Chapter 8: Old Demons Tend to Linger (Part 2)

Redd's Farm Supply
Holland Valley
October 31, 2018

"MIKE!" Deputy Kevin Dodd continued to shout as the seemingly endless eruption of assault rifle fire continued to rain down on him and his partner, Deputy Michael Whitehorse as they defensively took cover behind the doors of their patrol cruiser. Just seconds earlier, Whitehorse inexplicably hit the ground and now seemed to be laying on his back, or so Dodd thought by way of the obstructed view he had of his partner via the underside of the vehicle. The swift gunfire finally came to a standstill, giving Dodd the chance to return fire with his Glock .17 service weapon. He fired around eight rounds in quick succession in the direction of the white pickup truck's driver side as he quickly hustled around to the driver's side of the cruiser.

Deputy Whitehorse was laying face up on the ground around a multitude of broken glass pieces that had once been the cruiser's driver's side window, now an openly broken hole with just a few jaggedly sharp pieces of glass in its place. The driver's side door, subsequently, was riddled with what seemed like hundreds of bullet holes. The shooter's white pickup truck suddenly accelerated and sped of with a loud screech as it peeled away.

"Mike?" Dodd repeated twice more while putting two fingers on his partner's neck to check his pulse. As he did so, he momentarily looked over was shocked to see two bullet holes on the left side of Whitehorse's chest just beneath where his badge was pinned to the lapel of his uniform shirt. "Holy shit! Mike!" a frightened Dodd shouted, "Goddamn it, Mike! Talk to me, bud!"

With that, Michael Whitehorse gave out a groan of pain as his eyes fluttered open. "K—Kevin…" he hoarsely mustered as his eyes seemed to open more.

Although still very scared at the situation, Dodd smiled at his partner's response. "Yeah, buddy", he said, "I'm here. Try not to move, Mike, you've been hit, okay?"

Dodd instinctively tore open Whitehorse's uniform shirt to examine his wounds. He was equally astonished and reassured to find that two of the assault rifle bullets had actually struck the bulletproof vest he had been wearing without actually penetrating into his body.

"How bad is it?" Whitehorse asked before groaning once again.

With that, Dodd gave Whitehorse a very relieved smile. "The Kevlar caught 'em", he said, "The Kevlar caught 'em, brother, they didn't go all the way through. You're going to be okay, just stay here. I'm going to radio for help."

Although in pain, Whitehorse managed to get out a semi-happy chuckle as he complied with Dodd's request, not moving an inch as he rested his head back on the ground.

Dodd, meanwhile, grabbed his portable radio and pressed down on the microphone's transmission button for dear life. "Hope County Seven-One-Seven to Dispatch", he said into the radio, "I need a clear channel immediately for an emergency transmission!"

All other verbal traffic on the radio went stone silent just before the voice of nightshift dispatcher Evan Adams responded. "Dispatch to Seven-One-Seven", he replied, "Be advised, the Hope County channel is now clear for emergency traffic only. Go ahead with the information."

Dodd exhaled deeply before again pressing the button to respond. "Dispatch! I have a Code Ten-Thirteen!" he responded, "Shots fired at deputies outside Redd's Farm Supply in Holland Valley. One deputy is down and wounded. Suspect is driving a white pickup truck going eastbound toward the Henbane River Bridge, Montana plate number four-one-three-Alpha-Frank-Kilo, over!"

"Copy that, Seven-One-Seven", Adams replied through the radio, "Are you okay? Are you the one hurt? Over."

"Negative, Dispatch", Dodd said into the radio, "I'm fine, but Deputy Whitehorse has been shot. Notify all available units and send me an ambulance, now!"

There was a short but significant pause before Evan gave a response. "Copy that", he finally replied with a very noticeable quiver in his voice, "Backup and EMS are on the way. Hang in there, guys, over."

Tanami Residence
Henbane River

By now, U.S. Park Rangers from the adjoining Whitetail Mountains region of Hope County had come to so-called "Tanami Island" by boat to assist Sheriff Harrison and Sergeant Asher with their trespassing call. Fearing that one of the teenage girls they had detained was somehow associated with the Project Eden's Gate cult, Harrison had contacted the Park Ranger dispatch station by phone as he was apprehensive about putting it out over the radio for fear of causing panic. Two rangers had handcuffed the suspicious teen and were walking her onto their boat to be taken to the jail dock and booked.

"So, you guys want this kid in protective custody?" Park Ranger John Williams asked Harrison.

