Ethical Dilemmas Ch 01

This story is part of an ongoing series.

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, 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.

Part 1 - Prologue

"This is Bettina Wurtzburg, KXTC Fox Two News!" shouted the redheaded MILF reporterette at 7:00am, Monday, August 27th, from in front of City Hall. "It is once again chaos under the gold dome of the State Capitol, as political wrangling over the vacant Lieutenant Governor seat becomes heated!"

Bettina began: "Democrats are demanding an open, non-partisan election, also known as 'jungle-style', with the top two vote-getters, regardless of Party, facing off in a runoff three weeks later. Republicans are opposed to a non-partisan election, wanting the State political Parties to name their candidates that would appear on the November ballot."

Bettina continued: "However, several 'Grassroots' Conservatives, including our district's State Representative Billy Williams, opposes the Republican Establishment plan of the Party naming the candidate. They want a primary election conducted on or before October 9th, and say they'll support the Democrats's plan if the Establishment attempts to exclude the Conservatives from having a candidate on the ballot."

Bettina went on: "Governor Val Jared's Office issued a statement stating that any election that would deliberately incorporate a runoff beyond current law, where no candidate gets more than 50%-plus-one vote, would be expensive and is unacceptable to him. The Governor could call a Special Session of the Legislature to determine the State's course of action, or simply empower the State Secretary of State Brian Cagle to decide how the special election will be run."

"In other news," said Bettina, "lawyers for U.S. Senator Samuel Russell are going to Court to demand that restrictions upon the movements of the Senator and his wife be removed completely and all charges dropped, or that he be formally indicted for a crime. Political

experts

believe this is an attempt by Senator Russell to force the City District Attorney to move the process along or drop the charges. By fiat of the U.S. Constitution, Senator Russell must be allowed to return to Washington, D.C. when the U.S. Senate reconvenes in early September."

"And the FBI says they still have no leads in the case of the assassination of the Lieutenant Governor." Bettina said, her smile connoting her enjoyment in taking this shot at the FBI. "They also have declined to comment on the ongoing document leaks by the shadowy cyber-terrorist group known as the Guardians of Justice."

Bettina: "The GOJ released more documents over the weekend, revealing emails between the CIA Director and officials of the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, giving instructions to increase surveillance upon foreign

and domestic

companies doing business with the State of Israel. The CIA Director's emails are shockingly blunt in their declarations that the Jewish State cannot be trusted, and are interfering with American companies that want to do business with predominately Muslim nations."

"One of those domestic companies targeted by the documents in the GOJ's release is our County's BOW Enterprises." said Bettina. "Asked for comment, CEO Todd Burke issued a release through his press office that BOW Enterprises has always worked in a spirit of harmony and patriotism with the U.S. Government, and any surveillance without legal authority, such as warrants, would be very disturbing."

"And locally," said Bettina, "today is the first day of public school in the Town & County! Children of all ages are eager to get back to being educated by our Government's schools..."

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

"Wow." said Joanne Warner. "Captain Croyle, how is BOW Enterprises taking that GOJ news behind the scenes?"

"I don't know." replied Teresa Croyle, whose husband Todd Burke was the BOW Enterprises CEO. "I keep my nose out of BOW Enterprises's business."

"I guess they can't say

too

much." said Jerome Davis. "They have contracts with the Government, which means the Government has them by the short hairs."

"It's a two-way street." Teresa said. "But my issue is the blatant abuse of the Constitution in the illegal surveillance... because they

don't

have warrants... and the reason for the surveillance: doing business with our ally Israel."

"They may be our ally, ma'am." said Joanne Warner, a devout Christian, "but we do have to watch them. Remember Jonathan Pollard."

"Well, before you or anyone else tries to call my husband a traitor for doing business with a friendly nation that is our ally," Teresa said, her face getting red, "you better have your fucking ducks in a row."

"That's not what they're saying." said Joanne. "They're just preventing U.S. secrets from---

"Detective Warner!" I said loudly, instantly getting the silence I desired before Teresa got

really

pissed off. "May I suggest you observe and deduce that your superior Officer did not take kindly to your comments... and the BOW Enterprises CEO's uncle has no desire to loan out his crowbar for an impromptu Police boxing match!"

