Midnight Ep. 038: Shield

(This series is a collaboration with my good friend Sanchez. His ideas, I ran with it. We will see how it evolves. He has a sound concept, and characters, I'm primarily piecing it all together and seeing how it plays out. We hope you enjoy our efforts.)

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Sheriff Dolan Roster finally had a lead on his daughter's whereabouts, Ali having gone missing overnight. As crazy as Alexis Roster was, she was always home for dinner, of course, she was grounded fifty percent of her existence. Prone to exhibitionist tendencies often got her into hot water with her law enforcement dad. Her high energy sex drive made his life hell, a single parent his wife Trudy having passed a few years back. Sadly, Ali took after her mother. Which scared the heck out of Dolan. An only child she was his world, all that he had left outside of a memory and pictures of Trudy. A splitting image reminder of her mother often made things tougher, especially when she acted up defying him at every turn. No amount of paddling her ass or grounding was getting anywhere. He was tempted to enroll her in the military. No, she would go AWOL five minutes off the bus. Uniform? HAHAHAHAHA!

"Thanks for getting back with me Newton, I'm truly sorry to bother you. I could have called Nodin Merrick, but I hate to say it, I just don't trust the guy." Dolan spoke into his cell as he headed to Coastal Waiter's Diner to meet his father Albert, the former Sheriff of Caretaker eight years back. Albert having a good relationship with Santee elder Newton Waterfall was in Dolan's favor when dealing with the Rez police department. With no jurisdiction on the REZ it was going to be difficult in cornering Oliver Heavy Feather without any warrant. All Dolan had to go on was Wilhelmina Frye seeing Alexis and Oliver together. It would not surprise him if the biker was getting revenge over Dolan sleeping with his former ole' lady Caprice Comstock. It was just late last night he guessed similarly that she might have been with Ollie but had no proof to go pounding on any door. Ollie's brother Calvin insisted Oliver was not with the girl in the photo Dolan showed him. Now he had another reason to go sniffing.

"Not a problem Sheriff Roster." Newton sat on his deck alone, his wife Rayna busy dressmaking in the back room she had turned into a sewing salon. "It took me a while to dial your number. Being blind has its disadvantages. Braille does not always help." Who was he kidding, the guy had perfect 20/20 in his fingertips. He was just busy feeding his face.

"Understood! Listen, I need you as backup because I'll be heading over to the Rez here in a half hour or so. My daughter Alexis went missing yesterday and it's almost been 24 hours. I have a witness that told me they saw her riding off with Oliver Heavy Feather. I need to speak to Ollie in person and seek the truth. I was on the Rez last night on a hunch because I did see Ollie riding through town about the time Ali was getting lunch for her grandfather. I'm only pointing crossed fingers mind you, but I'm worried sick."

"I will contact Sheriff Burybone and insist he give you his full cooperation."

"Thanks Newton. With no authority over there and all the resentment between our peoples it's tough finding allies. I don't have enough to go asking for a judge granted warrant because she hasn't been gone quite 24 hours yet. If it goes beyond that then I can request one, but I don't want to risk her being harmed. I know I shouldn't be telling you this, but Ollie is pissed at me because I'm dating Caprice Comstock, his ex-hip hugger. He's still in love with her even after she split up with him. Vengeance can't be ruled out."

"A very smart woman to escape while she could. I have always liked CC. Very respectful to her elders. May I trouble you with a question of my own Sheriff?"

"Anything Newt. I owe you for more than just today."

"My granddaughter is spending an awful lot of time with this Mister Sanchez. She does not know that I am aware she left the house last night ... quite naked. She presumes even in my sleep I do not sense things. Perfume strong, no rustling of clothing, no shoes going down the deck. Further ... I overheard her on the phone with him. I like Mister Sanchez, but I merely look out for what is ours."

"I can relate. My kid skips out naked every chance she gets, which worries me just as it does you. All I can really say is Nick's a good guy, at least so far. He's been trying to help me with my daughter when he has a chance. The guy has serious instincts which I suppose I should have asked what he thought, before even calling and bothering you. He's just got a lot on his mind with rebuilding Harbinger Shoals, helping the Amador's and his own business dealings whatever those are. Anyway! Concerning Lillian, we both know she's a grown woman. If she chooses to see anyone, whether it's Nick or someone else, it really is her life."

"Of this, I agree. She could do worse. At least Mister Sanchez can provide. I still wish to know where she got her truck."

"Just ask her. She's not going to lie to grampa. Just take my advice and be supportive of anything she decides. Lillian's a good one Newton."

