Chapter 3: Good Luck

Several expensive international phone calls and several long conversations later, Junior Deputy and soon to be newly appointed Hope County Sheriff Troy Harrison had secured three new subordinates for his new administration once he returned to Hope County, Montana. The three officers he had chosen were all people he had worked with in the past, and he had the utmost confidence in their abilities.

Sergeant Abigail "Abby" Asher had known Troy Harrison for roughly twenty years. They had been childhood friends and schoolmates in their Vermont hometown despite the four-year age difference between them. They had lost touch for a while when Harrison graduated high school and headed for college, but they later reunited some years later when the two discovered that they just so happened to be assigned to the same Chicago Police district station. Asher had joined the Chicago PD just after receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice at a Colorado university. At the time of the two friends' reunion, Asher had been a patrol officer for nearly two years before being recruited by the CPD's Narcotics Section to work a series of undercover assignments. Harrison, at the time, was a Detective working a joint assignment with both the CPD Homicide Unit and the new cutting-edge Cyber Crimes Task Force.

Asher's career hit a considerable number of obstacles, however, when the aftermath of one undercover assignment left her grappling with addictions to alcohol and opioid pills. She had initially turned to Harrison for help when she was charged with a DUI, but Harrison decided to use "tough love" on his troubled friend, refusing to help unless she first sought help for herself. Asher spent the next three months in court-ordered rehab, and upon her successful completion and release from the program, Harrison submitted a very sincere letter to the Chicago Police Superintendent that urged him to let Asher keep her job. His recommendation worked and Asher soon achieved a promotion to the rank of Sergeant. Any elation that Abigail Asher felt was apparently short-lived when the department higher-ups seemingly decided to discreetly chastise her for her indiscretions. She was promptly exiled to CPD's Headquarters, more commonly known by its nickname, "The Ivory Tower" as their Desk Sergeant.

Adam Xander, meanwhile, had previously worked alongside Harrison for four and a half years in a police department on the West Coast, following Harrison's departure from the Chicago PD. The two had initially began as partners in the Homicide Unit, and both eventually achieved simultaneous promotions to Sergeant, and worked Patrol for a year afterward. After he, Xander, and their fellow officers foiled a domestic terrorism plot, Harrison was meritoriously promoted to the position of Chief Detective, with Xander being moved up to Lieutenant, respectively. Growing tired of the city pace after a while, Harrison tendered his resignation, appointing Adam Xander to succeed him as the new Chief Detective.

Dakota Michaels was another colleague of Harrison's from his time on the West Coast who had worked closely alongside him and Xander. A seasoned officer and well-trained SWAT team member, Xander and Harrison could always depend on him to back them up and assist them in any situation or crisis, so much so that it had been Michaels' insights and support that had proved so instrumental in foiling the aforementioned domestic terror plot. With Harrison and Xander receiving their respective promotions soon after, Michaels made his own way up the ranks by becoming a Captain and assuming command of the department's elite SWAT unit. He was also a husband and devoted father to a young daughter.

Over time, however, both Xander and Michaels grew just as weary of the fast pace and celebrity-obsessed culture that seemed to envelop the particular city in which they lived and worked. Within weeks of each other, the two of them both resigned from the police force and together, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to work as firefighter/paramedics, an occupation the two of them had in common prior to becoming police officers.

Now in present-day Yokosuka, Japan, Troy Harrison packed his belongings into his gym bag and suitcase and was in the process of making the bed in the Hazuki guest room when both Sensei Ryo and Fuku-san came in to check on him.

"I take it you've been called back to America", Ryo said.

Harrison turned and gave a brief, appreciative bow to the two of them. "Yes, I have", he replied, "A really great job opportunity has come up back in Montana that I've decided to accept. I'd like to very graciously thank the two of you for taking me in and helping me get back on my feet."

"You're so welcome, Troy-san", Fuku-san said, "We've loved having you around here again after all these years. We'd like you to know that you always have a place here at Hazuki Dojo."

Harrison shook Fuku-san's hand. "Thank you, Fuku Sensei," he replied.

Sensei Ryo assisted Harrison in pulling the bed together. "Are your travel plans in order, Troy-san?" he asked.

"Yes", Harrison replied as he pulled the pillowcase back up onto one of the pillows, "I'm flying out of Narita Airport in Tokyo at ten p.m. tonight. I reserved a seat on the five o' clock bus from Dobuita."

"Is your family aware of this new great opportunity?" Ryo asked.

"Not yet", Harrison replied as he put the pillow back in its proper place, "I'm going to try and have a Skype session with my mother tonight and explain everything."

