This story is part of an ongoing series.
The chronological order of my stories is listed in WifeWatchman's biography.
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, racism, 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.
There may or may not be discussion of political issues in my stories. If you are a Snowflake that feels you need to be protected from any mention of politics, then click the Back button now, and never attempt to read any of my stories ever again. You've been warned.
***
Part 11 - Night of Orange
4:15pm, Friday, December 3rd. The crowded gym fell silent when the door opened and Police Captain Damien Thompson came in, followed by Your Iron Crowbar, then several other Orange Order members and the rope line with J.J. Perry and Mary Milton.
The murmurs started up as Captain Thompson approached a cluster of 1st Precinct Officers, with whom Inga Gunddottar was sitting: Captain Hugh Hewitt, Lieutenant Jerome Davis, Senior Sergeant Roy McGhillie, and some other Sergeants. Captain Thompson walked just past them, as if he was moving along, then stopped suddenly and did a 'right face'
"Lieutenant Davis, would you please come with us?" said Thompson. The entire gym erupted into a
huge
round of applause and cheering as a most very stunned Jerome Davis gaped at us, then slowly got up and got into the line behind a grinning Mary Milton. Inga got up and followed us out as the sustained applause continued until we were out the door...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"As you can see, Ms. Milton," I said, "you will not be going home tonight. With your permission, and Myron's, Commander Ross's mother Maggie will take care of Marty tonight. She is an
expert
grandmother, with years of experience and practice."
"Uh yeah, that's fine." Mary said. She was still stunned by her selection. I didn't know why; after all, the way she had cracked the ransomware virus code with a little help was already the stuff of legend in these here parts. (
Author's note: 'Beethoven Virus', Ch. 02
). And her work in helping to destroy the Toyota Gang, not to mention outstanding leadership of the Intel Branch, made her an obvious selection.
Jerome Davis was also in a bit of shock. His selection was nearly unanimous among the Uniformed ranks in the Precincts. It was cemented by his actions and leadership in the incident at the Council meeting (
Author's note: 'No Show', Ch. 01
), but a lot of Officers had been 'less than appreciative' of his treatment by Captain Claire Michaels in the Detective Division, and his 'taking one for the team' by volunteering to transfer to 1st Precinct (
Author's note: 'Private Practice', Ch. 04
) was a strong positive for him. And his leadership in 1st Precinct had really improved the entire Precinct.
As Sheriff Griswold gave instructions to Mary and Jerome, I sent out the infamous 'Loddy Doddy Everybody' text message on my Police iPhone, instructing them to assemble in the Main Auditorium. Some moments later, we went down the hallway. I went in and yelled "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE TOWN & COUNTY POL
ICE CHIEF!", and the assembled Officers rose from their chairs into the position of attention.
"Thank yooo. Be seated." said the Chief as he came up. "I want to congratulate everyone on another year of great professionalism and unswerving ability as you performed your dooo-ties this yearrrr. And you have made two outstanding selections for the Orange Order this year, choosing two Officers who have shown abilities and outstanding leadership that we can all take pride in. Without further ado, let's introduce them. First, Loo-tenant Mary Milton."
The Officers were already standing, and they gave Mary a huge round of applause as she came up on the stage and stood to the Chief's left. He then announced "And Loo-tenant Jerome Davis."
As Davis came up, the applause and cheering got even louder. I happened to glance over and see Captain Claire Michaels, who was standing with the other Captains and also with Lieutenant Joanne Warner on the floor to the side of the stage. Joanne was applauding politely, probably for Mary, but Claire was not applauding at all, and she seemed very shocked at the ovation Jerome Davis was getting. Then she noticed that I was looking over her way, and she began clapping very perfunctorily as she turned her head to look at the stage...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Despite the efforts of KXTC Channel Two News and the State News Networks to stir up racially-motivated strife and division, the Patrol of Honor encountered no problems as they walked east along MLK Jr. Avenue from Riverside Drive to University Avenue. Several expensive Press drones were taken out of the air by unmarked, cheap
kamikaze
drones flown by Ranger Terry Halston, and destroyed.
At the initial ceremony, both Mary and Jerome remembered to take their green-glassed lanterns with them. Your Iron Crowbar made decent money, having bet both would remember. "I figured Myron told Mary." I said when asked how I knew. "And Jerome is a Navy brat and pays attention to detail."
As the Patrol moved along, Teresa and I were following the walkers in my Police SUV. She said "So Maggie Ross is keeping Marty tonight?"
"Yes, at Cindy's current home." I said. "I understand that Callie is there, and Dr. Marvin Milton was going to stay there after he took photos of Mary walking along Courthouse Square at the beginning of the Patrol."
"You think he's in danger?" Teresa asked. "And is he in danger at other times?"
"Probably not." I replied. "But he's about to come out strongly and publicly with the Faculty Study Group against Dr. Moore and the demands that they sign 'loyalty papers' to the Fraud of Climate Change. With Myron, Mary, you, me, Cindy and the TCPD preoccupied with the Orange Order tonight, he's potentially more vulnerable than normal. So he and his grandson are staying with Maggie and her grandson, and granddaughter and daughter-in-law."