"Noted! I will call Victor Burybone immediately and inform him you are on your way."

"Much appreciated! Oh, my dad is coming along too."

"Albert is always welcome. Does he still watch porn?"

"You know he does. Ain't that how you went blind?"

"You have been speaking to Rayna, haven't you?"

"See you soon, even if you can't see me old man."

"Good luck Dolan."

"Thanks Waterfall." Call ending Dolan pulled off of the main road into Coastal Waiter's parking lot. "Not real busy today. Money must be tight for everyone. And of course, there's dad hitting on CC." The son sighed at his own elder. "If not for Alexis I'd be laughing. I just hope to golly I can bring her home safely." He looks up at the sky as he gets out of his car, "Back me up Trudy." Dolan Roster missed his wife. "Oh, and don't hold it against me that I'm tapping CC and still thinking of Dr. Ferrec. I'm just ready to move on if it's alright with you?" A gentle breeze caressed his cheek. Good enough sign for him.

Entering the diner Dolan noticed Naomi Walker closer than his dad and CC near the front booths of the diner talking to her man Dalton Culpepper. "There's a stranger if I ain't never seen one." Dolan made the effort to rekindle with a handshake. "Been hiding behind your garbage truck Culpecker?"

"Culpecker! That never gets old Duty." Duty Roster, nicknames for old friends. "I hear your sprout's gone missing. Need help searching? I took the rest of the day off because Naomi here just blew my brain. Might need the fresh air after what she's been telling me."

"That the only thing you're blowing, Naomi? Do I need to cite you both for indecency?"

"Best you be citing Midnight and Bearpaw before you go and do that." Naomi shook her head. "I know you got things on your mind Dolan, but we could really use your opinion."

"Make it quick before my dad gets CC naked. I'll need to cite them too. Old flirt!"

"He's just now learning you two are dating. Cut Al some slack and let him look out for his son."

"Uh huh!" Dolan frowned. "What's on the tip of your tongues?"

"Nick!" Naomi flared her eyes with a complicated expression, gripping Dalton's big hands. "He brings poor Midnight and Dawn in here on a leash butt ass naked, hooks in their patooties and has breakfast. Had those girls eating off the floor like dogs. What the hell Dolan? Only positive is the diner was empty except for Stacks and Davey."

"Stacy stopped here? How did she take it?"

"They were just fine. Even when they rode catsup bottles on the floor. Gawd almighty! If Olan had showed up all shit would have hit the grill. Top that off ... now Nick wants to pay for our wedding and take us to Puerto Rico."

"Really? That was a nice gesture on his part."

"Nude beach Dolan. He wants us to share our vows on a nude beach. I can only wear a veil."

"I'm sold. Make sure I get an invite. Rico sounds nice." Dalton chuckled. Dalton was a tall somewhat toned man with shoulder length light brown hair, clean shaven, and big green eyes. Resembling the actor Patrick Swayze in his heyday, being younger than Naomi by three years he was certainly a handsome catch. "I don't even know how to reply to that Naomi. But I gotta say you'd rock a veil. At least one of the conditions wasn't to consummate your marriage right there in front of everyone." He made her blush dramatically. "You two taking him up on that offer?"

"I'd be fine with that." Dalton dodged Naomi's swat with a menu. The idea of having sex with his bride in front of others was quite the visual feast of imagination. For her age Naomi was certainly fit and fiery. Most days!

"We are not knocking boots in front of our wedding party." Naomi did smirk and utilize that menu to fan her overheated flesh. She was horny as it was without that kind of comment. Changing the subject she hissed with regret, "We haven't decided. He actually invited us to dinner at his beach house on Friday. We need to decide by then or the offers gone."

"Oh, it gets better." Dalton chuckled. "He wants to buy this place from Kerrick and give it to us as a wedding present."

"Thought Olan turned him down already."

"Oh, come on, Dolan. You know Nick throws money around like he's Fort Knox. What the hell does he even do for a living?"

"Investor, I think. Military wise with how he spends his money I'm thinking. I'm kind of afraid to ask. Anyways, you two lovebirds do what's best for you. Sounds like a fresh start to me. Hell Culpecker, you could even get a new garbage truck if you let Naomi sleep with Nick."

"Oh, that's not happening." Dalton gripped her hands tighter to reinforce his loyalty. "Besides I'm looking to get out of sanitation. Now if he wants to front me a new Dodge Ram, I'd be good with that. Might be worth a one-night stand." Menu meets face. Ow!