Ryo and Fuku-san walked Harrison to the front gate of the Hazuki property. Ryo then presented him with a bundle of items wrapped in a green silk cloth.

"What's this?" Harrison asked curiously.

Ryo gave him a slyly kind smile. "Don't open it until you get back home", he said dubiously, "there are a few things in there that could be helpful and bring you good luck."

Harrison gave a nod in gratitude, then briefly turned his attention to Fuku-san. "Please give Akemi-san my regards", he said, "She's a keeper, Fuku Sensei, don't ever forget that."

Fuku-san bowed to Harrison. "I won't", he replied as he rose back upright, "Thank you again, Troy-san. Safe travels, my friend."

Nito's Wi-Fi and Coffee
Dobuita District, Yokosuka
4:00 P.M.

The sole local taxi in Yokosuka was fairly expensive and only came through every so often, so Harrison made the long walk from the quiet residential streets of Yamanose and through the equally serene streets of the neighboring Sakuragaoka district to bustling Dobuita, Yokosuka's popular shopping and business district. This busy district was home to plenty of bars, a gambling parlor, several restaurants, and almost all of Yokosuka's major businesses as well as a few apartment buildings.

Harrison found his way to Nito's Wi-Fi and Coffee, a well-liked and trendy shop on the edge of Dobuita within walking distance from the bus stop where he would soon board his bus to Tokyo. The long-time business owner, Yuji Nito, first opened the shop in 1983 as the You Arcade, which quickly became one of Dobuita's most frequented hangouts. However, as time went on and the popularity of big video arcades started to gradually dwindle, Nito and his wife decided to revamp the image of their business to attract the more technologically adept young crowd. As such, the arcade was completely renovated into a cozy coffee shop with Wi-Fi compatibility, a fully functioning coffee bar, and several computer stations. These accommodations were ideal for both the smartphone users and those who found convenience in using a regular desktop computer. Nito's Wi-Fi and Coffee had its grand opening in the summer of 2009.

With roughly an hour to kill before having to catch his bus, Harrison sat down at one of the computer stations with a cup of coffee at his side. He brought up Skype, signed into his account, and was excited to see that his mother, Karen Harrison, was logged onto the program.

Harrison clicked on his mother's profile and she immediately answered. He could tell that she certainly was not happy as she started the conversation.

"I have been worried sick about you!" Karen said, I need to know what is going on with you! What are your plans?"

"I have been offered a job replacing my friend Sheriff Whitehorse", Harrison replied, "and I've decided to accept it. I'm on my way now as we speak."

Karen smiled, but that was quickly replaced by a worried expression. "What about those Eden's Gate shitheads?" she asked, "are they still in existence?"

"It's complicated Ma", Harrison started to explain, "I don't know if you've been watching the news lately, but all I'm about to tell you has been released to the media, so it's okay for me to say. The Governor of Montana signed a Martial Law order for Hope County. The FBI and the Montana National Guard swooped in and took down most of the cult's remaining cells. Thirty-three cult members are dead, seven were arrested and are awaiting court dates. Joseph Seed was arrested and convicted in a bench trial on multiple counts of kidnapping."

"Where's the asshole now?" Karen asked.

"Rotting in a solitary confinement cell in a federal prison for the rest of his pathetically selfish life", Harrison said.

"Good" Karen replied, "Seems like you'll have some big shoes to fill as the new sheriff."

Harrison sighed. "Yeah", he said, "But my first official act will be to re-staff the department. I just hired three of my old colleagues to fill some of the open spots."

"Anybody I'd know?" Karen asked.

"Possibly", Harrison replied, "Remember Abby Asher?"

Karen let out a knowing, uncomfortable sigh of her own, as she had never been Abigail Asher's biggest fan. "How the hell could I forget dear?" she said, "You worked with her in Chicago right?"

"Yep", Harrison said, "She's a Sergeant now. I plan to have her fill a Sergeant position we have back in Hope County to be the new Corrections Supervisor at the jail."

"That's good", Karen said dryly.

"Sounds like there was definitely meant to be a 'but' in that dry-ass reply", Harrison commented.

"Just remember Troy", Karen said, "It was you who complained to me years ago how Abby was throwing her badge away by drinking every Wino in Chicago under the table and snorting half the opioids she got off the street…"

"And if you'll remember", Harrison cut her off, "She admitted to what she did in open court and was sent away for three months. I did her a huge solid by helping to make sure she had some semblance of a career to come back to. I think coming to work with us in Montana is her way of returning that favor."

"I hope your right honey", Karen said, "but as always, just be careful with her."

"I can handle Abby", Harrison said, "It's the ghosts of Eden's Gate I'm not so sure about."

