Wounded Badge Vista Read online

  She gave assignments. The area was to remain cordoned off with tape. A guarding deputy was to be there throughout the night. Also, twenty-four hours until further notice. She put one of her best deputies on the crime scene. Deputy Sam Dawson was an excellent enforcer, and Royce was confident that he’d investigate the scene, along with Medical Examiner Ben Prichard, and the M.E.’s assistants. Deputy Sam would carefully preserve the area.

  Sam was known as Deputy Sunshine. He was a nondescript man, lanky, a face full of joy. His joyfulness was shut down now. But Royce knew it would return eventually.

  As Royce was driving back to the Timber County Courthouse, her thoughts burgeoned. It wasn’t a dream.

  Nick Hogan had been taken to the Emergency Room of Crystal General Hospital. Two surgeons were being flown from Denver to Crystal, and would be landing within the hour. They would assist with the local surgeons. Nick’s wife Beverly was in the waiting room with Nick’s family and her family. Deputy Terry Doyle would be at her side, bodyguarding the family, and Nick.

  Remaining deputies were searching for the truck and shooter. They would be searching for a black truck, like hundreds of other black trucks in the county. They would be on the lookout for a shooter. A man, a shooter would be chased. A man suspected of shooting Timber County’s undersheriff.

  Immediately as she entered Timber County Courthouse, and walked through to the Justice Building. Within the Justice Building was the Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney’s Offices, the Forensic Lab and the Corrections area. Royce checked in with the front desk, then entered the Sheriff’s Department. Entering the department seemed different.

  “Sheriff,” Wanda Thurlow, the county dispatcher’s words hurriedly greeted her. “No news from the hospital. They said that Nick will be in surgery for the next couple hours. They’ll let us know.”

  Royce spoke, “Nick was here earlier conducting the daily meeting, since I was gone. Can you tell me what he did after the meeting?”

  “When he came in, as usual, he grabbed the calls. Yours and his. He took all the calls to his office. He made some calls, worked on reports. The usual. Then he put on his Stetson and came out here.” Wanda frowned, remembering, “He handed me his duty roster, looked at his wristwatch, and I’m guessing he figured he had a moment or two to chat. He said he was meeting someone interested in becoming a deputy. A kid. He was meeting the kid up at the Wounded Badge Memorial. He always began his ride-along tours there.”

  Royce frowned with her memory. “He said he wanted potential young enforcers to understand both the danger and the honor of serving.” From there Royce’s thoughts were of her father. It had been twenty years. But the fact that he was murdered never strayed from his daughter’s thoughts. Royce recalled, as she always had examined the Wounded Badge area, looking at the huge stone its brass plate listing the county’s casualties. Her glance always stopped as her father’s name came into view. Sheriff Grady Madison.

  Royce’s attention swayed to the desk. She called to Wanda. “Pull up the recordings of all the calls that came in this morning,” Royce instructed as she made her way back to Nick’s desk. She immediately sat and began flipping pages. She spotted the information that might help.

  As is procedure in taking a ride-along with him, the information about the potential deputy was on his computer. Nick had, indeed, made a cursory background check. Royce pulled up the driver’s license. Kirk Dillard, twenty-two years old, lived at an address in Crystal. Royce quickly checked the name for auto tags. A black Ford Ranger pickup truck. Ron and Mandy Connor had the license plate information accurately witnessed. Royce jotted down the completed plate information and immediately had Wanda relay the information. That completed the auto tag, and confirmed the vehicle was the one that met with Nick.

  There was now a suspect, and the IDed auto that suspect might be driving. It would be broadcast out, not only to nearby counties, but it would be transmitted to all the counties in Colorado and nearby states. She leaned back contemplating thoughts of why this crime. Why would a twenty-two-year old want to murder Nick?

  There was no mention of mental disorder, or previous run-ins with the law. Clean record, and no tie to Undersheriff Nick Hogan. Or any other deputy. Checking beyond, Royce noticed in a news story that Kirk Dillard was the son of Lyle and Courtney Dillard. Dillard and his wife were divorced, and she was a Wyomingite. She’d moved back to Wyoming a couple years ago. Royce pulled from her memory that Lyle was a successful property promoter in Crystal.

