Blind Trust - Winner: Sinner

By Cheryl Stinson Rodo

A new immigrant searching for work in her field discovers a Jekyll and Hyde veterinary doctor who shows her the dirty underbelly of a trade not often questioned or examined.

Carmen is an undocumented immigrant who is hired by a beloved local veterinarian, Eugene Hess, at his small town animal clinic. When she discovers pets alive that were supposedly euthanized, she suspects that Dr. Hess may not be as trustworthy as his patients have been led to believe. Further investigation turns up more evidence of the doctor's foul play.

Carmen is tormented as to whether she should report it or turn a blind eye. Police involvement might result in a deportation order and loss of her much-needed job. Day by day, in her quest to save the animals, Carmen begins to acquire the courage that might also save herself."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887633367

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Interrogation

The Storm

The Dog Whisperer

The Leaving

The Bloodline

Mike's Demise

The Early Years

Interrogation (Continued)

The Savior

King for a Day

Facebook Find

Interrogation (Continued)

Nancy

Transitions

Carmen

Human Resources

Jet

The Victor Trial

Jet Lag

Flying High

The Cat Lady

The Kitten Capture

Interrogation (Continued)

Jailbreak

Heads or Tails

Hit and Run

Einstein

Doctor Jekyll

Sweet and Low

The Last Will

Busted

Dog Tired

Meredith

The Stammer Hammer

The Resurrection

The Donor

The Gift

Carolyn

The Night Visitor

Stranger Things

Waterworks

Bad News

Rainbow's End

The Aftermath

The New Recruit

The Burial

The Refugee

HairBnB

The Stakeout

The Bait and Switch

The Judas Factor

The Capture

The Protest

Eugene's Day in Court

The Prison Visit

Merger Mania

TC

The Reading

Show and Tell

From the Mouths of Babes

Redemption

Amazing Grace

About the Author

cover.jpg

Blind Trust - Winner: Sinner

Cheryl Stinson Rodo

Copyright © 2023 Cheryl Stinson Rodo

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2023

This book was inspired by a true story.

All biblical citations were taken from the New International Version of the Holy Bible unless otherwise indicated.

ISBN 979-8-88763-335-0 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88763-336-7 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

To Larry

Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.

—Oscar Wilde

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to acknowledge the support of the preliminary draft readers who provided valuable insights into the writing of this book: Lola Reid Allin, Colleen Yokoyama, Carolyn Stinson, Jessica Clark, Andrew Rodo, and Larry Rodo. To my father Barry Stinson who provided insight to what prairie life was like in the 1950's.

A special thanks to Ranjini George and Lee Gowan for their encouragement and teaching at the University of Toronto School of Creative Writing. You were the spark that started my writing journey.

Prologue

The cold metal from the handcuffs was pinching his wrist bones as Eugene shifted around in the back of the police cruiser, struggling to get into a position to see out the back window which was speckled with raindrops. The cool, damp night air gave him a chill. He could see his beloved vet building through the blur as they pulled away. He thought of all the years he had spent at the University of Guelph, perfecting his craft, all now shrinking away like the clinic in the rearview mirror.

They'd better not forget CJ, he mumbled, thinking of his beloved geriatric border collie. CJ was lying on the floor in the back room of his vet clinic. Didn't he always try his best to save animals? The speed at which things had gone wrong shocked Eugene. He had truly believed that he could have saved CJ, and now he had lost everything—his dog, his veterinary practice, and his wife. Life had ceased to have much meaning anymore, and now with CJ gone, he was ready to let go of everything and die a broken and sad old man.

Interrogation

2013

It was dusk when the police car finally rolled into the station. Dark grey clouds were descending over the horizon, which seemed fitting considering all that had happened to Eugene over the past few hours. Detective Pitken walked around and opened the back door of the car, grabbing Eugene's arm in an attempt to help him out of the car. Eugene twisted away. I am not that old to need assistance out of a car, he grumbled, quickly realizing that it really was a difficult thing to do with the handcuffs still on his wrists. Together they walked through the station and into a back room containing a table and three chairs. The detective took off his handcuffs, and an administrative agent entered the room. She began completing the admittance forms and fingerprinting. Once completed, the agent left, and an older officer whom Eugene did not know joined Officer Pitken across the table from Eugene.

Officer Branson here, the heavy-set gentleman introduced himself and sat down next to officer Pitken. I see from your file that you have been here multiple times before but usually as a witness or an adviser. So today it will be a little different as an accused. Are you aware of the charges against you today?

