January Gets Her Gunn

Chapter 3-3

“Slow, until you brought that kid in. He asked me if I knew you. I told him we were friends. Then the little con artist asked me if I was a queen, too. I haven’t had anybody flirt with me like that since I met Phil.” Wilma chuckled. “I’d have been flattered if he was a day over thirteen.”

Thad stood, fighting a flash of irritation at being ignored. He knew he wasn’t one of Wilma Hunt’s favorite people but did she have to be so obvious about it? “He’s a charmer, all right. Learning to push the right buttons has meant survival for him.” When neither woman responded, he picked up their cups and the ash tray and marched off to the sink.

“What’s with him?” Wilma spoke under her breath. He knew he wasn’t meant to hear but he did.

“Later,” Farrell answered, starting for the door. Wilma followed.

“I’ll meet you at the car, Farrell. I don’t think Paco’ll give you any trouble.”

She halted and glanced back at him, not smiling. “We’ll be right out.” She wheeled around and hurried on.

“Whoa, Jan. Where’s the fire?” Wilma laughed, half-trotting to catch up with her.

When Willie spoke, January almost jumped, recalled from her deep thoughts. “Oh, sorry. I was thinking…”

“Like my old Kentucky grandma would say, you look plumb flummoxed. What’s happened?”

Willie’s face bore an expression of sympathetic humor as she studied January.

“I guess I’m a little confused, the way Th…Gunn acted with this kid. Sometimes I’d swear the man is a schiz. I never know what to expect next, but he obviously has plenty of empathy for abused children. From what little he told me, it’s a case of having been there.”

Willie nodded. “I’ve guessed as much. Working in ER like I do, I’ve taken some classes in trauma counseling. You get a feel for it after a while.” She fell silent for a moment, as if unsure how much to ask or to say. “We’ve had Paco here before, but I think this is the worst I’ve seen him. What did he get whipped with this time?”

“A fiberglass fishing rod, he said. Gunn took pictures. I think he’s going to try to get the boy out of his aunt’s custody.” January sighed. “One of the better parts of being a cop, I guess, but not all fun and games. I worked probation out in California, but I didn’t get involved with juveniles. It’s one thing to read and hear about child abuse, but when it’s up close and personal…”

“I know.” Willy’s reply was gentle. “We see a lot here, and we’re obligated to report suspected abuse. Sometimes it’s hard to know how to call it, but a case like this doesn’t leave much room for doubt. If you think it will help, I’ll see that the doctor and Mattie Grover do a report.”

“I…maybe for now we’d better let Gunn handle it his way. He talked like he had it all figured out.”

Willie nodded. “Okay, I’ll sit on Doctor Wilson-Hughes if I have to, at least for tonight. He tends to get wild hairs…” She flashed a wicked grin. “No, I’m not in awe of doctors. Maybe we’re supposed to be, but they aren’t all so high and mighty. Anyway, this one is a wuss.”

January stifled her giggles as they entered the examining room where Paco waited. His face lit up when he saw them.

“Ah, be still, mi corazon! Two beautiful ladies! If I was just a leetle bit older…”

“Come on, Paco. Let’s get those cuffs back on. Officer Gunn is waiting outside, and he doesn’t like to be kept too long.”

“Aw, Dona…” The youth pulled a long face but turned obediently and held his thin arms behind him.

January put the handcuffs on carefully, leaving them just snug enough not to slip over his bony hands. She winked at Willie over Paco’s shoulder, took his arm, and steered him down the hall to the rear door.

Though she was sure Gunn would be waiting, motor running, when they emerged, she couldn’t quite believe they’d take Paco either to jail or juvenile detention. So, where do we go from here? Maybe I’d just as soon not know.

* * * *

29 July 1982: 2115:

When January pulled in behind the Station the next evening, she didn’t see Gunn’s car in the parking lot. Damn! Where is he? He’s always early. I want to know what went down at the judge’s. After locking her vintage Mustang, January walked into the station and down to the squad room. Ray Goldman was the only one there. He greeted her then handed over the report shine board.

“Thanks, Ray.” Taking the board, January moved to a seat up near the sergeants’ desk, where Gunn usually sat. She read the reports from the previous twenty-four hours, glancing up as each officer entered the squad room. Where is he? I gotta know what happened.

After passing the shine board to Phil Hunt, she lit her second cigarette. Both sergeants entered together and took seats behind the desk.

“Farrell.” January jumped at Sergeant Wilson’s voice. “Do you know where Gunn is?”

“No, Sergeant.” s**t, I’m just his trainee, not his keeper. Damn him, I want to know if I’m in trouble or not. Where is he? She smiled wanly at Wilson. He regarded her thoughtfully for a moment before he smiled back. As Sergeant Rogers said something, January took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

The short briefing was almost over when Gunn came in. He didn’t look his normal spit-shined self, sporting red eyes and a piece of tissue on his chin where he had cut himself shaving.

“Glad you could make it, Officer Gunn. We wouldn’t want Farrell having to take back-up by herself.” Rogers’ voice dripped sarcasm.

January suppressed a grin. Good. What goes around comes around!

Gunn handed Sergeant Wilson a log sheet and sat down next to January without saying a word.

Wilson set the sheet on the desk before he spoke.

“The SO got some more info on the rapist. They got some good photos of the doer’s tire and foot prints. The victim filled in some more physical ID, and his voice. She’s going to be all right and the doctors are releasing her to her family tomorrow. The SO has sent out this fact sheet.”