"I could always use another Deputy. I'm down to bare minimum even with Clinton Biles coming on duty here shortly. Did just hire a new dispatcher, Shantel Bigelow's daughter Brit is sticking around."

"There may be hope for Caretaker yet." Naomi sighed then brightened up, "Bet you'd look sexy in a deputy's uniform Dalton. Deputy Dalton, my hero!"

"Doesn't a guy have to go to school for that?"

"Not if I just pin the badge on you and pair you up with my crew until you know the rules. Laws and all that. You hunt so I know you have a firearms permit."

"True that! You know I'm good with a gun we've gone pheasant hunting together."

"Piss poor shot if I recall. Barnside of a broad!" Dolan winked, "Speaking of broads..." He winks at Naomi then nods at CC shamelessly leaning on Albert's table revealing massive cleavage, "I need to collect Pop there and hit the Rez. My baby's coming home if I have to take down a few bikers."

"Best call Nick to watch your six." Naomi peaked her brows. "Military and all."

"I don't need Rambo. Pop and I can handle this. Long as Burybone doesn't get in my way. Good seeing you again Dalton."

"You too Dolan."

"Why do your names have to be so close together?" Naomi giggled. "Dolan! Dalton! Olan! Dolan! I swear!"

"Luck of the craw!" Dolan winked and stepped off, making his way to CC and Albert.

"There's my boy. You ready to go kick some Santee Biker ass? I'm wearing my steel toed shit kickers."

"Oh that, I have got to see." CC grinned taking a seat long wise on the booth bench, feet toward the aisle. Short skirt, nothing to hide Dolan saw snatch. He had to see that too. "I'm coming with you boys. Ollie might listen to me if he's got Ali."

"Rather you didn't in case it gets ugly." Dolan mulled it over. She did know the Rez better than he did. "Fine! You stay in the car."

"Nice try!" She slides out and stands up close to him gripping his ribs. "I'm going to bat my baby blues and your knees are going to go weak. Just let me handle myself."

"Love to see that." Albert rubbed his chin looking at her ass.

"Will you put your eyes back in your head? Christ, Pop!"

"Hey! Me and CC here are getting along great. She was just telling me about dueling catsup bottles."

"I heard Nick had Midnight and Bearpaw..." He could tell by CC's expression, "... you did it too, didn't you?"

"Least it wasn't in my beHEINZ!" She laughed. "Just UP the CATS."

"Unbelievable! You just can't resist Nick, can you?"

"He tipped me good."

"Whatever! Let's go before we lose the scent."

Not Albert, he was sniffing all the way to the squad car. Getting in, Dolan found CC getting in the front seat and scooting toward the middle. Albert hurrying in crushed her between them. "We do have a backseat."

"I've spent too many years on a backseat with Ollie. I'm not going there. Besides I know those back doors lock, and you'd make me stay in the car. Live with it, Dolan!" Smirking, he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. CC planting her hands on the upper thighs of both Roster Boys made them look down at their laps. "What? Should they be moving two inches either direction?"

"I'd be okay with..."

"POP!"

Nick Sanchez surveyed the work in progress around his property Harbinger Shoals. The more he saw the repairs coming along with updated bathrooms, flooring pulled up and reinsulated, all in pretty much skeletal form at the moment his imagination was going in every direction. He had a vision of darkness in certain areas of the home and light in other rooms. Even the barn had potential. With so many trees being cut down along the creek ravine he made notes on his cell for electric fences to surround the barrier to ever prevent intruders coming in from blind spots. In his evil little mind, he was even tempted to plant landmines or at best bear traps. Making calls as he walked, in preparation of such from security firms, then more subtle dreams of interior decorators out of Charleston to spiff up the home's interior. While many aspects of the home he wanted original, primarily that was the exterior. History needed to be remembered. Setting up meets with both parties for the next week, money spoke to get them there in ready fashion. He was not going to wait any month just to get things done.

Looking at his watch he growled at how late it was getting. Will Gullivant was taking way too long in getting back. He knew why, but regardless the boy needed to be groomed on keeping schedules as much as performing tasks. Not only that but Joey Redmane wanted his car back, there was only so much more he could do on the 63 Jeep Gladiator in the barn. Until he could get better tires on it, the beast was unable to be driven to his shop on the Rez to be painted, adding a few new parts whether they were necessarily needed or not. Nick wanted that Jeep in tip top shape.

"4:12! I know Will left your beach house so where the hell is he?" Joey Redmane approached Nick eying his own pocket watch.

"I gave him a job Joey. He's looking after my pets too."

