After having made the appointment to see the Chief, Max realized he was in no condition to drive himself to it. It was already late in the evening but he knew Eddie wouldn’t mind the call and dialed him up. Eddie’s wife, Ann, answered the phone on the third ring and called Eddie to the phone, telling him it was Max.
“What’s up, Max?” Eddie said.
“I’m feeling a bit stupid, Sarge,” replied Max.
“Why? What did you do now?” Eddie asked.
“I made an appointment to see the Chief tomorrow morning at oh nine hundred,” replied Max, “with no thought to how I’m going to get there. I really shouldn’t be driving yet.”
On the other end of the phone Eddie laughed and then said, “So you need me to come pick you up and deliver you to your date?”
Max laughed with him. “Yes, dad. And I need you to wait around and give me a ride home afterward.”
Eddie’s laughter grew. “I can do that.” Then he paused and asked, “Is JP working? I thought she was taking you home and staying with you.” The silence on the phone was striking in its loudness.
“She’s not here,” said Max finally. “She was pretty freaked out over what happened and has decided that she no longer wants to be...” he paused to consider his words before finishing, “…as emotionally vulnerable as our relationship made her.”
Eddie noted what Max said and how he said it. He understood and felt bad for his friend. Max was a good guy and he deserved better. On the other hand, JP was a good woman and she deserved what would make her happy too. This was one where Eddie would be supportive to his friend but it didn’t change his outlook about either of them – as break ups so often did when common friends were involved. “Okay,” he said simply. “I’ll see you about oh eight thirty.”
- - - - - - - - - -
The next morning Max was glad he’d gotten up early. He’d had so much of laying around in the hospital that it felt good to get up and move around… albeit very carefully. If he moved wrong or too quickly he was reminded by the pain in his side that the staples were still there and he was still healing. He showered as carefully as he could, trying to get clean but also trying to keep his left side mostly out of the water. The bandages could be replaced but he didn’t want them and the wounds underneath saturated. His leg throbbed steadily but wasn’t really painful. The wound in his side was a constant dull ache that became a sharp stab of pain if he moved wrong. Where it normally would have taken him a half hour to get up and get ready it took twice that long on this particular morning.
He enjoyed eating “real” food instead of what he’d gotten in the hospital. As much as he had to move carefully he scrambled himself three eggs and made six strips of thick cut bacon to go with it. He chased that down with a large glass of orange juice and two cups of coffee. By the time Eddie was pulling up outside Max almost felt human again. He got into Eddie’s car carefully, bending slow and keeping stress off his abs. Eddie paid attention to how Max moved, taking note and using it as a gauge for how fast his young friend was healing.
“Morning, gimpy,” Eddie said with a smile. “No nursemaid this morning?”
“Screw you, old man,” Max said, smiling back. “I don’t need a nursemaid as much as I need a French maid.” The image of a hot maid in a scanty black uniform that revealed all of her curves made Eddie smile. Sadly, that same image put a fleeting smile on Max’s face before it reminded him that there wasn’t a hot woman in his apartment anymore; at least not for now… if JP changed her mind.
Eddie saw the change in his friend’s demeanor and left it alone. Max buckled his seatbelt, noting the position of the nylon straps and silently praying that they wouldn’t be in an accident. If they were then the seatbelts would most likely tear his abdominal wound all the way open and shred the skin around his stitches.
Eddie made conversation to pass the time as he drove. “What’s the Chief want with you this morning?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” replied Max honestly. “I got a text from the Chief’s aid the he needed to see me and asked when I could come in. Without even thinking about my inability to drive, I said this morning. Thanks for coming over to give me a lift.”
“No worries,” replied Eddie. “The only thing else on my schedule was a chunk of the ‘honey-do’ list Ann’s been building for me all winter.” He looked over at Max for a second, trying to assess the younger man’s outlook. “You worried about this?”
Max thought for a second before replying. “No, not really. I mean, no one likes being called into the Chief’s office but I haven’t done anything wrong and if he’s got any unpleasant surprises I can’t imagine he’d hit me with them before I’m released back to full duty.”
“You’re probably right,” replied Eddie. “I guess you just have to wait and see.” They were quiet for the rest of the ride in. Eddie WANTED to accompany Max in to see the Chief but he hadn’t been included in the invitation so he waited in the outer office instead.
- - - - - - - - - -
The Chief’s receptionist buzzed him as soon as she saw Max walking in. “The Chief’s expecting you. Go right in,” she said to Max before he could even slow down.
“Thank you, ma’am,” he said with a smile, continuing to move at his best speed given his injuries.
