Upon returning to Pineville Deputy Towner goes to see the sheriff with trepidation. He expects to get chewed out again. Towner says to the sheriff, “I screwed up, Sheriff. I should have kept a closer eye on Day. Has anyone spotted the black Ford Pickup?”
Towner hopes his question will divert the sheriff from berating him and it works.
The sheriff says, “No, I haven’t heard anything. Do you have any idea where Day might go?”
“I expect he’ll return to Pineville. If he didn’t have the mental problems, he would probably go on the run trying to avoid trial for murder. Given his mental state, I think he’s more likely to return here. I suggest we watch for his return. Only a few roads are leading into our county. If he hasn’t already arrived here, we might intercept him.”
Sheriff Ericsson replies, “You may be right. It’s worth a try. You go south of town and watch for him to come from the South. I’ll have Wilson watch for him if he comes from the West. Keep watch until 10 or 11 tonight. I’ll contact the psychologist who treated Day. He may have an idea of what Day will do. We’ll meet here again in the morning.”
Towner agrees and leaves the sheriff’s office relieved he didn’t get chewed out again.
At the Saturday morning meeting Towner and Wilson report they didn’t see any sign of an old black Ford pickup coming into Pineville on the two main roads they monitored. Wilson says, “Jerry Day knows our area well. He could have come back via several different secondary roads without us seeing him.”
The Sheriff says, “You’re right, but it was worth a try. If we aren’t trying to catch him, we’ll hear about it. I talked to Day’s psychologist. He says Day is likely to return to this area but given his military background, he would stay out of sight. The psychologist thinks he may begin to hunt for people he thinks are evil again. I am now a likely target given Day knows I tricked him.”
Wilson asks, “Do you want us to search the county for Day?”
“No. I think that would be a waste of time. There are so many abandoned old barns he could hide the truck in or he could break into one of the homes of the snowbirds. I can’t imagine how many homes are shut up for the winter. Plus the forest areas are full of unoccupied hunting cabins. If he has decided we are now evil ones he could be watching for us. He might shoot anyone in a uniform that approaches a place where he is hiding. Searching for him would take days and might be dangerous for us. Let’s take a different approach. Let’s alert his daughters and the school principal. There’s a chance he’ll contact one of his daughters or a friend at the school. He doesn’t have any money so he may look for help when he gets hungry. Let’s suggest to the people we alert that they help him and try to find out where he is staying or planning to go. Maybe we’ll get lucky and learn where he is. Then we can decide on a plan to catch him without putting anyone at risk,” says the sheriff.
Towner asks, “Do you want us to patrol the county roads?”
“Yes, do your normal patrols but don’t take any risks. He may have decided we are evil ones and be watching for the opportunity to shoot one of us. We have to assume he found the gun that was in the truck. If you spot him or the black pickup call in and we’ll plan how we want to approach him.”
Wilson asks, “Shall we notify the State Police?”
“No, at least not for now. It would be embarrassing to have them know we let a prisoner get away easily.”
The following Tuesday when the sheriff returns from a morning patrol and lunch at the Dinner Pail Sue tells him she has picked up the Weekly Review during lunch and he’s not going to like what Mary Jane Bloom has written.
“I brought a copy back to the office. Do you want to read her article, Sheriff?”
“Not if I’m not going to like it. Just tell me the gist of it.”
“Okay, she says Jerry Day has escaped your custody, is armed and on the loose somewhere.”
“Oh my God. How did she learn that? Just like her to get everyone in an uproar again. Now I’m in a pickle. If we aren’t seen to be searching for Day we’ll be soundly criticized. If we do begin actively searching, I fear we are risking him shooting a deputy.”
“What are you going to do, Sheriff?”
“Nothing. I’m not going to risk one of our deputies being shot. Day must show himself soon. He can’t have any money and unless he has found food in some snowbird’s home, he’ll have to approach someone for help. My guess is he’ll approach one of his daughters. He won’t harm them and they are smart enough to either convince him to give himself up or let me know where he is hiding. Either way, we should be able to end this without anyone else being harmed.”
“I think that’s the right plan, Sir. I just hope this ends soon. I’m afraid someone might decide to hunt for Day themselves and that could lead to tragedy.”
“That’s a risk but I think a lower risk than him seeing us hunting for him.”
That Tuesday evening Jake Black goes to the VFW. He wants to thank the fellow veterans who helped him with his recovery from PTSD. He’s sitting at the bar nursing a beer and waiting for his friends to come in when Jerry Day comes in and approaches him. Jake sees Day coming and decides the best thing is to act as though everything is normal. He greets Day and says, “Can I buy you a beer Jerry. I owe you for helping me learn my PTSD wasn’t quite over.”
“Yes, Jake. I’d love a beer.”
They drink their beers and chat about the weather and sports for a few minutes. Then Jake says, “Jerry I need to call Jolene and let her know I’m here. I left home before she got home today and she doesn’t know where I am. I don’t want her to be worried. I’ll just be a minute. Don’t go anywhere. I’m enjoying talking to you.”
