:00pm and give his speech at the beginning of primetime. KXTC wanted the Sheriff to wrap it up by 7:30, and the Sheriff delighted in snubbing them by waiting. We figured Bettina's Bunch wouldn't cover it at all, but c'est la vie.

Among his remarks, the Sheriff said "I want to thank the great Teams at the Police, Fire, and EMS Departments. And I especially want to thank two persons who make my job easier and give you the best Public Safety possible."

Griswold: "First is my right hand woman, Command Deputy Sheriff Cindy Ross, who makes the Sheriff Department and all the Public Safety budgeting and spending run like clockwork. Come on up here, Cindy!" Cindy was blushing as she made her way to the front and exchanged a warm hug with her boss and mentor as the crowd roared.

Then came the big test: Sheriff Griswold said "And second is the man who is not only the finest Police Officer in TCPD history, but a man who has become a son to me. Commander Donald Troy, the Iron Crowbar! Where ya at, Crowbar?"

I felt myself being pushed and guided up to the lectern, where my handshake with the Sheriff became a full-on hug. The applause for me was strong, and I hoped it was genuine and not just for the Sheriff's kind words.

I was going to retreat, but the Sheriff (and Cindy) held me in place as the Sheriff said "I want to tell you just one small story if I may." The crowd applauded, then listened as Griswold said "When I was a kid, we learned a Sunday School song: 'Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.'."

Griswold: "This Town and County's Police Department is led by a man who treats everyone fairly and honestly, regardless of creed or color, and trains and expects our Police Department to do the same. You will not find a better leader and man in that regard, and no amount of lies by the Press will change that. I'll take Donald Troy over KXTC News any day!"

The crowd roared as the Sheriff and I exchanged a side by side hug...

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

"And welcome back to the Fox Eight Decision Desk." said KXFU political reporter Greg Wallace at 8:30pm. "Lisa Fillmore and I are holding down the Desk as our Team brings you the local and State races with fair and balanced coverage and reporting!"

"And Fox Eight News has some projections for you." said Lisa Fillmore. "In the Solicitor's race, we project that Michael T. McGill has defeated Alvin Whitner, despite huge financial support for Whitner by George Schwartz. Schwartz has successfully financed many far-left D. A. and Solicitor candidates, but his money failed here, and McGill has won comfortably."

Wallace: "And we also can project that all of the Council incumbents have won their races, including Edward R. Steele, who changed districts. His old district, Seat 3 in Town, is still undecided between Republican Katina Jones and Democrat Patricia Chang."

Lisa: "Still undecided are the District Attorney's race between incumbent Miriam Walters and challenger Savannah Fineman, the Mayoral race between incumbent Daniel Allgood and Democrat Stacy Jacobs, and the School Board Chair race between Edna Carter and Bill Redmond..."

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

"Why do you think the Sheriff advised us not to go to Daniel Allgood's party?" Teresa asked as she, Todd, Laura and I headed towards Miriam Walters's party. "Does he know something we don't?"

"Yes." I said. "There is no new thing under the sun, and Sheriff Griswold has seen a lot of sunrises and sunsets."

"Enlighten us." the Iron Wolf 'asked'.

I said "Daniel's campaign received a lot of money in political contributions from Bob Gold personally, as well as the Gold & Partners company. Gold also contributed even more money to Bill Redmond's campaign... and to nobody else on the Republican side. On the Democrat side, Gold gave to the campaign of State Senator Katherine Woodburn, and a lesser but still substantial amount to Savannah Fineman's campaign. Her party is also at the Hyatt, by the way."

"Strange bedfellows." Todd mused.

"Not really." I said. "Gold is strongly supporting Redmond, and Daniel and Katherine may be their best bets to sway opinions and votes to get what they want. And before you ask, Teresa: what they want is to split the Town & County apart, though for disparate reasons."

Teresa gasped "You think Daniel wants that? It... it'd probably end his career as Mayor."

"By which time he's moved on." Laura said. "I trust the three of you to not repeat this to anyone, but Melina has hinted to me that Daniel might be getting tired of being Mayor. And I don't have to be the Iron Crowbar to see why: a lot of turmoil is headed our way in the next two years."

"Wowwwww..." Teresa muttered, then fell silent as her fertile mind pondered that information. Finally, she said "So if there is any mud splattering around in the near future, the Sheriff wants us to be nowhere near it."

