A Falice Story

42. New Sheriff's Come To Town

FP's POV

I call Alice over and she hands the baby to Betty, "What, FP? Who is it?" I point to the package that sat on our doorstep, "Not a who--a what. You didn't order anything did you?"

She crinkles her forehead, "Uh, no. Why is it wrapped up like that?" She refers to the red and gold wrapping paper and shiny gold bow, "Who the hell put it here?"

I don't have a good feeling about it, whatever is inside. I tell Alice to stay back and I open the corner of it, grimacing and immediately slamming it shut again, "Call Keller!" 

Alice's investigative side shows through as she tries to get me to tell her what it is. "Alice--just call Keller!" 

*

"So Minetta's severed head was in a box on your doorstep...that's a fun Christmas surprise, huh?" Gladys comments after I tell everyone what happened. 

"That's so messed up," Betty says, cringing. "Why the hell did it get brought here?" 

I shrug, "Not a clue. That's exactly what I'm going to be finding out though." 

Tom Keller arrives at our house quickly after I called him. Officers from Greendale were on their way. Alice, Gladys and I sit in the living room with him, trying to make sense of it all. 

"So it just arrived at the door?"

"We were just about to eat breakfast and doorbell rang, but no one was at the door. The box was just sitting there."

Keller sighs, scratching his head, "Well this means Riverdale needs a new sheriff."

"Will you be taking your job back?" Alice asks.

He shakes his head, "I can't. Riverdale needs someone new to step up. Someone who can put the fear of God into whosever behind this. Someone like you FP."

"Him?" Gladys gawks. 

"Me? But--I certainly don't have the credentials for that...?"

Tom smiles, "We could train you, Jones. You're exactly what this town needs. At least think about it."

Alice has been unusually quiet during all of this, and I already know she's going to be against it. "He most certainly does have a lot to think over," she finally says, squeezing my leg.

After the officials arrive at the scene and we give them all the information about what happened, Alice drags me upstairs, presumably wanting to talk.

"You can't do this."

I sit down on the bed, sighing, "I know, it scares you, Al. But someone has to step up. What if I'm meant to be that person?"

"FP, I can't let you do this. If you get hurt--if you died on the job, I would never forgive myself. I can't lose you," she says tearfully.

I try pulling her into my arms, but she doesn't want me to, "Alice, I know. But I'm not going anywhere, okay? Yes, of course something bad could happen, but something bad could also happen at the construction site. Something bad could happen anywhere--regardless of the occupation."

She looks down at the floor, mulling over that in her head. Eventually she looks up at me, entering into my arms and sitting in my lap, burying her head into my chest. "I know--I know. I just, I can't deal with the thought of something happening to you."

I kiss the top of her head, "I get it, honey. But this could be a really great opportunity."

She looks up at me and I brush away her tears with my thumb. "Is this something you really want?"