The Chief’s office door was closed, like it almost always was, but it opened before Max could even get to it. The Chief held it open and extended his hand to Max. “Come on in, Max,” the Chief said with a smile. “It’s good to see that you’re up and about and apparently recovering well.”
Shaking the Chief’s hand Max said, “Yes, sir. It feels good to be up and about compared to the option.” The Chief smiled at that and released Max’s hand. Like almost every other officer that’s been called to the Chief’s office Max was trying to read the man’s mind. He didn’t know the reason for being called in. Was this about the shooting? The Task Force? Max’s injuries? He and JP? The Chief shouldn’t even know about that, but…
“Have a seat, Max,” said the Chief, indicating one of the chairs in his office. “This isn’t a negative visit and I know that staying on that leg has to be uncomfortable.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Max as he sat down. As the Chief went around his desk and started to sit down, Max took advantage of the opening. “It’s good to know this isn’t a negative visit, sir, but can you tell me what it is about?”
The Chief chuckled. “Max, you’re not in trouble. I always think it’s funny that people are scared of coming to my office; like I’m the elementary school principal or something.” He shook his head at the silliness, but having come up through the ranks he also understood the outlook. “I called you in so we could discuss the completion of your first year and the possibilities that exist for your future here with Oceanside PD.”
The dawning reality took a minute to clear Max’s face. He’d been with Oceanside for a year. He hadn’t even realized it or thought about it. His one year anniversary had been April 10th.
“So,” continued the Chief, “You’re no longer on probation and a letter clearing you from it has been put into your file. You’ve got no disciplinary actions pending or in your first year and you’ve handled yourself pretty well in some advanced risk situations.” The Chief paused and breathed. “At the end of the first year, most officers are offered the ability to request a transfer to another part of the agency; beach patrol, special operations, investigations, what have you. You have that option available now as well if you’d care to put in a transfer request. Or, you can stay right where you are if you’re happy with your current work.”
Max gathered his thoughts before responding. “Thank you, Chief. It’s good to know I’m off probation and, yes, sir, it has been an interesting year.” He thought another moment before going on. “For now I think I’m happy where I am. If that changes I’ll send a transfer up through the chain.”
The Chief nodded. “That’s what I thought I’d hear from you,” he said, “but it’s all part of the standard end-of-probation speech. “If you DO decide to put in for a transfer, the SWAT commander has already told me he’d accept your transfer over there. He thinks you’d have no problem with the three weeks of training when they next schedule it and his team is short of medics, so I know he could use you.”
Max liked the idea of being on the SWAT team but he didn’t like the idea of leaving Eddie’s squad and he REALLY didn’t like the idea of going to an even higher risk job on the force. That wasn’t likely to do him much good if he ever hoped to get JP back. “I’ll keep it in mind, Chief,” was what he said. Not negative; not positive; neutral.
“Good, good,” said the Chief. “Now… how’re you feeling?”
Max took a deep breath before answering. “As good as I can be given the injuries. I don’t do ‘sit still’ very well and I’m itching to get out and use my body. I miss the gym and the street. I miss going out and doing things. But until the doc releases me, which definitely won’t be until next week when I get my staples out, I’m on restricted activity.”
“I can’t imagine,” said the Chief simply. “I’ve never been there and I hate to see any of my officers going through it. Any issues you think you want to talk to anyone about? Chaplain? Counselor? Anyone?”
Max was careful in his answer here. It may be a pleasant conversation but if you told the Chief you had ‘issues’ – which meant emotional or mental concerns – it COULD have unintended negative impact on your job. On the other hand, he didn’t want the Chief to get the impression that he was just keeping everything bottled up. There was simply no way to go through what Max had been through and NOT have some feelings to discuss. “No, sir; not right now anyway. Sgt. Presser and I have had several good talks and if I have any issues I won’t hesitate to reach out.” He thought for a moment before adding, “And these recent incidents are relative child’s play compared to some of the stuff I dealt with in the Navy, so… I think I’m good – but will ask for help if I need anything.”
The Chief nodded again, looking happy to hear what Max had shared. “Alright then, Max… my door’s always open for you if you need anything. Otherwise, congratulations again and let me know if there are any changes you want to make.” As he finished the statement he stood and walked around his desk to help Max up, shaking his hand in the process and guiding him toward the door.
“I will, sir, and thank you for your time,” replied Max.
Eddie met him in the outer office and walked slowly with him out to the car. Neither man spoke until they were in Eddie’s car and then Max told him what the meeting had been for. Eddie looked as surprised as Max had been. One year, already? Wow. “Well, congratulations, Max,” he said with a smile and a very light clap on Max’s shoulder. “Feel like you want to make any changes?”
