Smoke Signals (A John Tall Wolf Novel Book 4) Read Free

Marchand was already being referred to behind his back as “One-Nut.”
    Though not a part of the official record, that tidbit had made its way to the DC.
    Costing a member of the force one of his testicles had not been well received by many of the mounties who still had two of them. There were some who felt otherwise, and Rebecca found that heartening. She hadn’t mentioned her troubles to her fiancé, John Tall Wolf, but she was sure he would support her in the matter.
    The deputy commissioner began by addressing the lawyers.
    “Have the two parties come to an informal resolution?” she asked.
    Both lawyers shook their heads.
    Marchand’s advocate, Winton Royce, said, “That woman won’t even apologize for the grievous, permanent injury she caused my client.”
    The deputy commissioner frowned at Royce and instructed him, “You will refer to Lieutenant Bramley by her proper title and name, sir, not as ‘that woman’”
    The lawyer nodded grudgingly.
    Rebecca’s attorney, Nellie Patrick, said, “Deputy Commissioner, the sergeant physically assaulted a superior officer. If anyone should apologize, it’s him.”
    DC Murphy repressed a sigh. The matter was not going to get done the easy way.
    “Very well. I’ve read both parties’ official statements.” Her eyes said she was sure they were written by the lawyers. “Now, I’ll hear them describe the pertinent details aloud, in their own words.” Seeing which one looks like more of a liar, she thought. “You go first, Sergeant Marchand.”
    The sergeant leaned forward to say his piece but remained seated.
    Murphy said, “Please rise, Sergeant. Speak from your feet.”
    It was easier to observe body language that way, the DC knew.
    So did Marchand and he looked uneasy as he stood.
    Rebecca kept her eyes on the deputy commissioner. She would read her de facto judge’s face. That was more important than staring at Marchand. Nellie would watch him. They could compare notes after the hearing.
    Marchand began, “I stopped into Tommy’s Tip Top Tap, it was …” He paused. “Just under a month ago. Still can’t believe what happened to me since then.”
    Winton Royce let his client indulge in self-commiseration but only for a moment.
    He cleared his throat and Marchand continued. “I stopped in for a pop. A drink. My usual after a day on the job.”
    “Was that establishment the first place you stopped in for a pop , Sergeant?” the DC asked.
    Marchand clear his throat and said, “No, ma’am. I stopped at Fast Eddie’s before that.”
    “Just one drink at each place?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “What kind of drinks?”
    “Dewars at Eddie’s; Labatt Blue at Tommy’s.”
    “So a shot and a beer.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Royce added, “Separated by twenty minutes driving time, Deputy Commissioner.”
    DC Murphy gave the lawyer a mirthless smile. “I noticed that in the written statement.”
    Telling him to keep quiet without saying so.
    “You’re at Tommy’s having a beer, Sergeant. Please continue.”
    “I was at the bar talking with a couple of friends and I saw …” Marchand lapsed into silence again. His face sagged in regret. Collecting himself, he continued, “I saw Constable Grace Dorland. I’d reprimanded her harshly earlier that week. I thought I should go over and apologize to her.”
    “The criticism concerned the performance of Constable Dorland’s official duties?” the DC asked.
    “Yes, ma’am. Constable Dorland pulled over a driver for speeding. Turned out he was a wanted criminal, had a record as an arsonist. He’s suspected of setting the —”
    “Fire at our favorite junior Western Hockey League team’s rink,” the DC said. “The suspicion was an unscrupulous rival had paid for the blaze. It’s something of a national scandal, isn’t it?”
    Marchand decided it was time to inspect the shine on his shoes. “Yes, ma’am.”
    “What was the nature of your rebuke to Constable Dorland, Sergeant?”
    He looked up