I said "And more importantly, to make sure none of us become targets of any Press attacks, especially from biased, dishonest, corrupt, and hate-filled KXTC..."

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

Miriam Walters's party was one of the rooms that the partitioned ballroom made in the Civic Center. Michael T. McGill's was next door, and they were sharing the backstage 'green room'. I remembered that room; it was the room where the Charter Commission had awaited results.

When we were admitted into the green room, I saw Miriam on the telephone and Michael McGill watching KFXU. Paulina was between them, and she got up and hugged all four of us.

"Good news." Paulina said. "Michael's race has been called, and he's won comfortably. The Press, even Fox, is reporting that Miriam's race is neck-and-neck, but Miriam's data has her ahead of Savannah."

"So does the Sheriff's." I said, then stepped up to Michael. "Congratulations, Michael!"

"Oh! Thank you." Michael said, coming out of what we'd call a reverie. He shook my hand, then Todd's, then hugged Teresa and Laura. Politicians like to hug women, I'd long since noticed.

We were invited to sit down, and did so. We all made like Zombies and buried our face in our smartphones. I said to Laura and Paulina "KXTC and KSB are saying the State Constitution is failing in the plebiscite, but the Governor and the Sheriff have both texted and said their internal data is showing it's passing."

"But I'm worried about Edna Carter." Paulina said. "Bill Redmond is up by ten points as the early results are counted. And that would include the early voting from the past three weeks."

Just then the Sheriff and Cindy arrived; she was driving him around (yes, that's legal). "How's it going, Miriam?" Griswold barked.

"I'm liking what I see in my race." Miriam said. "And Katina Jones is winning her Council race. But the Mayor's race is very close, and we may have a disaster on our hands in the School Board race." Miriam was not a fan of Bill Redmond, either.

Ten minutes later, Miriam got a call. "It's KFXU's producer." she said. She took the call as we waited in silence. "Okay, thank you!" Miriam said. As she disconnected, she said "That was KFXU. They're going to project me the winner after the 9:00 commercial break is over!"

Everyone applauded. A moment later, Priya Ajmani came in, looking as beautiful as ever, and Cindy's ice blue eyes sparkled as she gazed at her. Priya said "Miriam, what time do you want to make your victory speech?"

"Oh, after your announcement and some confirmations." Miriam said. "And it's going to be a joint speech with Michael. Let's say about 9:30?"

"Great!" Priya said. "And Commander Troy, get ready to say a few words and to give me an exclusive interview. We're calling the State Constitution plebiscite as having passed." Everyone applauded again.

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

KXTC Channel Two News had not called the Solicitor's race yet, and Bettina was pretty upset when Miriam called her to inform her of her (Miriam's) and Michael's plans to make their victory speeches at 9:30.

"They'll tape it and show it when they're ready." growled Griswold.

"Maybe not." I said, pointing at the television tuned to Channel Two.

"And we have a projection to make." Martha Faulkner said. "Michael McGill is projected to win the Solicitor's race."

Bettina then said "However, the District Attorney's race is way too early to call. Let's go to Amber Harris at the Savannah Fineman rally. Amber!"

"That's right, Bettina!" said Amber. "I'm here with Savannah Fineman, the Democrat nominee for District Attorney! Savannah, how is the race going?"

"Very well for us, Amber." Savannah said. "We've done very well in early voting, and as the votes from Town are tallied, we expect to have a good lead, and ultimately a strong win. But we're also prepared for the possibility of a very late night before anything is decided."

"Whaddya say to that, Sheriff?" I asked loudly, before he could ask me the same thing.

His mustaches twitching with merriment, Griswold growled "I think KFXU really put a wrench in KXTC's plans for the evening to delay calling any Republican victories if they can help it. You agree, Crowbar?"

"Of course... Boss." I said.

"Good asskissing skills." the Sheriff said, and everyone laughed.

"Besides," I said, "you're the savvy politician around here. I'm just the student."

"I know when I'm being bull--- oh, never mind." the Sheriff replied, and everyone else was wondering why my Angels and I were laughing so hard.

A few minutes later, I called Tasha at home. "Congratulations, Little Love!" I said. "It's not over yet, but it looks like our new State Constitution is going to pass!"

"Yay!" Tasha said, her voice projecting into the room from the speaker. "And don't worry, Daddy. Carole said it's a done deal. A dunnnn deal!" I laughed and we said our 'good night's.