  Grabbing her hat, Royce walked toward the door. Over her shoulder, she said, “I’m going to be over at the Times.”

  ***

  Between taking calls about Nick’s medical reports, media calls, and tips about where the black Ford truck might have been seen, Royce had overlooked lunch. Because she had questions that Gwen Ives, publisher of The Timber City Times, would know, she stopped at the office. Although she’d seen Gwen at the crime scene, Gwen seemed to disappear. She would obviously have returned to her office to write the news update on the specially-issued newspaper, and also make additions to the E-Edition report. That edition went out on Gwen’s computer. Nadine Atwell, Gwen’s partner and lover, usually remained back at the office to update reports.

  Royce entered the rustic, yet elegant entrance to The Timber City Times and sat at the desk in the front office. Gwen had returned from the homicide site, and was polishing up some of the reports. She looked across her desk at the sheriff. She nodded to Royce. Gwen was in her mid-sixties, and had grown up across the street from Royce’s mother, Molly. They remained best friends, including when Gwen found the love of her life. Then there were three best friends, Molly always said.

  Gwen’s short, neatly-trimmed salt and pepper hair surrounded an expressive face. From a medium complexion, stared spectacled deep bronze eyes. The usual vibrato of her voice was strangely, drably monotone.

  “I’m writing an update on Nick. Any word yet?” Gwen inquired.

  “They thought he’d be out of surgery in a couple hours from now. Headshot, which is always dicey. And a shoulder/torso shot. The shooter seems to have been aware Nick would have on a vest. His target shots were head and the space above police vests. I haven’t been to the hospital. I’ll drop by later. Now, I’ve got to talk with Lyle Dillard. I wondered if you have any information on Lyle and his son Kirk.”

  “Lyle Dillard?” Gwen’s frown lifted.

  “Yes. Off the record, Nick was meeting Kirk Dillard for the ride-along. Nick had pulled Kirk’s information up on his computer. Dillard’s truck description matched the one a young couple had witnessed. I just don’t understand why Kirk would want to kill Nick.”

  “Kirk’s dad, Lyle, hates Timber County. He was promoting the gambling establishment. His company, Dillard Properties, spent a lot of money to get a vote to build the gambling joint on the property. He was turned down. He then went before our courts and was rejected. Voted down. Turned down by the courts. We don’t want gambling in Timber City or Crystal Village. He tried buying us.”

  Gwen had just been elected mayor of Timber City, and she didn’t suffer fools, at all. “Gwen, are you saying he offered you…”

  “A good deal on a ski cabin. It was his little bribe…good deals.”

  “I remember his threatening one of the members. It was a while back. I confronted Lyle and he put on his outrageous indignation act. I warned him. I didn’t have enough to haul him in, but I sent the case to the D.A.’s office. And from everything I’ve heard, Lyle’s going ahead with the lodge/hotel, only without the gambling casino. Not happy about it, but I never heard grumblings that would encourage him to have his son kill a lawman.”

  “Royce, I knew Lyle better than you did. We were on the town council together, and he was like a danged snake. He wanted retribution. He walked out when he didn’t get his way. He knew he would be getting voted out in the next election. He’s got shadowy business associates.”

  “His son hasn’t been in any trouble with th
e law. Do you know anything about the son, Kirk?”

  “Nothing derogatory has crossed my desk. He just recently got back from college. I’d seen him a couple of times. He’s the spitting image of his father. But his personality is mellower, like his mother’s.”

  “The information I gleaned is that Courtney Dillard left Lyle and went back to Wyoming.”

  “Lyle has a luxury suite at the Golden Nugget Apartments. Kirk is living in small rental not too far from his father. It’s that block of townhouses west of the Golden Nugget.”

  “If he just shot the undersheriff, I’m guessing he won’t be holing up in his own townhouse. But I’ll check it out.”

  “You’d better take someone with you.”

  “Gwen, we’re shorthanded. We’ve got Beverly, the kids, and the hospital being guarded. Most everyone else is looking for the black truck. We’re even using volunteer deputies from neighboring counties. And I know you’re helping with the stream of updates.”

