Chapter 41
They went into the outer office. Higgins sat there somewhat subdued. Sean noticed a fresh welt forming under the sheriff’s left eye.
"Has he been giving you any trouble?” Sean asked Sergeant Miller, but knew that his subordinate would be able to handle the likes of someone like Higgins.
"Nothing I couldn’t handle.” Miller said with a slight smirk appearing on his face. “He was getting a little restless, so I calmed him down a little.” He absently touched the barrel of his side arm.
Higgins glared up at him but said nothing and didn’t even move. He rubbed the side of his face, wincing in pain. It was apparent that Miller had used his pistol butt to convince Higgins to cooperate.
The mayor didn’t like this thoughtless display of violence, but he said nothing. He felt that if what they were suspecting about the sheriff were true, this would be mild treatment compared to what he could expect if and when he was locked up.
Several convicts had been sent away by Higgins and most likely carried grudges against him. Even if Higgins ended up at a different prison than them, word would get around that a cop had been locked up. Jail house vengeance could be often brutal and most likely fatal.
Even though inmates would be searched regularly, it was amazing how many home-made weapons there were within the walls and if someone had it in for you, chances are you would end up with a shank in the gut or through the heart.
"What the fuck is going on mayor? I haven’t done anything to these two and yet you seem to be condoning their abuse towards me.” Higgins asked incredulously.
"I don’t condone violence of any sort as you are most likely aware Kevin. Things have come to light that make you appear guilty of several things.”
Higgins started to get up in protest, but noticed Miller looking at him and thought better of it.
The mayor went on. “Firstly Kevin, there will be an investigation into whether or not you put a contract out on these two law officers. Believe me when I tell you, that if you were involved, you will pay for doing so. It is strange that you would become so enraged by a past case that wasn’t solved.
"I know that you are one arrogant son of a bitch, but I don’t think that arrogance has anything to do with your being upset by the matter at hand. It appears that there is more to the Caulder incident that you don’t want to come to light.
"When these two officers find Jake Caulder, as I am sure they will, we will be doing a DNA test on him as well as on you. If the test results appear positive that you are Jake’s father, as I expect they will, then you will be charged with the rape of Maggie and murder of her husband Tom.”
Higgins had had enough. “This is bull shit mayor. These two strangers waltz into town and you start talking crap. Why the fuck would I do the things that you’re saying. None of this would hold up in court. You’re insane to think that it would.”
"Not so insane Higgins. Every one knows that you were hot for Maggie and they also know that she wanted nothing to do with you. If Jake is your son, who I’m pretty certain is, the only way that that could have happened is if you forced yourself upon her. If you raped her Kevin, you will also be tried for the murder of her husband. It will look to everyone that you killed Tom in cold blood so that you could be with Maggie, but that would never have happened willingly on her part. She despised you”
"You can’t treat me like this.” Higgins protested. “If you go through with this, you’ll be sorry.”
"Don’t threaten me, sonny. That will be added to the list of charges already piling up on your head. Threatening an elected official is not a smart thing to do. You will be the one who is sorry, Higgins, not me.” Now the mayor was becoming agitated. He was shaking visibly. He didn’t like confrontations as he already stated, but he would stand his ground when he knew that he was right and now he believed more than ever that he was correct in suspecting Higgins. He planned on having him prosecuted as soon as he could.
Drinking a glass of water, he calmed himself and continued. “Don’t under estimate my power sheriff. You’ve crossed the line once too often and now you’re going to answer for all your wrong doings. I’m sure that if we look into past cases, some will be suspect. You are going under the microscope and past improprieties will come to light.”
He pressed the buzzer and Miss Stevens answered. “Yes sir, sheriff.”
"It’s not the sheriff Miss Stevens. It’s the mayor.”
"Oh, I’m sorry sir. I just assumed it was Sheriff Higgins. What can I do for you?”
"Send in Sergeant Patterson. Sheriff Higgins is being relieved of his duty as head of the police department here in town. Patterson will be in charge until further notice.”
There was silence from the other end of the line and then she spoke. “Right away, sir.” It almost sounded as though she was happy with that news.
