Chapter 2 - The Deputy's Badge
The siren grew louder, a sharp, piercing sound that cut through the oppressive heat of the afternoon. A white Ford Explorer with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s decal kicked up a massive cloud of dust as it roared down the gravel driveway, fishtailing slightly before screeching to a halt right behind my rental car.
A deputy stepped out. He was a stocky man in his late forties, his uniform shirt strained against a beer gut, his aviator sunglasses reflecting the harsh sunlight. His name tag read Deputy Miller. No relation, thank God.
"Alright, what's the commotion here?" Deputy Miller asked, resting his hand casually on his gun holster. His eyes scanned me, the tire iron in my hand, and then Vance, who was walking up with a look of practiced concern.
"Deputy," Vance said, his voice dripping with false professional courtesy. "Thank goodness you're here. This man, Mr. Miller, has unlawfully entered our facility, harassed our staff, and is currently attempting to kidnap two of our residents. One of whom is a state ward under our direct care."
I stepped forward, dropping the tire iron but keeping my body positioned between the deputy and my car. "My name is David Miller. The boy in the back of that car is my thirteen-year-old son, Tyler. He was brought here without my knowledge or consent. He is severely malnourished, dehydrated, and showing clear signs of physical abuse. And that other boy, Leo, was locked in a greenhouse with no water."
Deputy Miller looked at me, then at Vance. He sighed, taking off his sunglasses to wipe his brow. "David, is it? Look, Vance here runs a licensed facility. We've had kids here for years. It's a tough-love program. Sometimes parents get a little shocked when they see the discipline, but it’s all legal."
"Tough love?" I roared, my voice echoing off the corrugated metal of the barns. "He’s lost twenty pounds in ten days! They told him I signed papers to give him away! They are destroying these kids' minds! Look at him!"
I pointed to the car window. Tyler's pale, tear-streaked face was pressed against the glass.
The deputy walked over to the rental car. He tapped on the glass. "Son, roll down the window."
Tyler looked at me. I nodded. He rolled it down just a crack.
"Are you hurt, boy?" the deputy asked, his tone surprisingly indifferent.
"I want to go home with my dad," Tyler whispered, his voice trembling. "Please. Don't make me stay here. They don't give us water if we don't finish the rows. And they lock us in the dark room."
Deputy Miller’s brow furrowed slightly. He turned to Vance. "What's this about a dark room, Garrett?"
"It’s a reflection space, Deputy," Vance said quickly, his calm facade slipping for just a fraction of a second. "A quiet environment for de-escalation. Highly regulated. And as for the water, we have scheduled hydration breaks. The boy is exaggerating due to the transition period. You know how they get in the first two weeks."
"I don't give a damn about your excuses," I said, stepping closer to the deputy. "I am his father. I have joint legal custody. My wife had no right to place him here without my signature, and even if she did, this place is a crime scene. I want a medical unit out here right now to examine these children."
The deputy looked at the tire iron on the ground, then at Vance, and finally at the boys in the car. I could see the wheels turning in his head. He didn't want a scandal, but he also knew that if a father was making this much noise, ignoring it could blow up in his face.
"Alright," Deputy Miller said slowly. "Here's what we're going to do. David, you're going to follow me to the station. We'll get a social worker down there to sort out the custody and the welfare check. Vance, I want your logs for the last two weeks ready. No one leaves this property until we get this sorted."
"Deputy, you can't let him take Leo," Vance protested, his voice rising. "Leo is under our custody agreement with the state department."
"I'll take responsibility for Leo," I said, my voice steady. "If you try to take that boy back into that greenhouse, you’ll have to shoot me first."
The deputy looked at me, seeing the absolute certainty in my eyes. He nodded once, curtly. "He comes with us to the station. We'll let Child Protective Services figure out where he goes. Move your car, David. Follow me."
May you like
As I got into the rental car, Tyler threw his arms around my neck from the backseat. "Thank you, Dad. Thank you."
I looked in the rearview mirror at Leo. He was staring at me, a tiny spark of hope finally flickering in his hollow eyes. "We're not out of the woods yet, boys," I said, shifting the car into reverse. "But you're safe now. I promise."
