Tom Dayton is Loose Again

Chapter 2

1

"I don't understand," Mark said. "Promoted to what?"

"Per orders by the commissioner, you are no longer my aid. You will be assigned police work. He feels you will learn more for your career that way."

Sanger, now completely confused, asked, "If I'm not your aid, then who is?"

The chief hesitated to answer the question. He knew exactly what Mark's reaction was going to be. It is the same reaction he would be receiving from both Ed and Eve. He didn't like what was happening any more than they would. Especially Ed, whose memories of a lost love would be drudged back up again.

"The city council has intervened in this matter. I think the best thing is to wait until Eve and Ed are back in the office. I will tell the three of you at the same time. I don't want to have to repeat it three times. So, get me a cup of coffee, will you, Mark?"

The young man just stood there. He couldn't believe the chief would leave him hanging this way. He wanted to know what was going on right now. Waiting for Eve and Ed to return wasn't an option for him. Mark wasn't willing to give up just yet. "Chief, since this is going to affect me, I think I have a right to know right now."

Ironside should have known better than to think Mark would give up without an argument. He couldn't blame him really. He had just been told his job as he knew it was over. Furthermore, he wasn't even being given a choice. It wasn't fair to him, but Ironside didn't see what he could do about it. After all, despite the fact that he often ignored Commissioner Randall's orders, this was one time he knew he could not get away with it. Ironside did not want Tom Dayton in his office. He didn't need the disruption, and he didn't want to do it to Ed.

"Mark, this will not only affect you, it will affect all of us. So, we will wait till Ed and Eve return to the office. Now, will you get me that cup of coffee?"

2

Tom Dayton laid on his bed with his fingers interlaced behind his head. He still had not heard the decision of his hearing. This was the second time that Tom waited for the decision of his release. This time, he knew he could make a real go of it. He understood now why he hated women so much. Basically, he was treated like a child by his sister. Tom didn't realize at the time that he had a severe resentment of it. So, when he went out into the working world, he was unable to take direction from any woman.

He studied books from many years ago when womens' place in the world was much different than it was today. Tom had convinced himself that the world would be better off if women returned to second class citizens.

In the past, he was unable to control his temper when a woman upset him. Fortunately, the therapy and treatment he received in the mental institution had cured all of that. Dayton no longer hated women. He was certain he could handle a woman boss if he took a job where one was the supervisor.

Tom had enough of being locked up. He wanted another chance to find his place in the world. Dayton still did not know what or where that would be, but he would figure it out. He hoped the system realized he changed. Fortunately, all of his doctors were on his side. Each one of them said Tom was cured. Now it was up to the board of hearing to decide whether he would be released.

He didn't even resent Robert Ironside or Ed Brown for what they staged in Ironside's office. He supposed he deserved what happened. After all, he had attacked the supervisor from the library. Tom simply could not control the rage within him when she criticized his work. Now, things would be different if the situation were to arise again. He simply would attempt to look at his work and determine if it was lacking. Obviously, the woman supervisor would not have criticized the job he was doing if he didn't deserve it.

The door to his room unlocked, and Doctor Tristan Geisinger walked in. "Tom, the hearing board has made a decision. They would like to talk to you. Please follow me"

Tom Dayton followed Doctor Geisinger out of his room. As they walked down the hall, Tom thought about being on the outside again. He was certain that this time he would be able to live his life without controversy, and certainly without attacking women again. Tom went through extensive therapy, and his hatred for women bosses was gone. His only hope was that the hearing board would see this, and give him another chance.

When they arrived at the room where the hearing board would announce their decision, he felt a lump in his throat. He wasn't one to give into nervousness, but this was one time he felt his entire life was on the line.

Doctor Geisinger sensed that Tom Dayton was apprehensive about hearing the decision of the board. "Relax, Tom. Just be yourself. The board needs to sense that you are confident, and cured. There is no reason for you to be nervous. Remember, I'm going to be right there beside you."

Despite the doctor's calming words, Tom didn't feel very calm. After all, it wasn't the doctor's life who was on the line. It was his.

Geisinger opened the door and allowed Tom to enter in front of him. At the front of the room, there was a long table with seven men and women seated looking at a small table that faced them. The doctor led Tom over to the table and indicated for him to take a seat. Geisinger sat down in the other seat provided. He set his briefcase on the table, opened it, and pulled out several reports.

The ranking member of the hearing board, Louis Scott looked over at Tom Dayton. He was the only member of the board that voted against releasing Dayton from the institution. Despite all the medical reports, He just didn't believe that the man should be released. He was hoping he could get the hearing board to change their minds; at least enough of them to stop what he was convinced was a mistake.

"Doctor Geisinger, the board has reached a decision regarding Mister Dayton. Before I announce that decision, I would like to know exactly what is the plan for Mister Dayton if he is released."

