#92c
The lawmen gathered in Gene's office, letting their adrenalin fade off as they drank terrible coffee. "I don't mind telling ya, I was as nervous as I've ever been in a situation such as that," Gene commented.
"I honestly didn't think they would hold their fire." Tom added as he scratched his chin.
"How many were there?" Ankney wanted to know.
"Twelve on one side, fifteen on the other," Mark said quietly. "There were several on each side, back in the woods, but they exercised restraint."
"I didn't see the guys in the woods," Tom blurted out, "how do you guy's know these things?"
"It's kind of a sixth sense. Logically, you know they aren't going to show their total strength out in the open; so you suspect and plan for additional shooters to have a bead on you. Besides, your skin crawls when someone's holding a gun on you, even those you can't see." Gene smiled at the young man.
"Good work Tom for keeping your cool; that was more than I anticipated and I shouldn't have put you in such jeopardy. For that, I'm sorry. But Ankney, if Tom had been hurt, that puts you in a serious position.
I understand these people are family, but you are a lawman and you have to make a choice of upholding the law or sitting on the fence appeasing family." Gene was low and serious.
"There will be no more sluffing off duty because you're related; I don't care how that puts you in trouble with your Grandpap or anyone else. The law is the same for us all and has to be enforced that way." Gene warned Ankney, who was looking extremely uncomfortable.
"I have had trouble staying off the fence, it's been the only way I could keep reasonable calm around here," Ankney said in his defense. "This isn't any different than any place going. The outside seems calm, but there's always something boiling under the surface."
"I understand this is a mountain pride thing, and usually handled by family. but when the law is broken, that's where I step in. No exceptions." Gene emphasized. "I am here for close to a year, until the next elections. I can be replaced easy enough by the voters if that is their wish."
Mark was nodding his agreement, but he didn't say anything. Gene was coming on pretty strong, but it was easy to see how frustrating Ankney's reluctance to perform his duties were affecting Gene. A Deputy that called time out on most of the calls, was worthless.
Wayne was busy answering several calls, and stopped long enough to call Gene into the dispatch area. They conferred for a minute or so, and Gene ran his hand through his short cropped hair. "No, no bail has been set. He will see the Judge in the morning." And he walked back past his office to see what the commotion in the lobby was about.
Two heavily armed groups were lining up on each side of the front room. "We come to see justice done," the spokesman for the one side challenged.
"That's for sure," the heavy set woman on the opposite side snarled right back. "No favors, we want justice."
"Folks," Gene said loudly, "I intend for total justice to be done. In that manner, you have the option of leaving the Sheriff's Office and retaining your weapons, or you may stay if you surrender them to me. There is a ten minute deadline." and Gene backed up until he was leaning against the wall and glanced at his watch.
It was a risky position. Mark and Ankney both picked up the shotguns from the table and Mark motioned for Tom to stay put. They walked out to flank Gene, and although there was a lot of grumbling going on, a majority of the combatants left rather than give up their guns. Several of the men gave Ankney hard looks, but the Deputy held his ground.
"Times up Folks," Gene called out, and the place emptied out. "Mark, I've got the State Police coming, can you stay till they get here?"
"Sure."
"Thank's, maybe you can get a ride home with Wayne, so I don't have to leave." Gene mentioned.
"Sure," and Mark hid a grimace. Riding home in the dark with a tired and exceptionally poor driver such as Wayne wasn't appealing.
The way Tom was looking, he felt the same way and Mark had to scramble to quickly think of a solution.
When the siren of the State man could be heard, Mark asked for the keys to Wayne's pickup, "to warm it up," he proposed to his brother in law. Wayne nodded and tossed the keys, he didn't care, he was tired.
Mark drove home, earning Tom's gratitude. As Tom was in the middle, when Mark got out, he just slid over behind the wheel.
Karl had long ago ferried Millie and Adoree home and they had the home fires burning for their late and tired men.
Mark got home in time to help feed the triplets night cereal as he explained what had caused all the excitement.
Helga tisked as he told the tale. "Ah, the man-voman passions, they are muches the same everywhere."
