Change of Heart - 21. Chapter twenty-one

Sheriff Daniel Lovan had a busy Christmas Eve. Raymond had told him of their plan to ensnare Fire Chief Bumpkis using video surveillance. His wasn't convinced that the videos could be used as evidence, even if the bigoted bastard was a thief. Still, a man who would steal money donated to charity, especially a Christmas charity, was worthy of special consideration. If he was careful, a legal confession would negate the use of the video evidence. Bumpkis would be facing up to ten years in prison for theft and two years for each count of forgery. He called his folks to explain he might be late for supper.

By six o’clock he had video showing donations made by individual members of the Adams family. The serial numbers of one hundred dollar bills, totaling $15,000.00, were clearly displayed. The next segment showed Bumpkis and Bill Jordan dividing up the cash into pre-addressed envelopes. Each envelope had over three hundred dollars. Each flap of the sealed envelopes bore the initials of both men.

Having watched the video several times, Sheriff Lovan understood each step Bumpkis took. The man moved with surprising efficiency. First, he divided the envelopes into two stacks according to a list showing who would deliver each envelope. His stack was noticeably thicker. No envelope was left untouched. Those that he had set aside for Bill to deliver, contained enough smaller denominations to simulate the original thickness. He didn't hesitate to scrawl his and Bill's initials on the newly sealed flap. The envelopes he was to deliver contained either a solitary twenty dollar bill or else he simply took the cash and discarded the empty envelope. Daniel was able to calculate that Bumpkis netted almost $27,000.00.

No wonder the man was constantly soliciting funds. Daniel had contributed many times to the canisters that went up at cash registers around town, just before Thanksgiving. Everyone in the Sheriff's office had been encouraged to stick cash into their dedicated canister. Daniel had slipped in a check for $100.00, that he knew had already been cashed. Some businesses posted pictures in their windows showing fake checks depicting thousands of dollars donated. It was a major local charity.

The Sheriff made a mental note to ask Raymond about the quality and quantity of the cameras used. They seemed to be everywhere in Bumpkis’ life, with big screen clarity and many, with real-time, remote, zoom. Each video had continuously updating date/time stamps with sound so good that it picked up the, more than occasional, fart. Fire Chief Bumpkis was his own reality show... with a lot of gas. Daniel wanted to know how they were installed in the man's workplace, home, and even his cars without him knowing or suspecting. Any video surveillance he initiated would require a court order. On top of that, his equipment, compared to this, was medieval.

The Sheriff watched as Bumpkis stashed the stolen cash, along with the original envelopes in two, obviously pre-staged, gift-wrapped boxes.

When all was ready, Bumpkis called Bill back into his office. He asked who would be accompanying Bill. He made a show of then calling in Fireman Johnson and Larry, his cousin by marriage, who would go with him. The Sheriff got the impression that Bumpkis was saying that cousin Larry was a better Fireman than Johnson because Larry was volunteering his own time.

Bill would bring Johnson back to the Firehouse, before going home and Bumpkis would drop Larry off at home after they had completed “Santa’s rounds”. Bumpkis wished the men a merry Christmas then advised them to “get a move on, poor people are in need.”

Even in the video, Bill appeared a little on edge. Daniel thought the man wanted badly to ask questions or maybe just punch the fat man in the nose. Bumpkis must have also noticed. “You got a problem Jordan? I made notes of how you already ignored and disrespected me today.

“It was disgusting. The way you sucked up to them faggots. Like you was on their side. If I didn't know you had a wife and kids, I might think you was one of them preverts. No decent, God-fearing, Christian family man can abide their kind of disgusting behavior. You better do some serious thinking over the holidays about your future with this department. Either you need to get in line or git out. You understand me Jordan?”

Larry snickered, Johnson looked very uncomfortable and Bill simply nodded. It was clear to the Sheriff that Bumpkis did not allow anyone to challenge his authority. Bumpkis apparently accepted the nod and turned to gather his envelopes and packages. Daniel noticed something he had missed in earlier viewings. Bill Jordan got an almost evil grin on his face as he stared at, what Daniel now saw was, Bumpkis’ visibly red left cheek. He jotted down a note to ask Bill about it.

