To Protect and Serve in Mountain View County

By Leighton W Vary, Jr

One little eight-year-old girl, Teresa, Anastasia Alicia Armstrong, touched the lives of many people in a rural community in Mountain View County. Her faith, her trust, and her initiative were a great influence on these folks, especially Sheriff John Murdock, who eventually married Teresa’s widowed mother. Another one she touched was an eight-year-old boy, Roger James Allan. Because of her association with Sheriff John and Roger, many other lives were changed.
We can peek into the lives of these people and get to know them very well: victims, Susan Alan and her son Roger; bank employees, Connie Penny, Jerry Roberts, Georgina George; Sheriff’s deputies, Alan Smith, Amber Clark, and others. What results is a look into the dedication and loyalty, the lives, loves, and laughter of many stalwart, loyal, Americans in this Rural American County.
The story eventually centers on Sheriff’s deputy partners, Amber Clark, and Alan Smith. They become involved with the case of a cop killer. Deputy Smith and Sheriff Murdock having been shot and wounded by the killer. They also become involved in the case of a brutal assault and murder of a little girl, Debra Jean Lacy. The Sheriff also assigned Deputies Smith and Clark to become Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) for Mountain View County.
The story has romance, emotions, family, humor, and loyalty.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leighton W Vary, Jr
• Release date: Oct 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463237366

Book preview

To Protect and Serve

In Mountain View County

By

Leighton W Vary Jr

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2018 by Leighton W Vary Jr

All rights reserved.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover concept by Susan F Vary

Image Licensed by Shutterstock.com

Other Books by this Author

Root for the Underdog

Second Chances

Carry On Constitution To Save the Galaxy

Contents

Chapter One - The Teresa Fan Club

Chapter Two - Susan and Roger

Chapter Three - Teresa's Friends

Chapter Four - Anastasia Alicia Murdock

Chapter Five - Roger and Susan Alan

Chapter Six - A Budding Romance

Chapter Seven - Marriage

Chapter Eight - The Cop Killer

Chapter Nine - Crime Scene Investigation

Chapter Ten - The Next Murder

Chapter Eleven - The Capture

Chapter Twelve - Life Goes On

Chapter Thirteen - Finally

Chapter One

The Teresa Fan Club

This story begins in Small Town USA at a slower, gentler time before computers and other electronic miracles imprison our minds and giant government controls every aspect of our lives, a time of great compassion and great neglect.

Her name was Anastasia Alicia Armstrong. She was born on the right side of the tracks. Her mother and father loved her dearly. Her daddy started out calling her Triple A just because it was fun. But Triple A slowly evolved into Tricia then to Teresa, just for the fun of it.

She lived in a three-bedroom cottage in a nice tree-lined neighborhood. She grew to the age of five years in that home, her mother, and father caring for her, loving her, and teaching her to love life and to live life to the fullest. Like most Americans, their little cottage had a mortgage which Teresa’s daddy paid each month to the local bank.

Just at the beginning of Teresa’s fifth year, her daddy was killed in an industrial accident. The Armstrongs had a small life insurance policy, which sustained Teresa and her mother for several years. But, then the money from the policy ran out, even though Teresa’s mom was very careful with every cent, the money ran out. All through this period, Mrs. Armstrong would seek work while Teresa was in school. She worked as a clerk in the local grocery store, ladies’ apparel, and she even took in laundry. She would collect the laundry, take it home, wash, dry, iron, fold and care for the articles of clothing after Teresa had gone to bed and then deliver the laundry the next day.

Teresa was her mother’s joy, her reason for living, and the source of her energy, stamina, and fortitude. Teresa loved her mother and prayed for her every night. Dear Jesus, please help mommy. She is so tired, so sad, and I love her so. Please bring us a daddy to take care of us. Teresa prayed her simple prayer every night.

Then, one day, there was a knock at the door. When Teresa opened the door, she saw a very large man with a star on his shirt and a gun on his hip. Is your mother home? he asked in a kindly voice. Teresa answered that she was home and asked the large man to step in. She closed the door and told the large man to wait and went to get her mother. Mother, there is a very big man here, and he wants to see you in the living room. Her mommy brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes and asked, Who is he, honey? Teresa answered, I don’t know, but he has a star on his shirt and a gun on his belt. Her mom, hurried to the living room saying, Oh, My, Oh, My. The large men saw her and smiled, Mrs. Armstrong? Yes, Sheriff, I’m Mrs. Armstrong.

The large man said, with a very sad face, Mrs. Armstrong, I have a very difficult task, please forgive me, but I am here to serve you with this foreclosure notice. The bank wants you out of this house by the end of next month. So, you have sixty days to move out. I’m so sorry, but you and your daughter will have to find another place to live. Mrs. Armstrong looked up at the Sheriff and saw tears running down his rugged face. Her heart went out to the large man, and she said, Thank you, Sheriff, don’t worry, everything will be all right, Teresa and I will find a place, we will be okay. She took the eviction notice, folded it and put it in the drawer of an end table, she shook the Sheriff’s hand and led him to the door, Good night, Sheriff, God bless you. The large man turned, God bless me? she replied, Yes, Sheriff, God bless you. Good night, sir. and she closed the door.

