Winds of Change

"I will, even though it's against my better judgment."

"Thanks, Sue."

"You're welcome... John."

"Anything else?"

"No, not until... well, you know?"

"Yes, I do. Give me that disk. I think it might just be safer at my office. And don't mention it in your report, just in case."

"You might be right about that, but let me take some pictures of it before I do. Then I can download them and you can put the disk in a safe place yet still have something to show... my contact," Susan said attaching a camera to the eyepiece of the microscope.

After taking several pictures of the first side, she turned the disk over taking pictures of that side. Then picking up the disk, she dropped it in an envelope, which she handed to John.

"Thanks, Sue. You have a good night."

"You too, Sheriff," Susan said softly.

"I'll try," said John, slipping the envelope into his shirt pocket and walking out the door.

Walking down the hall, John half expected to find Harv Muller waiting for him, but he wasn't, so John decided to go home for the night.

Chapter 4

At home, John's best friend in the world, his dog Rudy, greeted him. Today, Rudy was anxious to go out and pushed past John at the door. The rain had stopped and the sky was now clear. Smiling, John turned and followed him out. Standing on the porch, John watched as Rudy ran out into the fields behind the ranch house. Rudy took care of his business and then started casting to and fro in the field. Rudy isn't a hunting dog. He was a mixed breed, mostly Rottweiler with a touch of American Pit Bull. However, Rudy enjoyed the chase, whether it was a rabbit or a squirrel, for the pure thrill. He rarely caught anything. Rudy was loyal to John. He has saved John from being hurt, on several occasions. They are best friends.

Ten minutes later, Rudy was sitting beside John as John looked out over his ranch. In the distance, he can see the horses as they plod along on their way back to the barn from a day of grazing the fresh grasses. Looking to the west, John watched as the last of the sun disappeared below the horizon, casting an orange glow across the sky. Sighing, John shook his head, reached down and gave Rudy's head a ruffle, then turning he goes back inside the house.

Shrugging out of his coat, he hung it on the hook by the front door. Going to the kitchen, he takes a glass from the cupboard setting it on the counter. Turning to the refrigerator, he opened the door grabbing a tall can of Miller from the shelf. Smiling at the feel of the cold can in his hand John closed the refrigerator door, turned, popping the top on the can, and poured the golden liquid into the glass. John detested drinking from cans directly but has no problem with bottles. Why he buys cans instead, he can't quite put a finger on the reason. Yet each time he stopped to buy beer, he always picked up a case of cans, easier to transport than bottles.

Sitting in his favorite chair, John took a sip of the ice-cold brew from the glass in his hand. Sighing, he set the glass down on the table next to the chair. Reaching into his shirt pocket, John pulled out the envelope Susan gave him. Opening it, he shakes the disk out into his palm. Setting the envelope on the table, John looked at the disk. Shaking his head, he lifted his glass of beer from the table and took a long drink.

Setting the beer down, John takes the disk between his thumb and forefinger, turning it over, he watched the light reflecting off its shiny surface. He can just make out the tiny scratches on both sides. Contemplating what could be worth the life of a young student, John shrugged. Picking up the envelope, John dropped the disk in, closed the flap and returned the envelope to his shirt pocket.

Lifting the glass of beer to his lips once more, John gulped down what's left in the glass. John disliked warm beer. Nodding, John gets up, grabs his coat and heads for the door.

"Rudy, come," John told his dog.

Wagging his tail, Rudy popped up and ran after his master and best friend. John opened the car door and Rudy rushed in to sit in the passenger seat. Smiling John climbed in, started the car and drove off.

Ten minutes later, John pulled up into the parking lot of Fallon's Steakhouse. Pulling around back, he parked the car and got out, followed by Rudy. With Rudy in tow, John went to the back door and rang the bell. The door opened seconds later and John went in, along with Rudy.

"Welcome Sheriff Abernathy," Elliot Fallon said. "And how are you, Rudy?" Rudy wags his tail as the proprietor pets his head.

"John, Elliot," John said.

"Of course John, old habits die hard. Your usual table?" asked Elliot.

"Yes please," John replied.

"Right this way John," Elliot said turning and leading the way through the kitchen, through a set of swinging doors, to a table just outside the kitchen.

"Thanks, Elliot," John said taking a seat.

Rudy laid down at John's left side, quietly watching everything in the large dining room.