Eugene nodded in a defeated way.

Well, for the record, I am going to read them out before we begin. Two counts of animal cruelty and one case of theft over $1,000. You have declined to have a lawyer present, so we will begin right away if you are good with that?

Again, Eugene nodded not looking up at the officers.

Okay, let's begin way back to the 1960s when you were a young and promising veterinary student at the University of Guelph. You came from a farming background, didn't you? From the Saskatchewan prairies?

Eugene nodded.

From what I've understood from your file, you never liked farm life and used this study opportunity to get away from rural life and your father in particular. You were a son of hardworking immigrants, and your father—Officer Branson searched his papers for a name—Gerhardt didn't really support your ambition.

This time Eugene responded, I see you've done your homework. Yes, that is true.

Tell us about that time. Why did you come to Springfield?

The Storm

Saskatchewan, Canada, 8:00 a.m., 1957

Abraham looked up and there in the thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

—Genesis 22:13

Mike came down for breakfast, still visibly tired. Dark circles were under his eyes and he looked pale. The kitchen table was set and his father, Gerhardt, had already finished eating. The farmhouse kitchen had the delicious smell of bacon and coffee, and his mother Mary was preparing breakfast at the cast iron stove. Tall strong and hardworking, Mike was positioned to take over the family farm. He could help birth calves and milk goats as easily as he could stack hay and harvest soybeans but his true passion was the land. Mike had the German Protestant work ethic of his father and as such was the apple of his eye.

Didn't sleep well last night? Gerhardt questioned gruffly while taking the last swig of his coffee.

I did, but I think that last load of hay must have done me in, Mike responded, shaking his head.

Well, eat up and add some spinach to your eggs this morning. Mary, give Mike an extra strong coffee.

Mary nodded and passed her son his thermos for the day.

We have a lot to finish up today. Eat up, and I'll meet you outside, Gerhardt ordered, grabbing his coat.

He was very strict with his sons, ensuring chores were completed in a timely fashion and that farming took precedence over all else.

Mike's large, work-dirty fingers made short work of the spinach omelet as he struggled to keep up with Gerhardt who was already heading out the door to begin the morning farm chores.

Mary gave a worrisome glance at her first born who looked uncharacteristically hunched over. She was a gentle spirit who managed the family with love, meals, and total dedication to their happiness. She had married Gerhardt at a young age, which was quite unusual for a hot-tempered man of German descent to date, let alone marry, a small-town Irish Catholic girl. They had left Europe in the 1950s and bought this farmland home in Saskatchewan, Canada. It was a hard life, but together they raised crops, livestock, and two sons.

Mike reached up to the coat rack by the back door to grab his much-loved New York Yankee baseball cap and gave a small wince as he pressed it on his head.

What's wrong? Mary asked in her Irish lilt, noticing his reaction.

My head has some small bumps on it that hurt when I touch them.

Might be an allergy or bites. Better make an appointment with Dr. Webster just to be sure. Mary advised as she kissed him goodbye.

Hearing the door slam, her younger son Eugene bounced down the stairs and entered the kitchen. He had hoped to avoid meeting up with his father who would be on his case about making sure he did all his chores before school. Unlike Mike, Eugene disliked working the land. It was hot, tedious, and boring to him, plus he was asthmatic with allergies to hay and grasses. His constant coughing and sneezing, however, were not affected by his contact with animals. His role was therefore relegated to feeding and maintaining the livestock which he loved. He always named each new animal birth and found himself chatting daily with the cattle as he milked and groomed.

Eugene picked up a purring black feline who had darted into the house when Mike left and fed him a piece of bacon left over on Mike's plate.

In contrast to Mike, Eugene was small and wiry, the spitting image of his mother. He was compassionate, quiet, and easily distracted, all attributes that his stern father found weak.

Eugene, do not let the cats inside, your father will have a fit Mary reminded him.

Eugene grinned and put the cat back outside. He knew she was right. His dad only tolerated the numerous cats because they served the purpose of keeping the mice at bay. His rule was water only because if we feed them, they will quit catching the mice and voles that eat the cattle grain.