“Not right now, Eddie,” Max said. “I’m happy where I’m at for now.” He kept the rest to himself. Before he started making career changes he wanted to see if there was any way he could get JP back.
“Good to hear,” Eddie said. “Now let’s get you back home so you can rest.” Max sighed. He was so sick of resting it wasn’t funny.
- - - - - - - - - -
The week had gone slowly but Friday inevitably rolled around – like it always does as long as the Earth keeps spinning. This Friday in Oceanside was different though: it was opening weekend for the Tiki Bar that was located on the south end beach. The Tiki pier jutted out into the surf almost fifty yards, spreading at the end to allow for a big bar in the middle with wrap around seating. On the land end of the pier was the main Tiki Bar itself, surrounded by sand, tables, chairs and – during opening weekend – portable bars galore. There were no less than twenty different spots where patrons could buy a drink. On the adjoining property was the largest and most popular Pit BBQ eatery and on the opposite adjoining property was a locally popular cigar shop that also had a full service bar.
Oceanside PD had prepared as always: two extra shifts of officers were working in addition to the two dozen officers assigned specifically to Tiki property. Access was controlled and IDs were checked. No weapons were allowed and random people were wanded with magnescanners to check for anything metallic. As usual, a couple dozen folding knives were confiscated, one arrest was made (the guy had a gun instead of a knife) and LOTS of people went back to their cars, sometimes parked a mile or more away, to lock up their knife instead of surrendering it to the police.
Tiki opened at noon and by three p.m. there were already five thousand people around or on the property. The BBQ joint had a line that stretched about twenty-five yards and the cigar shop was packed with a line for service going out the door. By dinner time the number had nearly doubled and the beach all around Tiki was littered with people standing, sitting or laying in the sand. Beach Patrol officers walked through the people, enforcing the alcohol laws that prohibited drinking on the public beach and pushing (figuratively) those folks back onto Tiki property where they could legally drink.
By nine p.m. the Tiki staff was already tired and still had another five hours of work left. For opening weekend all of the employees worked double shifts. Breaks were taken as they could be managed. Employees ate on their feet, grabbing bites of whatever whenever. Most of the employees drank nothing but water as they tried to stay hydrated. It was hot for an April day with temperatures approaching 85F and it didn’t cool much with sunset.
Just before ten the first fight broke out. It started as a shouting match and progressed to a shoving match. The first punch was thrown just as several Tiki security guards got there. Two Oceanside officers were right behind them. The two men involved were checked for warrants and then escorted off the property. Both of them were apologetic and promised not to fight anymore, but Tiki had a strict policy: one strike and you’re out on opening weekend. It was far too busy to deal with the same problem or even potential problem several times over. They loosened that rule later in the season… but for opening weekend, it was one and done.
Eddie and his squad were on duty on the boardwalk, just up the beach from the Tiki Bar and responsible for keeping about two blocks of the boardwalk safe. The biggest problem was keeping people moving or off the boardwalk. Tiki got so crowded that people just tended to stand around anywhere to socialize. The boardwalk was a major walking throughway and was also used by emergency vehicles and the Beach Patrol ATVs. Eddie’s squad was tasked with keeping people moving or out of the way and policing the illegal drinking. It was mostly tedious work.
That changed just before midnight when two drunk guys bumped into each other. One (Drunk #1) was just trying to get home but the other (Drunk #2) had just come up onto the boardwalk and still had an open beer can in his hand. When the two men collided, the beer was spilled. Drunk #2 took great offense and hit Drunk #1 without so much as a word spoken. Drunk #1 replied in kind. The difference was that Drunk #1 was MUCH larger than Drunk #2 and when he hit #1, it was very damaging. Drunk #1 sank to the boardwalk with a broken jaw and several loose teeth. Drunk #2 wasn’t happy with that and began to kick the man in the stomach and ribs. A shout went up in the crowd around them and Eddie’s officers quickly responded.
Both drunks were going to be arrested but Drunk #1 needed emergency medical services first. As Eddie got on his radio to call for an ambulance, one of the Beach Patrol officers pulled up. As it turned out, the officer was JP and she had a trauma kit on her ATV. As she started treating Drunk #1 as best she could, Eddie helped her while the rest of his squad kept space around them. Mike had put the handcuffs on Drunk #2 and was in the process of searching him. He had already escorted Drunk #2 away when the ambulance crew showed up for Drunk #1.
With the injured man turned over to the ambulance crew, and Kyle (Mike’s partner) standing by to finish arresting him IF he wasn’t transported for treatment, Eddie and JP had a chance to step to the side. JP was very uncomfortable with the situation but she knew she couldn’t just avoid Eddie forever. Her problem was that she knew she’d hurt Max and she felt bad about it. She just didn’t know what else to do. Neither of them really wanted to talk about it but both knew they had to.