Checking on data, I did not notice Cindy and Teresa whispering at the far end of the room. If I had, I might've heard what they said:

"Did you see the look on Michael McGill's face when Don called Tasha?" Cindy said.

"No, I was too busy watching Paulina's body language." Teresa replied. "What was up with Michael?"

Cindy said "He had a look toward Don... not of hatred, but envy, maybe? And I got a Vibe from him. Same thing: envy, like he wished he had that family. So! what did you get from Paulina?"

Teresa said "Her posture towards Michael has been standoffish all the time I've been here. She's sitting next to him, but her legs are crossed away from him. And she kind of leans away from him when checking her iPhone."

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

"It's a great night for Town & County Justice tonight!" Miriam Walters shouted into the microphone at 9:30pm as the crowd roared. "With Michael McGill as your new Solicitor and me returning as District Attorney, we will have fair treatment of everyone, including the victims!"

As Miriam talked, I was at the edge of the stage, practically out of sight. The Sheriff and Cindy were more visible, but still in the background. Of course Paulina Patterson and Michael McGill were next to Miriam. And to my great surprise, Police Chief Sean Moynahan was just behind them, prominent enough for the Media cameras to easily see him. Fortunately, he was in civilian clothes.

"I didn't know the Chief was such a Miriam Walters fan." I heard Cindy say to the Sheriff.

"Yeah." Griswold growled. "Since Crowbar and Miriam can be like oil and water sometimes, the Chief wants to ensure good relations with the District Attorney's Office, so he's here."

"He's more of a politician than he lets on." Cindy said, meaning it humorously.

"He's a very savvy man, and a good Police Chief." the Sheriff said...

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

"And here are some more votes as the southside County districts come in." Bettina Wurtzburg reported. "Savannah Fineman and Miriam Walters are locked in a tight battle, which the Channel Two Decision Desk considers too close to call."

Martha Faulkner said "And we have some new numbers in the School Board Chairman race... that can't be right..." She caught herself and said "I think we need to verify these figures, Bettina."

Bettina: "Let's gp to Amber Harris with Savannah Fineman at Fineman Headquarters. Amber!" Now off the air, Bettina said "What's wrong?"

"These School Board numbers." Martha replied. "I know there's a big Hispanic contingent in the southern County areas, but..."

"I see what you're saying." Bettina said as she looked at the figures. "Edna Carter just cut Bill Redmond's lead in half..."

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

"Savannah Fineman is refusing to concede." I said after seeing her interview with Amber Harris on KXTC. "She says she thinks she'll win as the Town vote comes in. And KXTC is still saying it's too close to call, even though KFXU called it some time ago."

"Those bastards are hopeless." the Sheriff said. "I know they're not going to be unbiased, but they don't even try to be accurate, anymore."

Just then, Cindy approached us. "I just got a call from Election Headquarters." she said. "Bill Redmond's poll watchers are getting irate and giving the officials and our Deputies a hard time after Edna Carter's numbers surged."

"I can't go down there." I said. "I've been blatantly on Edna's side this whole cycle, and KXTC would have a field day if I get involved in any way."

"Good thinking, Crowbar." the Sheriff said. "Cindy, put on a uniform and get down there, Let me know what's going on as soon as you find out. And call in all the backup you need."

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

At 10:15pm, Todd and Teresa went their separate ways from us. Sheriff Griswold rode with me and Laura to Katina Jones's party. It was also serving as Edward R. Steele and Selena Steele's victory parties.

"What returns are you getting?" I asked Edward as we sat in the green room.

"Katina's got this." Edward said, including the Sheriff in the conversation. "KXFU called Katina and said they'd call the race for her at 10:30. We'll all make our speeches a few minutes later."

After we congratulated Edward, Selena, and Katina, the Sheriff said "The two tightest races are for Mayor and School Board Chair. I don't know why Daniel Allgood is having such a tough time. Stacy Jacobs is not popular with any groups except the Black Community, and they see her as a grifting opportunist."

"Mighty big words, Sheriff." I teased Griswold. "I didn't know I'd need to bring my dictionary."

"You need to bring better asskissing skills." the Sheriff fired right back, making Edward laugh.

