I Am The Sheepdog: Alex Shepherd, #2

By C.W. Lemoine

After losing his family in a terror attack and embarking on a mission of vengeance across the Middle East, Alex Shepherd has left the covert paramilitary group known as Odin and started a new life.

With his new identity as Deputy Troy Wilson and his new K-9 partner, Shepherd settles into his new life as a School Resource Officer for a small high school. He believes that he can make up for not being able to save his family by protecting the students of Fredericksburg High School.

But when Mexican gangs invade the sleepy Texas town, Shepherd once again finds himself on the frontlines of an ongoing war against evil. As he steps up to defend his community, he soon finds that his past is not as buried as he had hoped and his final mission with Odin soon comes back to haunt him.

With his new life in jeopardy, Shepherd must keep his true identity hidden while protecting the people he cares about.  As new threats begin to emerge, Shepherd soon realizes that he's no longer "The Wolf" set on vengeance. With his only mission being to protect the people he cares about, he has once again become the sheepdog.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mover Media LLC
• Release date: May 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386053927

C.W. Lemoine

C.W. Lemoine is the author of SPECTRE RISING, AVOID. NEGOTIATE. KILL., ARCHANGEL FALLEN, and EXECUTIVE REACTION.  He graduated from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University in 2005 and Air Force Officer Training School in 2006. He is a military pilot that has flown the F-16 and F/A-18. He is also a certified Survival Krav Maga Instructor and sheriff’s deputy. http://www.cwlemoine.com Facebook http://www.facebook.com/cwlemoine/ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CWLemoine/

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Prologue

ALEX SHEPHERD DIED in Raqqa, Syria, during the assault on an ISIS stronghold by the Kurdish YPG unit known as the Lions of Rojava. He was killed by a suicide bomber that stormed his position after he had killed nearly a dozen fighters. It was the end of a very tragic story – one of loss and of absolute vengeance.

His death received little fanfare in the American media. It was simply a footnote to a story they had covered nearly a year earlier – the story of a decorated Sheriff’s Deputy and SWAT sniper whose family had been killed by radical Islamic terrorists in a quiet Louisiana suburb. It was the story of a man who had traveled halfway around the world to take up arms and fight the evil that had taken everything from him. The famed Alex Shepherd had died unceremoniously on the battlefield after becoming the deadliest sniper in the war against ISIS.

At least, that was the story expert computer analyst Julio Coolio Meeks had manufactured. The real end to Alex Shepherd was far more complicated. It involved secret paramilitary organizations, billionaires determined to destroy the United States, and a group of highly trained operators trying to stop them.

That group was called Odin, and I had a front row seat to its downfall. Although, to be honest, I am still not quite clear on what happened, or what their end goal was. I just know that after they recruited me, some of them tried to kill me. I’m not okay with that.

From my perspective, Odin was an elite group of operators run by a group of eccentric billionaires. The operators were some of the best people I had ever worked with – professional, competent, and honorable. They had saved me from certain death and mutilation by an ISIS propaganda minister in the Syrian desert. I owed them my life.

That’s partly why I stayed with them. They had given me a second chance after I was consumed by rage and sorrow over the death of my family. They had given me purpose and a sense of belonging that I had been missing since that fateful August day. Whatever was happening, they needed me and I wanted to see it through.

It was a wild ride, but I did see it through. We took down a Russian Bratva boss with the help of the CIA near Moscow and destroyed a supercomputer that could have been used to destroy the Western world. It was a big accomplishment, but at the end of the mission, I was done.

The life of a high speed, low drag, secret operator is exciting and rewarding, but it just wasn’t for me. The rage and the thirst for vengeance were all out of my system. I was tired of killing and ready to try to move on with my life. I felt like God was giving me a second chance.

So, when we landed back in the States, I called it quits. I thanked the boss for his hospitality and for saving my life. I said goodbye to my new friends and wished them the best. Their mission was important. It just wasn’t for me. They all seemed to understand.

As a parting gift, Coolio created a new identity for me. To the rest of the world, I was no longer Alex Shepherd. I became Troy Wilson and moved down to Fredericksburg, Texas, where I became a School Resource Officer with the local sheriff’s office.

Going back into law enforcement and working in a school was hard at first. The school buses, the laughing and playing kids, and the young teachers were all reminders of everything I had lost. Every little girl was Chloe and every female teacher was Lindsey.