Teresa’s mother called Teresa to her; she wrapped her arms around Teresa and began to cry. Teresa patted her mother’s back and asked, Mommy, what’s the matter? Teresa, the bank is going to make us move to another house. Teresa asked, Why? Her mother said, Because we can’t pay the bank for our mortgage. Without your daddy here to pay the bank, we will lose our little home.

This put Teresa to thinking, she had a piggy bank, she would take her piggy bank to the bank and maybe mommy, and she could stay in the little cottage on the nice tree lined street. I’ll just take my piggy bank to the bank after school and give it to the bank man. That is just what she did. In the bank, she asked a bank lady to take her piggy bank, Please, she said to the bank lady, Could you take my piggy bank and let mommy and me stay in our little house?

The bank lady was genuinely touched and asked Teresa her name. Teresa answered with a great big smile, My name is Anastasia Alicia Armstrong, but mommy calls me Teresa. Why does your mommy call you Teresa? the curious bank lady asked. I don’t know, she just does. It’s okay; I like it. You said your name was Armstrong? asked the bank lady. Yes, she replied, my name is Anastasia Alicia Armstrong. The bank lady walked over to talk to another bank lady, who looked over at Teresa and shook her head with a gentle smile on her face. Teresa liked both of the bank ladies; they seemed very kind.

Both bank ladies came over where Teresa stood and took the piggy bank and shook out all of Teresa’s money; she had three quarters, two dimes, sixteen pennies, and five silver dollars and one nickel. The bank lady with the gentle smile called over to a man sitting at a desk, Mr. Roberts, may we speak to you, over here? Mr. Roberts looked up, smiled, and rose to approach the bank ladies, What can I do for you? he asked. The bank lady with the gentle smile introduced Mr. Roberts to Teresa, Mr. Roberts, this is Anastasia Alicia Armstrong, Teresa, and she has come to make a mortgage payment on her home.

Mr. Roberts looked down at Teresa and smiled a happy, gentle smile too, Teresa, what have you brought to us today? The bank lady with the gentle smile said, Teresa brought us her piggy bank, and in it we found five silver dollars, three quarters, two dimes, sixteen pennies, and one nickel. Mr. Roberts asked to see the coins, as he inspected the silver dollars, he motioned to the two bank ladies, and they stepped aside. These are five ‘Morgan Dollars’ they are worth a great deal. Mr. Roberts turned to Teresa, Teresa, you have brought us a lot of money, what did you want to do with it?

Teresa answered Mr. Roberts question, I want to pay so mommy, and I can stay in our little house. Mr. Roberts mused, A very direct answer. Then to Teresa, he said, Teresa, this is a lot of money, if you trust me to care for it today and tomorrow, maybe next week I would have some very good news for you.

Teresa pondered a moment; she looked at the bank lady with the gentle smile, Should I? The bank lady replied, Teresa, you can trust Mr. Roberts, he is a very nice honest man. Teresa smiled a big smile; she wiggled her finger at Mr. Roberts to bend down. Mr. Roberts bent down, and Teresa kissed him on the cheek, I trust you, Mr. Roberts. I will come back next Friday to see you and find out the good news you will have for me. Teresa wiggled her finger at the bank ladies and kissed them, too, Thank you. Teresa picked up her piggy bank and left the bank and went home to mommy.

The two ladies asked Mr. Roberts what the five dollar coins were worth, These are five nineteen-twenty-one near mint condition Morgan Dollars, and they are worth well over three thousand dollars each. I have an old classmate that has been looking for this exact coin now for about twenty years. Maybe he would be willing to pay Teresa’s mortgage for these coins? I will call him tonight.

Mr. Roberts was true to his word. He called his old friend and offered him the five Morgan Dollar coins at the suggested price, Teresa’s mortgage payment plus a little more for Teresa and her mother. Mr. Roberts' friend agreed to the suggestion once he knew about the possibility of saving Teresa and her mommy from losing their little house.

Friday, Teresa entered the bank to find her mommy and Mr. Roberts waiting for her. Mr. Roberts bent down to whisper in Teresa’s ear, It’s all taken care of, you and your mommy will never have to leave your little house on the quiet tree-lined street. I asked your mommy to be here when I gave you these things. This first thing is a little book that tells you how much money you have in the bank. There are five thousand dollars here in this little book. Anytime you want a little of this money, you bring this little book to the bank and ask one of these nice bank ladies for it. This other thing is a piece of paper that says your house is all yours. How do you like that, Teresa?

Teresa kissed Mr. Roberts on the cheek, Thank you, Mr. Roberts. I’m glad I trusted you. Then she turned to the two bank ladies and kissed them, too, Thank you, bank ladies.

