The Road to Nowhere

Bittersweet Passing of the Torch

    Mitch stood by the door of the briefing room. As he looked over the room, growing concerned over the arrival of not only the day shift but also all the county commissioners and the state auditor himself. John was still in the office with Jesalyn talking about what he supposed was her arrest of Maccabee. Police Commissioner Harden remained with Hobbs. Something was going down, and he wasn't sure he liked it.

   Larissa Montenegro walked up to him with concern on her face," What going on, Boss?"

   "I haven't that slightest idea. I hope it's not over me allowing Jesalyn to arrest Maccabee."

   "What? When that happen?" she asked, her face clearly shocked.

   "Earlier this morning. Maccabee tried to arrest Jesalyn over her rifle."

   "That figures. He's the ATF's poster child for gun control, but why is the state auditor here with the whole of the county commissioners?"

   "That's a good question." A male voice from the door to the room interrupted the conversation.

   Mitch turned his attention to see Jackson Harrison, the local newspaper reporter, "Well, whatever it is, you'll put a negative spin on it," Mitch said coldly.

   The tall lanky man in his mid-twenties with dark hair glared at Mitch, "I report nothing but the truth, Sheriff," he snapped back.

   "The truth? Only as you see it."

   John's entrance with Jesalyn interrupted the verbal boxing match that was about to happen," Ladies and gentlemen, please take a seat," John spoke with an even professional tone, "Mitch stand next to me," he ushered Mitch to his side.

   Mitch took his place as he looked at John with a confused look and then at Jesalyn, who apparently had relearned how to mask her facial expression. What the hell s going on?

   John leaned on the briefing room podium in his usual casual way and scan the room for a brief moment, "First off, I would like to thank the County Auditor for coming on extremely short notice," he motioned with his hand to the well-dressed man in his fifties," and to the County Commissioners," he motioned his hand toward each of them in turn, "You all are probably wondering why we are here. In light of the recent events that happened in the county, I thought it was time to correct a few long-standing mistakes that have plagued the Sheriff's Department for quite a while now. Namely, the lack of funds available to the department because of a perception long held that I couldn't be trusted with the funds because of my connection with the Reservation."

   The look on the faces in the room belied the heavy weight of the stillness that could be felt in the room, "It is because of this obstacle we lost a deputy in the line of duty. To me, that is unacceptable, and it should be unacceptable to all of you. A budget has hamstrung the Department for way too long. The budget has remained the same for as long as I have been Sheriff. Costs have risen over the years and the department has lost personnel and had to maintain outdated equipment. This man to my left...," John thumbed over at Mitch, "...has had a hard time managing this department in my stead, though I think we can all agree that Mitch has done a phenomenal job during my absence."

    Everyone applauded at John's praise of Mitch, "There comes a time when the right thing to do is also the hardest thing to do. I have been talking to the State auditor for the last few days on options to get this Department back to speed in the quickest time possible without hindering Mitch's devotion to keeping the peace throughout Wake County. Today I am here to enact the best option to move the Sheriff's department forward to better days and a better community," John pause a took a deep breath," Today will be my last day as the official Sheriff of Wake County..."

   The shock and awe of his resignation elicited gasps from everyone. Mitch stepped forward to John. The Native American turned to his protégé looking fondly at him. He held up a shaky hand ," Mitch, it is time, my friend. You have been ready to step into my shoes for a while now," The two men looked at each other with mixed pride and sadness. They embraced each other tightly. Jesalyn's eyes gleamed with emotion at the bittersweet moment between the men.

   John let go of Mitch and turn back to face the crowd, who had all stood up and applauded. He motioned for them to settle down and to be seated again. "The State Auditor has said that with my retirement, the Sheriff's department will be given back control of the funds it needs. So the County Commissioners can be relieved of the burden of deciding what bills need to be paid and what equipment to buy. He also has helped me to attain a special emergency grant to update the department's building, vehicles, and other equipment." 

   John looked at the crowd, mainly the very irritated County Board members, "Before I leave here today, I have to recognize someone for their help," he looked over at Jesalyn then motioned at her, "Jesalyn Masters here courageously stepped up in a time of need. Most of you here knew her father, Harlan. Apparently, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when duty comes calling. What you all don't know is Miss Masters here has an exemplary record as a Military Policewoman in the United States Marine Corps as both a patrolman and Investigator. Someone could well suit her knowledge of current training techniques and her investigative skills, I think to the department as begins to flourish. So as my last act as Sheriff I would have the honor and pleasure of swearing Miss Masters as the Under Sheriff for Wake County."

Mitch snapped his head toward Jesalyn with a very surprised but happy look.

John looked at Mitch with a smile, "Mitch, do you agree with My decision?"

"Oh yes, I do."