"Your usual John?" asked Elliot.

"Yes, please," said John as he too watched the rest of the dining room.

"Very well," Elliot said turning away to place John's order. "Will she be joining you tonight?" he asked before leaving the tableside.

"Yes, her usual also," John told Elliot.

"Very good."

A moment later, a large glass of beer was set down before John and a bowl of water before Rudy. Smiling at the waitress, John nodded his thanks. Taking the glass in hand, John takes a large swallow of the ice-cold brew. As he watched the dining room, he spotted a familiar face making its way to his table.

"John," Bobbie said, pulling out a chair opposite John. "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all," John replied, "how did that missing cattle call go?"

"Turns out they weren't missing, just escaped," Bobbie laughed.

"They will do that if they can. Someone left a gate open."

"How did you know?"

"About once a year old Fess has a little too much to drink. Well, he only drinks once a year, on his anniversary. Then he goes out to move the cattle and leaves the gates open. They wind up in the silliest places. Where did you find them?"

"In a pasture on the far side of the ranch," Bobbie told John.

"I remember one year we found them behind the Gulf station on route 6. Took us a day to herd them back to Fess' place," John told Bobbie with a chuckle.

As Bobbie finished laughing, plates of food are set down in front of both of them along with a drink for Bobbie. For the next ten minutes, they both quietly eat their meal.

"I heard you had an exciting day," Bobbie said softly.

"Yeah, the poor girl obviously didn't know what she got herself into."

"It's a shame someone would end such a young life."

"It is."

"And then to have two cops... "

"Yes, that was the real tragedy, fools. I'm just wondering what they are trying to cover up."

"It does make one wonder. Any leads?" asked Bobbie.

"Not really. The murderer was right handed and stood about six feet tall, other than that, we have nothing. But, I want you to look at the case file, the one in my office and the one at the ME's."

"I will, John."

"Jimmy and the rest are excellent street cops, but the reason I hired you was your background as a detective. You know that don't you?"

"I do."

John raised his hand and two more drinks were set down on the table. The two of them finished their dinner in silence. When they were finished, John paid the bill and they both left, going their separate ways.

Chapter 5

The next morning when John, with Rudy, entered the office, John isn't surprised to find Carol was the only one there.

"Hi, Sheriff," she said, "late night last night?"

"Hello, Carol, actually, no, any messages?"

"No Sheriff, it's been quiet this morning."

"Good, I think. Could you join me in my office?"

"Sure Sheriff, would you like some coffee?" Carol asked smiling as she sat looking at John heading for his office.

"Yes, please," replied John over his shoulder.

Going into his office, John sat behind his desk. Rudy went to his bed in the corner under the window while they waited for Carol. She came in setting a cup of hot coffee on his desk.

"Have a seat," John said.

"Thank you, Sheriff."

"John, please."

"Of course John," Carol said reluctantly.

"Listen, I need a background check on Chief Muller, but not through our usual channels. Understand?"

"Of course, I know someone who can do that for us. Do you need to know who?"

"Heavens no," John laughed, "no, not at all."

"Good. I'll give my source a call."

"Thank you, Carol, thank you very much."

"Would you like me to run his cops too?"

"If you have the information to do so," John told her.

"I do," Carol said.

"This ought to be quite interesting."

"Yes, it should," said Carol, getting up and leaving John's office.

Watching Carol leave, John sipped his coffee and mulled over what he knew about her. Then his thoughts brought him around to what he knew about Muller, which was nothing. Just the feeling there was something wrong about him and that John didn't like the guy for some reason he couldn't quite put his finger on. Shaking his head, John gulped the last of his coffee, got up, grabbed his coat and walked out of his office followed by Rudy.

"Carol, I'm going on patrol," he told her.

"Okay, keep your radio on," she quipped back at him.

John was known for driving around the county with his radio off. He said it was so he could think without interruption.

"Yes dear," John quipped back at her.

"Don't you get fresh with me Sheriff Abernathy," Carol laughed as John walked out the door into the sunshine.

As he walked to his car, Bobbie pulled up into her spot in front of the Sheriff's building.

"Hey John, where are you going?" she asked. "Hi, Rudy how are you this good day?"

John smiled at them, as Rudy let Bobbie scruff his head, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth with pleasure. "For a ride, why don't you come along?"