Teresa was profuse in her expression of gratitude. Everyone around smiled, and some cheered. Teresa and her mommy smiled, and as they left the bank, Teresa waved to everyone saying, Good-bye. Hand in hand Teresa and her mommy walked happily home. As they approached their little house a big black car with a gold star on the door slowed to a stop. The very large man opened the window and leaned out, Mrs. Armstrong? Yes, Sheriff, she replied. He asked, How are you and your little girl doing? Oh, we’re doing fine, Mr. Roberts at the bank did something with Teresa’s piggy bank, and we can stay in our little house.

The large men looked a little surprised, Well, what did Mr. Roberts do? Well, Teresa took her piggy bank to the bank and gave it to Mr. Roberts, in the piggy bank were five silver dollar coins that Mr. Roberts said were very valuable. He has a friend who wanted those coins enough to pay off our mortgage plus a little bit more. Well, that’s wonderful, replied the large man. Then he started to roll up the window, but Teresa asked, Is your name Sheriff?

No, Teresa, my name is John Murdock. Sheriff is what I do, Sheriff is my job. replied the large man. Teresa smiled, I have another question if that’s okay. Teresa said. Ask away, Teresa, ask away. Teresa screwed up her face then asked, What’s a Sheriff? The Sheriff smiled and replied, A Sheriff is a policeman, oh, I should say, a police officer. Does that answer your question, Teresa? Yes, sir. came her reply. May I call you Sheriff John? The large man laughed and said, Yes, please, I would love it if you called me Sheriff John. Well, I have to be going now. I’ll see you around every day when you are walking home from school. Bye now. The Sheriff closed his window and drove away.

Teresa looked up at her mommy and said, I like Sheriff John. Her mommy smiled and looked down at Teresa, What do you think about Mr. Roberts? Oh, mommy, Mr. Roberts is a very nice honest man, and I like him, too.

Teresa’s walk to and from school every day took her by the bank. One day as Teresa was on her way home; she saw Mr. Roberts and the bank lady with the gentle smile talking outside the bank. She smiled and greeted Mr. Roberts and the bank lady, Hello, Mr. Roberts, hello bank lady. Mr. Roberts turned and smiled, Well, hello, Teresa, how are you this fine sunny afternoon? Oh, Mr. Roberts, I am good, thank you. was her reply. Mr. Roberts told Teresa, This bank lady is Miss Penny, and the other bank lady you met is Miss George. Miss Penny kinda squatted down, placed her hand on Teresa’s shoulder and said, But you can call me Bank Lady anytime you wish. We are all so glad that things worked out so well for you and your mommy. Mr. Roberts bent down, You can come in and visit us anytime you come by. We would be very happy to see you and know you’re okay. Well, have a nice afternoon. Good-bye. But Teresa paused a little, Mr. Roberts, Miss Penny, thank you again for everything. And Teresa kissed them both on the cheek, and she said, Good-bye. Then she went on toward home.

Miss Penny, smiled at Mr. Roberts, Jerry, I think she is so sweet, I’m so glad you did what you did. He straightened up watching Teresa walking along, So am I. Connie, so am I.

Teresa made it a habit to stop by the bank every Friday on her way home from school. She would wave to Mr. Roberts, Miss Penny, and Miss George. Occasionally one or the other of them would wave to her to come and talk a little. Usually asking about her mommy’s and her health, How are you and your mommy doing these days, Teresa? And she would reply, Good, or Mommy has a cold, or she was doing okay. One Friday Teresa stopped by the bank and waved to her friends, and as she started to leave Miss Penny and Miss George waved her over to their window, Happy Birthday, Teresa. Then the whole bank sang her the Happy Birthday song, and Miss George handed Teresa a cupcake with a candle on top, How old are you, now, Teresa? Oh, thank you, I’m eight years old today. She replied.

Everyone at the bank looked forward to Teresa’s Friday visit. Just about everyone would stop working while Teresa was visiting. She was a joy to everyone in the bank.

One Friday, Teresa didn’t stop in for her usual visit. Everyone was a little disappointed, except Mr. Roberts, Miss Penny, and Miss George; they became very concerned. At the end of the day, Miss Penny spoke to the other two, Jerry, Georgina, I’m a little worried about Teresa. Mr. Roberts and Miss George agreed, Connie, Georgina, let's go see if things are okay. Mr. Roberts said, I have the address, let me drive us over to her house and see. So, everyone piled into Mr. Roberts little car, and he drove to the Armstrong’s house. They all got out and knocked on the door. After a moment, a weary Mrs. Armstrong answered the door. Oh, Mr. Roberts, Miss Penny, Miss George, what can I do for you? Mr. Roberts said, Teresa didn’t stop by this afternoon, and we are just a little concerned, is Teresa all right? The weary mommy sighed, "She seems to be very sick. I don’t have a way to get her to the hospital, and I