Geisinger didn't like the sound of that. He was certain that the board had voted to release Tom. Now he was hearing the word if. The doctor was under the impression that a decision was already made.

"If I may interrupt for just a moment," Dawn Wilson said. "The decision has already been made. It is not if Mister Dayton is going to be released from the institution, but that he will be. The doctor will be in charge of his case. Therefore, I see no reason why we have to go through the plans after his release."

Relief flooded through Tom Dayton. He would be able to go on with his life. He did get the impression that Lewis Scott was against his release. Fortunately, a majority of the board must have voted in his favor.

"I disagree with you. Before we release this man in society, I would like to know where he is going to go and what he is going to do. I don't believe that that is unreasonable," Lewis Scott said with just a bit of irritation in his voice.

Doctor Geisinger put up a hand. "I would be happy to explain to the board exactly what our plans for Mister Dayton will be."

"I certainly would like to hear them," Mister Scott said, glancing over at Dawn Wilson.

"First off, let me reiterate that Mister Dayton is as far as I and three other doctors are concerned, completely cured. If we did not feel that he could assimilate to society, we would not have made the decision to request his release. Furthermore, we are elated with the arrangements that have been made for him.

"The San Francisco City Council has ordered Commissioner Dennis Randall to place Tom in Chief Ironside's office as his new aid. The chief will be his direct superviser. However, as you know Officer Eve Whitfield is a member of Chief Ironside's staff. Chief Ironside will be directly responsible for keeping an eye on the relationship between Officer Whitfield and Tom Dayton."

Lewis Scott couldn't believe what was transpiring. "You mean to tell me the Chief Ironside agreed to this? You are aware of what happened between Sergeant Ed Brown and Mister Dayton?"

"Yes, sir. I am fully aware of what happened. One of the reasons why we approached The city council was because we knew that Chief Ironside would be the perfect person for Tom to work for. He will be tough, but fair as he is with anyone who works under him. He will also keep an eye on Tom's progress with Eve Whitfield. After all, Tom will also be taking direction from both Sergeant Brown and Officer Whitfield."

"You didn't answer my question," Mister Scott said. "Did Chief Ironside agree to this?"

"I am not aware that he didn't agree. After all, Tom is going to work for the chief."

"Nor are you aware whether he objected?"

"I think everyone on this board knows Chief Ironside. Commissioner Randall always listens to him. Since Mister Dayton has been placed in his office, we have to assume that the chief agrees."

"What you were saying," Frank Tillman said with a grin, "is if Chief Ironside doesn't agree with the commissioner, he bulldozes him into getting his own way." Laughter broke out across the board.

When it died down, Tom Dayton stood up. "May I address the board?"

"Tom, this is not a good idea," Doctor Geisinger whispered to him.

"I want to tell the board my feelings," Dayton insisted.

Louis Scott thought this was an excellent idea. Perhaps Dayton would say something that would get the other members of the board thinking. He might still have a chance to stop his release. "Go ahead, Mister Dayton."

"I know you don't trust me, and I can't say I blame you. I certainly do not have a very good track record. The best thing that ever happened to me was when Chief Ironside and Sergeant Brown tricked me into confessing to attacking the library supervisor. As a result of what they did, I got the treatment I never realized I needed. I want you to know I never missed a single session. I was on time and I listened and learned from everything my doctors told me. It has taken time, but I have never felt better in my entire life. I didn't even realize that I had an anger problem toward women. I do know now. The sessions have helped me to see that, and have allowed me to get rid of that hatred and anger that I carried. I have a calm about me now that I have never had in my life. I promise you, that if you give me this chance to re-enter society, you will not regret it. I think working for Chief Ironside will be the best thing to happen to me yet. I have grown to respect him and will be able to work with him. I am looking forward to working with Sergeant Brown, but even more so with Officer Whitfield. It not only will be a test for me, but will give me the opportunity to work with a woman to prove that the therapy sessions have cured me. Thank you." Dayton sat back down.

Unfortunately, that was not what Lewis Scott had been hoping for. Tom Dayton sounded completely sane and sincere. Scott knew there was no way that the board was going to reverse their decision after that performance, and Scott was convinced that was exactly what it was, a performance. There wasn't any reason to continue his resistance. It would have no effect on any of the other members of the hearing board. "Mister Dayton, it is the decision of this board to release you from this institution. As soon as arrangements can be made for an apartment and a starting date for employment with Chief Ironside, you will be leaving this institution. This hearing is adjourned."

"Congratulations Tom," Geisinger said to his patient.

As he left the hearing room, Lewis Scott knew he had to let it go. The board had made their decision and Tom Dayton was going to be released. It was out of his hands now. Perhaps Chief Ironside would be able to control Dayton. Somehow, he couldn't help but feel that this was going to be disastrous.