Although livestock was the family's second interest, Gerhardt had allowed Eugene to enter the fall 4H Club's youth livestock competition with Reggie, his prized curly horned ram. Reggie was an unusual color, and although quite stubborn in nature, he responded well to Eugene's commands, and the two bonded together. At the fair, Reggie and Eugene had taken the top spot, winning a red ribbon for Best in Show. That night, Eugene had walked around with the ribbon pinned to his sleeve and even pasted it to his bed post that night. This was probably one of the best moments of his fifteen-year-old life. Shortly thereafter, however, Eugene's life would take a rapid turn.

Hours passed, and Mary peered outside in search of her family who were still out working in the soybean fields. The two men worked hard out in the fields succinctly in perfect unison, like the hands of a clock. They often lost track of time, but the grey sky this afternoon was looking more ominous, and the clouds descended closer to the ground. High winds were causing the wooden shutters on the farmhouse window to bang against the siding. Mary was getting worried. Gerhardt had known that a storm was in the forecast, and she had pleaded with him to take that into consideration. Mike was a strong young man, yet even for him, the autumn winds showed no mercy.

Eugene was still out in the barn, tending to the two young calves that he'd named Finn and Fion. Mary used to keep Eugene entertained as a child with the stories from her childhood about the mighty Finn MacCool, who would fight the warring nations with his sword. Eugene would ask her to tell him those stories over and over again. She laughed when she heard what Eugene had called the new calves. He had never forgotten those silly stories.

Mary decided to give Gerhardt and Mike five more minutes, and if they didn't return, she was going to send out Carl, Eugene's collie dog. He was a good dog; however, he seemed to not understand anymore the difference between humans and livestock charges. He'd push his body against people's legs in an attempt to get them to go where he wanted them to go, and he'd cut in front of them if they were going in the wrong direction. Sometimes this even caused a trip. Mary knew if she sent Carl out for the men, they would be forced to oblige, even if only to drag the dog back to the barn.

Mary instinctively grabbed for her rosary beads from the kitchen drawer and began praying to the virgin Mary. Her strong Catholic faith helped her deal with worry. She had got through one hail Mary when the back door swung open, and Eugene came in cheery as always.

Mom, watch what Carl can do. He then proceeded to make the dog sit upright. Carl's eyes were laser-focused on Eugene's fist that held a leftover piece of bacon from the breakfast table. Eugene rested the bacon piece on the tip of Carl's nose, who waited patiently never losing his focus.

Carl, what do we do to the Yankees? Eugene asked. Carl still waited with the bacon perched on his nose. Eugene then asked the next question,

What do we do to the Cubs? With that Carl flicked his nose up in the air causing the bacon piece to fly up in the air and come down into his mouth in one quick snap of his jaw. Mary feigned a happy chuckle at the trick, but her thoughts were back to looking out the window for her men.

Pretty good, huh? Mike will love it. What's wrong, Ma? Eugene asked, noticing her concern.

Your dad and brother are still out in the fields. I'm worried about them with the storm coming in.

Should I send out Carl? Eugene asked, looking forward to a little excitement in his day. He loved seeing Carl at work and annoying his father added a little bit more fun to the task at hand. This subconsciously poked back at his dad for overtly preferring the company of his brother Mike.

Yes, I think so. Dad will be angry that he'll have to cut his work day short but I am really worried with this weather. The radio says that the winds are expected at 130 mph!

No problem, Mom, I'll let him go, Eugene called the dog back outside and gave him the command to go get Mike. The dog crouched down and, on command, scurried out toward the backfields as fast as his old legs would take him.

It wasn't long before Mary saw the two men in the distance coming in just as the rain was beginning, but the dog wasn't with them. Eugene ran outside looking for the dog whom he could hear barking frantically at something over on the far side of the field. The winds were coming in stronger now, whipping sand from the gravel driveway up into their swirls. The rain began to fall in angled sheets, and the smell of hay and warm soil filled the air. Eugene saw a lone ram out in the field, bleating as he tried to push his way back to the barn. It was Reggie. He had gotten his horns caught in the fence thickets.

Eugene began to run out into the open field fighting against the wind and rain. Carl bounded up behind him.

Eugene, go back! yelled Gerhardt waving him back to the barn. Let the dog go alone. However, with the next crack of thunder, Carl went cowering back toward the barn.

No, Dad, I can't leave Reggie, pleaded Eugene continuing to progress out into the field.

But that wasn't to be. A sudden gale force gust of wind literally picked Eugene up off the ground and tossed him against the field fence. Although close to the barn, the ram seemed disorientated by the blowing sand.

Mike dropped his pack and fought against the pounding rain to reach his brother still hanging onto the fence.