  “We immediately got the black truck information out on our Times e-Edition. We sent the couple of hits from readers over to your dispatch. Sometimes I wonder if we get as much readership for the weekly papers as we do on the e-Editions.”

  “The electronic Times. You’re pulling leads. I just hope we find the guy before he strikes again.”

  Gwen suggested, “Maybe you should have Hertha and your kids, and you for that matter, with security.”

  “I’m fine. I have someone watching High Country Animal Hospital.” Royce smiled. “Nothing better than you and Molly looking across the street to see that Hertha and the kids are fine. I’d say they are always under scrutiny. But of course, we’ll have a deputy watching.”

  Gwen reached under a platter top. She unwrapped a sandwich and handed it to Royce. “Speaking of Molly. Your mom brought over some food. She’s also supplying the Sheriff’s Department and the auxiliary post in Crystal, with tons of food and pastry.”

  “I knew she was planning that.” Royce said confidently. No matter what the emergency, disaster, Molly changed her bakery to a catering service. Molly’s Pantry would provide food when and where it would be needed. She’d taken food to the hospital. And she reported back that there was nothing but waiting to be done. But as long as Molly was able, everyone would be fed.

  Royce wished she had time to stop to thank her mom, but she didn’t. She also wished she had time to stop by and see Hertha and their kids. But she didn’t.

  The sheriff took a quick trip to Crystal. She pulled up at the address she had as Kirk’s residence. No one was there. She inquired with a neighbor, and Kirk hadn’t been seen all day. Royce called for a deputy to surveille the unit. Kirk wasn’t returning to his home. Of that, she felt certain. She ordered a search warrant, from the D.A.’s office, in case the young man in question wasn’t with his father.

  She then drove to the Golden Nugget Luxury Apartment Complex. As she stepped off the elevator, she recognized the plush décor. When Royce got to Lyle Dillard’s penthouse apartment, she knocked – tapping loudly.

  The door swung wildly open. Dapper, with his usual smug demeanor, Lyle Dillard, smirked. Royce couldn’t help but notice the likeness from Kirk’s driver’s license. He had his father’s sharp features, green eyes, and light hair. Lyle’s shoulder’s lifted. He said, “I hadn’t expected to see a sheriff at my door.” His words were angry, and impatient.

  “Mr. Dillard, do you know where I might locate your son, Kirk?”

  “Probably at his townhouse.” Dillard was irritated. “He’s a good kid; I don’t know what you could possibly want him for.” His mouth snapped shut. His expression was stormy.

  “This morning, near noon, Undersheriff Nick Hogan was critically wounded. He was going to meet with Kirk Dillard. Nick Hogan arrived, and we have witnesses that Kirk’s truck was the one at the shooting. The driver shot Undersheriff Hogan. The undersheriff is in critical condition. So, it’s vital that we talk with him.”

  Shock covered his face. “Why the hell would my son want to meet with that dimwit Hogan?”

  Royce’s back braced. “Why the animosity?” Her voice was being reined in. “What has he ever done to you?”

  “He’s a smart ass. When I was trying to get my gaming establishment built, he helped influence the voters against the gambling permits.”

  “The citizens of Crystal didn’t want gambling. Period. They voted.” Royce shut her eyes, and then when they opened, she saw Lyle’s was a deeply angry glare. “Look, Dillard, I don’t care about your financial dealings. We have a deputy shot down in cold blood. He has a wife and two kids, and he’s hospitalized. He’s fighting for his life. And the best suspect we have is your son. Now, I want to know if you’ve heard from him today, and where we might find him.”

  Lyle’s expression suddenly seemed frozen. He stuttered, “Early this morning he called. Said he was going to have breakfast with a hot woman. He met her yesterday, and they traded information. They were going to hook up this morning.” He paused, and he avoided eye contact. “My son doesn’t get into trouble.”

  “We need to find him before there’s more trouble. His vehicle was witnessed to be at a crime scene. If your son was driving his truck, he is indeed in trouble.” Royce stepped near to him. Her eyes were directly across from his. “Now tell me everything you can about where I might find Kirk.”

  “He didn’t even tell me where he was taking her to breakfast.” Lyle’s eyes appeared to be glazing as he talked. “She told him she was a student. No name, nothing. He laughed when he said she was hot. It indicated that he might have thought he was going to score.”