But that was partly why I chose that job. In spite of everything that had happened, I still felt responsible for the deaths of my wife and daughter. My job as a Deputy in St. Tammany Parish had been to protect them and the other innocent children on that school bus. Despite my best efforts, I had failed.

So, I thought it was a fitting penance to go back into the school system, doing the only job I had ever known, to protect the innocent on a daily basis. I thought it would be therapeutic and a way to make up for my failures. Besides, law enforcement was the only job I was good at, but I didn’t have the desire to go back out on the streets again. It seemed like a good place to start over and build a new life.

And for the first six months or so on the job, that’s exactly what I did. With my new K-9 partner Kruger, I kept the students and faculty of Fredericksburg High School safe. It felt like I had finally started a new chapter of my life and emerged from the darkness a new, and better, man.

The story should have ended there. I wish the story had ended there. But I lost any chance of a normal life when I lost my girls. From then on, the darkness seemed to follow me. And, although Alex Shepherd was supposed to be dead and gone, his story continued.

This new chapter was different, though. I had moved past the hopelessness, despair, and sadness. I had already proven to myself that I could walk through the gates of hell and come out on the other side. And, along the way, I had acquired a new set of skills from my new friends.

Trouble seemed to once again be seeking me out. It was taunting me, telling me I wasn’t strong enough to go through it again. Only this time, I wasn’t just strong enough. I was ready. I was angry.  I was the storm.

Here we go again...

Chapter One

DEPUTY WILSON? TROY? Hello? I felt a hand on my shoulder and instinctively spun around, coming face to face with Vice Principal Cindy Lawrence.

Startled by my reaction, Kruger stood and growled instinctively, causing Ms. Lawrence to jump back. Oh my goodness! she yelped.

Sorry, I said. Kruger once again sat next to me, satisfied there was no threat. We had been standing near the entrance of the school’s administrative offices as students and teachers entered for the first day of the new school year.

Geez, that’s a scary growl. What kind of dog is that? she asked.

Kruger? I asked as I squatted down to pet my K-9 partner. A Belgian Malinois. Total sweetheart.

I guess. Are you OK? she asked. For a Vice Principal, she was fairly attractive – mid forties, long brown hair, and fit. She was wearing a conservative gray dress that just barely silhouetted her figure. You looked like you were a million miles away.

I’m fine, I lied as I stood.

Okay, well if you need anything, just let me know. The first day of a new school year is always hectic, she replied. She smiled and then walked away to greet a group of incoming students.

She was right. I had been a million miles away. I couldn’t help but think about everything I had lost nearly a year ago to the day. Although the kids of Fredericksburg High School were much older than the ones that had been killed in the school bus massacre in Slidell, Louisiana, the sights and sounds were still haunting me.

I had been working as a School Resource Officer since the end of May, but it was my first day with full classes. I had spent most of the summer doing training with Kruger and working part time with the school as they held summer classes. It seemed like a nice public school in an upper-middle class area, much like St. Tammany Parish where I had previously worked.

As I stood there trying to shake off the past, a young teenager approached us. He was wearing thick glasses and was sporting the biggest afro I had ever seen. His backpack had a thin blue line bracelet attached to one of the straps. He walked up and stopped a foot in front of Kruger.

Beautiful dog, man. Can I pet him?

I resisted the urge to point out the DO NOT PET in big bold letters on Kruger’s vest with a smartass comment, or the biology lesson involved with pointing out that Kruger was actually a female.

"Sure, kid, you can pet her, I said. What’s your name?"

Marcus, he said with a smile as he squatted down to gently pet Kruger. What’s her name?

Kruger.

Kruger? Like Freddy Kruger? That doesn’t sound like a girl’s name, Marcus said, still focused on petting her.

Long story. So what grade are you starting today?

Ninth, Marcus said as he stood to face me. But I skipped two grades.

Smart kid, I said and then nodded to the bracelet. Cop family?

Marcus frowned and looked down. My dad was killed in the line of duty two years ago.

I’m sorry to hear that, buddy. Kruger sensed the boy’s sadness and instinctively nudged his hand for him to keep petting her.

What about you? Where are you from? Deputy Wilson, is it?

Louisiana.