*BRING!* *BRING!* *BRING!* *BRING!*

The noise was actually two phones ringing at the same time: Katina's and the Sheriff's. I heard Katina saying "Thank you." and "Thank you so much for calling." After the call was over, Katina said "That was Patricia Chang. She conceded the race, and was very gracious in doing so."

As everyone cheered, I turned my attention to the Sheriff. His mustaches were quivering, but not with merriment. He said "Tell Crowbar all that." and handed the phone to me.

It was Cindy. She said "Hi Don. We definitely have a situation, here. Bill Redmond's poll watchers are whining about the counting of the ballots. Apparently a call went out, and a dozen more poll watchers came in, including David J. Brierfield of Bedford, Benning & Bell, P. C."

I asked "Do you have enough LEOs to handle it?"

"For now." Cindy said. "What we do is assign a couple of Deputies to each voting location. They escort the ballots back to Election Headquarters here, then stick around to watch the poll watchers as well as the counting process."

Cindy: "There's two lines of poles with those connecting bands, making a corridor between the counters and watchers, and only LEOs can be within it. We flooded the buffer zone with the Deputies we have, and the Redmond people began screaming that they couldn't see the counters. I told the Redmond people to back off and I'd pull back half the Deputies. They did, and I did. But it's a tense standoff right now..."

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

Katina, Edward, and Selena gave speeches beginning at 10:40pm, covered by KFXU Fox Eight News. KXTC Channel Two News chose to air Patricia Chang's concession speech, which was very cordial. I noted that Patricia Chang was a very attractive Asian woman, and I thought to myself that I wouldn't mind having a hot bipartisan liaison with her. and delving deeply into her hot button issues.

Bettina and Martha Faulkner discussed that race. Bettina said "And that's it: the Town & County Council will remain evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, making the tight Mayor's race all the more important. Martha, why did Patricia Chang lose her race?"

Martha: "I really believe Ms. Chang did not attack Jones enough. There was a lot of negative information on Jones, including a criminal record which Channel Two News reported on some time ago, but that and other negatives were not emphasized, such as stressing that Jones was a turncoat Republican and a traitor to her race. And Ms. Chang didn't do anything to connect Katina Jones to Donald Troy. I really don't understand that decision, but it really cost Ms. Chang in this Election."

Bettina: "Does Patricia Chang have a future in political circles at any level?"

"Possibly." said Martha, "but she's going to have to run a much tougher campaign. Telling people what she'll do for them is not enough for today's Democrats. She has to tell voters why Republicans, including Jones, are the wrong choice..."

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

"Our numbers are dwindling." mused Sheriff Griswold as he rode with me towards Edna Carter's party. I knew what he meant. Laura had stayed at the Jones/Steele victory party. Cindy was still at Election Headquarters; tensions there were seemingly rising. Paulina was still at Miriam's party. I had no idea where Todd and Teresa had gone; maybe they were the smart ones, getting some sleep in their bed.

"Why'd you tell Katina not to bring you up to the podium?" Griswold asked. "She really wanted to, you know."

"Yes sir, I know." I said. "But I just had one of Cindy's vibes about it. The crowd at your party cheered me because you hugged me. But the people at Katina's party are the ones that have not forgiven me for the Watson arrest."

"And I think you were right about that." said the Sheriff. "But when, not if but when Edna Carter calls you up on stage with her, go up there. You'll look good, and the Black Business Council will like it."

"Yes sir." I said. "I heard a rumor she wants me to introduce her, too."

"Not much gets past you, Crowbar." the Sheriff growled.

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

11:00pm, Tuesday, November 8th. We were definitely in hostile territory. The green room was full of Democrats, both candidates and elected officials. The silver lining is that most of the really radical ones weren't there. Kelly Carnes and Katherine Woodburn had quietly supported Bill Redmond, as had (more vocally) Savannah Fineman. Edgar Silas, Eldrick X. Weaver, and Alvin Whitner were at Stacy Jacobs's party.

The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Williams, who had been on the Charter Commission with Edna Carter and myself, was there, supporting his friend and colleague Edna Carter. He greeted us enthusiastically when we came into the green room. Police Lieutenant Stevie Carter, Edna's nephew, also greeted us. And then Edna herself got up and gave me a big hug.

Edward R. Steele had also been on the Charter Commission. He had not said anything about coming to Edna's party, but he came in right after we did. "Stephanie and Laura went to our house." he said. "I wanted to come support Edna. Stephanie was tuckered out, so Laura said she'd take her home." I knew that was an excuse for Laura to stay away from television cameras at political events.