Go to the house with Dad! he commanded. Gerhardt grabbed Eugene by the shoulder as he sternly dragged the soaking young boy to the house.

Mike had the ram by a horn and was leading him toward the barn when he suddenly collapsed.

Eugene and Gerhardt waited anxiously back in the house for him to return, but when they didn't see him, Gerhardt ventured back out to the barn, only to find his firstborn sprawled out near the stable door. With strength well beyond his advancing years, he carried his son in a fireman hold back to the tiny house.

Mary, he shouted, quickly get in the car. We are heading to the hospital. Mike is not conscious, but he's breathing. Eugene, you drive.

Gerhardt laid Mike on the back seat and he slapped the side of his son's face trying to revive him. Slowly Mike regained consciousness.

Mike, what happened? Gerhardt questioned as Mike tried to sit up.

"No, stay down, we are heading to the hospital'.

Dad, I am okay, really, please, Mike answered groggily.

No, we need to find out what's wrong, Gerhardt continued.

When they arrived at the brightly lit doors of Grey Nuns Hospital in Regina, an orderly helped Gerhardt escort the now awake Mike onto a gurney and in through the doors. Mary put her hand inside Eugene's and watched helplessly as they wheeled Mike away. Eugene parked the car, and along with his mother, they made their way into the hospital waiting room.

It seemed like a very long time before Gerhardt returned without his son. His voice was now unusually soft. The wait had been very quiet except for the small clicks of Mary using her prayer beads, praying to the virgin to heal her son. Gerhardt joined his small family on the bench and put his head between his hands.

What is it, Gerhardt? Mary questioned. Where is Mike?

Gerhardt's face was ashen, and his were eyes red from what must have been tears.

It's his blood, Mary, he finally managed to answer, his white blood cells are dangerously low. They have admitted him and he's getting a blood transfusion done tonight to restabilize him.

But he's going to be okay Gerhardt? asked Mary desperately wanting affirmation.

I don't know, Mary, they're running more tests, but they think it may be leukemia, cancer of the blood, he responded, his voice raspy from crying.

Mary lost her footing and began to fall toward the ground. Gerhardt caught her and hugged her. Eugene put his hand on his shaking Mother's back and fought hard not to cry. He wanted to be strong for her, and so he looked down at the floor rather than into her eyes. He could not imagine life without Mike who, although seven years his senior, had never spoken down to him nor made him feel small.

Eugene, get your mother a cup of water. Gerhardt motioned to the water cooler against the wall. This was the first time that his father had ever delegated responsibility for his mother. It had always been Mike's role, and he realized at this moment that life was going to be changing quickly for him.

The drive back to the farm was eerily silent and slow. Everyone seemed to be in their own thoughts; all, of course, focusing on the prognosis of Mike. When they arrived back at the barn, Gerhardt helped Mary into the house and up to their bedroom. After a few moments, he returned downstairs. Eugene heard his steps heavy and quick on the staircase, a purposeful gait. He passed through the kitchen and reached for his rifle. Eugene jumped up from his chair quickly, knowing that this could mean only one thing. His father always dealt with defiance swiftly and thoroughly. Eugene had seen him take down unruly livestock before with this rifle.

No Papa! he pleaded. Mike was sick before this happened. Don't do it, Dad!

Gerhardt waved him away and proceeded to make his way out to the field, desperate to find a scapegoat for his son's pain. And there he found Reggie still wandering around out back in the brush. With one quick shot, Gerhardt put a bullet into the ram who quickly dropped to the ground. Tears in his eyes, Gerhardt turned to go back into the house.

Carl bounded out after him, the dog now barking even more furiously after the gunshot. Gerhardt turned the rifle toward the protective dog and fired another shot, grazing the dog across his hindquarters. Carl spun around from the impact of the bullet. Eugene stood frozen in horror, hands on his mouth, unable to move as he watched his beloved dog lurch away into the brush.

The Dog Whisperer

Gerhardt blocked Eugene's natural urge to go out and help the dog. Leave him! Gerhardt bellowed in a stern, almost manic voice. Eugene knew at this stage, he could not challenge this authority. The storm winds were still raging, and even if Eugene could get past his father, the storm would render any aid that he could offer useless. Instead, Eugene burst into a rage of tears and anger, shouting at his father in a voice never before heard by either of them

Why did you shoot my dog? He was only trying to help! He was afraid of the thunder! Eugene managed to blurt out between sobs and tears.

"The dog was old, and partially deaf.