Not the talking type, huh? Marcus asked. That’s ok, Deputy Todd wasn’t much of a talker either. He was a lot older though. I guess he retired.

I never met him, I said.

They didn’t give him a dog though. I don’t even think he had a gun.

It’s a new program, I replied. The dog. Not the gun.

Marcus pointed to the gun in my holster. Have you ever had to use it?

I hesitated for a moment and then said, Sure. I go to the range every week.

Marcus shook his head. No, I mean to shoot somebody!

I think it’s time for you to go to class, I said as I turned and ushered him toward the door.

Aww! Come on! Marcus protested. Please! I won’t tell anyone.

Go to class, I said.

Okay, Marcus said finally. But you’ll have to tell me the story later, Dee Dubya.

Dee Dubya?

Deputy Todd was Dee-Tee, so you’re Dee Dubya, Marcus said as he continued into the school.

Dee Dubya, I said to myself as the door closed behind him.

The bell rang and the remaining students hurried into the school. I gave Kruger a scratch behind the ears and we walked out to the parking lot. We did a walk through, checking for suspicious vehicles or people, and then went to the nearby football practice field for a quick game of fetch.

As Kruger retrieved the ball for the twentieth time, I suddenly saw a female teacher running toward me, waving frantically trying to get my attention. I stuffed the ball into my cargo pants pocket and hooked the leash to Kruger’s harness once more. As the teacher grew near, I realized it was Miss Jennifer Jenkins, a young teacher barely five feet tall with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Deputy Wilson! she yelled.

I started toward her in a jog. What is it? I asked.

You have to come quickly! He’s got a gun! she yelled.

Who’s got a gun? I asked as Kruger and I ran with her toward the school.

Lee Davis. He’s a tenth grader in my class, she said.

Where? I asked. My adrenaline surged as I considered the possibility of an active shooter scenario in the school. What the hell was I thinking, leaving to go play fetch. Goddammit!

Principal Reese’s office. He confiscated it, she said, struggling to keep up with me. I had just started to key up the radio and call for backup when she said that.

I removed my hand from my collar mic and slowed to a walk as I realized it wasn’t an active shooter situation. Wait, what?

Principal Reese took the gun from him, Jenkins said as she caught up and tried to catch her breath.

I stopped and turned to the young teacher. He disarmed him? I asked.

No, it was in his backpack. I saw it and called the principal in.

What kind of gun is it? I asked suspiciously.

A super soaker, I think, she said.

Holy shit, lady! I said. Are you fucking kidding me?

Excuse me! she replied. Watch your language, sir.

I didn’t know what to say. A water gun?

Principal Reese is waiting for us, Jenkins added.

Yeah, we’re going to have a little chat, I said.

I turned with Kruger and walked into the administration area of the front offices. I unhooked the leash from Kruger’s harness and had her lie down on her bed behind the desk in my office, and then closed the door. Jenkins followed as I walked into Principal Reese’s office without knocking. She stopped in the doorway as I entered.

Deputy Wilson, Principal Reese said with a look of surprise. Seated across from him were Vice Principal Lawrence and the offending student. I immediately saw the neon green and orange water gun sitting on Reese’s desk.

We just called young Mr. Davis’s parents, Reese said. As you can see, he brought illegal contraband into the school.

I said nothing as I walked over and picked up the gun, confirming that it was, in fact, a water gun. Is this a joke?

It is actually quite serious, Vice Principal Lawrence said. I turned to her. The kid was crying. That’s why we needed you here so urgently.

For what? I asked.

To determine whether charges are warranted, Principal Reese said matter-of-factly.

"Charges?" I asked. I didn’t know whether to laugh or call this guy a moron.

Deputy, this school has a zero tolerance policy for any guns on school grounds, Reese said, unfazed by my attitude.

I pointed the water gun at the trash can in the corner of the room and squeezed the trigger. A short burst of water hit the inner liner. For a water gun?

Yes, Deputy Wilson, that’s correct, Vice Principal Lawrence answered.

I looked at the kid, still sobbing as he feared what would happen next. Lee, is it? I asked.

He nodded without looking up at me.

Is this your squirt gun? I asked.

Yes, sir, he said, still staring at the floor.

Did you bring it to school today?

Yes, sir.

Why?