We stayed in the green room and watched both KXTC and KFXU. Edward paid attention to his cellphone. He said "The County Republicans believe Daniel Allgood is the winner of the Mayoral race, but KFXU won't call it yet because most of the outstanding vote is from south and central Town. And KXTC is still gaslighting its viewers with false hope that Jacobs can win, even though she's not very popular, not even with the Black Community."

I said "I agree. But I suspect that KXTC is trying to set up a narrative where they can scream 'racism' if Jacobs loses to Daniel. They've hammered him on those issues like no one else, and for years."

"Crowbar is right." growled Sheriff Griswold. "And I'm afraid that the groundwork they're laying tonight is going to hit paydirt within the next two years." Neither Edward nor I asked what he meant. We didn't have to. We could see the storm clouds gathering over the horizon, and we could see what was coming...

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

At 11:25pm, the KFXU Fox Eight Decision Desk called the Mayoral race for (White) Republican Daniel Allgood over (Black) Democrat Stacy Jacobs. Despite the furious objections of KXTC Channel Two News, at 11:30pm, Daniel came out to give his victory speech.

KXTC did not cover it, but showed Jacobs denouncing Allgood in the most hateful of terms, and presented interviews with Eldrick X. Weaver and Alvin Whitner denouncing the racism of Fox Eight News in calling the race 'before all the votes are counted'. Edgar Silas blamed Donald Troy for the Jacobs loss. Well, I certainly helped with my vote, I thought to myself.

"All the votes are counted." growled the Sheriff. We focused on Daniel's little cock-a-doodle-doo of victory. Melina was standing next to her husband, looking beautiful, and for a brief moment I remembered why I'd married her all those years ago. She was looking at Daniel adoringly, a look she'd given me all too infrequently during our eight year marriage. Oh well...

And then Edward, the Sheriff, and I all gasped as we all saw it at the same time: coming into view just behind Melina was Police Chief Sean Moynahan! He was not in uniform, but he was rather prominently on display among the group.

"What is he doing there?" the Sheriff spluttered. "Crowbar, did you know about this."

"No sir." I said emphatically, then added: "Is he being diplomatic, like he was when he was at Miriam's speech?"

"I don't know." said the Sheriff.

"Well, he has every right to be there, I guess." I said.

"I'm okay with it, too." said the Sheriff, then added "As long as he doesn't show up at Bill Redmond's party. Oh! Look who's right next to Melina." I'd already noticed. It was Bob Gold...

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

A few other people trickled in. One was Patricia Chang. She was Asian, Chinese and/or Japanese, I was guessing, and she was very attractive in person. After greeting Edna and her group, she came right up to me.

"Commander Troy? I'm Patricia Chang. I've always wanted to meet you."

I shook her proffered hand, slightly pulling her towards me and smiling at her. "It's nice to meet you, as well, Ms. Chang."

"Oh, please, call me Patricia." she said, not letting go of my hand. "I hope I can call you Don, and that we'll get to know each other much better." Then she lowered her voice and leaned towards me as she said "And get your iron hard cock inside me."

Surprised but not taken aback, I laughed uncertainly, then said "That sounds like something I would be very interested in, as well."

After exchanging digits (phone numbers, people, phone numbers!), I went back to the Sheriff and Edward. Griswold's mustaches were twitching merrily. He said "Where were women like that when I was young like you?"

"You married her, Sheriff." I said.

"Yeah, that's true." the Sheriff said. "By the way, call Cindy. It's getting hostile at Election Headquarters."

"Over Daniel winning?" I asked incredulously.

"No, it's Redmond's people." growled Griswold. "A lot more of them showed up, and they're beginning to make a scene. KXTC's cameras suddenly showed up to film them, too."

I called Cindy. "Helloooooo, Green Crowbar! Whassup?"

Cindy said. "I have every available Deputy here, and Teresa showed up with a contingent of TCPD Officers, in full combat gear, er, I mean riot gear. Bill Redmond's supporters are gathering outside, acting like they're going to storm the place."

Cindy: "His poll watchers are on their cellphones, either talking or filming. They're not supposed to film, but they refuse to stop, saying it's their First Amendment right, and they'll sue if we stop them. Word has it that their lawyers are already filing paperwork to sue just because I brought in reinforcements."

