A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 48

Shane had taken down his remaining awards from the paneled walls of his spacious office. The dusty shadows left by the many framed certificates reminded him of Hiroshima, Japan for some reason.

He recalled having seen a book filled with the images of destruction that had been thrust upon the civilian population of Japan during World War II.

The blast delivered was so powerful that it captured the shadows of inanimate objects, and cast them upon the ground for the world to see.

Shane felt downcast himself.

An atomic bomb had landed on his world, and his life, and career had been laid bare for the entire country to see.

He finished packing his boxes, and began to load them up in his vehicle. Shane locked his car and was returning to his office when Bob stepped out of the shadows of the now quiet parking lot. “Shane, it’s me Bob.” Shane stood at the rear of his vehicle waiting for Bob. Shane initially was startled, but as Bob came closer Shane could feel his blood pressure rising.

Shane could smell the whiskey on his breath as Bob stood in the parking lot.

“Shane, I, I fucked up, I can’t believe this is happening.” Bob was at a loss for words. Shane looked down, shaking his head slowly. “Bob I have been telling you for sometime now to leave the natives alone, but hell now your own people want your head on a platter, and I don’t blame them,” Shane said bitterly. Bob nodded, silently acknowledging the rightfulness of his words.

An awkward pause ensued. “So where are you headed?” Bob finally asked. “I have a sister in Oregon, and she has a spare room so I think I’ll go there for awhile until I get things straightened out,” Shane said, his words trailing away. “So what about you Bob, what are your plans?” Sadness was laced in his voice.

“I don’t rightly know at the moment. I hear Virginia or Missouri are always looking for experienced cops, but I haven’t made up my mind,” Bob said.

“Well whatever you decide I would appreciate that you not cause anymore problems for me. I agreed with Mayor Meekham, and the City council to resign immediately, in exchange for a more lenient outcome, so don’t screw this up for me Bob,” Shane said bluntly.

Bob was sobering up to the moment.

“Well, by god if that’s how you feel, I’ll just head home, and be on my way first thing in the morning. Before I go though I want to give you something.” Bob pulled out his service revolver.

Shane turned two shades whiter than he already was.

Bob saw the fear in his eyes. “Relax Shane,” Bob said as he held back from smirking.

Bob handed him the pistol. Bob fumbled in his jacket pocket. He pulled out his badge and handed it to Shane. “Oh, before I forget, I have some of your things from the house.” Shane opened the passenger door of his vehicle. He produced a medium size box and handed it to Bob.

“Well I guess this is it then,” Bob said, holding the box.

“I guess so,” Shane said curtly.

Bob turned without a word, walking away into the darkness,

leaving Shane to stand there alone in the cool evening of night.

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