Jan. 23, 2009 - Chapter 2
Chapter 2
21st Century
A Few Months Earlier…
Kevin stepped into the big building just before noon. He fingered his cap nervously between his fingers as he waited for the secretary to come and usher him through to the big guy’s office. He wasn’t sure if this was worse than training or duty. Or even both. All he knew was that it wasn’t normal and that anything could happen. The tall slim secretary, Barbra if Kevin wasn’t mistaken, with the long gold hair, dark eyes and cute smile, came towards him, brown envelope in her hand.
“The chief will see you now,” she said as she stood in front of Kevin.
He bade her thanks and walked down to the office. It wasn’t much farther from where he was sitting, not by much anyways. Just one or two doors down. It was enough for him to rack his brain over the thousands of possibilities for his being called here now. He looked through the glass to see the chief sitting behind that oak desk of his, feet propped on it with him leaning back, same old phone plastered to his ear. Kevin took a deep breath and entered.
“I know he said that Vinetti was a big timer, played hardball like there was no tomorrow. So? What’s that got to do with it? I want you to nail that scum ball to the wall with a toothpick if you have to, understand? Oh, got to go O’Neil. Meeting I told you about. Just get the job done and get it done right!” The chief slammed the phone back down and moved his feet down under the desk.
The chief ushered Kevin to sit down, and he strode forward to the leather chair that sat directly opposite the Police Chief. The look on his face said everything. It was a stern, yet giving look, one he only gave in two occasions. One, if you were getting a promotion and a higher salary or two, if you were getting a change in location. Kevin studied his expression while he waited for the chief to begin speaking. Oh so many times had he seen the chief’s silver streaked brown hair, his green eyes and that familiar drab green suit he always wore.
“I suppose,” the chief began, “you are wondering why I called you here.” Kevin nodded his head, and the chief continued. “I have called you here to discuss your record with us.”
Kevin was taken somewhat aback. “M…my record sir?” Kevin stuttered. The chief only kept his usual scowl about him and repeated himself, “Yes, your record. Now you must be thinking that we are displeased with you. On the contrary, we find you one of the best in the field. However, we think that you need a change in location. You haven’t been performing at your peak, and we think that a change will be just what you need. However Kevin, we are going to transfer you. We are taking you off the role as a Detective. From now on, wherever you go you will serve as a sheriff, or a deputy.”
Kevin sank back in the leather seat in shock. Transfer? How could they transfer him? He was the best detective in the business and they were just going to transfer him? Just like that? For quite some time neither Kevin or the chief spoke. Every time Kevin thought of something to say it came out all wrong in his mind. After several minutes Kevin finally sat forward. He placed his hands on the desk in front of himself and gave a long sigh.
“What are my options? I mean for serving.” Kevin asked in a heavy voice.
The Chief smiled and said, “There are two posts open, one in Carson City, if you go there you’ll be a deputy. The other is in the small town of Currie. It’s a real small town Kevin; nice and quiet. You’d be sheriff if you went there. They’ve been out of one for two months now.”
Kevin sat back again and digested this new bit of information. Either way he was going. He couldn’t fight it. But he couldn’t blame them for wanting him put into a different field. After almost seven years as a detective he was beginning to become and old timer. And that wasn’t a bad thing except for the fact that he was only twenty six.
One question now buzzed in Kevin’s mind.
“What happened to the other Sherriff?” he asked.
The Chief leaned back and looked grim at Kevin and said, “He went mad. No one knows why. Before you reject the offer on those grounds alone Kevin I want to say something to you. I chose you to be redirected because I felt a change of pace would be good for you. I also picked the little town of Currie for you because you have a strong mind, you’re in good physical shape and you’d be perfect for the position. Plus you’ve acquired a taste for gambling. You don’t have much money left Kevin, you can’t keep it up. The pay’s good in Currie, and thankfully no gambling. What do you say?”
Kevin thought about it again. It was true; he got into gambling his second year as a detective, when he was twenty one. It helped him relax, especially knowing how intimidating he could be in a poker game. The competition withered before him, but not always. Lately he had run into a string of bad luck that he had hoped to change time and again. He looked at the trash can to his left and gave a sigh.
“I suppose I don’t have a choice, do I?” Kevin asked.
“No, no you don’t. I can’t have one of the finest detectives in the business just gamble away his integrity, and mortgage payments.”
Kevin looked at the Chief in morbid shock.
“Yes,” he said, “I know you put a mortgage on your house to get money to gamble. Playing in Vegas doesn’t always mean Lady Luck is by your side. You really should know this. Now, which job do you want?”
Kevin drummed his fingers on the chair a moment, hand under his chin as he thought. He’d been through Currie once or twice on cases. It was as quiet as the graveyard shift at some of those businesses back east that used to make him nervous. But he did enjoy the mountains, the only thing that might have been keeping him sane, that and gambling. He leaned forward as he spoke.
“Sir,” he began, “I don’t like the fact that I have no choice in the matter. I’ve always had control of where I go and what I do. But since this is the profession I’ve chosen, and I don’t intend to quit, I’ll take the Sherriff’s job in Currie.”
“Good choice son. Make me proud!” the Chief said as he reached forward and offered Kevin his hand.
Kevin shook it and thanked the Chief. He excused Kevin and so, Kevin left Headquarters destined for his small home on the opposite end of town. The unmarked patrol car lay outside where he parked it and he took out the keys. He unlocked the driver’s side door and got in. The heat was worse, as the patrol car was all black, and the sun was making it much more than the outside air temperature.
“I will crank up the A/C when I get back home and not leave that recline for a day or two!” Kevin said to himself as he backed out of the parking lot.
The July heat was unbearable in Las Vegas. Sometimes Kevin even wondered why he accepted the job in Vegas instead of the Job up in Billings. The weather report that had flashed just as Kevin turned on the car said it was a cool 73. Now he was REALLY regretting this decision. But of course he knew that the winters down in Las Vegas were much milder than up in Billings. But at the moment he didn’t care.
“I can’t believe I didn’t think of this!” Kevin muttered to himself as he cruised along the strip, “Heat, transfer, forceful rehab. I thought it was supposed to be better in Vegas!”
Kevin reached his little house and parked on the side right in front instead of in his driveway. He’d always wondered why he did this, but as always he figured out that if he got the call he’d just rush out, jump in the car and speed to the scene. As Kevin walked up to the door, he saw a note taped to the doorknob. Slowly he picked it up and then smiled as he read the words. His Girlfriend Beth had stopped by and dropped off some groceries while he was away. If it wasn’t for the bad news and the heat, it would be the perfect day.
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