"No way am I coming down there, especially if KXTC cameras are there." I said. "Any idea how the count is going?"

Cindy said "It may come down to the absentee ballots. It is literally 50/50. But the remaining votes are from the most densely populated parts of Town, and Edna has climbed out of the hole to draw even."

"Okay, let me know if anything ugly starts up." I said.

"Teresa will, while I call the Sheriff." Cindy said. As we disconnected the call, I looked up to see my nephew Todd come into the now-crowded green room.

"Hi Uncle Don." he said. "Teresa was going to come with me, but Cindy called her, so she suited up and went to the Elections Department."

"So why are you here?" I asked.

Todd said "I've been having talks with the Black Business Council about how to improve education, as well as job prospects, for people in all walks of life. So we're ready to work with Edna, while that racist Bill Redmond wouldn't give us the time of day..."

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

"And there is one important race left." said Bettina Wurtzburg at 12:20am, Wednesday, November 9th. "And this race is possibly the bellwether for much more than the School Board Chair position. It is going to show if the Town is being disenfranchised relative to the County, or if the County is helpless and will want to separate from the Town's rule..."

"And there it is." I said as we watched in the green room. "Either way, KXTC is going to gin up political tension."

"True." growled the Sheriff. "Edward, do your numbers agree with mine?"

Edward said "I have 100% precincts reporting, and Edna winning 50.6% to Redmonds 49.4%. If Redmond wants a recount, he'll have to pay for it."

"And he will." I said. "He's got big money behind him. Bob Gold, Myrtle L. James, and... and..." I stopped. I was off to reverie land.

"What is it, Crowbar?" the Sheriff said.

"Uh... nothing." I said. "Oh look, KFXU is going to call it."

A loud cheer filled the main room and the green room as Lisa Fillmore called the race for Edna Carter. Priya Ajmani of KFXU appeared like magic to coordinate Edna's victory speech.

We all went out on stage. Stevie Carter, again looking faintly strange to me in a civilian suit and tie, went to the podium. "It's a great night!" he shouted into the mic. "In order to introduce the winner, I'm going to bring up the man that inspired Edna to run."

Stevie: "He has worked hard to give us the means to give our kids a quality education. And I have to say good things about him because he's my boss!" There was laughter and modest cheering, then Stevie said "Ladies and gentlemen, the Charter Commission Chairman, Donald Troy!"

I was surprised at the strong level of applause for me; after all, I'm a Police Officer, and a White one at that. Then I remembered that a lot of people in the audience were members of or associated with the Black Business Council. I man-hugged Stevie and said "You've got a career in politics if you want it." He laughed. I did later hear the the Sheriff told Stevie that he (Stevie) had practiced good asskissing skills.

"Thank you!" I said, then began: "I asked Edna Carter to be on the Charter Commission with me because of her love for education. She and I both wanted the same thing: for every child in this County, red, yellow, black and white, to have a quality basic education!" Applause.

"And now Edna has the chance to make an even bigger impact on our lives and our children's education, as the next Chair of the Town & County School Board! So without further ado... the next School Board Chairwoman, Edna Carter!"

The applause was thunderous and long as Edna came up. I gave her the traditional politician cheek-kiss and was about to withdraw, but she wouldn't let me.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she said into the mic, "I want you to thank Commander Troy for everything he has done for us! He is a great man, and a good man!" The crowd roared. I waved, then backed off as Edna made her speech...

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

"This is an outrage!" Bill Redmond shouted into the KXTC microphone held by a Amber Harris, who was barely concealing a wicked grin. "We are going to demand a full recount, and our lawyers will be suing over every anomaly! This cannot be allowed to stand!"

The counters properly prepared the votes for the recount, which would begin quickly. Deputies would be assigned to the ballots and the Election Office at all times. No ballots 'found' in someone's car trunk would be permitted. Late mail-in ballots would not be accepted. This was not the Los Angeles primary (IYKYK).

"It got close." Cindy said when we met at Police Headquarters at 2:45am. "The Redmond poll watchers were screaming about every little thing, and getting in Deputies's faces. It is possible that a number of them got a green crowbar pushed into their chests."

Cindy: "The people outside were being staged by KXTC to cause noise and chaos. Teresa finally had the TCPD in riot gear form a wall and physically push them back until they were out of sight of the building. Those who tried to approach again were arrested. After ten arrests, the rest of them figured it out in spite of Amber Harris."

