Title: The Ranger Next Door
Author: Lady Bethia
Series: Left Hand
E-Mail: lady-bethia@yahoo.com
Home Page:
Ratings: PG
Disclaimers: The X-Men are not mine. I am making no profit from this
story. Teresa Larraine is my original character.
Summary: Teresa meets some resistance to her being the new deputy. But
she shows that she can do the job by solving a couple of cold cases.
Chapter 4
'God,' she thought, 'my eyes are killing me.' Turning to look at the clock on the filing cabinet, she gasped. "Oh my God, it's 2 o'clock in the morning! I'm sorry Bobby but we are going to have to pause the campaign here."
"But why?" Bobby asked in confusion.
"I have to go to work tomorrow. Luckily, I don't have to be in till noon." She said with some relief.
"But you're already at work." Bobby snickered and smiled a really silly grin at her.
"Wrong work, goofy." She rolled her eyes and yelped. Then placing her hands over her eyes, she stated, "I need to get to sleep Bobby and my eyes are killing me. I have to take my contacts off. I don't want an eye infection because I kept them in too long."
"Contacts, you wear contacts?" Bobby asked questioningly.
"Yes contacts, my eyes aren't normal so I wear contacts so I see like normal people do and so normal people won't freak out at them." She explained quietly.
"Oh, I didn't realize you had a physical mutation too." He admitted.
"Yes well there is more but it is all under the skin." She replied as she waggled her eyebrows at him and then laughed. "I am serious we can work on this game later ok?"
"Sure, later. Do you mind if I leave my books and stuff here?" He asked.
"No, you can leave them, it's alright." She walked Bobby out to his car. "Drive back safe and don't take the short cut thought the fence. Besides it's not going to be there much longer. I'm planning on repairing it along with the bridge and sign before winter hits."
Bobby looked at her in confusion and asked, "What hole in the fence?"
"Just take my word for it. There is a hole in the brick fence and I'm going to fix it probably this weekend. Do you want to do some community service and help me on Sunday?" She asked with 'a help me I am helpless' expression on her face.
"Yeah sure, why not." He said as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Good!" She said with finality. "I feed my slaves well and work them hard." She laughed.
"Oh no, what have I gotten my self into now?" He said in mock horror and then snickered.
Diary September 20th
I need to hurry and get dressed. I am supposed to go to the station and see Sheriff Donaldson. He is starting my crash course training today my first real day on the job.
I wonder how this friendship with Bobby is going to turn out. Well I guess I'll just find out later. Wish me luck diary, I think I'm going to need it.
******
The Sheriff's station was a three story old brick building on the south side of town. The park was at the southwest end of town so it only took 10 minutes for her to get there.
"Here we go," she said to herself.
The station was busy two deputy's were on there way out the front door as Teresa walked in. They smiled and nodded as they passed recognizing her from two days ago when she was introduced as a new recruit for the force. The lady at the reception desk on the other hand looked up at her and frowned.
"Hi. I'm Teresa Larraine. I am the Park Ranger from Two Hills and I'm the new deputy here as well. Is Sheriff Donaldson in his office?" Teresa said in her most professional voice.
"I will inform the Sheriff that you are here." The woman said like she found the very idea distasteful.
"Is something wrong Ma'am?" Teresa asked in all the feigned innocence that she could.
The receptionist replied, "No there is not."
She turned away and lifted the phone and called the Sheriff's line. "The Mutie Deputy is here Sheriff." Her face was a mask of disgust.
"Ya know in the South if you called me a Nigger the way you just called me a Mutant I would have to consider that racism and harassment. Then, I would have to file a formal complaint against you which just might get you fired." Teresa said with all the sugary politeness that only a Southerner could. She was trying to give the woman a way out of a bad situation.
"What in hell is going on!" demanded Donaldson who had heard most of the conversation.
"I was just explaining to the receptionist the facts of life if she was going to continue to be a racist around me." Teresa stated trying hard to remain pleasant and non-threatening.
Not taking the hint and backing out of the situation, she screamed, "I quit! I don't have to be talked to like this by this piece of MUTIE TRASH!"
"If you did not just quit Mary I would have fired you for what you just said. It is people like you on both sides of the mutant issue that are what causes the police the headaches we have." Donaldson answered her tirade as he pointed to the door for her to leave.
"You will be hearing from my lawyer that's a promise!" She yelled as she started to cry and run out the door clutching her purse.
******
Later that afternoon Teresa looked up at Sheriff Donaldson and said, "I'm sorry about this morning. I should have handled that better. I usually do but I had to deal with something like that from the mutant verses police side yesterday. And a person I was hoping to be a friend almost became my enemy just because of the badge and not because of anything I had done." She looked hard at Donaldson. "You and the other Deputies are going to have to back me 120% if this is going to work. You know she is going to sue the department because of this morning." She said in a strained tone.
"I know but it is all on tape and it shows that she was the one who started the name calling and the racist hate speech crap. Besides the department lawyer has always hated her, and we have had other complaints about her in her file. She won't win this one." Donaldson said with a smile.
"I'll believe it when I see it." Teresa said while the doubtful worried look continued to mar her features.
