Fathers and Sons

This story is part of an ongoing series.

The chronological order of my stories is listed in WifeWatchman's biography, which is currently not updating. Stories after Music Box Dancer are:

Return To Apple Grove, Media Matters, Swamp Frogs, Man of God, Fathers and Sons.

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 23 - The Hardest Duty Ever

The investigation was rapid. Videotape that existed had been taken into evidence. All sorts of evidence samples had been taken and bagged, and the Hospital ran a few quick tests. Charlie had gone to sleep when the barbiturates went into his system, and then the potassium chloride had stopped his courageous heart.

The 'orderly' was a recent parolee of Jacksonville State Prison, last known to have been in the City. Small time piece of shit that committed suicide when he was about to get caught, which reminded me of Pastor Westboro's army of amped-up thugs.

At 4:30am, I left the Hospital and headed for home. I told Laura what happened, and she got up, knowing that this day just got busy for her, also. I quickly showered, shaved and put on my most-recently-dry-cleaned Duty Dress uniform. I had called the Reverend Dr. Edward Ayers, the Presbyterian minister, and told him I'd pick him up inside an hour. I also called the Duty Desk, and ordered Reservoir Road and connections to it closed to through traffic... and especially to Press vans.

At 5:30am, I picked up Dr. Ayers and we drove to the other side of the mountain finger and up the road. We pulled into the driveway of 2461 Reservoir Road and parked, misery in my soul.

This was going to be without doubt the hardest duty I would ever have to perform as a TCPD Officer. Even the act of raising my hand and knocking on the door required of me a seemingly superhuman effort. But I got it done.

A moment later, Chief Griswold opened the door, looking tousled, as if he'd just been awakened. He was a good Detective, and realized that his Police Commander and his church's minister on his doorstep at this hour was not a good thing. The look on my face might've suggested some things, as well.

"Chief, can we come in?" I asked. He silently nodded and I let the minister in first, then followed, leading the Chief back into the main room.

"Oh, hello Commander, Dr. Ayers." said Mrs. Griswold, who was padding towards the kitchen. "I'll just make some coffee for you all-------"

"Ma'am," I said quietly as I physically intervened to stop her. "Why don't you come in and sit down." She seemed bewildered as I guided her to the sofa, between Chief Griswold and Dr. Ayers, then sat down in the chair facing them. I still don't know where I found the voice to speak.

"I... I've just come from the Hospital." I said. "Your son Charlie... passed away in the night."

"He... he... Charlie?" wailed Mrs. Griswold, not wanting to believe it.

"I'm sorry." I said. "He's gone." Mrs. Griswold put her hands over her eyes and began sobbing, breaking down. Chief Griswold held her in a hug and then looked up at me.

"How... did he die?" he asked, agony in his voice.

"He went to sleep, and never woke up." I said. "I don't think he suffered." I made sure to bore my eyes into the Chief's. I think he understood.

I sat there, staying with them for long minutes as Mrs. Griswold cried. I heard a knock on the door, and went to answer it. It was Laura, her medical bag in her hand. We went back inside, where Laura hugged the Chief as she offered condolences, then sat down with Mrs. Griswold and began using her medical and psychological skills to help the distraught mother.

"I'll walk you to the door, Crowbar." the Chief said quietly. We stepped outside, seeing the light of dawn beginning to brighten, a dawn that gave no joy on this day.

"What happened, Crowbar?"

I told him of the orderly that the Police chased. Then I said "The crime scene and autopsy are still pending, but the Hospital ran a couple of tests for me, off the record. It was barbiturates and potassium chloride." After a pause I said "It's first degree murder, Chief."

"Thank you for coming personally, Crowbar." the Chief said. "I know this had to be hard for you to do."

"Not nearly as hard as it must be for you." I said. I hugged him as I said "I'm going to get the bastards, Chief. I swear to God..."

"I know you will." said the Chief. "Okay, get out there and kick ass. We'll be okay here..."

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

6:55am, Friday, August 10th. The banter in MCD was just heating up. Jonathan Davis was there, having made the coffee for everyone himself. It was strong, but people were liking it.

Then Commander Cindy Ross came into the room, followed by Chief Moynahan. The look on the Green Crowbar's face was not one of banter.