"What about the counting?" I asked. "Any anomalies?"

"No, I don't think so." Cindy replied. After a pause, she said "The only thing that occurred to me is that they seemed to count the areas strongest for Redmond first, earlier tonight. The northern County and the west and east sides. That's why he popped to that early lead."

Cindy: "But everything else went Edna's way. The southern County. Downtown. And the poorer areas of Town, which traditionally come in last. That's when the Redmond people began screaming, and making false accusations that ballots were being counted multiple times. But we've got it all on video. If there was cheating, it was mighty good cheating."

I said "And if they were cheating for Edna, why not cheat for Savannah Fineman or Stacy Jacobs? Who, I might add, got their asses handed to them. Okay, let's go home. Where are your kids?"

"At The Cabin, with your kids." Cindy said. "Molly and our mother are watching them, and I understand slumber party rules are in effect. So watch for sleeping bags on the floors..."

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

"We will never concede!" yelled Bill Redmond into the microphone at his rally at 3:00am. A surprisingly large number of people cheered loudly. "We believe that a proper recount will give us victory!" More cheering.

I noticed as the KXTC cameras showed the audience as well as the whole stage. I saw Daniel and Melina Allgood on the stage, not centered, not near Redmond, but on the side. Next to them was Bob Gold. On the other side of the stage, in a wheelchair and barely awake, was old Mrs. Myrtle L. James, head of the Town & County Ladies Auxiliary.

Redmond continued: "But this race underscores an undeniable truth, that the County School System should have its own tax base, and that our money should go to our schools instead of the Booker T. Washington system." Loud cheering.

Redmond: "And it may be time that the residents of the County separate themselves from the socialist parasites of the Town! It is long past time that our money stop funding the Town's Free Clinics! I call upon the County's citizens to Rise Up! and demand a vote to separate the Town and County completely!"

I saw that Myrtle L. Jame had stood up to applaud that, and while Daniel Allgood stood stoically, Melina was clapping vigorously, along with the raucous crowd. And I knew something else, from an education perspective:

We had a fight on our hands.

Part 5 - The Way Forward

"This is Bettina Wurtzburg, KXTC Channel Two News!" semi-shouted the redheaded MILF reporterette at 7:00am, Thursday, November 10th, from the Anchor Desk of the KXTC studios. "Election discrepancies go unresolved by the Elections Board and the Courts!"

After the hard-charging intro music, Bettina began: "Several challenges to the now-certified Election results were dismissed by Superior Court judges Rodney K. Watts and Franklin Washington, brother of Police Officer Theo Washington."

Bettina: "Bill Redmond, Republican candidate for School Board Chairman, filed multiple lawsuits over the original count and the recount, citing many irregularities, as well as harassment of his Poll watchers by Commander Donald Troy's Town & County Police. All were dismissed as being without merit, with the judges citing a lack of evidence."

Bettina: "Another lawsuit was brought by the State Democrat Party and its Town & County affiliate over the Council Post 3 race. The Democrats accused Republican Katina Jones of misrepresenting herself by not clearly stating that she was the Republican nominee. Roll tape."

Tape rolled, showing Amber Harris and Martha Faulkner interviewing Citizens. One elderly black woman said "I didn't know that Jones was the Republican candidate. I thought she was the Democrat candidate because she was Black." Another Black woman and a Hispanic male said essentially the same thing.

Back to Bettina live: "The lawsuit was dismissed, with Judge Washington stating that the plaintiffs did not have standing. The campaign of Democrat Patricia Chang refused to join the lawsuit, and neither she nor her campaign gave any explanation for the decision."

Bettina: "The Elections Board certified the results yesterday after a full recount, which the Bill Redmond campaign had to pay for. The recount found three more votes for each candidate in the School Board Chair race..."

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

"Well! Thanks for taking the arrows for me after I took care of your lightwork at Election Headquarters." Teresa Croyle said with mock acidity as my Angels and I watched while drinking coffee in the privacy and comfort of my office.

The day before, the Sheriff had morning coffee with the EMS Leadership across the street at EMS HQ. At 9:30am, he returned, barged into the Chief's office and slammed the door -hard- behind him. After 20 minutes, the Sheriff strode out of the office, his face red with fury and his mustaches twitching most strongly in anger. The Chief came to the door, his face beet red as he told his lovely assistant Cassie to hold all his calls and allow no visitors.