Harrison nodded. "Yes please", he replied, "We have Corrections Officers waiting at the dock near the jail. Their orders are to put her in the Infirmary for now so she can't interact with the other inmates. That's just not a chance any of us are willing to take at this point."

Just then, both Harrison and Asher were startled by the loud emergency tone sounding over their radios. The seemingly resonant noise was followed by Evan Adams' voice.

"Hope County Dispatch to all available units", Evan said through the radio, "Emergency transmission! Hope County Seven-One-Seven has reported a Ten-Thirteen at Redd's Farm Supply in Holland Valley. We have shots fired at deputies and a deputy is down! Repeat, Deputy Down! Backup and paramedics have been notified and are on the way!"

Nothing more had to be said as Harrison and Asher sprinted back toward their rented dinghy and the two of them simultaneously jumped into the small boat and Harrison gunned the motor back toward the marina. As Harrison piloted the boat as fast as he could, Asher keyed her radio.

"Hope County Four-Two-Six to Dispatch", she said into the radio, "Evan, it's Abby. Do you copy?"

"Ten-Four Sergeant", Evan responded through the radio, "Go ahead."

"Which one of our men is down, over?" She asked.

She could hear a very audible sigh through the radio before Evan replied. "It's Mike Whitehorse, Sarge, he's been shot. But Dodd said he's awake and trying to talk to him. We have an ambulance dispatched. The nearest one's coming from the parade in Fall's End."

Asher took a moment to catch her breath before replying, though tears were now streaming down her face. "Ten-Four, Evan", she said into the radio, "Four-Two-Six and Alpha One are in route to the scene from Henbane River, we're about twenty minutes out."

"Stand by, Sarge", Evan said before there was a momentary bit of silence over the radio before he finally came back on the air. "Sheriff", he said, "do you copy?"

With that, Harrison keyed his radio with his free hand while still piloting the dinghy. "Ten-Four, Evan", he said into the radio, "I'm here, over."

"Sir", Evan replied, "I have Adelaide Drubman trying to reach you on the civilian CB frequency, over."

"Ten-Four", Harrison replied into the radio, "Patch her in, please, over."

There was a small beep before Adelaide's voice was heard. "Hey Sheriff", she said, "I overheard on the scanner about your boys. I have an Enstrom two-eighty Shark helicopter in my warehouse here. I'd be happy to fly you two over to Holland Valley when you get back. It'll cut your travel time in half, over."

Harrison and Asher looked at each other and both nodded in agreement before the sheriff once again keyed his radio. "That'd be great, Adelaide", Harrison said into the radio, "Get it ready as quickly as you can. Abby and I will be there in a few. Thanks so much, over."

"Not a problem, honey", Adelaide replied through the radio, "If these Peggie pricks are still slinking around our county, I'd do anything to help you guys fight them again, over."

Harrison chuckled, comforted by the sentiment. "Ten-Four, Adelaide", he said into the radio, "Harrison out."

Redd's Farm Supply
Holland Valley
13 Minutes Later

Adelaide Drubman was able to curtail a significant amount of travel time for Harrison and Asher, landing the helicopter in a vacant farm field across the road from the shooting scene at Redd's Farm Supply. As they disembarked from the helicopter, the two were met with the almost overwhelming sight of various police and emergency vehicles that seemed to have come from all over to assist with the "Deputy Down" call.

Sergeant Asher made a beeline for Dodd and Whitehorse's bullet-riddled patrol car. She immediately took note of the seemingly hundreds of bullet holes before zeroing in on the open driver's side door, underneath which was Deputy Whitehorse's uniform shirt and bulletproof vest which had both been removed by the paramedics during their life-saving efforts. The sergeant immediately got the attention of a female Montana Highway Patrol trooper who was helping secure the scene.

"Where are the deputies who called this in?" she asked anxiously.

The young-looking trooper came over to Asher, giving her the once over. "Before I tell you that, ma'am", she said, "I'd appreciate it if you identified yourself, please."

Asher pointed to the badge and name pin on her uniform shirt. "Sergeant Abigail Asher", she said, "I'm the Corrections Supervisor for the Hope County Sheriff's Department. The deputies involved in whatever went on here tonight are two of my men."

The trooper sighed. "Deputy Dodd called out an emergency transmission indicating 'Shots Fired' and that there was a deputy shot and injured at this location", she began to explain, "Several units and an ambulance responded. We found Dodd assisting Deputy Whitehorse who had apparently been struck by two bullets in his bulletproof vest."

"Which hospital was Whitehorse taken to?" Asher asked.

"The paramedics took him to the Hope County Clinic to be examined", the trooper replied, "Dodd is there with him now. He rode in the ambulance. As of approximately nine minutes ago, he's awake, talking and stable for the moment."