"You have a dog?"

"Two!"

"Wait a minute! When I first looked at the Gladiator you mentioned a big cage for the truck bed. You said you didn't have animals."

"I do now."

"Ah! Big dogs?"

"Big enough." Nick smirked.

"You're a strange one, Sanchez."

"You will see them soon enough. I will say this, I'll cut Will some slack today but he's going to need to do better after tomorrow. I won't expect him to do any grooming until Thursday with you taking him to Cordoba car hunting."

"What's his budget anyway seeing as you're buying?"

"I'm feeling generous. I told him to live with a used car but take him to a new car lot. Surprise him! I'd suggest something he can haul things in, not some sporty car. Put your foot down on any temptation he has on that. Truck or a sizable SUV."

"So, he and V can start a family? Good thinking."

"I was thinking more of tools, not baby seats. I suppose that becomes a possibility in the future. Keep a secret Joe?"

"Absolutely!"

"Let's get those two married. If all goes as planned, I'm flying Naomi Walker and her groom to Puerto Rico. They're mulling it over right now, but I'll know by Friday. If I do, I might just take those kids along and have a double wedding."

"You're serious?" Joe bulged his eyes. "Why Puerto Rico?"

"My heritage stems from there. I own some land on a smaller island. Let's not jump the gun in telling them in case it blows over. I'm not going to go there if Naomi decides against it. If she and her man disagree then once we get that island in my backyard cleared and shaped up, we can have a private ceremony out there. One thing at a time."

"Can I tell my wife Sabrina?"

"What part of keeping a secret, don't you understand?"

"Yeah, you're probably right, the wife would start screaming and looking for wedding dresses."

"None of that. If I'm paying for everything it's my way or not at all."

"That sounded almost eerie."

"We can discuss that at a later date. There's Will now." He nodded toward the main road. With 90% of the overgrowth taken down the road was more visible. "I'll let you head on home after you grab your burgers. I called the place that put tires on my 4Runner to bring out the new Jeep tires for you seeing as you only have a car. They'll be here tomorrow ready for you to put them on the following day."

"Splendid! I will be here bright and early." A handshake leads to a zipped lip, "I will say nothing to the wife and kids."

"Good man Joseph."

"Joseph! HA! Only my old man calls me that. Old school tribal!" He waved over his shoulder and met with Will for his keys and burgers to eat on the road. Cold but tasty! Once Will escaped Joey, he caught up with Nick out by Clinton Biles watching him show Lukas Porcupine how to use a chainsaw properly. It was good to see Clinton be a teacher, it showed character.

"I'm back Nick."

"Already knew that." Nick didn't even look at the boy. "I won't bitch you out this time because I did just hire you as their groomer. But next time you will bathe them entirely and prepare them for when I come home. Unless I give you other instructions the job is a daily ritual. You start again the day after tomorrow."

"Awesome! Nick, you let me fuck them. My brain is going crazy. If I didn't know V was getting laid at the exact same time, I'd feel like I cheated on her."

"Get over those feelings. Those are for pussies. If you ever expect to prove you're in control, then you deny emotion."

"Yeah, but I love V..."

"You love Midnight."

"Don't do that to me Nick. I do have mixed feelings over her. I understand I can't have her ... honestly, I'm shocked you let me fuck her. Please don't tell me that's a one and done."

"Get your emotions in check before you fuck Midnight again. You will NEVER own her. I will allow passion only as a reward for her, not you. Your true soul should be with V once you groom her to fit the changes you will make in your relationship."

"At least she told me she was playing with some other guy over in Turncoat."

"She was impulsive. There is your mistake. Teach her to ask first not do it during or after the fact. Punish her!"

"What?"

"Punish her!"

"How?"

"That's for you to decide." He moves Will out of the way of a falling tree. Lukas having made his first full cut forgot to yell Timber. Clinton had to take the saw away before Lukas could hurt himself in his cheering.

"So what? Make V eat her veggies?" Will chuckled then noticed Nick frown at not taking him seriously. It was then Will passed off the burger bag. "Sorry! So be strict and put her in her place. I'll figure it out."

"On you Will. Only you can be the man. You need to make up for lost time. No more letting me jizz in your face like I did on the beach to prove you needed to man up. She goaded you up close, that was your weakness showing." Nick glared with superiority. "Is that understood?" He pointed out the first day of their meeting on his private beach, Veronica's freaky side coaxing Will right up close to Nick as he beat off privately, his right. Nick had unloaded on Will just to show him his mistake in letting her lead him instead of the other way around.