Chapter 54
The Hero
Matt Mackey's recovery is slow, but the blessing of youth provides him with more days of hope than despair.
His father is not so lucky.
"James, why was your shotgun not locked away? Why were there bullets in the chamber?"
The Sheriff sighs but doesn't shirk away from the truth. "Matt knows where my guns are, but I've drilled into him every gun safety rule in the handbook. He was just caught up in his fear of cheating. He didn't think about the consequences."
"We'll have to confiscate it, until the hearing is cleared up. We need your badge too."
James Mackey nods. What with the truth of who the actual hero was, along with his son's shooting, he was most likely steering towards a forced retirement. He was lucky to keep his pension. He'd need every penny of it for his son's recovery.
Still, the sight of Nick Hanson's mother holding the Medal of Valor eased his soul.
It was a blessing, though. He can use his voice now to speak for his son. James is done playing the brave Sheriff. Now he'll be the courageous counselor for at risk teens contemplating suicide.
TBAA
Alternate Ending
James Mackey was buried with a hero's honor. Nick Hanson again apologized to the orphaned boy.
"I should have been faster. Your father would have been still alive if I pulled the trigger sooner."
Nick never knew why Mackey froze. The man had a clear target, with justification for lethal force. The bank's camera footage, splashed across every newspaper, showed the truth. The older man seemingly spent more time bragging, and could have done more shooting at paper targets. Still he had run to danger at the call, and accepted the consequences with his life.
Three years later, Matt Mackey proudly shows Sheriff Nick his acceptance into the Annapolis U.S. Naval Academy. His college entrance essay detailing the loss of his father in the line of duty made his application soar, like a white dove, into their esteemed ranks.
James Amos, Bumper Robinson, Bryan Cranston (with lots of hair!) all made great appearances. I think Sheriff Mackey should have accepted the praise, but then issued a correction saying his partner was the hero. Of course bragging about it and giving speeches didn't help. The white dove beating on the window was a really good scene.
Grignard