Asher let out a sigh of great relief and swallowed back the tears she knew would have come had the trooper delivered worse news. "Okay", she said with a nod.

Just then, Sheriff Harrison walked up next to Asher. "Mike's going to be okay", Asher told her boss and longtime friend, "Dodd rode with him to the clinic and apparently he's awake and talking."

Harrison gave a reassured nod before extending a hand to the female trooper. "I'm Sheriff Troy Harrison", he said, "I apologize for the terrible circumstances, but it's still nice to meet you, Trooper…"

The female trooper shook Harrison's hand firmly. "Jenson", she said, "Anna Jenson, and the pleasure's all mine, Sheriff."

"Who's going to be running the investigation into what went on here tonight?" Harrison asked.

Trooper Anna Jenson turned and pointed to a tall white man who looked to be in his late forties to early fifties with salt and pepper hair wearing a long beige-colored trench coat and making notes in a memo book. "That's Noah Deveraux", she explained, "He's the Major Case Section Chief of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation."

"I see", Harrison replied before sighing deeply. "Here's the plan", he said before turning to Asher, "Abby, I want you to catch a ride to the clinic and check on Mike and Kevin. I also want you to collect their firearms and tell them that they're both relieved of duty for the next three days. That's standard operating procedure in officer-involved shootings, and it's not negotiable."

Asher nodded before turning to Trooper Jenson. "Would you mind giving me a lift up there?" she asked.

"Not a problem ma'am", Jenson replied, "I'll go get my vehicle. Is there anything else you guys might need, Sheriff?"

"Actually Trooper", he replied, "There is. Could you contact your Captain and see if they can detail one of your Highway Patrol units to our county for the next three days? With two of our guys on leave and a cop shooter on the loose, we'll need all the help we can get."

"Consider it done", Jenson said, "I'll call Captain White as soon as I drop Sergeant Asher off."

Harrison shook the supportive trooper's hand once again. "Thanks Jenson", he said, "you've been a great help."

As Jenson and Asher headed to Jenson's patrol car, Harrison made his way over to the tall man in the trench coat.

"Chief Deveraux?" Harrison inquired.

Chief Noah Deveraux looked up from his memo book and turned to address the sheriff. "Yes", Deveraux replied with a very apparent French-Cajun accent in his voice, "You must be Sheriff Harrison." He put his memo book in the breast pocket of his coat and then extended the same hand to Harrison.

Harrison shook the man's hand firmly. "Yes sir", he said, "Troy Harrison. I apologize for the bad circumstances, but even so, it's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Deveraux said, "I'd like to make it clear to you, Sheriff, that my investigation into this incident is in no way an attempt to denigrate or dig up dirt on you or your department. This is just a formality that has to be followed in accordance with the law."

Harrison nodded. "I've been in law enforcement for almost twenty years, Chief", he replied, "I'm well aware of what needs to be done."

Deveraux retrieved his memo book and pen from his pocket and flipped it back open. "Okay then", he said, "What can you tell me about what went on here tonight?"

"Deputies Kevin Dodd and Michael Whitehorse were out on patrol and happened upon a suspicious-looking white pickup truck out here", Harrison began to explain, "They radioed the plate into our dispatcher, who subsequently ran the plate number through our database. The dispatcher radioed back that the plate number in question matched a set of numbers that were red-flagged in an FBI bulletin regarding the Project Eden's Gate cult case."

Deveraux flipped through his memo book for a moment. "...and when your deputies went to approach the vehicle and its driver, the driver's side door came open and they were fired upon by an armed suspect with an assault rifle", he said, "Deputy Whitehorse was injured, correct?"

"Regrettably", Harrison replied, "Yes. From what Trooper Jenson told my sergeant and I when we got here, two of the assault rifle bullets struck his bulletproof vest. He was transported to the Hope County Clinic by ambulance and he's apparently in stable condition."

Deveraux sighed. "Thank goodness", he said, "And for the record, the two volunteer paramedics who transported Whitehorse to the clinic are actually two of your deputies as well, right?"

"Yes sir", Harrison replied, "Adam Xander and Dakota Michaels. In addition to being cops, they are also trained firemen and paramedics and have been for a while now. They asked for tonight off to volunteer with the ambulance service. I guess you can call it a 'happy accident'."

Deveraux gave the sheriff a brief smile. "No kidding", he said, "I'm going to need formal statements from the two of them and obviously from Dodd and Whitehorse, too. But I'm willing to put those off until the lab comes back with the ballistics results from both of their weapons."