“Okay, Jake. I’ll be here.”
Jake goes to the phone by the restrooms and calls Pam Lafave. He says, ”Hello, Pam. I need your advice quickly. I’m at the VFW and Jerry Day is here. I’m having a beer with him and trying to act casual as though nothing is wrong. I know we have to get Jerry back in custody so he can get help but I’m afraid to call the sheriff. I read in the paper Jerry is armed. I’m afraid if the sheriff shows up here Jerry might start shooting. I told him I was going to call Jolene. What do you think I should do?”
“I think you are right, Jake. Go back and continue chatting with Jerry. I’ll call Eve Day and see if she can meet us at the VFW. I’ll come even if I can’t contact Eve. Maybe we can talk Jerry into giving himself up if we do it right. Hang in there. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Jake hangs up and returns to the bar and picks back up on his conversation with Day. They are almost finished with their second beer when Pam comes in and sits beside Jerry at the bar. She says, “Hello, Jerry. Good to see you. I have been thinking about you.”
“Hello, Pam. How did you know I was here?”
“I was talking to Jolene and she told me Jake was here talking to you. I decided to come to see you. I told Eve you are here and she is coming too. Have you had dinner?”
“No, and I am hungry but I don’t have any money.”
Jake then says, “That’s okay, Jerry. I’ll buy your dinner. I owe you at least that much. What would you like?”
“I’d love a hamburger and fries.”
“Me too, adds Pam.”
They order their meals, move to a table, and continue their casual conversation while waiting for the burgers. Just as the burgers are served Eve comes in and joins them. She says, “Hi, Dad. It’s good to see you. I’ve been worried about you.”
“No need to worry, Eve. Jake bought me a couple of beers and dinner. Will you join us?”
“Sure, I am concerned you may be experiencing some problems like you did when you first got home from the Army. Do you remember that?”
“Yes, I had a bad time then for a while, but I got help and the problems went away.”
“I think if Mom were still here, Dad, she would urge you to see the doctor who helped you then.”
“You could be right, Eve. I have been feeling strange. But I don’t want to be put in jail or handcuffs again. I think that the sheriff is one of the evil ones.”
“Would you be willing to go see the doctor who helped you before if you didn’t have to be in jail first or handcuffs?”
“I guess, but I don’t have money for gas.”
Jake says, “Don’t worry about that, Jerry. I’ll drive you if Eve will go along to keep us company.”
Pam adds, “That’s a good idea, Jake. That way Jerry can see the doctor and he won’t have to see the sheriff.”
“I’ll be happy to go with you, Dad,” Eve says.
They finish eating and Jake and Jerry go to use the men’s room before heading for Saginaw. Eve says, “Pam, I am so glad you and Jake didn’t turn Dad in to the Sheriff. That could have led to problems.”
“I agree, Eve. The sheriff doesn’t need to know until you’ve had time to get to Saginaw. Then I’ll let him know Jerry is heading for the doctor. Do you know the doctor’s name and how to find him?”
“Yes, I remember his name and he’s at the VA. We’ll go straight there. Please call them after we’ve left and let them know we are bringing Dad there.”
“I will, Eve.”
Jake and Jerry return from the restroom, Jake pays the bill and they all leave.
Pam goes home and decides to make a cup of tea. Then she changes her mind and has a glass of wine. She’s thinking of what she’s going to say to the sheriff when she calls him. She decides all he needs to know is that Jerry Day is going back to the VA. She calls the VA and lets them know Jerry Day is being brought there by his daughter and a friend. Then she waits an hour and a half and calls the sheriff’s office. A deputy on duty for the night answers, Pam identities herself and asks for the sheriff’s cell phone number. She tells the deputy she has information about Jerry Day she will only share with the sheriff. He gives her the sheriff’s cell number.
Pam calls Sheriff Ericson. When he answers she says, “Sheriff, this is Pam Lafave. I have some information on Jerry Day for you.”
“Hello, Pam. How did you get involved in the Day matter?” The sheriff says gruffly.
“Jerry’s daughter Eve has talked him into going back to the VA. She asked me to tell you. They should be there by now. You can call and confirm Day is being taken care of.”
“Why didn’t Eve contact me as soon as she knew where her father was?”
“I think she was concerned Jerry might do something rash if he saw you. You know he’s had a relapse of his mental problems that causes him to see people as either good or evil.”
“Yes, I know. That’s why we haven’t been hunting for him. I was afraid he would see me and my deputies as evil and try to shoot one of us.”
“That was wise, Sheriff. You handled it well. Pineville can be thankful Jerry’s no longer a threat to anyone and will get the help he needs. Will you inform Mary Jane Bloom that Jerry Day is at the VA and be sure and claim credit for handling this situation the best way possible. You don’t have to tell her I was involved.”
“You can be sure I won’t tell her you were involved. Eve Day should get all the credit for making my plan work.”
Pam smiles to herself, says goodbye, hangs up, and decides to have another glass of wine.
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