"Uh, yes sir." said Joanne, who turned to her computer monitor. Teresa refilled her coffee cup, and then left the room via the back hallway door by the coffee machine without looking back at any of us.

"Commander Troy," said Theo Washington, changing the subject and trying to alleviate the tension in the room, "what was the most important thing that Bettina mentioned in her wide-ranging newscast this morning?"

I had a half-smile at the Rudistan-'ish' attempt by Theo to cause 'trouble', and said "It was what Bettina did

not

say that was the most important... the arrest of KXTC reporter Amber Harris the other night."

"What happened with that, sir?" asked Teddy Parker.

"She was arraigned over the weekend." I said. "Judge Nance opened his Court just for that hearing. Despite a count of Assault and another of Assault upon a Police Officer, Nance released her on her own recognizance. No bail, no ankle monitoring, though he did order her to remain within the County."

"Is KXTC pissed, sir?" asked Theo.

"Are you kidding?" I asked. "They are furious."

"Why no mention of the arrest, sir?" asked Julia Rodriguez.

"Probably because the charges are real, and they are serious." I said. "And probably because KXTC has not formulated their line of attack on me for daring to put their poor reporter in jail..."

Part 2 - Schools

"There's something else I want to ask about, sir," said Joanne Warner, "but first, I wanted to apologize for this morning." She, Tanya Perlman, Cindy Ross and I were sitting in my office, drinking coffee.

"As a teachable moment," I said, "you must keep abreast of the tactical situation at all times. Not only is Captain Croyle Todd Burke's wife, but Commander Ross and I are related to him by blood. And what you may not have been aware of, but you should've found a way to know, is that Mr. Burke is Jewish by ethnicity, through his mother. Technically, I am also Jewish by the same bloodlines. Captain Croyle is taking Communicants classes and converting to Roman Catholicism, but she considers Israel our friend and ally."

"Yes sir." said Joanne said. "I'll go apologize to Captain Croyle after this meeting."

That caused Cindy to shake her head vigorously. "No." said the Green Crowbar. "Don't even try. Don't speak to her unless and until spoken to. Let me work on her first."

"She's right, you know." I said. "So, what did you want to discuss, Detective Warner?"

"Sir, can I ask you a personal question?" asked Joanne brightly.

"Sure, you may ask." I said. "I'm not promising to answer, but you may ask."

Everyone chuckled, then Joanne said "Why didn't you go into the active duty Army instead of just the Reserves? You'd have had a great career, if you'd wanted it."

"Butter me up, butter me up." I said. Then I leaned back in my comfortable Command Chair, sensing that Cindy and Tanya were also enormously interested in my answer, and said "Well, at the time I was married... to Melina. And she did not want me going on active duty at all. She did not want to be an Army wife. Soooo, I just did Reserve duty, which was just fine with me at the time. And it worked out."

"With 20/20 hindsight," Cindy said, "I guess you might've done differently?"

"Naw... it really doesn't do any good to speculate on those hypotheticals." I said. "Like I said, things turned out very well for me. I'm in a job I love, with a wife I love, wonderful children, and of course a couple of outstanding dogs..."

"I am still going to steal Bowser from you, sir." said Joanne. "He's such an awesome dog!"

"You will not steal my daughter's dog." I said with (not) mock severity. "But to your point, who knows what might've happened if things had been different at that time."

"That's what I came in to ask you about sir," said Joanne, "and I need all of your inputs. I was talking to my unit Captain during our last Reserve weekend, and he asked if I'd be interested in pursuing a commission in the Army and becoming an Officer. I

have

thought about it, and I think I could do it."

"I

know

you could do it, and you'd be a very good Army Officer." I replied. "So what's holding you back?"

"The time involved, sir." said Joanne. "My Captain said he'd put me up for OCS if I want to go for it, but that would be six months away from here. Then Officer Basic Course would be another five to six months, at least, and a full year if I went into Military Intelligence---"

"Isn't that a contradiction in terms? 'Military Intelligence'?" Tanya asked with a wicked grin.

