Wednesday, June 4th, 2014
My brain was already in overdrive when I walked into the office on Wednesday morning. I knew I had to get a handle on everything that was going on and I had to do it soon. I didn’t expect to be hit immediately by an exuberant Holly bent on setting up an election campaign for me to run for Sheriff as soon as my shadow darkened the door.
I checked my watch. It was all of 7:30 AM. I’d tried to get an early start so I could get my bearings first and then spend a few minutes with her when she came in before I went on about the business of rounding up a couple of suspected murderers but, no such luck.
Not only was Holly already at her desk when I got to the station, a slim, dark haired gentleman of about 40 or 45 in a good suit was seated in front of it chatting with her. Spread out all over the desk where forms and campaign sign samplers and heaven knows what all else. The guy had parked a wheeled tote that must have spewed forth the volume of stuff I was seeing.
“What’s going on?”
“Sheriff, I’d like you to meet Tyler St. John. He’s agreed to be your campaign manager.”
St. John stood and stuck out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Sheriff. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.”
Hmmm, smooth talking like he’s a politician himself...
“Mel...er...Sheriff, I hope you don’t mind the lack of notice but, well...”
St. John interrupted, “What Holly is trying to say is that she knows you’re quite busy but we’re facing a really tight deadline. If you intend to run, we need to get going right now.”
I nodded. “I understand and I do...intend to run, I mean but I’m tied up in two major cases right now and, well, I just don’t know what has to be done let alone do I have the time to do it.”
I looked at Holly. “I’m really sorry for not getting with you yesterday about this stuff but I thought we might discuss a few things before we, um, hired anyone...Pardon me, Mr. St. John.”
St. John again took control, “No offense Ms. Crane and, please, don’t blame Holly. No contract has been signed. I’m actually based out of Columbus. This isn’t normally a busy season for me but I’m working a special election in that area right now too. I had an opening this morning to come over here and talk with the two of you and so here I am.”
“I see.” I blew out a heavy breath. “Can you two give me about five minutes to catch my breath and get my bearings? After that, I can probably give you a half hour or so but...”
“Of course!” they both said, practically in unison.
An hour after I’d walked into the office, I had a signed contract with a campaign manager that I’d found to be a salesman on the surface but a likeable guy overall. Tyler St. John had run more than a few campaigns in his time and he really seemed to know his stuff. He left with a signed application for office from me, a check for my $80.00 application filing fee and a petition form with the first two of only 50 registered county voter signatures I needed to get on the ballot – my own and Holly’s. A call to my sister netted me a volunteer to take it around and collect at least another 47 registered voter names after she signed it herself. Tyler would drop it off to her personally. I’d told him, if Kris couldn’t find that many registered voters willing to back me in my hometown of Morelville alone then I had no business running.
Both Holly and Tyler thought it would be best for me to draft a short letter to the deputies and other staff in the department explaining that there would be a special election in August and about my own intent to run so no one was blindsided by the news of an election or by my pending candidacy. Tyler helped me to word a quick note that imparted this information without implying that their endorsement of me was required or even requested. Humble and matter of fact were best he’d said. It was the last time I’d be humble for a while.
Once St. John was packed up and on his way to Morelville, it was time for me to get down to business. I wanted at least one suspected murderer in the net today. I started to grab my hat and my gear bag but then I remembered that I needed to try and figure out where Billy Bob was being held. I sat down at my desk and buzzed Holly. I Should’ve asked her before I walked out of her office and back to mine...
“Yes Sheriff?”
“Holly, I’m sorry; I just remembered something. I need to find out what prison Ryan McClarnan’s dad is being held in. Can you help me with that?”
“What’s his full name Mel?”
“I don’t really know for sure. Everyone refers to him as “Billy Bob” and that might be correct but it could actually be “William Robert McClarnan” too.”
“You never know in this area...I’ll figure it out.”
“You always do.” I chuckled. “And hey, thanks for your help this morning and your patience.”
“Well you’re welcome but, really, I’m the one who should be saying I’m sorry for blindsiding you with that all of that when you came in.”
“There’s no need to be sorry. I just hope I can get these cases solved and not mess up my chance to get elected and I also hope actually campaigning for Sheriff doesn’t interfere with solving cases.”
“Roger that!”
“I’m off to roust my detectives and try to round up some criminals. Call me if you find out anything.”
###
“What’s going on Shane?” I asked him as I approached his desk.
“Good morning Sheriff. Actually, I’m about ready to head out. Patrol reported that the restaurant was open as usual this morning and the vehicle I saw yesterday that’s registered to Rojas was outside when they went by just after 6:00 AM and again about an hour ago. He’s at work where we hoped he’d be this morning. I’m going to go and bring him in.”
“Do you want a ride along?”
“Be my guest, Sheriff. I was going to have patrol assist...”
“You won’t have to. We can take my SUV if we’re just going to go in and grab him.”
He nodded.
I looked around. “Any idea where Rice is?”
“I haven’t seen her yet boss.”
“Hmm, okay. Well if you’re ready, let’s go.”
As he started to get up, his desk phone rang. He smiled and shrugged at me and then grabbed the receiver. After listening for several seconds he turned to me, “Sheriff it’s the desk Sergeant. He’s saying that a man just walked in who wants to file a missing persons report on my collar Estaban Perez.”
“Is that so? Who’s the man?”
Shane spoke into the receiver, “Did you get his name?”
He turned back to me, “Manuel Rojas.” He spoke into the receiver again, “Tell Mr. Rojas that I’ll be right up to take his report. Please have him escorted to an interview room.”
“Well of all the dumb luck!” I stood there shaking my head.
“Yeah,” Shane said. “What are the odds of lightning striking twice in two days like that?” He scratched his head. “So how do you want to play this? It’s too late to bring Perez up from holding for our planned little dog and pony show and the word is he’ll be arraigned today.”
“We need to act fast then. I’ll find out when they’re planning on moving him over to the court house for the arraignment and, if it’s early, I’ll see if I can get his time pushed back a little. You go ahead and sit down with Rojas and start to get his story. That ought to be real interesting. I’ll come up as soon as I can and we’ll start working him.”
I got Holly on the phone. “I hate to be a pest but I need you to drop what you’re doing for a minute and find out if a man we’re holding, Estaban Perez, will be arraigned today and, if so, what time they’re moving him over to the court house.”
“Can you hold for a minute Sheriff?”
“Yes.”
I stood at Harding’s desk tapping my foot impatiently while I waited on hold. Kelly Rice was still not at her desk. I glanced over there. Against department policy, she left a lot of files and other paperwork laying around in the open. I wasn’t very happy about that. There’s another thing I’m going to have to speak with her about...
A slim file folder that was tucked under the edge of her keyboard caught my eye. It didn’t seem to be labeled. I reached across Shane’s desk to hers and tugged it free. When I opened it, I was shocked to find news clippings from my recent counterfeiting case and from Dana’s smuggling case, official reports from the counterfeiting case and reports and notes from some other recent cases that I specifically had been involved in. Why would she be collecting this stuff? It doesn’t make any sense...
“Sheriff?” Holly was back on the line.
“Yes?” As I answered, I tucked the file folder back where I’d found it.
“Perez will be arraigned today. He’s scheduled to be moved into the courthouse after the noon recess.”
“Thanks Holly!” Shane and I had until noon or so to get enough on him and Rojas to charge them with the murder of Ben Tracy and, possibly, the attempted murder of Liberty Tracy before he might be set free on bail on the lesser charges and disappear completely.