"Everyone listen up!" she called out loudly. When she got silence, she said "Before the news comes on, there is something I need to tell you. Charlie Griswold died last night."

"Whaaa?" came a chorus, followed by a stillness throughout the room. Jonathan Davis gasped in shock, then he groaned.

"I don't know the details." Cindy said loudly. "I got the call from Commander Troy a few minutes ago. He asked me to tell you before the God-damned Press did. Okay, turn on the TV." Someone did so, and everyone watched silently and intently:

"This is Bettina Wurtzburg, KXTC Fox Two News!" said the redheaded reporterette solemnly from in front of University Hospital. "Fox Two News has learned that Charlie Griswold, son of Sheriff candidate Antonio Griswold, has died in the night at University Hospital."

"Mr. Griswold is said to have died in his sleep," said Bettina, "but sources tell Fox Two News that Police have not ruled out foul play, and are investigating the death. Charlie Griswold had just been awarded the Governor's Gold Medal for assisting law enforcement in the capture of a wanted felon, and the FBI had offered him a position as a consultant with their cryptography group."

A photo of Charlie, Chief Griswold, and the Governor was shown on the screen as Bettina went on: "Mr. Griswold is survived by his parents..." But no one heard the rest of the broadcast.

Joanne's head was on her arm on her desk, and she was weeping. Tears were running down the faces of Teresa Croyle, Tanya Perlman, and Jonathan Davis. Everyone else just looked somber as they stared into space, contemplating what had occurred, feeling that they had just lost one of their own.

"Has... has anyone told Chief Griswold?" asked Roy McGhillie.

"Yes."

The voice came from the doorway to the side hall. I came on inside. I knew what my face looked like from seeing the reaction to it in the others' faces.

"I went to the Griswolds' home earlier this morning." I said. "I did not want them hearing about this from the Press."

"How are they doing, Commander?" asked Chief Moynahan.

"Chief Griswold took it as well as anyone could." I said. "He's trying to stay strong for his wife. She's... she's not doing so well. Their minister and my wife are with them now."

"You..." whispered Cindy, looking at me as if I were the one that had died, "you told them yourself? Oh geez..." I understood what she meant, as did everyone else. Cindy came over and hugged me. I hugged her back, both of us needing that support of each other.

"All right, everyone." said the Chief. "Let's get to work. Both you Commanders, come to my office, please. You Captains, as well..."

Part 24 - Driving On

"Commander Troy," said the Chief as we all sat in his office, "I am considering you to be Griswold family in this matter. My condolences to you. I'll be visiting the Griswolds later this morning. You, Don, will be available to help them if they need anything. You also can keep yourself apprised of the Crime Lab's work and ongoing investigation."

"Yes sir." I said. "Thank you, sir."

"Captain Perlman," said the Chief, "who are you assigning the Charlie Griswold murder case?"

"Commander Troy, sir." said Tanya. When we all looked at her, she said "He's going to be all over it, as it is. I'll have Davis and Parker officially helping him." I nodded in agreement.

"Captain Croyle," said the Chief, "put out the word that the Force will be wearing black-banded badges for one week. This is a Police family loss. I'm sure the Honor Guard funeral team will be asked to perform as pallbearers. Who do you want to assign to help the family? And don't say Commander Troy or Commander Ross or yourself, you

are

family."

"I've had a ton of texts, people volunteering." Teresa said. "I tasked Corporal Hicks with handling any Police things they need------"

*KNOCK!* *KNOCK!* *KNOCK!* *KNOCK!*

"Come in!" called out the Chief. The door opened and in walked Jonathan Davis.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, sir." said Davis. "I am not sure what you're doing for funeral arrangements, but I wanted to volunteer to be a pallbearer."

"I am afraid that will not be possible." I said, garnering everyone's staring attention. "Mr. Davis, I expect you will be part of the family group at the funeral. You got to know Charlie better than any of us the last few days."

"Thank you, Commander." Davis said, and I could see emotion in his eyes. "Yes, I didn't realize it until I heard this morning that Charlie died. That's just... not fair to that young man..."

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

9:00am, Friday, August 10th. The hostesses of the 'Point Taken' television show filed into their seats to applause from the all-female audience. A raucous day was expected. Ruby Russell was there, ready to defend her father's name. The leftists on the panel were ready to rip Senator Russell to shreds.