"Sure," she answered falling into step with John.

Once in the car, John pulled away heading west. After ten minutes, he pulled over and parked.

"This is where the girl was found?" Bobbie asked.

"Yes," John replied getting out of the car and walking to the west side of the road. Rudy stayed in the backseat of the car.

Bobbie followed without saying anything more. John stood on the embankment looking down into the ditch where the body of the woman was first found. Gazing intently, John started to walk slowly down into the ditch scrutinizing the ground as he does. He saw the boot prints of the cops and those footprints Susan left as she examined the scene. There was also another set of prints overlaying Susan's and the cops. Someone was here after everyone left yesterday.

Climbing out of the ditch, John walked across the road to the east side ditch. Slowly walking down into the ditch, John again saw the set of prints on top of the others in the ground. Looking around he scanned the surrounding landscape.

"Why here?"

"What Sheriff?" Bobbie asked standing behind John in the ditch.

"Why here? Why did they bring her out here to dump her?"

"Well, even though it's close to town, it is secluded. The nearest house is half a mile up the road and it's close to the interstate."

"There is that, but... '

"County to County One," Bobbie's radio squawked. "County to County One, come in please."

Bobbie took her radio from its holster. "What is it Carol, I'm with the Sheriff?"

"The county medical examiner's office has been ransacked. Doctor Bajek would like you there as soon as possible. Chief Muller is giving her a hard time."

"On our way," Bobbie said running back to the car.

John was in the driver's seat, throwing the car into drive as Bobbie closed her door. John's had his foot planted on the accelerator as he reached for the lights and siren switches. Bobbie was scrambling to get her seatbelt clicked in place as they slid around the first turn.

"Have Jimmy, Calvin and anyone else available, meet us there ASAP," John yelled over the noise of the siren.

"County One to County, have Two, Five and Six meet us at the county medical examiner's office. Code Three."

"County, ten-four."

"County Two copy."

"County Five copy."

"County Six copy."

The radio fell silent as the tires squealed in torment around another corner.

Chapter 6

John was the first to pull up in front of the Medical Examiner's office building. There were two city police cars already there as John's car slammed to a halt, killing the engine. John was out of his door and halfway up the stairs before Bobbie stepped from the passenger side. Rudy was right behind his master almost knocking down Bobbie.

"John, wait," Bobbie called to him, running to catch up.

John was running down the hall, Rudy, and Bobbie close on his heels. As they made the turn into the hallway that led to Susan's office, John saw a city cop keeping Susan from entering. Suddenly, John slowed to a fast walk. As he approached the cop, he draws his sidearm shoving it in the cops face. Rudy growled deep in his throat.

"Stand down," John said softly.

The cops face drained of blood as he looked down the barrel of John's Colt and caught the dog watching him out of the corner of his eye.

"What the... "

"Hands up, down on your knees," ordered John. "Bobbie, take care of this trash."

Jimmy, Calvin, and Moose arrived at the run.

"You three, with me," John told them. "Anyone inside is to be detained and cuffed for questioning. They are assumed to be armed and dangerous."

John kicked in the door and entered, pistol raised and ready. Rudy ran in ahead of him. Inside are Harvey and his other officer. They appeared to be going through the medical examiner's files.

"What the... " Harvey cried out as Rudy almost bowled him over.

"Freeze you piece... you are under arrest. Hands on your head and get down on your knees. Failure to comply will be met with that force necessary to make you comply."

Harvey stood staring at John with a file folder in his hand. John stepped up to him and hit him in the face with his gun. Harvey was on the ground in an instant. The other cop, seeing what just happened to his boss, was on his knees, hands on his head before John can even look his way. Rudy stands watch over Harvey.

Kneeling down, John rolled Harvey onto his stomach, pulled his wrists up on to his back and cuffed him. John reached around Harvey pulling the pistol from the holster at his waist. John shoved the pistol into his waistband.

"Cuff and disarm him too," John told Jimmy. "Rudy sit."

Susan was standing beside Jimmy, eyes wide, as she looked around her office/lab.

"These assholes," she croaked pointing at the pair on the floor. "I come back from lunch and that jerk in the hall told me someone broke in and the Chief and another officer are collecting evidence."

"Yeah, they were collecting evidence all right, but not of a break in," John growled.

"Boss, you know we can't hold these guys," Jimmy said, "it will be their word against ours."