Wilson held up another piece of paper. “There’s one for each of you. Pick it up before you go on patrol.” He stood. “Let’s go fight crime.”

Gunn turned to January as they got up. “Jan, you drive tonight, okay?”

January stopped, turned sharply, gaping at Gunn’s soft-spoken words. “Unh, yeah, sure.” What’s he got up his sleeve now? He didn’t even call me Farrell! They started up the stairs.

“I didn’t get much sleep today, but what I did get was good. I flat overslept, and if it wasn’t for a full bladder, I’d probably still be sawing logs. I don’t think I’ve slept that contented since my mother died.”

They went through the door and out into the parking lot, moving easily in step. We could make a good team. The sudden thought gave January a jolt.

“I’m still groggy. That’s why I want you to drive.”

“Okay, I understand. I take it everything went well today?”

“Ach, aye. T’was a braw bonnie day.” Gunn laughed out loud. “Nae sae mickle gude did I ere this day.” He stopped in his tracks, hanging his head. “I’m sorry, got carried away.”

“Oh, no need to apologize. I understood every word. It was a bright good day and you have never done the good you did today.”

January ignored Gunn’s sharp look, knowing she’d surprised him. Opening the trunk of Peter Six, she put her brief case away. Moving on around to the driver’s side, she got in and started the engine, turned on the lights including the warning lights on the roof and at Gunn’s sign, turned on the turn signals.

Acting almost on autopilot, she checked the gauges. The gas tank was nearly full, the oil pressure had come up, and the temperature was normal. She turned off the warning lights and turn signals, tested the horn and siren. It felt like an hour before Gunn completed the walk around and got in.

“You’re still upset?”

So he noticed I’m a bit impatient. Surprise. “Make that concerned. What happened? I’ve got a stake in this, too, you know.”

“Well, Judge Beltran went through the roof. As of now, Paco is living with a family on a farm south of town. A warrant for aggravated assault and child abuse was issued and the aunt is in jail. The Juvie Probation Officer had to bring Paco’s record to the judge and got his ass royally chewed. Better than half the police reports on Paco were missing from the probation files—all the ones where he was taken to the hospital for treatment. The Attorney General has been asked to investigate the probation office. Norma Pruitt will be down from Phoenix Monday morning.”

“Wow, that sounds great!” January couldn’t keep from smiling. “I’m really glad for Paco.”

“Yeah, that’s the best part. Enrique and Eumelia Mendares are fine people. They have five kids, two boys and three girls. One of the boys, Conrado, is the same age as Paco and they know each other. Enrique and Eumelia are strict, but loving and fair. Paco will get good care there with them. He won’t be treated like a step child.” Thad’s relief and pleasure came through clearly in his voice.

“You said there was a warrant for the aunt.”

“Yeah, she’s a guest of the County now. There’ll be a preliminary hearing Monday morning in the JP Court. You’ll have to testify about the wounds on Paco’s back. Don’t worry about the joy riding, it won’t come up.”

Yeah, right. And the moon is green cheese. I don’t buy bridges, either. January wanted to grind her teeth at his smug words. “How do you know it won’t come up?”

“Because the Chief Deputy County Attorney, Belen Beltran, says it won’t. She’ll be handling the prelim.”

“Beltran—any relation to the Judge?”

“Wife.”

Whee, there’s more to this than I’m getting. I guess I’d better start learning who’s who around here. “Oh! Does the judge know about it?”

“He was the one who said it needn’t come up. Paco was out after curfew and we picked him up. That’s it.” Gunn leaned back in his seat, apparently perfectly at ease.

January didn’t trust him yet. “I’m not so sure about that. Things have a way of unraveling.”

“Yeah, but Chief Bowen has already taken disciplinary action. I got chewed out and counseled, but nothing goes in your record. The matter is closed.”

“I’d like to believe that.” January slowed to a stop at a red light. God, I hope he’s telling the truth. I don’t need any more trouble than what I’m already getting from this guy.

“That’s not all.”

January gave a silent groan. She could almost hear the smirky grin in his voice. “Okay, lay it on me.” What else?

“For openers, you’re invited to an informal barbecue dinner at Judge Beltran’s, Monday evening. He wants to meet you. Seems Paco told him a lot about you.” She felt more than saw Gunn’s glance sweep over her. “Yeah, I’m invited too.”

Jan huffed out a sharp breath. Damn, can’t I get away from this guy, even on my days off? I don’t think I want to be grilled by some high and mighty judge, either, but this sounds like a command performance. How can I be so lucky?

“Secondly, I got a letter for you from one of your admirers.” Gunn handed her a sealed envelope.

“One of my what…? Who?”

“Paco.”

She could almost hear Gunn’s grin. “The little turkey used my computer and best paper. When I told him he was a thief and I ought to lock him up, he told me to stick it. It was an affair of the heart and Judge Beltran would understand.”

He’s actually chuckling. I can’t believe this.

“Hey, pull into that drive-in.” Gunn pointed. “I haven’t had anything to eat since Paco and I had lunch with Gordo and Belen. My belly thinks my throat’s been cut.”

Good idea! Maybe he’ll shut up. All this jovial chit-chat is getting to me. January pulled the car into the drive-in. “And who are Gordo and Belen?”

“Judge and Missus Beltran.” Gunn laughed out loud.

Jan shut off the unit. She rolled her eyes as she watched the teenaged waitress saunter up to the passenger side. What would this madman come up with next?