Absaroka Prison Blues
Chapter 2
The Dodge charger pulls up behind Vic's truck. Ferg, my even tempered and unprejudiced deputy is a welcome sight. I wonder if I ran over and gave him a hug, if that'd bother him. Nope, not a good idea. Then Vic would grumble something about people getting special treatment.
Ferg quickly completes a cursory look inside and outside the cabin before going to work. Vic follows him around as she has me so many times over the years. Shadowing him and providing unsolicited commentary. As my youngest deputy, Ferg has come a long way. I watch has he easily shifts to detective mode processing the scene. He'll have to do the police report.
On 6/23/16 at approximately 1855 hours deputy on duty responded to radio dispatch reporting a 911 call at the location home of Sheriff Walt Longmire. Officer was also informed by dispatch that 911 caller indicated a there is a shooting victim at the scene. At approximately 1900 hours, same deputy was notified by dispatch that an off duty deputy also responded and was presently at the scene.
Upon arrival to the front entrance of the home, this deputy was briefed by the off duty deputy, Victoria Moretti. Moretti appeared excited or angry. This deputy observed Moretti shout, use expletives, stomp her foot on the driveway, all while swinging her arms out to her sides.
To the right of Deputy Moretti, was a male holding a shot gun. Male is known to this deputy as the homeowner, Sheriff Walt Longmire. Standing on the porch behind Sheriff Longmire this deputy observed a second female, unidentified, early 50's, wearing only a bra and panties. Sheriff Longmire stated the woman was his house guest a Dr. Donna Monaghan. This deputy further noted Sheriff Longmire wore only a pair of Wranglers, unbuttoned and unzipped leading this deputy to suspect the Sheriff was trying to get lucky with his house guest, Dr. Donna Monaghan.
It is noted that it has been a commonly held assumption in the community that for some time Sheriff Longmire has been involved in a romantic relationship with Deputy Moretti. This appears substantiated by the demeanor of Moretti on the scene.
This deputy overheard part of the conversation between Deputy Moretti and Dr. Donna Monaghan. Deputy Moretti was heard saying, "You're popular with the crazies, aren't you? You're just an attempt to satisfy Walt's MILF fantasy…nice lingerie, get those on blue light special at Kmart?" This deputy heard the Dr. Monaghan's replies to be "Don't call yourself crazy… obsession with references to sex is common in the sexually depraved or deprived…serious anger problem."
This deputy walked closer to the Sheriff to assess for possible injury. This deputy asked Sheriff Longmire if he was hurt or needed assistance and the Sheriff nodded in the direction of Deputy Moretti and Dr. Donna Monaghan and responded, "Are you kidding me?"
The Sheriff then covered his face with both hands and stated "Shoot me. Shoot me now." This deputy responded in the negative. Sheriff Longmire responded, "I could make it an order."
It was assessed the Sheriff had no injuries, and this deputy asked the location of the shooting victim. The Sheriff answered, "Paramedics already got him and left." To the question of the identity of the shooting victim the Sheriff responded, "I don't know who he is or why he was breaking into my home, but I know his name. Lucky Bastardson."
Upon hearing this comment, this deputy concluded that all three people at the scene were start raving mad so this deputy left to have a cold stiff drink.
"You're an a**hole, Walt!"
A slap to the back of my already aching head interrupts my daydream. Vic, of course.
"Did you really do that for HER?"
"What?"
"Did you really play the piano for that person, that person who doesn't know you?"
"Don't really have to know the player to enjoy the music."
"You just don't get it do you?"
I turn towards her as I stand. "Vic, it…no. No, I don't get it. What I do get is I need to give my statement. And after that, I want to put my place back together, clean up, clean myself up. And, I'm tired. Too tired to have to answer for something I shouldn't have to answer for."
I'm not angry. My tone isn't harsh or condescending. I never want to hurt her. She's important to me. The other she, Donna, I do think could be something to me, should we ever get time normal, uneventful time together. But Vic is important to me now. She's studying me like she's trying to figure out how she feels and if she wants to act on it.
"Vic, I don't want to fight. Are we okay?"
"Walt." Her tone is soft and I can see one tear forming under her right eye. "It's okay. Really. I get it. I mean I really, really get it."
I reach out to touch her shoulder and she steps back with her right foot. She looks vulnerable.
"Vic, please."
"Okay. Well, Ferg is here now, so I'll let him do his thing. You get some rest. Don't worry it's gonna be fine, just fine."
"Okay. Thanks, Vic."
Vic nods. I watch as she takes a few steps back then breaks into a near run to her truck. I feel sad. Sad, tired, and a little guilty.