"I know, but we can run them through the process. Take them in, process them, take as long as you need, if you get my meaning, then we'll let them go."

"Right Boss," Jimmy said turning to the cop on his knees. "Get up asshole. Moose, you take this one, Calvin and I will drag the Chief Asshole out to the car."

"Right, Jimmy," Moose said indicating to the cop that he should get up.

"Shouldn't the Doc look at the Chief?" Jimmy asked.

"Fuck him... " Susan yelled.

"No, I didn't hit him that hard. I think the pansy fainted."

Jimmy nodded as he and Calvin each grab an arm and drag Muller out of the office.

"Susan, do you need help cleaning this mess up?" John asked.

"No, no I have a staff of three ready to help me," Susan said waving her hand at three strangers standing in the hall.

"Good. Let me know if anything is missing and which files they were rifling through," John told her.

"Sure thing Sheriff. It's a shame you can't really arrest those assholes," Susan said waving her staff into the office/lab.

"It is. But I can see to it he never bothers you again."

"How was that?" she asked.

"I have the power to say who can come and go in this building. And Harvey Muller and his mall cops just lost their privileges."

"Good."

John nodded at Susan, turned and left.

"Come, Rudy," John called. Rudy trotted out to catch up with John.

Chapter 7

John was in his office with the Valley City city council and the county commissioners. Harvey Muller and his two cops are standing in the outer office under the watchful gaze of Jimmy, Moose, Bobbie, and Rudy. Every time Harvey started to say something, Jimmy told him to be quiet and Rudy's chest rumbled.

"Dep... "

"Prisoners will be quiet," Jimmy said softly. Rudy's deep bass growl echoed around the room.

"But... "

"Prisoners will be quiet," Jimmy said softly again. "Or the deputy will make them be quiet."

Harvey quit trying to speak and just stood glaring at Jimmy until Rudy stood in front of him his chest rumbling deep enough to vibrate Harvey's chest. As the discussion raged in the Sheriff's office, Doctor Bajek came in, looked around and sighed.

"What do you need Doc," Bobbie asked.

"I need to see John, but... "

"He's a little busy, can I help you?"

"I have something for him to look at, but I can show him later."

"Come with me Doc," Bobbie said taking her arm gently, guiding her to an office behind the three standing prisoners.

Susan allowed Bobbie to guide her into the office. Once the door shut, she sighed heavily and sat.

"I have a video of those three, coming into the building and my lab."

"Ah, well, this is getting interesting. Is that it on the disk you're holding?"

"Yes."

"Give it to me. I'll make sure the boss sees it before the day was out."

"Thanks, Bobbie, I really do have to get back. Those fools have contaminated a half dozen pending cases. I don't know what they were looking for, but I have my suspicions and it's no longer in my custody."

"Does the Sheriff know?"

"He has the item, for safe keeping. Also, tell him the pictures are on the disk too, he'll understand."

"I will and thanks Doc."

"You're welcome, Deputy."

"Bobbie, please."

"Susan."

"I'll make sure John sees this Susan," Bobbie said nodding to the disk on the desk.

"Okay, I have to go, thank you, Bobbie," Susan said turning and leaving.

Picking up the disk, Bobbie slipped it in her pants pocket and returned to the main room. Ten minutes later the city council comes out of the Sheriff's office.

"Jimmy, let them go, the Council has assumed custody," John said before he closed his door.

"You three are free to go," Jimmy told the Chief and his two officers.

One of the city council members started to say something. Jimmy, Moose, and Bobbie turned and walked away, going to their desks ignoring the men in the center of the room. Carol, as if on cue, stands behind her desk. Rudy just glared at the men from the middle of the floor.

"Gentlemen, if you will sign for your personal belongings," she said.

Ten minutes later they are all gone, none of them speaking a word.

"I guess we can depend on them to harass us when we're off duty," said Moose.

"We're never off duty Moose," Jimmy told him. "Just drive your squad everywhere, like John does."

"What about Carol?" Bobbie asked

"I can take care of myself Deputy, but thanks for asking."

"Right," Bobbie said going back to work.

"Moose get back out on patrol," said Jimmy, "Bobbie you too."

"I have to see the Boss about something before I go."

"There's no telling how long they will be in there."

"Not much longer," said Carol looking at the Sheriff's office.