Transparency: Bio-Tech Cavern Secrets Untold Read Free Page B

wanted to get it out of Sergeant Garcia’s hand.
    “Yeah, it’s all legal. The new law stipulates that a sheriff—Chief Brayden—can authorize a law enforcement officer to deliver a final eviction notice.”
    Halliday studied the frustration that had built up in Garcia’s eyes. The man’s fists were rolled into balls prepared to strike. Sweat drained off his face, into red creases in his neck, as if he had just swallowed some super hot peppers. His black boots aimed at the door.
    “I’m going to force the damned door if they don’t open it.” Garcia repeated the sentence in Spanish for the occupants.
    Halliday’s gut told him that Garcia’s frustration could blow a domestic dispute case into homicide.
    He made a decision. “Back off Sergeant.”
    The patrolman glared at him, his eyes glazed over.
    “Sergeant Garcia, I want you to return to your patrol car. You’re my back up. If anything untoward happens, you notify dispatch ASAP. Maintain your position and await my instructions. Do you copy?”
    The disbelief etched on Garcia’s face could not be measured.
    “With all due respect, detective, I’ve been working Santa Reina Sur for two years. I know how these people think. I know how they act.”
    Garcia’s past actions had garnered numerous complaints. “Your concerns are duly noted, Sergeant.” Halliday always put the job before the players, placing a higher priority on diffusing the situation than considering a police officer’s ego or his status in the eyes of the community. He wouldn’t allow Garcia to play the “Latino policeman” card or attempt to usurp his authority back at the PD.
    “Any more questions, Sergeant Garcia?”
    “No sir.”
    Garcia’s cool reply held back an emotional explosion. The proud man headed to his patrol car to sulk. His straight arms swung at invisible targets. Black boots stamped out all adversaries.
    Halliday stared at the door. If left unchecked disagreements progressed from arguments to threats to violence, and sometimes to homicide. He had seen the cycle. Alcohol, drugs and weapons fueled the fire.
    This one was different. From what he had been told by the dispatcher, it involved two angry, frustrated people. His job was to slice through the anger using communication.
    Instead of banging on the front door Halliday walked up to the window next to it. He glanced at the eviction notice. In a calm voice he said, “Mr. and Mrs. Martinez. My name is Detective John Halliday from the Santa Reina police department. I’m going to sit down here on the porch until you come out. I just want to talk. I’d appreciate it if you brought a glass of cold water with you. It’s hot out here.”
    Moments later the window curtain pulled open at the corner.
    A young girl peered up at him with her mouth open.
    Halliday smiled. “What’s your name?”
    “Maria.”
    “My name is Detective Halliday, Maria. Could you ask your mom and dad to come out? I’d like to talk to them.”
    She shook her head. “Mama won’t come out. You want me to ask her, if you can come in?”
    “That would be fine.”
    A moment later Maria returned and said, “Mom’s getting your water.”
    “Thank you, Maria. Muchas gracias .”
    “De nada, it’s nothing ,” she replied.
    No arrest ensued. Halliday had been able to communicate with the couple through their twelve year old daughter, Maria. A few phone calls later, he learned that relatives in Chowchilla were willing to take them in on a temporary basis.
    The worst part of Halliday’s job was to advise people that they couldn’t live in their homes any longer. After releasing Sergeant Garcia to return to the PD, he helped the Martinez family pack. They loaded up an ancient GMC pickup that pulled a rusted six-by-twelve foot utility trailer.
    When they finished, Halliday sat down with the Martinez family. The wife offered a simple meal of barbecued pork with rice and beans. Little was said. Señora Martinez didn’t touch her food. Halliday