"Okayyyyy," said Rosie Berkmar, "hello and welcome to 'Point Taken'! It's been a crazy few days. SBI Director Tom Conlan resigned unexpectedly, and was immediately replaced by former TCPD Internal Affairs leader James Goodwin. And U.S. Senator Samuel Russell was arrested and charged with forcible rape, though there is considerable controversy over the arrest and the charges. I have to say, Ruby... for you to be here with this swirling around your family's heads... takes guts."

"Not really." said Ruby. "It's not hard to appear here and defend my father's good name from the smears of a couple of pieces of trash, just as my mother did in her statements to the Police." The audience was restless; they didn't 'boo' yet, but they didn't like what Ruby had said.

"So let me get this straight." said Donna Roselle, who was black and a militant feminist and leftist. "Two separate Crime Labs have confirmed that Senator Russell's semen was in Hallerton's vagina. The reports and photos of the physical abuse of Ms. Hallerton are shocking. And yet...

once again

the rape victim is called the perpetrator, while the rapist is called the victim." The audience applauded strongly.

"Except my own mother has stated under oath that it was not rape." said Ruby. "And if anyone beat up Jayne Hallerton, it was my slimeball brother abusing her like he's abused other girlfriends in the past."

"Why would she stay with him, then?" countered Roselle. "Why would she take that level of severe abuse... and we're talking injuries that bordered on life-threatening... and stay with him? And don't forget, he was beaten up by your father's security, as well."

"I don't know why she stayed with him." said Ruby. "How often on this show have we discussed women that stay with abusive husbands or partners?"

"Flip side of that," said Zara Zeigler, "is why your mother is covering for Senator Russell. No, Ruby," she continued as Ruby was about to respond, "don't start giving me crap about your mother telling the truth. Your father was caught consorting with prostitutes in the past, humiliating your mother, yet she stays with him. I saw the medical reports. Billy Russell was also beaten up by your father's security, when he went to rescue Jayne, and I don't buy it that your brother did that to Jayne's face. I'm just not buying it. Your father raped that woman, and your mother lied to protect him."

"That's slander!"yelled Ruby.

"Is it?" Rosie Berkmar yelled back. "Bring on the lawsuit, then! The City D.A. might be too much of a coward to bring charges against your father, but I'm ready to take it to trial. Sue ME for slander!" The audience applauded mightily.

"And one more point." said Zara Zeigler. "When Kendra Luskin brought those rape charges last year, Commander Troy investigated her, not taking her word as the victim. All of us here condemned him, taking Ms. Luskin's side. Commander Troy was even suspended without pay. But he proved that she had a pattern of false accusations, and the defendant was acquitted."

"I still believe Luskin." said Roselle. "Just because twelve dumbshits acquitted that rapist, doesn't mean he didn't do it." (That 'dumbshits' got bleeped out, thanks to the seven-second delay.)

"My point is," said Zara, "Commander Troy had NO problem taking the victim Hallerton's side on this one. He was the one that led Police to go get Senator Russell and place him under arrest------"

"Okay, guys," said Connie Chen, interrupting before the praise for Commander Troy got any stronger, "we're not going to litigate anything here. Let's move on: SBI Director Tom Conlan quit unexpectedly. He is alleging health reasons, though he's stated no specifics nor released any medical records. And James 'Curly' Goodwin of the Town & County Police Force was named to head the SBI with incredible speed. What do you make of this?"

"Goodwin ran the Town & County Police's Internal Affairs Department for some years," said Zara Zeigler, "then was promoted to Precinct Captain. He has a good reputation for integrity. A pretty solid choice."

"So why isn't that racist Donald Troy in jail?" shot back Donna Roselle. "Doesn't look like Goodwin did anything for blacks in that County."

"Everything's about race with you, Donna!" Ruby Russell fired. "Where's the racism you accuse Commander Troy of? Show an instance, just one instance..."

"He supports Val Jared!" Roselle yelled as hard as he could. "That makes him a racist by default! Lie in bed with Val Jared, and you get the racist fleas!" The carefully chosen, Jared-hating audience applauded mightily.