Later that day, Cassie told me and Tanya that the Chief's Conference Room would be unavailable for morning coffee klatches unless specifically and explicitly called for by the Chief. This morning, the Sheriff went to have morning coffee with his Fire Department Leadership, and the Chief had not come in by the time the Bettina Bitchfest had begun.

"Least I could do for the Iron Wolf." I replied to Teresa. "Of course, she had to find a way to drag my name into the mess, especially since I did her no favors in giving her something real to report. Now my question to the Green Crowbar is: what the heck is going on between the Chief and the Sheriff?"

Cindy said "The Sheriff took me out to lunch yesterday, at the Cattleman's Club. He said he was thanking me for my hard work running his Sheriff's Department while he ran for re-election. I didn't even ask, but he then said 'I suppose you want to know what happened with Chief Moynahan yesterday.'. I said I was waiting for the Iron Crowbar to figure it out and tell me, and at least he chuckled a little but."

Cindy: "He told me that it was about the Chief at Daniel Allgood's party, that the Sheriff had thought he was clear about avoiding that one. The Chief said he thought he'd been clear that he was going to the Mayor's party as well as Miriam's in order to keep relations with the Police good in the Iron Crowbar's absence."

Cindy: "Then, to hear the Sheriff tell it, the Chief got (air quotes) 'haughty' about it, almost to the point of insubordination... well, actually beyond that point. The Chief said he wasn't in uniform, so he had every right to go to the winning Mayoral candidate's party. That led to a philosophical exchange of ideas about the composition of the Town and County, and the Chief let slip that he would not mind if they separated."

Cindy: "That led to the Sheriff asking about the Chief's loyalty to the job, which the Chief took as an inference of disloyalty, and rather stridently responded that he'd been nothing but loyal to the job, the TCPD, and the Town & County Public Safety Department. But he seemingly said it in a way that sounded to the Sheriff like withholding loyalty ton him, the Sheriff. And that's when the Sheriff stormed out. And now you know as much as I do... if not more, knowing you."

"No, I don't know any more." I said, then stopped.

My Angels were not fooled. "Spill it, Red Crowbar."

I shook my head, and Cindy said "I'm getting a Vibe, that you think the argument involved you."

"Oh, I get it." Tanya said. "The Sheriff must not have talked to you about the altercation, which is unheard of unless the conversation was about you. And the Chief must've not said anything to you either, reinforcing the deduction."

"Spot on, Lady Ironside." I said. "Keep that up, and someone might make you Deputy Chief."

"Don'y you threaten me with a good time!" Tanya fired back. We all burst out laughing.

Then I got serious. "I do partly agree with you that my name came up as part of those minutes of philosophical discussion. But I fear that the real crux of the matter is much bigger and much deeper than li'l ol' me."

I said seriously, almost gravely: "The School Board race showed that there are deep divisions in our Town & County. And not so much on political lines. Bill Redmond had the support of both Republicans and Democrats, Mayor Allgood and Councilwoman Kelly Carnes, influencers from Myrtle L. James to Savannah Fineman, and even the powerful Teacher's Union, the State Education Association."

Me: "Edna Carter had the support of the Black Business Council, rank-and-file Citizens of all stripes and walks of life, and me and the Sheriff. The County Elites were not able to win, just as Citizens nationwide get tired of the abuses of the Establishment Parties and vote for a relative outsider."

Me: "But the County Elites are not taking it lying down. If they can't win under the present structure, they're going to work to destroy that structure, in this case by trying to split the County from the Town. And that's what the Sheriff perceived the Chief's appearance to be: supporting them."

"Are we talking separating the tax bases of the school systems?" Teresa asked.

I shook my head. "No. I originally thought that, but there's the other side, and race is a part of it. The Town (air quote) 'Elites', i. e. the Black leaders, want to force the Council to have equal proportions, either more Town Council Members or Membership regardless of the Town and County demarcation."

"So we're getting it from both sides." Tanya said. "But do you think they'll split the Police Department up again?"

"Yes." I said. "The Town Powers That Be will want it. And if the State follows through on past threats to consolidate us with Nextdoor County and Coltrane County, it'll happen for sure."

"The Party never stops, in our good ol' Town & County." Tanya said. We all chuckled, then grew quiet as we contemplated the battles to come and our uncertain futures...

To be continued.