He looked up nervously at me and then at Principal Reese. I could tell they had already been through this line of questioning before. Go ahead, you can tell me, I said.

Jason had a pool party at his house yesterday and I forgot it was in my bag, sir, Lee replied as he burst into tears again. I’m sorry!

Lee, can you give us a minute? Maybe go wait with the secretary? I asked.

What are you doing? What if he runs? Principal Reese asked.

I’ve got a dog, I said. Lee, please give us the room.

Yes, sir, Lee mumbled as he slowly stood and walked out.

Close the door, I ordered Jenkins when the kid was out of the room.

Jenkins did as I instructed. Sit, I told her, pointing to the chair the kid had just vacated.

What is the meaning of this? Principal Reese asked.

1,2,3...3,2,1... I tried to take deep breaths and calm myself as I reconsidered my life choices. These people had obviously lived very sheltered lives.

I know it’s my first real day here, so let’s get a few things straight, I began as I tossed the water gun into the trash can I had just used for target practice.

"First, don’t you ever do that again, I said, pointing to Jenkins. Do you know how close I was to calling every unit in the county for a possible active shooter? Do you have any idea how serious something like that is?"

Deputy, I—

I held up my hand, cutting off Principal Reese. I’ll get to you in a second, sir.

We’re new to working together, so if it helps, I will go over the various scenarios that warrant an emergency response. But for starters, this wasn’t one of them. Understand?

Jenkins nodded, not sure how to respond to my visible anger.

Principal Reese, I said turning to him. And Vice Principal Lawrence. This is for both of you.

Deputy Wilson—

This time it was Vice Principal Lawrence that I had to cut off. "No, this is the time for you to listen. I am the School Resource Officer for this school. I do not work for the School Board. I do not work for the School. I work with the school to ensure the safety of these students. I enforce the laws as they are written by the county and State of Texas. I do not enforce school policy."

What you have just attempted to escalate is definitely a school policy, and a rather ridiculous one, if we’re being honest. You’re going to ruin that boy’s life over an honest mistake?

We have a zero tolerance policy, Deputy, Reese replied.

I made eye contact with Vice Principal Lawrence. She must have realized that I was on the verge of choking the smug old man, because she chose to deescalate instead of continuing the conversation.

You know, Tom, maybe Deputy Wilson has a point, she said calmly. "Today is only the first day of school. Lee Davis is a straight A student. Perhaps we could give him another chance. Maybe detention for a week or two to drive home the point."

Reese leaned back in his high-back leather chair and folded his arms. I don’t know, Cindy. This is pretty major.

I glared at Reese. I bit my tongue, hoping Vice Principal Lawrence could talk some sense into him before I went nuclear.

It is, Tom, you’re right, she said. But I think he will learn from it. And perhaps Deputy Wilson can educate the students on the dangers of firearms in schools, including toys that look like firearms.

I’d be happy to, I said.

So, it’s settled? Vice Principal Lawrence asked.

Reese let out a sigh. I suppose so. But we shouldn’t make a habit of bending the rules around here.

Perfect, Lawrence said. I will talk to Davis’s parents myself.

I’ll be in my office if you need me, I said as I turned and walked out.

Chapter Two

I HAD BARELY MADE IT back to my office before I received a call from my sergeant on my cell phone. Principal Reese had called him to complain about what he felt was gross insubordination for refusing to ruin that kid’s life.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my sergeant backed me 100%. The previous deputy assigned to this school had consistently rolled over to Principal Reese’s demands, causing unnecessary reports and charges that were all eventually dropped but wasted everyone’s time. He was glad that I did the right thing but cautioned that I needed to have a good working relationship with the school administration and should tone it down a few notches.

He ended the call by inviting me to join him for lunch, but I politely declined. Since it was the first day of school, I wanted to make my rounds through the cafeteria to let the kids know I was there for them.

After the call, Kruger and I headed back out to make our rounds between periods. I ran into Miss Jenkins who seemed nervous and flustered when she saw me.

I’m sorry about what happened earlier, I said. I guess I just got a little too amped up. First day jitters and all that.

It’s okay, she said sheepishly. I’m sorry for making such a big deal of it. That’s just the way we’ve always done things around here. It’s the most excitement we ever get.

Quiet is a good thing, I said. But maybe next time we can save the excitement for actual emergencies.