Teresa said "I just hope the Faculty Study Group can do something about this Climate Change crap. It's killing our recruiting of the best doctors and medical students. And Moore and Carmela are just beginning to take their shots at the Hospital. I got word that Moore was trying to include the proceeds from my Trust...
*
my
*
Trust... into the University's Budget for the Climate Change Center."
"Oh really." I said, and in a voice one does not want to hear from me.
Teresa said "One call from my lawyer and a formal 'Cease And Desist' letter stopped that cold. But with contributions and donations to the School dropping through the floor, and with Governor Marshall threatening to
defund the University
over the 'loyalty documents' and even over the Climate Change Center itself, they're clutching at every penny they think they can grab."
I nodded. "Well, let not your heart be troubled."
Teresa peered at me. "What? You know something I don't?"
I replied "Only that my wife is going to war with Carmela, the Faculty Study Group and the Governor are going to war with Moore and the Climate Change Center... and that no mother on earth is more protective of her blood children than the Iron Wolf is of her Cancer Kids."
Teresa nodded vigorously in agreement.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As dawn broke, the Patrol of Honor and the contingent following, composed of all Orange Order members, arrived at the Junction Station Depot. The ceremonies were held, with Damien Thompson getting his Inner Circle Medal, and Mary and Jerome getting their Orange Order Medals. Then we sat down to the traditional delicious breakfast of steak and eggs and beer. (Those not drinking beer were drinking Coca-Cola Zero or water.)
"I couldn't believe it when you came and got me." Jerome Davis said, sitting next to me as we ate. "I'm not trying to downplay myself, but I didn't think I did all that much. What I, and we, did at the Council meeting was what we were expected to do."
I said "I'll tell you this: you definitely got respect for your leadership on that, taking the initiative as well as doing the right thing despite that shit eater Louis Bailey trying to stop you. But even more, I think the rank-and-file feel like I do about you volunteering to give up the MCD Lieutenant slot for 1st Precinct, and they know how well you're doing there."
I continued: "And I'll tell you this: now that you
know
you have their respect, use it for the good of the Force. They listen to you, so use your voice to bring them up and bring them with you. You have a tremendous future with the TCPD; all you have to do with grab the brass ring and keep being the leader you already are."
"Thank you, sir." Jerome said, then cleaned his plate of the delicious food that was sitting on it. I cleaned up my own portion...
Part 12 - Belles Of The Ball
4:30pm, Saturday, December 4th. The tradition continued. I woke up from my nap on the pulled-out sofa-bed in the greatroom of The Cabin to see Carole's face sideways over the left side of my head, Marie's face sideways over the right side of my head, and the Redoubtable Bowser lying on my chest and licking my face as he looked at me straight-on.
"Wake up, Daddy." Carole said. "It's time to get ready for the Po-leece-man's Ball." Marie giggled, and Bowser licked my face again.
"O-kayyy." I said, then yawned hard, causing Bowser to yawn hard, too. Carole picked up Bowser and put him on the floor, and the girls pulled me up to a sitting position.
"Better go now, Daddy." Carole said. "Mommy is waiting for you, and you know how long she takes to get ready."
"Yes. Yes I do." I said. "But that's okay, since she looks so beautiful when she's done. Isn't that right?"
"Why, thank you, Mr. Silver Tongue." said Laura, who had just come up to us. The girls giggled mightily at that. "And yes, you need to get your rear in gear." Laura said.
The boys were watching the SEC Championship game on the television in the front room. A quick glance showed that Atlanta was a crime scene, and Georgia was committing child abuse of Auburn, who must've been having a hangover after the Kick-Six the week before. Greaaaat, I thought to myself as I headed upstairs. If the Iron Wolf had a bad attitude before...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The huge ballroom of the Civic Center was set up with accommodations for some 400 people. Because the EMS was relatively small, we invited them to have their Christmas party with us, and they'd accepted. Zoe Singer was particularly happy about that; it was another opportunity to rub the EMS's independence into the Fire Department's collective face.
Laura looked good, understated and tasteful, as she always did for the Policeman's Ball. I was wearing my uniform with medals, and a tuxedo shirt with black bow tie.
We got there early, as usual. We looked around to make sure everything was fine, and everything appeared to be. The open bar was facing the hallway just past the entrance to the ballroom, and just past it was an open room with a huge television monitor. Consider me 'not surprised' to see Lieutenant Theo Washington and his lovely wife Nareese watching the Conference Championship game.
"Hi guys." I said as I came up to them. "Are Franklin and Susie coming?" Susie was Franklin's lovely wife.
"I don't think so, sir." said Theo. "Were the judges invited?"
"They usually are." I said. "Though Harry Nance was pointedly left off the invitation list. So how's Eastern State doing?"
"Winning." Nareese said. "We're up 33-18 with a couple of minutes left."