The video then picked up in the Fire Chief’s car. There was enough footage to show that the fat Fire Chief never got out of the car. Larry would simply run up to the door and hand over the envelope to whoever answered. It didn't take long since most of the intended recipients were never visited. Once the deliveries were completed, Bumpkis handed Larry two one hundred dollar bills. “You don't go gittin shitfaced jes cause you got some foldin money. This new Sheriff ain't like the old one. You get caught drivin drunk now, and you could wind up losing your job and going to jail. If’n you go out drinkin you get a taxi. You hear me boy?”

“Yes sir, Chief. I’m gonna get me a couple of six packs and be set for the holiday”. Sheriff Lovan had no doubts, just by hearing Larry’s voice, the man would soon be tying one on. Most likely he wouldn't be doing it at home, alone on Christmas Eve. Not very likely. Larry would try to find some slut to share his good fortune and some holiday cheer.

The video showed the Fire Chief then drove directly to the Chevrolet dealership. Less than an hour later Bumpkis left the dealership and drove to his preacher’s house. Daniel didn't recognize the residence, it was identified by subtitles on the video.

The video then showed a nicely furnished office. The Reverend Jonas T. Fishback was closing the door to his office. “Well Brother Burl, I take it you have completed your annual mission of mercy. The families I listed for your charitable beneficence have been appropriately blessed.”

“Preacher, I took it upon myself to share a little extra with you this year and a little less with my brother-in-law, the Mayor. Seems like His Honor likely won’t be reviewing our Fireman’s Fund like he done in the past. They’s a move afoot to call for him to resign. I reckon this investigation into the late Sheriff is shining him in a bad light. This temporary Sheriff ain't likely to turn a blind eye to any complaints about how we distribute our charitable proceeds.”

Daniel knew preacher Fishback only by reputation. He was known for his hellfire and brimstone sermons, denouncing everything from premarital sex to sexual equality and gay rights to the lax treatment of immigrants to the Democratic Party as a whole. He insisted, giving women the right to vote had brought about the beginning of the “end times”.

The preacher was unimpressed. “Burl I always appreciate any increase in gifts to god. But, I think you are underestimating Brother John Claven. You have known him longer than I have, but I’ve seen him walk through deep shit like he was wearing teflon waders. Hell, the man was more than once facing jail time, guilty as sin, and come out smelling like a rose. I’ll take the money but if you're thinking of cutting him out, I’d think again. This was his idea in the first place. He’s already got a Deputy in his pocket he's gonna run for Sheriff. You should just keep on doing as he tells you.”

The rest of the video shows the preacher counting money from the envelope Bumpkis had given him. As he counted out more than a few one hundred dollar bills, the preacher’s smarmy smile grew bigger. “Brother Burl, you have done well and the lord will surely bless you for your efforts.” They shared a chuckle and Bumpkis headed out.

His next stop was at the Mayor’s house, again indicated by subtitles, but no one answered the door. Bumpkis waddled back to his car and made a call on his cell phone. His voice changed. Daniel figured they had tapped one or more of the cell phones involved. “Burl, I been waiting for your call. You got to bring the cash to Mabel’s house in Fort Worth. My son in law is deployed and she was alone. So we decided to uh, have Christmas with her this year, uh, sort of short notice.”

Bumpkis harrumphed, “You just plain hiding out. You’se afraid the Sheriff left evidence linking you to the kickback y’all been gittin’ from them coyotes. And what about that teacher, you two kinda roughed him up pretty bad after you found out some of them wetbacks been talking about your pet coyotes. I got it on good authority, he was butt fucked pretty rough before being beat and left for dead. Good thing he never come out of that coma. You better hope they don't look to you or the Sheriff for a DNA sample.

“I figure you’ll be staying with your daughter until subpoenaed or actually charged. Tell you what, use your daughter's car, you come back here and meet me at the diner and I’ll hand over your share. Just call me when you get close and I’ll let you have it in the parking lot. You don't even have to get out of the car. So nobody's gonna even see you.”

Sheriff Lovan called Joe Adams, “Mr. Adams I got the videos. I wanted to ask how well you know the folks at the Chevy dealership? If we could find out what he was doing there, it could help tie up some loose ends.”

“Danny, how many times I got to tell you. I am still your Uncle Joe. Especially now that you and Raymond are thicker than fleas on a dog’s backside. I already talked to Ray Spencer down at the Chevy place and he’s willing to help you in any way he can. Up to and including turning over some suspiciously familiar hundred dollar bills. Seems our esteemed Fire Chief just bought his wife a brand new four-wheeled Christmas present.