"Sir, I think I have figured out this bicycle case. In fact, I think it is linked to the assault on Third Street too. If you could assign another Deputy to take me there I think with a little questioning and leg work on my part I can solve these two cases." She stated hoping that showing that she was a good worker and efficient she would be able to keep this job.
"You really think those two are related?" He questioned not seeing the connection.
She nodded her head by way of reply.
"All right, I'll call Phillips to take you out there. If there is any trouble Phillips takes the lead or any of the others I partner you with." He said. "At least until I am fully knowledgeable about your training and how you respond in the field. This is to protect you as well as this department." He smiled at her and then said, "Well what are you standing there for go solve those cases."
"Phillips take Lorraine to Third Street to check some possible leads on a couple of cold cases." Sheriff Donaldson ordered.
"Sure thing Sir," was his answer. "Let's go Lorraine, I was just waiting for something interesting to happen any way," he said as he lead the way to the patrol car.
******
Two hours later, Teresa and Phillips came back to the station with two prisoners. Walking over to Donaldson's office, Teresa knocked on the door. "Enter," came Donaldson's non-to happy voice.
Teresa stuck her head in and said, "Sheriff I hate to disturb you but I wanted to let you know that Phillips and I are booking two suspects connected to those two cases you wanted me to review." She turned to the Sheriff's visitor and smiled.
"Very good, I will debrief you when I am through here." The Sheriff said as he started to continue his previous conversion again.
An hour later, the two suspects were booked into the jail. And now Teresa and Phillips were seated in the Sheriff's office. The office was large with heavy dark wood furniture. There were pictures of the Sheriff doing all kinds of things from helping kids build stuff at a school to his fishing. The office was not sterol like most police offices. It was very much lived in and completely Donaldson.
"Well Lorraine it looks like you were right about Mary. She went straight to her lawyer. She is not only suing the Sheriff's department but both of us personally. Do you have a lawyer of your own that would be willing to work on this with our lawyer?" Donaldson said with a sigh.
"Yes, if I need to get a lawyer I can. But why do you think I will need my own lawyer?" She asked.
"Because she is claiming that you threatened to assault her and that she feared for her life. I know I know it is all bull shit but that is where it stands." He replied.
"Are you suspending me from duty?" She asked with fear echoing in her voice.
"No. She started this whole mess. Though, I don't know how it is going to affect my election in two years." He began to laugh.
"Well then, I will have to make myself know to the public as someone who is honorable and very much needed here then." She said as she began to think about how to do just that.
"I want your report about the cases and the arrests by 2 pm tomorrow." Donaldson demanded.
"Yes Sir, they will be on your desk on time. Thank god dad spent all that time teaching me how to write reports." She smiled feeling a little bit better knowing that she had not lost her job the first real day of work.
Chapter 4
'God,' she thought, 'my eyes are killing me.' Turning to look at the clock on the filing cabinet, she gasped. "Oh my God, it's 2 o'clock in the morning! I'm sorry Bobby but we are going to have to pause the campaign here."
"But why?" Bobby asked in confusion.
"I have to go to work tomorrow. Luckily, I don't have to be in till noon." She said with some relief.
"But you're already at work." Bobby snickered and smiled a really silly grin at her.
"Wrong work, goofy." She rolled her eyes and yelped. Then placing her hands over her eyes, she stated, "I need to get to sleep Bobby and my eyes are killing me. I have to take my contacts off. I don't want an eye infection because I kept them in too long."
"Contacts, you wear contacts?" Bobby asked questioningly.
"Yes contacts, my eyes aren't normal so I wear contacts so I see like normal people do and so normal people won't freak out at them." She explained quietly.
"Oh, I didn't realize you had a physical mutation too." He admitted.
"Yes well there is more but it is all under the skin." She replied as she waggled her eyebrows at him and then laughed. "I am serious we can work on this game later ok?"
"Sure, later. Do you mind if I leave my books and stuff here?" He asked.
"No, you can leave them, it's alright." She walked Bobby out to his car. "Drive back safe and don't take the short cut thought the fence. Besides it's not going to be there much longer. I'm planning on repairing it along with the bridge and sign before winter hits."
Bobby looked at her in confusion and asked, "What hole in the fence?"
"Just take my word for it. There is a hole in the brick fence and I'm going to fix it probably this weekend. Do you want to do some community service and help me on Sunday?" She asked with 'a help me I am helpless' expression on her face.
"Yeah sure, why not." He said as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Good!" She said with finality. "I feed my slaves well and work them hard." She laughed.
"Oh no, what have I gotten my self into now?" He said in mock horror and then snickered.
Diary September 20th
I need to hurry and get dressed. I am supposed to go to the station and see Sheriff Donaldson. He is starting my crash course training today my first real day on the job.
I wonder how this friendship with Bobby is going to turn out. Well I guess I'll just find out later. Wish me luck diary, I think I'm going to need it.
******
The Sheriff's station was a three story old brick building on the south side of town. The park was at the southwest end of town so it only took 10 minutes for her to get there.
"Here we go," she said to herself.