"Isn't that the oldest joke in military history?" I replied, and Tanya acknowledged my 'win' with a nod and a wink. "So you were saying, Joanne?"

"Well, sir," said Joanne, "I'd be away from here, from this job, and from my husband for a year. I mean, my husband could live with me and do his work from wherever he is, but it's being away from the TCPD that makes me pause."

"And that's understandable." I said. "I did my OBC right after graduation from School, so I didn't have another job at the time."

"Military Intelligence School is a year long?" Cindy asked, astounded.

"Yes." I said. "Most OBCs are five to six months, but M.I. OBC is a full year at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. "It's considered a PCS, or permanent change of station; instead of TDY, temporary duty station."

"We're back to the contradiction in terms." said Tanya. "Takes twice as long to teach M.I. guys."

"And speaking of keeping abreast of the tactical situation," I admonished, "Laura is going to kill all of us if she gets wind of these comments." Tanya got the hint, and changed the subject.

"I guess one question, sir," said my Captain of Detectives, "is how

we

would feel about Joanne being away for so long. She's doing a great job with us, but that time away could set her back."

"True," I said, "and there has always been the possibility of you and your unit being called up for duty, Joanne. It's not a huge difference to consider. I've always just thought we'd figure it out when it happens. But if you're thinking of OCS anytime soon... I guess 'when it happens' is now."

"Yes sir." said Joanne. "And that's something I need to know before deciding.

I nodded. "It's a consideration. Joanne, why don't you make an appointment with the Chief, get his input as well as ours. He had a much longer Army career than I did."

Joanne asked to be excused, and was. I looked at my Angels. Tanya spoke first.

"She's doing really well," she said, "and she's a strong candidate for Supervisor and ultimately MCD Lieutenant. So is Jerome Davis. If she goes to OCS, I'll understand, but it is very likely that doing that would kill her shot to be promoted here soon. I didn't say anything because I don't want to promise something that may not happen, but it's part of it."

"A dilemma for her, to be sure." I said. "Let's see what the Chief tells her, and then you and I can give her another two cents of advice. What do you think, Cindy?"

Cindy nodded as if she was thinking her answer through, then said "Tanya's right, but I'll take it further: if she walks away for a year or more, even for excellent reasons like pursuing an Army commission, she's going to walk back in here into a completely different world."

She continued: "Imagine leaving six months before you took down Westboro, or just after that and then coming back in the middle of last summer. And like Tanya said, at least one if not two or three Detectives will be far ahead of her in our advancement structure. I do think we need to tell her that, so that she'll know it while deciding."

"Well," I said, getting cryptic, "I don't think her return is going to be the real issue." I pretended to look at the clock that I'd been watching like a boiling pot. "Oh boy, I gotta go. Carole's first day of school."

"Awwww, that's so cool." Cindy said with a smile. "You must be so excited for her."

"Uh, yeah." I said, not sounding excited. Then I became wistful: "At times like these, I remember holding Carole on the day she was born. And it seems like just yesterday. They grow up so

fast

..."

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

Eastside Elementary was just northwest of the backside of First Baptist Church, in the copse of trees and east of the Courthouse complex. I drove Laura and Carole up in my Police SUV and let them out, then went and parked in the restricted parking area behind the Courthouse, where Police vehicles could be, but your car could not be. Yes, it is

good

to be the Police Commander. And solely out of sheer habit, I'd brought along the red crowbar.

The parents were forming a gauntlet along the sidewalk to the front of the school, and the kids were going to walk through it to loud, upbeat music. The principal of the school came and got me, and asked me to stand at the end of the line, just in front of the doors. Wondering why, I acquiesced.

And guess who was first in line to come through. If you said 'Carole Diana Troy', you would be correct. Carole was striding confidently up the sidewalk, high-fiving the parents. Right behind her was Marie Steele, then other kids in single file. Some were stopping to hug their parents or loved ones along the way.

"Make me proud." I said to Carole as she high-fived me.

"I will, Daddy!" she said. Then she grabbed my crowbar and held it up, with me still holding it at the other end. She turned to the line and said "Everybody touch the crowbar for good luck!"