“I watched them put those cell phone video recordings together… er, I mean, uh, I received a copy of those same videos through my email. Of course, you realize they are from an anonymous source. I mean, uh, I have no idea who sent them, most likely some concerned citizen.”

“Good grief”! Daniel’s deep voice chuckled, “Uncle Joe, I always knew you were an honest man, but hell far, sir, you can't lie to save your life. I’ve seen three-year-olds caught with their hand in the cookie jar lie better than that. I’m sure the State Attorney General has my phone tapped. So, I'll go on record as having said, I personally think what y'all did was a service to the community.”

After the chuckle subsided Sheriff Lovan continued, “I better let the Texas Rangers know what we got going on. They’ll want to talk to the Mayor once I arrest him for receiving stolen goods and collusion. I think I’ll let them investigate the teacher and human trafficking. They got better resources and deeper pockets.

“I don't know who the anonymous person or persons that set up all those high tech cameras and tapped those cell phones was, but I hope he knows I am very grateful. Hell, Uncle Joe, I could use a man like that on my staff.”

It was late by the time the Mayor and Bumpkis were locked up. The Mayor insisted on talking to his lawyer before answering any questions. Bumpkis, on the other hand, tried to argue his innocence. He told the Sheriff if there was any mishandling of funds it was all on Bill Jordan. He was elaborating on Jordan’s nefarious nature when Daniel had him take a seat in the waiting area next to one of his Deputies. Bumpkis argued that he was an upstanding, God-fearing citizen who had done nothing that could possibly deserve being handcuffed like a common criminal.

That Deputy dutifully ignored Bumpkis as he watched a video on his iPad. A video showing Bumpkis taking the money and paying off Larry, giving the preacher his share and talking to the Mayor regarding theft, assault, rape, human trafficking, and murder. Bumpkis saw it all in living color as his own color faded to a whiter shade of pale.

The subsequent questioning was like watching dominoes fall. Neither ever mentioned the videos. Bumpkis confessed and sang like the proverbial canary. He told how the Mayor helped him falsify his qualifications to get the job of Fire Chief. How the Mayor and Rev. Jonas Fishback had devised the plan for taking the money shortly after his getting the job. Together they had been bilking the Fireman’s Fund for the last three years.

He told how the old Sheriff and the Mayor forced him to cover up four different cases of arson for insurance fraud. He cited the rough dates of the fires as well as all those involved and even complained he was only paid the paltry sum of $500.00 for each of his official findings. He was convinced the Mayor and the old Sheriff had gypped him.

By the time Bumpkis was through and Sheriff Lovan had informed the DA and the Judge. It was decided that the Mayor, the Fire Chief and the preacher were to be held without bail. It was deemed that flight to avoid prosecution was a real risk since they each had access to untold sums of cash.

Daniel’s parents were still up when he called the second time, even though it was almost eleven. When pressed he only offered that the Mayor, the Fire Chief and Reverend Jonas Fishback were under arrest and being held without bail. A complete list of charges would be forthcoming. He considered calling Raymond but figured he was already asleep.

Thinking of crawling into bed with a naked Raymond got his cock to swelling so he started thinking about how close it was to 6:00 am. He was sure that Raymond was well aware of how busy and long his day had been. Right now Daniel would rather lose his left nut than miss out on alone time with Raymond. As he turned into his parents' drive, he focused on what it must be like to actually have a nut cut out while you watched. His hardon was soon a distant memory.

When he entered the house his Dad gave him a hug. His Mother waved from the kitchen where she was heating up some leftovers while chatting on her cell phone. His Dad led him into the living room where a chilled pitcher of eggnog awaited. “You know she worries about you, now, almost as much as when you were deployed. The only good thing about your job is when she gets some juicy gossip to share. I think it earns her points with her bridge club and her quilting society and the mailman. Which reminds me, make a real fuss over her Christmas present for you. It's a king-sized quilt. She worked real hard on it. She’ll mope around all next year if you don't gush about how great it is. Put some drama into it. I used to think that automatically came with liking to suck cock. Now, I know better.”

Daniel nearly choked on his eggnog. Was his father trying to tell him something? “Dad, you know I really like mom’s homemade quilts. They kept me warm all the time I was growing up. I’ve had one on my bed ever since I was born, except for boot camp. I’m not worried about liking the quilt. I’m more concerned that she might try to embellish what I tell her about official business. I don't tell her anything I wouldn't tell the general public. It's just that I sometimes tell her first.