Harrison took a moment to sip his coffee and ignore the awkward pause in the conversation. "Look Ma", he continued, "I've got to start getting ready to head out. I'll give you a call as soon as I get settled back in Montana, okay?"

"That's fine", Karen replied, "but please don't go so long without getting ahold of me again. I was scared shitless that those damn Peggies got you."

"Not a chance in Hell Ma", Harrison said with a slight scoff, "But yes, I promise never to leave you in the dark like that again. I love you." He blew his mother a kiss through the webcam.

Karen blew her son a kiss back. "I love you too baby", she said, "be safe."

The two logged off of Skype and Harrison got up from his computer. He took his coffee and sat on a big leather couch near the shop's big front window, setting his gym bag and suitcase by his feet. About half an hour later, his bus arrived at the nearby bus stop, which Harrison promptly boarded. He arrived in Tokyo five hours later safe and sound, and just as punctually boarded his 10:00 p.m. flight to the United States.

Fall's End, Hope County, Montana
2 Days Later

After landing safely on American soil in Helena, Montana, Troy Harrison caught a ride from a big rig trucker to his rented home in the very small town of Fall's End. This little municipality occupying one edge of Hope County's Holland Valley region was the epitome of a one-church town. There was one main street, a general store, the aforementioned Fall's End Church, and a smattering of homes that still managed to stay standing after Project Eden's Gate had laid siege to the county.

Open, empty lots now occupied the former locations of the few homes and buildings in town that the cult had decided to burn down for one reason or another, or sometimes, no reason. Unfortunately, one such building was the now former location of the Hope County Sheriff's Office, which necessitated everyone's move to the Hope County Jail during the cult's reign.

Harrison briefly set his luggage down and fetched his house key from the pocket of his brown leather jacket. He almost immediately took notice of a note tacked to his front door that had apparently been left by Nick Rye. It had the date from two days prior written at the top of it.

"Hey Troy,

We heard you were coming back soon. We thought we'd do you a favor and bought you some groceries and supplies from the store. Don't worry about paying us back for now, we're just glad you decided to come back. Welcome home, buddy! Thanks for all you've done.

-Nick, Kim, and Baby Carmina"

Harrison smiled, taking great comfort in the Ryes' generosity and gratitude. He unlocked the front door and entered his home. Setting his luggage in the corner, he took notice of the paper grocery bags sitting on the coffee table, which he promptly inspected, finding various food and grocery items, a brand-new black leather shoulder holster for his handgun, the appropriate nine-millimeter ammunition for said handgun, and a green t-shirt sporting the logo of the Hope County Cougars baseball team.

After putting the groceries away in the kitchen, Harrison crossed to the end table near his front door and switched on the CB radio console that sat on top of it. He only heard a brief period of static before recognizing a familiar voice.

"This is Nick Rye calling from Rye Aviation in Hope County", Nick Rye said through the radio, "I'm trying to reach Troy Harrison. Harrison, do you copy, over?"

Harrison scoffed and smiled to himself before picking the CB mic off its cradle and keying it. "This is Troy Harrison in Fall's End acknowledging Nick Rye", he said, "That's a ten-four, good buddy, I copy you loud and clear, over!"

Nick laughed from his end of the radio. "Hey pal", he replied, "Welcome back to the new and improved Hope County, over!"

"Thanks bud", Harrison said, "And thanks a lot for the supplies you guys got me, that's very kind of you, over."

Nick laughed again. "Hey", he said, "anything for my baby girl's godfather. Listen bud, one of the reasons why I'm calling is I got a call yesterday from a private air charter business out of Chicago. The guy called in a flight plan for a Cessna four-oh-two aircraft carrying three passengers intending to land at my airstrip at eight a.m. tomorrow. You know anything about that, over?"

"Ten-four", Harrison replied, "Those would be my new hires on that plane. Sorry about not giving you a heads-up right away, I got busy trying to get my ass back here in time, over."

"No problem man", Nick said, "it's probably easier for them to come straight here anyway, over."

"Thanks Nick", Harrison replied, "I owe you big time buddy, but the good news is I won't be going anywhere again for a while, over."

"Good to hear pal", Nick said, "I'll tell air traffic control to let that Cessna through tomorrow and I'll call you as soon as they arrive, over."

"Copy that", Harrison said, "Thanks again for everything Nick, over. Harrison out."

"Ten-four buddy", Nick said, "Rye Aviation over and out."

Harrison placed the CB mic back on its cradle and sat down on his couch. Being Hope County's new Sheriff certainly wasn't going to be any kind of easy feat, but he could feel that things could only get better from here on out.