A moment later there was a knock on the door. Sergeant Patterson came in, looked around and seemed puzzled by the scene within. There was his boss, the sheriff sitting on the sofa with a stranger standing over him as if guarding him. At the sheriff’s desk sat the mayor, with another stranger sitting across the desk from him. He looked at his boss “Yes sir, may I help you?”
But it was the mayor who spoke, not Higgins. “Sergeant, I called you in here to let you know that Sheriff Higgins has been relieved of his duties. You will be in charge until further notice.”
The sergeant shifted uncomfortably. He said nothing and so the mayor continued. “Sergeant Patterson, you are in charge of the department now. An investigation is under way that directly involves your boss and so he is no longer the sheriff of the town. If he is cleared of all charges, he will be reinstated, but until further notice, you are running the squad. Your first duty is to escort Higgins to the cells, and if he resists, put the cuffs on him.”
Sergeant Patterson looked at his former boss who sat there saying nothing. He looked like someone who had been stepped upon and was groggy from the beating. Patterson hesitated but then spoke. “Yes sir. I will do as you say.”
He turned to Higgins and spoke. “I’m sorry to do this sir, but please come along quietly. I’m sure that everything will get cleared up, but for the moment, sir, please come with me.”
He grabbed Higgins by the elbow to assist him in rising. Higgins made no attempt to refuse or struggle. Patterson led him out and shut the door.
When they were gone the mayor continued. “Patterson is a fine lad. He’ll do a good job, and chances are he may become the new sheriff full time. He has a fine record. I’ve suspected Higgins of wrong-doing for a long time but have turned a blind eye. I’d hoped that my feelings were unfounded, but it doesn’t look like they were. Oh well, it’s not too late to get him off the street and locked up where he belongs. You must find this Caulder and find him fast. Prosecuting Higgins relies a lot on what the DNA results show.”
"We’ll do our best, mayor. We’ve got to get going before the trail goes cold. We’ll keep you informed of our progress.”
"I’d appreciate that inspector.”
O’Reilly rose and so did the mayor, who escorted him to the door. They shook hands and then Sean and Miller went out of the office. When Sean had closed the door, he went to talk to Miss Stevens. She seemed to be preoccupied in her thoughts.
"Excuse me Miss Stevens.” Sean spoke to the secretary.
"Yes sir” she replied.
"I just wanted to apologize for the way that I spoke to you earlier.”
“It’s okay sir. No harm, no foul.” She smiled demurely.
O’Reilly looked at her and thought that she was very cute. “No Miss Stevens, I really would like to apologize. I was out of line. I’d like to make it up to you by taking you out for a coffee or something when this case is closed.”
"That’s not necessary sir.”
"I insist and please stop calling me sir. It makes me feel old. Please call me Sean.”
"Okay sir, I mean Sean. Please call me Cindy.”
"Okay Cindy it is. Will you take me up on my offer to go out when this is over?”
"Call me when you have time and we’ll see.”
"Sounds like a yes to me.”
Again Cindy said “We’ll see.” But there was a glint in her eye and Sean knew that he would be getting to know her a little better.
After Sean and Miller were outside by the car, Miller had a smirk on his face. He turned to his boss. “Are we ready to go or do you want to chat up Miss Cindy Stevens some more?”
"Shut up and drive.” He looked serious for a moment but then he broke out in a big smile. “Yes Miller, things are starting to look up indeed.” They both laughed and got back to the business at hand; they were on their way to Caulder’s last known place of residence when he was a child. They were going to have a chat with Mrs. Keller, not realizing that she too had been killed years ago.
Back at Higgins or should I say Patterson’s outer office, Cindy sat there with a smile on her face. She spoke to no one in particular. “Today is turning out to be a fine day after all. That prick Higgins is going to get what he deserves, and a handsome inspector is showing an interest in me. Life is good.” She started humming and rearranging papers. Her new boss seemed like a nice enough guy. It was going to be a pleasure working here after all. At least she hoped he would be. She had thought that about her last boss and he turned out to be one hell of an asshole. Now anyways, the mayor was going to keep an eye on things. She just hoped for the best, and went about reshuffling papers, thinking that she might not have to quit after all.
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