Harrison nodded. "I appreciate that, Chief", he said, "Sergeant Asher will be collecting them shortly. I'll have her deliver them to you personally as soon as she can."

Deveraux extended a hand to the sheriff once again. "Then I guess that wraps it up for now, Sheriff", he said, "We'll be in touch."

Harrison reciprocated the Chief's handshake. "Thank you, Chief."

Hope County Clinic
Holland Valley

Trooper Anna Jenson dropped Sergeant Asher off at the Hope County Clinic, waiting patiently while she went inside. The sergeant was greeted by Dr. Connie Harris, Hope County's only general physician, obstetrician, and midwife, as soon as she came through the door. Dr. Harris was a petite white woman in her sixties with curly gray hair, wearing the proverbial doctor's lab coat and stethoscope.

"Hello Sergeant", Dr. Harris said.

"Evening, Doc", Asher said, "How's Whitehorse doing?"

"He's rather lucky considering he was just shot twice with an assault rifle", Dr. Harris replied, "Three of his ribs are broken on the right side and his right lung is bruised, more than likely from when the two bullets made impact with his vest. He's going to need to rest up for a few days, but his prognosis is very good."

With that, Asher gave a very big sigh of relief before continuing inside the clinic. In the exam room, she found Deputy Michael Whitehorse laying face up on the exam table. His ribs were secured by a swath to brace and protect them, and it was apparently somewhat difficult for the young deputy to breathe with the device on. Deputy Kevin Dodd sat on the stool across from him.

"Hey fellas", Asher said. She then leaned down to Whitehorse. "How you doing, Mike?" she asked softly

Whitehorse turned as best he could to acknowledge Asher. "I'm…I'm still alive, Sarge", he said with a very pained, hoarse tone of voice, "but my chest hurts like a bastard."

Asher smiled and chuckled at that; still glad her deputy had a sense of humor. "Sorry about that, buddy", she said, "I'm just glad you're okay."

Kevin Dodd stood up from the stool on which he sat. "Have the found the suspect yet, Sarge?" he asked anxiously.

Asher regrettably shook her head. "Not yet, Kevin", she said, "And I don't mean to add insult to injury here, gentlemen, but I'm actually here to inform you that you're both going to be relieved of duty for the next three days, effective immediately. I'm also going to need to collect your guns. It's the Sheriff's orders, guys, I'm sorry."

Dodd sighed and handed over his Glock .17 handgun. "Standard procedure because of the shooting, right?" he asked. He then went over to the pile of clothing that Dr. Harris had cut off Whitehorse during her lifesaving efforts, retrieving his holster and Smith and Wesson .45 caliber sidearm, handing them over to their Sergeant.

"Yes", Asher said, "There's a guy from the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation out at the scene now. He's going to want to run these through the lab for ballistics analysis in order to corroborate your version of events. I wouldn't sweat it though."

"My dad is on his way here now", Whitehorse said, "I'm going to go back to the Reservation with him for a few days and rest up at the hospital there."

Asher nodded. "That sounds like a great idea, Mike", she said, "It'll be good for you guys to reconnect while you're at it."

"What are you guys going to do while we're away?" Dodd asked.

"There's a Highway Patrol trooper waiting outside right now", Asher replied, "She's on her cell phone trying to have a Highway Patrol unit detailed to back us up so we won't be short-handed. Go on home, Kev, we've got this."

Dodd hugged Asher and bent down to shake Whitehorse's hand before heading out the door. Just then, Asher's phone rang.

"Asher", she answered.

"Hey Abby", Harrison replied from the other end of the phone, "It's Troy. I think I'm going to take tomorrow off. Do you mind holding down the fort for the day?"

"Sure", she replied, "No problem. Anything you need done?"

"Yeah", Harrison said, "I'd like you to send a set of fingerprints from that strange girl we detained in Henbane tonight to my friend Denny Donovan at the FBI. Have him run them through the national missing children's database. I have a hunch about her."

"Got it", Asher replied, "Anything else?"

"Call Chicago PD and get the full file on the 'Baby Augustine' case from seven years ago", Harrison said, "We need to go over it with a fine-toothed comb."

"I'm not too excited to be calling CPD given what a lot of them have come to think of me", Asher said, "but I'll do what I can. I'm on the way back to the scene with the boys' guns. Whitehorse wanted me to tell you he'll be going to the Reservation with his dad for a few days to recover."

"Good", Harrison said, "Thanks Abby. I'll see you in a bit, okay?"

"No problem, boss", she said. With that, Asher hung up her phone and headed back out with Trooper Jenson.