“And Dad, uh wha…, what’s this about “liking to suck cock”?

Glancing toward the kitchen, his Dad offered, “Now Son, you know your Mother and I never tolerated lying. And in that vein…” He chugged his eggnog and then refilled his glass. “Like I was saying, shortly after you came out to us… well, I got to talking to Fred about you and what him and me used to do before we discovered girls and well a little Jack Daniels later we learned that, uh, er, it could still be fun after all these years. We’re not planning on leaving our wives. It just that…” At this, his father actually giggled. “It's just that, uh, we turn each other on. I felt I had to be honest with you. I don't know that I’m gay, but…” He giggled again and whispered in an almost drunken slur. “But, I am a cocksucker. Not as good as Fred, but he’d argue that point.”

Daniel stared blankly at the man who had taught him how to fish, ride a bike, play baseball and drive a car. A man he had always respected, who had been his role model and hero. Daniel had to admit his Dad and Fred had been in some of his early jerk-off fantasies. He’d never imagined them together and now that he thought about it… it was kind of hot, in a creepy kind of way. Both were ruggedly handsome, tall and in good shape. The more he considered the situation, the more he thought it was just another expression of their lifelong friendship. He was lucky in that Fred had always been like a second father. Fred was the next person he came out to, after his folks. Fred’s response was simply, “Son, if anybody gives you any grief about it, just you let me know.” Then he hugged him.

Daniel was surprised at how hungry he was. He ate almost everything his Mother put before him. His Dad sat at his usual ‘head of the table’ and munched on a cookie and sipped his eggnog.

Daniel finally groaned and pushed his chair back from the table. “Thanks, Mom, that was so good, but if I eat any more I’ll bust. As it is, I feel like I need to be wheeled outta here. I’m sorry I got here so late. Right now, I’m so tired I feel like I’m about to keel over. If y’all don't mind, I’m gonna hit the hay. I’ll be out early in the morning. I got some business to take care of, so I got to be up and gone by 5:30.”

His Mother, standing beside his chair with a serving spoon in hand, studied him sharply. “Does this “business” have a name? Are we gonna meet him anytime soon?”

"Caro Mae! Leave the boy alone. If he wanted to share that with us, he would've already done it.” Turning to his son, he said, “Danny boy, we can tell someone has got you a little happier than usual. We could, both of us, hear it in your voice over the phone, these last few days. Tonight, the way you move, the way you talk, you got more energy than you’ve had since you were a kid. Ever once in awhile you get a dreamy kind of look come over you. Just know that if you’ve met someone, we just want you to be happy. He’s welcome here anytime.”

The night was taking on a surreal quality. It was shock enough, learning that his Dad sucks cocks, on the DL. Now, they're telling him, they think he's in love. Not since he was a kid…

Daniel shook his head in a double take. “Mom, Dad, I just met someone who I knew and liked a lot when I was a kid in school. We drifted apart and now he's back and wants to get to know me again. He treated me bad back then and I’m just not sure I can trust him again. It's gonna take some time. I don't want to get his hopes up, nor yours nor mine, for that matter. I think bringing him around before I’m sure would send the wrong message.”

Standing, Daniel hugged his Mother. His Father stood and pulled him into his arms. “Just know that we are here for you. You're a man, a decorated veteran, and now the County Sheriff, but you're still our son and we love you.”

Daniel swallowed the lump in his throat and fought back the tears. “Thanks, Dad, I love y’all too.”

Soon he was stripped down and in his old bed, where he used to jerk off fantasizing about the man he would see in the morning. He knew it wouldn't take much to rejuvenate those fantasies and rub one out. Instead, he rolled over and let sleep take him.

                                      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////

Jeff and Paul met Rosarita as she was exiting the family room. Paul glared at her knowing smile. He thought to himself, ‘that damn Mona Lisa was a bitch’. He consoled himself imagining the feeling of his ever-tightening grip on Rosarita’s throat as he throttled her. Maybe he should do it now before she could utter one of her humiliating barbs.

A truly warming smile lit up her face as she moved to him and hugged him tightly. “Relax, it's Christmas Eve and you’re among family and friends”. Just as he was about to return her embrace, she spoke softly. “Besides, Maria was asleep and never heard what must have been two water buffaloes mating in the master bedroom.”