The station was busy two deputy's were on there way out the front door as Teresa walked in. They smiled and nodded as they passed recognizing her from two days ago when she was introduced as a new recruit for the force. The lady at the reception desk on the other hand looked up at her and frowned.
"Hi. I'm Teresa Larraine. I am the Park Ranger from Two Hills and I'm the new deputy here as well. Is Sheriff Donaldson in his office?" Teresa said in her most professional voice.
"I will inform the Sheriff that you are here." The woman said like she found the very idea distasteful.
"Is something wrong Ma'am?" Teresa asked in all the feigned innocence that she could.
The receptionist replied, "No there is not."
She turned away and lifted the phone and called the Sheriff's line. "The Mutie Deputy is here Sheriff." Her face was a mask of disgust.
"Ya know in the South if you called me a Nigger the way you just called me a Mutant I would have to consider that racism and harassment. Then, I would have to file a formal complaint against you which just might get you fired." Teresa said with all the sugary politeness that only a Southerner could. She was trying to give the woman a way out of a bad situation.
"What in hell is going on!" demanded Donaldson who had heard most of the conversation.
"I was just explaining to the receptionist the facts of life if she was going to continue to be a racist around me." Teresa stated trying hard to remain pleasant and non-threatening.
Not taking the hint and backing out of the situation, she screamed, "I quit! I don't have to be talked to like this by this piece of MUTIE TRASH!"
"If you did not just quit Mary I would have fired you for what you just said. It is people like you on both sides of the mutant issue that are what causes the police the headaches we have." Donaldson answered her tirade as he pointed to the door for her to leave.
"You will be hearing from my lawyer that's a promise!" She yelled as she started to cry and run out the door clutching her purse.
******
Later that afternoon Teresa looked up at Sheriff Donaldson and said, "I'm sorry about this morning. I should have handled that better. I usually do but I had to deal with something like that from the mutant verses police side yesterday. And a person I was hoping to be a friend almost became my enemy just because of the badge and not because of anything I had done." She looked hard at Donaldson. "You and the other Deputies are going to have to back me 120% if this is going to work. You know she is going to sue the department because of this morning." She said in a strained tone.
"I know but it is all on tape and it shows that she was the one who started the name calling and the racist hate speech crap. Besides the department lawyer has always hated her, and we have had other complaints about her in her file. She won't win this one." Donaldson said with a smile.
"I'll believe it when I see it." Teresa said while the doubtful worried look continued to mar her features.
"Sir, I think I have figured out this bicycle case. In fact, I think it is linked to the assault on Third Street too. If you could assign another Deputy to take me there I think with a little questioning and leg work on my part I can solve these two cases." She stated hoping that showing that she was a good worker and efficient she would be able to keep this job.
"You really think those two are related?" He questioned not seeing the connection.
She nodded her head by way of reply.
"All right, I'll call Phillips to take you out there. If there is any trouble Phillips takes the lead or any of the others I partner you with." He said. "At least until I am fully knowledgeable about your training and how you respond in the field. This is to protect you as well as this department." He smiled at her and then said, "Well what are you standing there for go solve those cases."
"Phillips take Lorraine to Third Street to check some possible leads on a couple of cold cases." Sheriff Donaldson ordered.
"Sure thing Sir," was his answer. "Let's go Lorraine, I was just waiting for something interesting to happen any way," he said as he lead the way to the patrol car.
******
Two hours later, Teresa and Phillips came back to the station with two prisoners. Walking over to Donaldson's office, Teresa knocked on the door. "Enter," came Donaldson's non-to happy voice.
Teresa stuck her head in and said, "Sheriff I hate to disturb you but I wanted to let you know that Phillips and I are booking two suspects connected to those two cases you wanted me to review." She turned to the Sheriff's visitor and smiled.
"Very good, I will debrief you when I am through here." The Sheriff said as he started to continue his previous conversion again.
An hour later, the two suspects were booked into the jail. And now Teresa and Phillips were seated in the Sheriff's office. The office was large with heavy dark wood furniture. There were pictures of the Sheriff doing all kinds of things from helping kids build stuff at a school to his fishing. The office was not sterol like most police offices. It was very much lived in and completely Donaldson.
"Well Lorraine it looks like you were right about Mary. She went straight to her lawyer. She is not only suing the Sheriff's department but both of us personally. Do you have a lawyer of your own that would be willing to work on this with our lawyer?" Donaldson said with a sigh.
"Yes, if I need to get a lawyer I can. But why do you think I will need my own lawyer?" She asked.
"Because she is claiming that you threatened to assault her and that she feared for her life. I know I know it is all bull shit but that is where it stands." He replied.
"Are you suspending me from duty?" She asked with fear echoing in her voice.
"No. She started this whole mess. Though, I don't know how it is going to affect my election in two years." He began to laugh.
"Well then, I will have to make myself know to the public as someone who is honorable and very much needed here then." She said as she began to think about how to do just that.
"I want your report about the cases and the arrests by 2 pm tomorrow." Donaldson demanded.
"Yes Sir, they will be on your desk on time. Thank god dad spent all that time teaching me how to write reports." She smiled feeling a little bit better knowing that she had not lost her job the first real day of work.