"Let's reset this." said Connie Chen, always having to do that when Roselle brought race into an issue, which Roselle did whenever she possibly could. "Tom Conlan resigned. That could be for legit medical reasons------"

"He's sick and tired of Val Jared!" said Rosie Berkmar. "That's a medical reason if ever there was one!" The audience laughed and then applauded.

"That's true enough." conceded Connie. "But to name Goodwin

that

quickly? I'd really like to know how and why that happened with such speed. Higher ranking SBI Agents were passed over, including Lieutenant Leon Mills, who has worked for years in the SBI. He was passed over for an outsider, with no time for consideration of anyone."

"Conlan could've given them notice days, weeks ago." said Zara. "And they had their list ready."

"More practically to that point," said Ruby Russell, "there were rumors around the TCPD that Goodwin wasn't happy with his new position. He could've sent out feelers for consideration for the position."

"Let's reset again." said Connie, getting a bit exasperated that these airheads were not picking up on her leads on this. "Goodwin worked for Commander Donald Troy. He was taken out of Internal Affairs, and now he's the Director of the SBI... well removed from Donald Troy's County. Troy's own SBI operative, Ted Orosco, was hired into the TCPD's Internal Affairs Department after there was no SBI place for him. And all this time, Detective Gayle Tunnin of TCPD Internal Affairs, was passed over for promotion. Anyone see a

quid pro quo

, here? Getting rid of problems, shoring up with loyal sycophants?"

"With Val Jared," Ruby Russell said, "any dirty thing is possible." Connie Chen just gave up...

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

"This is Reed Hudson, and welcome to Excellence In Conservatism." said Hudson to begin the second hour of his broadcast. "As we were discussing last hour, the resignation of Tom Conlan as SBI Director is not being given a lot of Press coverage, but it could be an important event as we move towards the elections in November."

"Now some of the lack of attention can be attributed to the passing of Charlie Griswold, son of former TCPD Police Chief Antonio Griswold." said Hudson. "Charlie Griswold had just helped decode some encrypted files that led directly to the arrest of a prison escapee and wanted fugitive, and Charlie was going to begin working with the FBI on cyber-security. But he died under strange circumstances, and Police are not ruling out foul play."

"But let's not lose sight of the Conlan story." said Hudson. "Tom Conlan was one of the better, more honest SBI Agents. He did a good job restoring integrity to the SBI, an integrity that had been badly corrupted by former Director Jack Lewis and his cronies. And on the other side are critics that said Conlan did not do enough, that some of the corruption remains, that the SBI is still an ineffective law enforcement organization."

"And now... Conlan is out." said Reed. "He is claiming health issues, but this was pretty sudden, and there were no hints of health issues with him before. There have been hints of leaks, of disloyalty, among Governor Jared's staff, and three of the Governor's aides have been subpoenaed by the Independent State Counsel. And Tom Conlan didn't root out these leakers, these disloyal young punks with treasonable motives. Maybe James 'Curly' Goodwin will..."

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

The autopsy reports arrived around 11:00am, and made it official: barbiturates and potassium chloride. I formally opened the Charlie Griswold case as one of murder in the first degree.

The autopsy on the orderly who had administered the drugs to Charlie was attached to the same email. He'd been amped up, and Martha the M.E. had not failed to notice that the amp-up drugs were the same as perps from the past, such as the ones who'd attacked and paralyzed Tanya. The orderly's death had been by cyanide ingestion.

My phone rang. It was Jack Muscone. "Hey Don," he said, "Let's get together and talk, where we won't be overheard."

"That would be my office." I said. Ten minutes later, Jack came in and I had him sit down. I turned on the bug-killer.

"So I guess the name you didn't give us was Tom Conlan." said Muscone, probing me.

"You didn't hear

me

say that." I replied. Not lying to the Federal Agent, but not confirming a damn thing, either.

"Well, the EAD put out the word to leave Conlan and his brother alone. For now" said Muscone. "But that's not really why I'm here. It's about those other names."

"And what their connection to each other is." I said. "Which I've been banging my head against the desk about, as well."

Muscone gave what was for him a brief smile, then said "Yep, and my guys have really been burning the wires about it. After you gave us those names, we obtained some warrants. FISA warrants. Names like Mitt Willis and Henry Wargrave on the list made that both necessary and easy."