Doctor Geisinger walked out of the hearing room with Tom Dayton. "I will be in touch with Chief Ironside. I am assuming he will allow you to live in his office as Mark Sanger does. As soon as I can make all the arrangements, I will be back. It won't be long now, Tom. You will finally be free to live your life."

"You don't know how much this means to me. I have been waiting for this for a long time. I appreciate everything that you have done for me. If it weren't for you, I would never have gotten out of here."

"Just make sure you make something of yourself. This job with Chief Ironside will be temporary. You're much smarter than just being his aid."

When they reach Tom's room, the doctor opened the door. A woman was in the room cleaning. Doctor Geisinger said goodbye and left Tom with the cleaning lady. Tom noticed that she had stacked his magazines. He immediately became upset. He had them in the order he wanted them in, and now they were all messed up. Walking over to her, he said sharply, "Why did you mess with my magazines? I keep them in a certain order."

The cleaning lady was taken by surprise at his passion over magazines. She didn't know anything about Tom Dayton. It wouldn't be the first time a patient complained to her about something she touched or moved. "I'm sorry, I will remember that in the future."

"It's a little late to remember it now. I will soon be out of here," he snapped.

"Relax, I said I was sorry. Besides, they are just magazines."

"They aren't just magazines to me! Don't touch them again!"

She decided she didn't care whether his room was clean or not. She just wanted to get out. The man simply was being ridiculous over magazines. She picked up her cleaning equipment and left his room.

3

Ironside sat at his desk reading the file on Tom Dayton. He couldn't believe he was being forced to have that man in his office. Despite the fact that he knew Ed Brown was a total professional, he was dreading telling him about Dayton. Ed did not deserve to have that kind of reminder in the office day in and day out. Ironside was not really concerned about how his sergeant would react. Of course, he would be upset about it, but Ed was a professional. He would accept it, and he would treat Dayton no differently than he treated anyone else in the office.

Ironside was acutely aware that despite the professionalism of his staff, none of them were going to like having Tom Dayton in the office on a daily basis. One thing was for sure, Ironside had no intention of giving Dayton a room in his office. The commissioner may have forced Dayton on him during office hours, but Ironside was not about to live with him.

The door to the office opened, Officer Whitfield and Sergeant Brown came in and walked down the ramp. It had been a long day and both were tired. They headed into the kitchen confident that Mark would have a pot of coffee brewed for the boss. It was amazing how much coffee they drank when working. Ed reached into the cupboard and pulled down two SFPD mugs. He poured the coffee into both cups, and then handed one to Eve. They turned around and headed back to the main table.

Mark Sanger joined them at the table. He sat there looking over at the boss, still sitting at the desk. Through his demeanor, Ed and Eve sensed something was up. Finally, Ironside turned his chair around and wheeled to the table.

"Mark, why don't you get us something stronger to drink than coffee."

Mark went into the kitchen, pulled down a bottle of bourbon, and brought glasses back to the table. He poured each one of them a drink, and then sat down.

Ironside took a sip of the bourbon before beginning. "I was called over to the commissioner's office this morning. Unfortunately, it wasn't good news. The city council has made a decision that is going to affect all of us."

Alarmed, Eve asked, "They aren't disbanding our office are they?"

"No, nothing like that," Ironside responded immediately. "Ed, this in particular will affect you. The city council was approached by the mental institution in which Tom Dayton has been held for the past few years. They have declared him cured and are going to release him."

"You've got to be kidding! Not again," Ed complained.

"No, I am not kidding. The decision has been made. That's not the problem. The problem is the institutions board convinced the city council that it would be beneficial for Tom Dayton if he was a sign to this office as my aid."

The three of them sat there dumbfounded. They couldn't believe it. Eve was the first to speak up. "Where does that leave Mark?"

"He will remain in this office, but will be assigned more police work. The council feels that it would be beneficial for him in his chosen career path."

"Does that mean he's going to be living here as well?" Mark wondered.

"Nothing has been worked out as yet. That is to be decided, obviously."

"I don't believe this. Now we have become babysitters for the mentally insane," Ed said. "Chief isn't there anyway you can put a stop to this?"

"I tried, the commissioner would have no part of it. I don't have a release date yet for Dayton, but I am sure we will be told soon."

"You do know, Chief, that this could end up in a complete disaster," Mark pointed out.

"How long is this going to last?" Ed ask the boss.

"At this point, I have no idea. You now know everything that I have been told. As soon as the details are worked out, you'll be the first to know. Now, I would like you to go home and get some rest."

Ed and Eve stood up and headed for the door. Ironside could hear them complaining on their way out.

"Chief . . . "

"Not now, Mark. I have nothing else to add. I'm going into my room and watch television." Ironside wheeled his chair out of the main office and headed for the room his staff had set up for him.

This whole experiment was going to blow up in everybody's faces, and he knew exactly who was going to get the blame.