I guess that’s fair, she said as she brushed a stray hair from her face. So, hey, our lunch break is after this next period. Do you want to maybe join us for lunch in the teachers’ lounge? I’ll introduce you to everyone.

Maybe some other time, I replied. I was planning on having lunch in the cafeteria with the students today.

Some other time, then, Jenkins said. Well, I should get to class.

See you around, I said as she walked off.

I could tell she was trying to be flirtatious, but I wasn’t interested. I didn’t think anyone could replace my wife, and although Miss Jenkins was cute and seemed nice, she was a bit too young for me. I guessed she was in her mid-twenties. I just wasn’t interested.

Kruger and I continued our rounds and then headed for the cafeteria. I grabbed a tray and selected a slice of pizza and an apple for myself, then picked up a bowl of carrots for Kruger. We sat at a table away from the entrance and started eating as students began to arrive for lunch.

Dee Dubya! I heard as I bent over to place the bowl of carrots in front of Kruger.

Marcus, I said as I saw him approaching with his tray.

Can I join you guys? he asked.

Sure.

Awesome! he said as he sat. So, you never did answer my question.

About what?

About using your gun, he said before taking a bite of his sandwich.

That’s not something you need to be worrying about, I said and then tried to change the subject. So, how’s your first day of ninth grade?

Okay, he replied. A few kids are picking on me, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.

Do you need Kruger to go talk to them? I asked with a grin.

No, Marcus said stoically. I’ve got this. They’re just being dumb.

Well, if you need us, we’re here, I said.

Marcus nodded. Moments later, Miss Jenkins walked up accompanied by another male teacher. Mind if we join you?

Marcus? I asked. What do you think?

I was just finishing, Marcus answered as he tossed his napkin on his tray and stood. I’ve got some work to do. I’ll talk to you later, Deputy Wilson.

You don’t have to leave, I said, but it was too late. Marcus shook his head and walked off.

I turned my attention to Miss Jenkins and her guest. Looks like a spot just opened up. Please, join us.

Does the dog bite? the man asked nervously as he eyed Kruger munching on her carrots.

Only when I ask her to, I replied.

Deputy Wilson, this is Dave Tyson. He teaches physics, Jenkins said.

I reached over and shook his hand. His grip was weak and his hands were soft. His pale skin and clichéd suspenders made it clear he didn’t spend much time outdoors.

So, Deputy Wilson, Miss Jenkins tells me you’re from Louisiana, Tyson said.

That’s correct, I said.

What part?

New Orleans area, I said. Although St Tammany Parish was thirty-five miles north, it was close enough.

What brings you to this part of Texas?

I was looking for a fresh start, and I found an opening for an SRO here. Seemed like a nice enough place, I replied. Quiet.

Did they tell you about the gangs? Tyson asked.

Gangs? I asked. I looked at Jenkins who just shrugged as we waited for Tyson to explain.

An MS-13 spinoff called Los Ochos Locos has been seen in the area. I’m afraid they’re going to invade our little town, Tyson said, pushing up his glasses.

That’s the first I’m hearing about it, I said. Where did you hear this?

"I saw them, Tyson replied. I went for a walk in the park this weekend and I saw them in the parking lot."

How do you know they were part of a gang?

They were blaring loud rap music and they all had tattoos, Tyson explained. The news said they were looking to move north.

I’ll see what I can find, I replied. Thanks for the tip.

So, Deputy Wilson, what’s your story? Married? Kids? Jenkins asked abruptly.

No, I replied flatly.

Never? Jenkins asked.

No.

Okay, Jenkins said. Well a lot of us go out on the weekends. Fredericksburg is kind of a small town. It can be hard to meet people.

I appreciate the offer, I said. But I’m fine.

Deputy Todd was a bit of a loner as well. His wife left him right before he retired. I think he was in his mid-sixties though, Tyson said. I’m sure it’s a rough job.

Sure, I said. I had grown tired of the chit chat and decided it was time to get back to work. I attached Kruger’s leash to her harness and stood.

It was nice meeting you, I said as I stood. We should probably get back to work.

I deposited my tray and walked Kruger out of the cafeteria. The rest of the school day was uneventful. I spent the afternoon catching up on reports and then we went back to the front of the school to socialize and greet parents as the kids