  “Did he ever do drugs?”

  “Never. Sheriff, my kid was raised by my wife. I was always working. Then she left me. Kirk lived with her until he graduated college. She taught him morals. And she tried to teach me morals. I guess I was a more difficult student. He was the kid I should have been. But life made me greedy.”

  “Let me know if you hear from him.” She handed him her card.

  Royce was perplexed as she walked to the parking area. She got into her vehicle, then checked in with dispatch. She told Wanda that she was planning to drop by the hospital. She wanted to see if Nick was improving. She promised to let the dispatcher know any information on his condition. She gave Wanda the address of Kirk Dillard, and had a deputy sent to watch the townhouse.

  When she entered the hospital hall, she saw Deputy Terry Doyle. She sat up when she saw the sheriff. Terry was medium height, muscular, and attractive. Her curly hair bobbed as she nodded to Royce. With her hazel eyes zeroed in on the sheriff, she shrugged. “Chance seems to understand something is terribly wrong,” Terry said. Royce’s German shepherd, Chance, jumped up immediately. She leaped across the room. When Royce knelt down, Chance rushed into her arms. “She’s glad to see you,” Terry uttered. “But she did need to spend her K-9 Deputy duty with me.”

  “I’m glad to see you both. Any news?”

  “No. They won’t know much until morning. The kids are home with Beverly’s parents. Nick’s parents and Beverly are taking shifts, so one of them can be with him. The hospital set up a room for them to grab some rest, and there’s a bunk adjacent to Nick’s room.”

  “I’d like to see him.”

  Terry stood, pointing to the door. “Beverly just went in with him.”

  Royce opened the door. She stepped inside. Beverly lifted her head. She had been leaning against Nick’s hand. Beverly had always struck Royce as having the ‘mom’ attitude. She was always friendly, and would give a twirl of her head, and her blonde highlighted hair. She’d wave and talk with people – if she knew them or not. Her hairstyle was rarely messy, but at the children’s ballgames, she didn’t care if how it looked. Royce had rarely seen her anyway but upbeat. This was an exception; even her voice didn’t have its normal vibrato.

  Beverly stood and felt Royce’s arms hugging her. “Hi, Royce. He just came out of surgery”

  “Any news on his condition?” Royce vi
ewed Nick. She attempted to steady her nerves. To be strong. But inside Royce felt sick to her stomach. His blue eyes were shut. A bandage formed around his head. His curly dark hair had been shaved. Royce guessed that the bullet had done its damage beneath the lower part of his head, and neck. His shoulder was also wrapped. Machines were monitoring him, and tubes and IV’s were everywhere.

  Beverly updated Royce, and then added, “Weather kept the two neurosurgeons from flying in earlier. They’ll be arriving from Denver later tonight. Royce, they’re planning on operating. Doing some delicate work in the morning. The surgeons here just told me that they came very near to losing him. It’s all beyond reality.” She broke crying, Royce comforted her, “Every day of our lives I’ve feared this. And now it’s like a nightmare, inconceivable. I keep saying it can’t be true.”

  “They’ll be doing everything they can.”

  “Royce, find the one who did this.”

  “We may have found the shooter. We have someone – a possible. We haven’t located him. But I would call him a person of interest.”

  Beverly squeezed Royce’s hand. “Please get him.”

  “Yes.” Royce walked to the door. “Bev, it’s going to be a long day tomorrow. Try to get some rest. Nick will need you. And anything you need, let us know.”

  “You rest, too. So that you can apprehend the manic that tried to kill him. I don’t want anyone else going through this.”

  When Royce entered the hallway, she noticed that Terry was attempting to wipe her tears away. “I’ll send someone over to relieve you in the morning. The hospital has two security officers in the main hall.”

  “Why Nick?” Terry inquired with bitterness in her voice.

  “I have no idea. But we’ll find the person responsible. And Nick will live. Do you want me to take Chance?”

  “I think she wants to be with you. I’m safely guarded in here. You’re outside. I think you could use her.” Her smile was slight, and quick. “We’ve all got to take care of one another now.”