The Jail Underneath.
Chapter 3 - Part 1 Law & Order
Previously, While Balgair shot off to talk to Harper and Parcival about the long patrol, Heather flew headlong into her first task as Match-Maker. She drug Ben and Methak into an unused office and stumblingly spoke to them about Delilah and Aelwyn.
After talking to Harper and Parcival, Balgair stopped by his office just long enough to hang up his hat and then walked through the bullpen, so named because the patrol officers and clerks that didn’t have an office shared the big room, resembling a herd of bulls in a pen.
He waved at a few of the clerks and stopped to speak with one of the patrol officers before walking through the secured door set in the far wall. After closing the door behind him, he made his way down the stairs to the jail below the office.
When he reached the steel door at the bottom of the stairs, he placed his right hand on the door and waited for the lock spell to recognize him. It only took a few seconds for the door to open and for him to step through. When the door closed behind him and locked, he didn’t even blink.
His entry into the jail proper caused a minor disruption as heads turned to watch him. It was rare that the sheriff deigned to lower himself to enter the jail. It was something that Balgair was going to change.
“Ach, sair,” the thick Caledonian brogue rang out down the hallway as Angus stuck his head out of his office. “Wea didnae ken you were comin’ doawn.”
That thick brogue brought a smile to Balgair’s face. “Is it that big a deal that your sheriff comes down to check on his men?” He teased the big Caledonian.
“Weal, the ole sheriff never stuck his head down here.” Angus McRadie admitted. “What breangs you doawn?” The big man smiled, proud that Balgair had come to visit.
“How did he ever know how the jail looked if he didn’t show up once in a while?” Balgair was genuinely curious since he had always made it a point to visit every department under his command, from the adjutant to the armorer, and even the newest soldiers digging latrines had met him face to face.
“Denna ken, sair,” McRadie replied. “Can I show ya around, sair?” He looked like a kid about to show his parent how clean his room was.
Balgair grinned. “After you, good sir.” He followed Angus down the hallway, stopping to check offices and cells on the way. “Did everyone get a chance to get the new uniforms?”
The big Caledonian nodded, “Aye, sair. The last one got outfitted this morning.” He absently gestured to the men they passed in the hallway. “It’s made a change in how they act, and,” he looked faintly surprised. “it also changed how the prisoners act toward the jailors.”
“Good,” Balgair nodded. “Does that include our prized prisoner?” He had walked down to check on the mayor, who was ensconced in one of their better cells.
“Ach, him,” McRadie grunted. “Aye, he’s behavin’, though he’s naet so happy to be haer.” He had been somewhat surprised when Tackett and the deputies had brought Willems in and placed him in a cell. “He’s complainin’ that tha food is naet up to his fine standards.”
Balgair rolled his eyes, “Too bad, he should have thought about that before deserting his post.” Balgair had no sympathy for traitors or deserters, especially those who put people in danger by running out on their duties.
“Do ya wanna check on him?” McRadie inquired, stopping in the middle of the hallway.
“Might as well,” Balgair said and followed Angus as he resumed the walk down the hallway until they came to a cell set apart from the rest. “Solitary?”
Angus nodded, “Aye, Ah thought it prudent,” the Caledonian managed not to butcher the phrase. “If he waer to be put in with everyone else, he might not live a week. He pissed some people off.”
Balgair nodded, watching as Angus opened the door and led him into another short hallway, which led to the solitary cell. The sheriff examined the door. “Are all the doors down here iron?”
“Aye,” McRadie replied, “It keeps the prisoners in and spells out.” He reached up and tapped the cold iron door. “He’s as safe as if he were in his momma’s arms.”
“Well, I’d hate for him to die before the trial,” Balgair commented. “Can I see him?”
Angus gave the sheriff a good long look and shrugged. “Aye, if you want. He’s probably gonna scream at ya.” When he saw that Balgair didn’t care, he pulled out a brass key and inserted it into the lock. “Are ya sure ya wanna do this?” he asked, then shrugged again and opened the door.
Balgair wasn’t sure what he expected, but it wasn’t the well-lit cell. Balgair looked around the ten-foot by ten-foot cell, noticing the solid stone construction, complete with a draoidheil orb that threw light into the cell. The floor was dry and free of straw or refuse. For the moment, he ignored the man who was sitting on the edge of a metal bunk that was attached to the wall by iron bolts. Finishing his inspection of the cell, he noticed a square table bolted into the far wall, complete with a wooden chair.
With a nod to Angus, he turned back to examine the portly man who was staring at him. “I hear that the accommodations don’t meet with your approval.”
The imprisoned mayor knuckled his eyes and fixed his attention on Balgair. “It’s a very nice hole in the ground, but I don’t get to leave this hole.” He said bitterly.
Balgair listened, hard put to keep from saying what he wanted to say. “You are being held for trial. If I were you, I’d prepare my defense or find someone to represent you.” At his side, Angus nodded sagely, amazed that the Sheriff sounded so calm.
“When you had me arrested, you told me what you were charging me with,” Willems said, taking a deep breath. “Would you be so kind as to tell me again what they are?”
Balgair met Willem’s gaze. “You are being charged with deserting your post and leaving Eola without the means to contact the council or other authorities.” The sheriff crossed his arms over his chest.
Willems sighed and nodded. “Yes, I did go to DeRosa Springs, but I didn’t leave the town defenseless. The town guard was here, and Rydell’s company would have returned.”
Balgair’s eyes hardened as his mouth set in a straight line. “There’s a reason why at least two people stay around. If something had happened to Staff Sergeant Tackett, there would have been nobody to call for help.”
Angus could tell that the sheriff was keeping a tight grip on his anger. From the minute quivering of Balgair’s arms, he knew that his boss could easily kill the prisoner before the jailor could move.
“That may be, but it’s not up to you to find me guilty,” the mayor stated, completely missing the signs that the sheriff was ready to hit him.
Balgair drew a slow deep breath and just as calmly stated, “For that, you better be glad. Were we in the military, I could have you killed for desertion.” He felt like spitting on the floor but refrained from doing so. “Thank your lucky stars that this is a civilian post, and you get to have a trial.” Disdain filled his voice, and then his posture as he turned on one heel and walked out.
The big Caledonian grunted as he stepped back and pulled the door shut behind him. With a turn of the lock, he and the sheriff left the passageway. Once out in the main hall, he nodded in Balgair’s direction. “If’n I can say so, you showed great restraint. I’d probably have hit him.”
Balgair shook the tension out of his arms.“It was a close thing, Angus.It was a close thing.” He arched a brow, feeling slightly better. “Care to show me the rest of the operation?”
I’m always interested in hearing what you think. I would enjoy it if you’d
There’ll be more of this story coming up next week, so stay tuned.
or
If you like Law & Order so far, the adventure started in The Black Swan’s Bond and The Sheriff’s Oath, which you can find at Amazon and other fine online booksellers. I would also like to invite you to become a paid subscriber at any tier. Believe it or not, there’s a discount.