“You doing okay?” Eddie asked her by way of opening.
“Yeah,” JP replied. “Yeah, I’m okay.” She sighed and thought about the truth of that statement. “Well, not really. I mean, I’m okay, but I’m worried about Max and I feel bad about leaving him, and…” Her voice cracked as she stopped trying to say anything. She was just waiting for Eddie to say something critical to her; something about how Max was a great guy and she was stupid or something.
“Hey,” Eddie said, taking her by surprise. “You don’t have to worry about Max. I won’t lie and tell you he’s happy, but he’s okay and he’ll stay okay. He loves you and of course it hurts to have you walk away, but you have to do what you have to do and he knows that too. He’s a survivor. He’ll be fine.”
JP looked up at him with tears filling her eyes. “Thanks, Eddie. I know he’s a great guy and I know he’ll be okay. I don’t like myself for having hurt him.”
Eddie shrugged that away. “Aside from that situation, how’re you doing? Beach Patrol treating you okay?”
That led the conversation off in a different direction that was emotionally safe. JP expressed her happiness with her assignment and the work. She commented on the zoo that was Tiki Bar opening but otherwise seemed quite satisfied with where she was working.
The night ended about three a.m. without any further arrests. The officers working the streets had set up a number of sobriety check points and they stayed busy. No officers got hurt and aside from the drunk driving arrests, the only arrest the agency made that night was due to the boardwalk fight. All in all it was an ‘easy’ Tiki Bar opening Friday.
- - - - - - - - - -
“Homicide. Detective Coleman.” It was how Detective Lieutenant Dick Coleman ALWAYS answered the phone. He probably said that in his dreams if a phone rang.
The voice on the other end sounded like it had called long distance. “Detective Coleman, this is Lieutenant James Griggs with the Coast Guard Criminal Investigative Service.”
Given that Coleman was working the drowning case that had turned into a murder case, the fact that CGCIS was calling got his attention. “What can I do for you today, Lieutenant?”
“Not much,” replied Griggs. “This is just a courtesy call to let you know that we found another body similar to your recent drowning but not drowning victim.”
“Where’d you find this one?” asked Coleman.
“Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina,” replied Griggs. “Washed up yesterday morning but we didn’t get back the autopsy report until this afternoon. Thought he’d drowned but turns out he was poisoned. We haven’t figured out where he went in the drink yet or even been able to identify him, but I figured I ought to give you a call.”
“Yeah, thanks,” said Coleman. “I appreciate it. I guess this file will keep expanding.”
“Listen, Detective,” Griggs said, “I know you’re working the case that dropped onto your beach but this is a bigger case now and expands beyond your jurisdiction. CGCIS is going to take over.”
“I understand that,” said Coleman without offense. “But unless you’re going to tell me to stop working the case, I’ll continue to work the one that is mine and keep you fully informed.”
“That’s all we ask, “said Griggs. “Glad you get it.”
“Yeah,” said Coleman. “Stay in touch.” And then he hung up. The case was getting more complicated but he didn’t mind that. His only question was how far the bodies would stretch before they found the killer.
Discuss Episode 5:3 (this episode) on our forums
Editor’s Notes & Officer Survival Concerns
Officer Survival & other comments on Episode 5:3:
With the end of spring and launch of summer there are usually a lot of bar openings, special events on beaches, etc. They all bring with them particular risks and threats that we can only avoid or minimize so much. Temptation grows to play hero, lone gunman, whatever. Remember the Ten Deadly Errors and stay on your guard. The imperative is going home whole and healthy at the end of your shift.
Officer Survival & other comments on Episode 5:2:
No officer survival comments on this one except this: We ALL have emotional turmoil that enters our life. It IS very distracting. We can’t safely work distracted like that. Talk to someone if that’s where you are in your head. Get it sorted out. DO NOT go to work that distracted and unfocused. It can get you killed.
Officer Survival & other comments on Episode 5:1:
Few outside our profession can relate to the fears and complications associated with any shooting situation. They’re not usually aware of how politics can impact police work in all the wrong ways. As we can see in this story, the significant other (JP) of an injured officer (Max) is having her doubts about the relationship due to her own fears of lost stability. We also get to listen in on the conversation between the Mayor and the Chief and see how their concerns are different. Be that as it may, the Mayor’s concerns WILL impact how the Chief acts or reacts because ultimately he answers to the Mayor. Please remember to visit our supporter for this episode: Elbeco Uniforms. Great products to cover you in all your uniform needs.