As she was about to pull away, Paul crushed her to his body and whispered back, “Well, I just hope she slept through what sounded, to me, like cages of hyenas and monkeys being tossed around by an angry bull elephant. Except monkeys don't usually scream…” His voice shifted into an unbearable falsetto, ‘ooh, ooh, more Fred, harder, faster, deeper’. In hindsight, it definitely sounded more like a female hyena. In heat!”

Jeff, fearing all-out war, intervened. “Alright you two, pull back the claws. Maria is gonna be watching “It's a Wonderful Life”. Don't interrupt that concept with a harsh dose of bitchiness. You guys should try to be a little more synergistic and a lot less antagonistic. No one’s keeping score, but if they were, my side would win”. He pulled Paul into his arms while looking sternly into Rosarita's eyes and asked, “So, what's for dinner?”

Paul wasn't sure that choking Rosarita wasn't more appealing than dinner. Fantasies about choking two different women in one day. He wondered, ‘is this how serial killers get started’?

Feeling more than a little defeated, Rosarita responded, “Dinner tonight is standing rib roast, mashed potatoes with garlic and thyme, creamed spinach, and by special request sautéed asparagus spears. For dessert, we have baked Alaska, cherry pie, apple pie and of course pecan pie. There should be plenty of leftovers. Please encourage everyone to try the baked Alaska tonight, cause I’m not sure how it will stand up as a leftover.”

She excused herself to the kitchen. Jeff watched her go, sighed and focused on Paul. “She gave me some valuable council while I was trying to woo you and did a great job decorating the house for Maria. But, the more she aggravates you, the less I like having her around. If she’s too much, I can pay her full wages and send her home. We can manage. Maybe one of Ilya's men won't mind cooking or cleaning.”

Paul considered the option. “She's great with Maria. She does a great job cooking and cleaning. I think she's like an older sister, not really vicious, like you said, just aggravating. Honestly, I’ll miss her when she goes. Besides, I think I scored big time with the ‘female hyena in heat’.” I’m actually looking forward to a rematch. But, thanks for standing up for your family, again.” With that, he pulled Jeff in for a rewarding kiss that made them both chub up.

They moved into the family room to join Sam and Dave who seemed to be just as focused as Maria on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (Of course! It was the original cartoon version. Is there any other?) Sam and Dave looked up and nodded 'hello'.

Sam encouraged, “There’s hot apple cider in the crockpot and eggnog in the fridge. A little-spiced rum, there on the counter, will make either one perfect.

“We're all three off duty. Fred just took sandwiches, coffee, and cookies out to the guys on watch.” Without waiting for an acknowledgment, he returned his focus to the tv. Jeff and Paul both opted for some cider with the spiced rum. They became just as engrossed as the rest in watching Christmas classics. Fred soon joined the crowd with a platter of hors-d'oeuvres and passed on a warning from Rosarita not to fill up on them. A warning that one and all studiously ignored. Paul did limit Maria, insisting she should carefully choose two, so she could enjoy her asparagus and the very special dessert.

A discussion of what to watch next followed “A Charlie Brown Christmas Special”. It was a toss-up between “Miracle on 34th Street” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

Rosarita announced dinner. That only momentarily interrupted the vigorous chatter. Each man was lauding the supremacy of his choice over the other. Paul could care less, as long as either tonight or tomorrow he got to watch the original, black and white, “Christmas in Connecticut”.

Rosarita shared with Maria, it was just ‘testosterone talk’. A holiday version of which professional football team was the best. That immediately ignited an entirely new debate focused on the masters of the gridiron. Rosarita assured Maria, she would understand once she got a little older.

Everyone praised the chef for a truly glorious feast. It only took a little encouragement from Jeff to make the baked Alaska disappear. The pies were left untouched.

While Rosarita took Maria to get a bath and ready for bed, Jeff told Paul about the Christmas present he had arranged for Rosarita. Paul understood, only too well, the impact it would have on her life. He decided they would quietly retire as soon as they read to Maria, “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. Then he would show his lover exactly what he thought of his largesse as well as his large cock.

By the time they both reclined for the last time, on the horsehair mattress, it was well after midnight. They wished each other a Merry Christmas and kissed goodnight.

As he drifted off, Paul decided he would loudly complain at breakfast about the herd of cattle that had broken free and bawled and carried on most of the night just outside his window. Then he would pointedly ask Rosarita if she thought they sounded like female hyenas. He smiled as visions of a defeated Rosarita danced in his head.