Sunshine Valley

Deputy Calvin

     Dillon was in good spirits as he bounced toward Smith’s. He hadn’t heard from her in a couple months. Even though she had a landline phone, forget about her answering it.  As he rounded a curve, his c.b. came to life. “Hey sheriff, whur u at?”

     “Just past Porter’s place, headin’ up to Smith’s.”

     “Can u swing by Cattail’s? He says there’s a pole-leese car at his trailer. Ain’t got no one ‘round. Described Calvin before the line went dead.” 

     It was the way Martha said dead that turned his heart to water. “On my way.” Sure enough, there was a car in front of Cattail’s trailer. When Dillon got out, he started hearing screaming, followed by muffled grunts. He radioed, “send in the cavalry.”  He opened the door to find Deputy Calvin on top of Cattail poundin’ away. Dillon grabbed him by his waistband, manhandling him out of the trailer, before throwing him in the back of his own car. Calvin was screaming the entire time. Dillon’s suv didn’t have a cage like the newest cars. He didn’t want this s.o.b. going anywhere. 

     Cattail was lying in the floor. Blood pouring from his nose and mouth. His face was swollen and bloody. “Deek, you hang in there buddy. A light box is on the way. Deek?”

     He moaned through a swollen mouth, “Beanpole?”

     “I’m here Deek.”

     “Why he mad? I not do nuttin’.”

     “I don’t know but I promise, I’ll find out.”

     “Bean,” Deek squeezed out.

     “Stay with me. Who’s gonna take care of the cats?” Dillon was almost in tears. He cleared his throat. “Deek, can you hear the light box?” The ambulance was getting closer with every passing second. 

     “I hear.” Deek whispered. With a shaky hand, he reached for Dillon. Dillon took Deek’s mangled hand in his. “Take care – cats.”

     Dillon knew Deek was gone. He didn’t feel the EMS personnel move him out of the way. All he could see was Deek playing in front of the courthouse with a cat and her kittens. Deek had talked Dillon into not taking them to the pound. But to help him gather them up so he could take them home. That’s how he got the nickname Cattail. He loved cats and they loved him. 

     Dillon was numb. Who would want to hurt Deek? He was simple. Some called him slow. He could function on his own. Once a month, someone from Sunshine Valley Keepers helped him sort out his medication. Clean in his place. He loved to mow as much as he loved cats. The little yard he had was immaculate. It was the other stuff he wasn’t good at. 

     People were filing in and out. Doing their jobs. He watched through a haze as EMS wrapped the body and took it out. 

     

     “Boss.” Did he hear that? “Boss.” The sound of breaking glass filled his head. He locked eyes with Bradley. Both men ran outside to find that Calvin had busted out the back window of the cruiser, through the bars. Clint and Tolliver were wrestling him out of the back of the car. Trying to secure his legs. Before they threw him in another cruiser. “Boss.”

     Dillon didn’t look at Bradley, “I’m okay.” He spoke as he wiped at the blood on his hands.