And guess what? Everyone did. Marie touched the crowbar with her right hand and high-fived me with her left hand, then the other kids did the same thing.

Then came Jameis. he was a relatively light-skinned black kid. He touched the crowbar, then held his other hand out palm-up and low, saying "Down low!" As I bent down to high-five him, he quickly pulled his hand back, then styled his hair with it. "Not today!" he said.

"You're a bad, bad man, Jameis." I said with mock severity, waving the crowbar in his general direction. "I'll be watching

you

."

"In the NFL one day!" he replied before going into the school, which made me chuckle..

"Gotta love the confidence." I said to the other parents that had been watching. "He may really be in the NFL if he keeps believing he will be..."

"He's gotta get through first grade first." said his grandfather, who was standing nearby. I chuckled and nodded in agreement. One step at a time, I thought to myself... one step at a time.

As the line broke up, I found Laura near the other end. Tears were in her eyes. "My baby is growing up so

fast!

" she almost wailed as I put my arm around her and led her to the SUV...

Part 3 - The Crime Scene

When I got back to Headquarters, Helena told me the Chief wanted to see me. His assistant Cassie told me to go straight in, and I did.

"Ah, there you are, Commander." said Chief Moynahan. "Commander Ross is fetching the Black Beauty. You have been asked to assist with a case in the Pottsville area. Commander Ross somehow got herself restored to SBI Reserve status, so I'm going to send her along with you... as your bodyguard, of course."

"Yes sir." I said. "Any details on this case?"

"No, not much." said Moynahan. "I'm sure you remember Detective Shane O'Brady down in Pottsville." I nodded, remembering him from the 'Pink Panther' case as the Chief said: "He called SBI Director Goodwin, requesting your help on a case. Governor Jared called Chief Griswold with a similar request, and both men called me."

"From what I understand, there was a murder down there yesterday." said Moynahan. "I am not sure why they can't handle it, but if you're not busy... and you aren't for the moment... you can go see what's going on and maybe point them in the right di-rect-shhunnnnnn..."

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

Cindy was driving the Black Beauty at a high rate of speed down the road to Coltrane County. The Black Beauty had been upgraded, with blue LED lights along the edges of the windows in front and back, so we didn't need that old blue light.

"Take a look at that DVR'd recording of the KSTD news broadcast." Cindy said as soon as we left Headquarters. I did so, using my Police iPad, connected to the hot spot that was the Black Beauty.

"This is Cynthia Freeman, KSTD Five-Alive News in the Morning!" said the lovely athletic reporterette. "We are bringing you all the news you have a right to know! And our first item is a story we've been following for some time: the case of Coach Willy 'Speedy' Gonzales!"

Cynthia: "Coach Gonzales was accused of raping then-University-student-athlete Selina Martinez, but the Police report of that incident was mysteriously pulled. The SBI's investigation was inconclusive due to the elapsed time. But the affiliates of SNN have learned that Coach Gonzales may have molested others... including underage youths attending University football camps!"

"While no one has come forward to claim being a victim of Coach Gonzales," said Cynthia, "sources tell SNN that then-Head-Coach Brian Harlan may have known about Gonzales's activities. And Coach Harlan's cousin was TCPD Detective Angela Harlan, who murdered reporter Tim Dawdle as Dawdle was investigating corruption within the University's Athletics Department. We will continue to investigate this story."

"And in local news," said Cynthia, "our competitor KXTC's reporter Amber Harris was arrested along with her husband after a domestic dispute. According to Police reports, the Harrises may have been involved in a physical altercation when Police arrived. Amber Harris was also charged with assaulting a Police Officer, who sources tell KSTD was Commander Donald Troy himself. Amber Harris was released on her own recognizance by Judge Harry Nance after a special hearing over the weekend. Commander Troy has not returned our repeated calls for comment."

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

"They're onto the Harlan-Gonzales story." said Cindy. "Think Graham Collins told his boys to release the story to the Press?"

"No." I said. "Well, he may have, but they were already onto it and revealing it, piece by piece."

"If it comes out, it will be devastating for the University, and likely the whole Conference." Cindy said, stating the obvious."

"Who demoted you back to Captain... Captain Obvious?" I said sourly.