EPILOGUE

 

It took them two years to make sense of it all.

By that time an exhausted and shattered Paul Stoeffel had resigned as Police Chief. But neither the townsfolk nor the nation would let it rest there. Their appetite for news of the affair became insatiable and Stoeffel was forced to vanish from the public eye until other news would inevitably take its place. He and Jenny took a long break and with the help of the State Senate, managed to travel incognito on a long vacation in Europe. During that time Stoeffel regained his equilibrium as he took time to build his relationship with Jenny. Their affair developed and grew into a love match and they eventually returned to West Virginia as a married couple.

There, Stoeffel was elected town mayor and offered a position as tactical adviser for the West Virginia State Police in recognition of his efforts during the siege. This last he respectfully declined. Jenny returned to running her store. The couple divides their time now between duties in Lodrun and visits to Jenny’s two married girls where Stoeffel has been surprised to discover a new ability as both a family man and grandfather.

Ruth Links did not see the first year out. The strain and sadness took its toll and she passed away within twelve months. Reason remained at his workbench throughout, despite the sad loss of his beloved Ruthy and their daughter Epsie. And now, even though he received Congressional commendations for defending Stoeffel and bringing down Bubba Rose, Reason remains the same small business owner he always was, and still manages to complete humble carpentry work for the people of Lodrun. He makes his deliveries in a brand-new, bright red Chevy Silverado purchased for him by the grateful citizens of the town.

His son Brian left Lodrun to return to college and make a new start with Joline. But the match did not last. Despite extensive counseling and facial surgery, Joline never recovered from the vicious attack she had suffered. Each time she looked in the mirror at her once beautiful face she broke down into bouts of hysteria. Depressed, she eventually parted from Brian and descended into a life of addiction. No subsequent efforts on the young man’s part could bring her around and they finally lost touch. She was last heard of in a woman’s shelter in Austin, Texas.

Jimmy Luke Lethers lost his right arm as a result of his wound but he found a new one in Iris. They moved away and settled in San Francisco where, together with their baby son, they run an arts and crafts gallery.

Deputy Jason Legrand retired from the Lodrun Police Force on disability grounds after partially losing the sight in one eye. He too has left Lodrun, and with his partner Mary Little Doe lives and works in Montana as a security adviser.

Leban Griss serves as town councilor alongside Paul Stoeffel, where he receives a stipend and no longer needs to hunt for rabbit in the woods outside town.

A well-kept grave in the Lodrun cemetery marks the last resting place of little Epsie Links. Alongside are headstones for the others who lost their lives in the aftermath of her murder. Deputies Ayleen Czowski, George Carter and Leroy Banks. Having no other traceable family, a little to one side of these, their fellow combatant, Alex Summersby lies in a well-tended plot donated by the townspeople of Lodrun.

The State Governor ordered a memorial plaque created in respect of the ultimate sacrifice made by these public servants and this has been placed in the State Capitol Building. Its aim is to remind all who work within those hallowed walls that duty and service may extend far further than mere words.