Then she brings her attention to us. “Sorry, I don’t have any time to answer questions, I need to go to a private room and record everything while it’s fresh. No immediate threats that he is aware of, though. I’ll be back with news in an hour or so. Can you ask Mark to bring me some food? I’m famished.” Then she absent-mindedly walks out the door. I’m sure there is someone outside to direct her appropriately.
As the guards follow Nakan’oa’s directions with approval from Chief Quanah, it seems the perfect time for me to skedaddle. “Well, I think I’ll take this opportunity to leave. I don’t think you need me anymore. But I’ll need to borrow Sheriff Helki for thirty minutes so he can take me home, unless you want Sully to do so?”
“Sully’s with the guards watching the prisoners and Seti is with Coronel Kino at a different meeting. I’ll take you home in just a sec Gray.”
“Actually Helki, can you stay a moment? I need to discuss something with you. Gray, you’re welcome to stay in the room, I’ll be quick and it’s nothing bad.” Please let Chief Yanaba be serious about the quick part, I’m fading fast.
I nod my head in agreement as Sheriff Helki asks, “what can I do for you, ma’am?”
“As stated, it’s nothing bad. But just as we did a few months ago with moving PCSS and Lowell, we’re going to be doing similar with the Psycept Police Division. Though it will continue to be based in Albuquerque, we’re moving it from beneath the umbrella of the Bosque sheriff. The other sheriffs in SWACon don’t have the same responsibilities as Bosque and Bosque deserves a sheriff that devotes their entire worktime to the whole region.
“Though we don’t have much crime in Bosque, SWACon, or even the GT, we do have some. The PPD has long been the largest single division in SWACon, and their setup and investigations are so different from everything else, they are truly a separate entity. The solution is to continue the PPD in Albuquerque, but have it report directly to me rather than through the sheriff of Bosque. Central police headquarters will train everyone, including the additional Psycept stuff that has fallen on ABQ to do in the past. The officers and detectives will continue to be part of our peace enforcement, subject to the same rules and regulations and requirements for promotion as all other officers in SWAcon. So, the division and officers will not change, just the creation of a new head.
“Your restructuring of the division a great first step, one we will continue. Having a lieutenant and several sergeants is also commendable, but it needs a dedicated commander. And that commander will not just direct PPD but will also interact with other conservatorships to establish a more uniform Psycept Police sector. This isn’t my decision, though I support it. It’s above even Head Chief Tala. This comes from the Grand Chief. He and the advisors on the Grand Council reviewed the seven Psycept settlements and selected SWACon to take lead on this endeavor.
“Therefore, I am offering you the new position of Commander of Psycept Police Division of SWACon and head of the Psycept Police cross-sector. You are uniquely qualified as you’ve been sheriff for eight years an you’ve recently overhauled the department. Plus, you’ve interacted with the Grand Council before. And don’t think this offer is based on your trop’agi’a nature, that just brought you additional assignments. Your competence is what allows you to advance. If you decline, you’ll remain as sheriff and we will begin looking for a commander. If you accept, it will not be immediate as we must promote someone to sheriff and have them train with you first. In either case, you have a week to provide me with your response. That is all.”
Sheriff Helki’s usually reserved expression looks stunned at Chief Yanaba’s offer. I know what his answer will be and smile at him, “congratulations.” He’s been sheriff of Bosque for eight years; he can do that with one arm tied behind his back. But I have no idea what trop’agi’a means, I’ve never heard of it before. Maybe it has to do with his stoicism and calmness in crises, which just reinforces his worthiness for the position.
I think his increased involvement since Director Lowell stepped down was due to his boredom as much as wanting to help the department while Sully and Tamez got on their feet. His expanding the department plus the new training and structure is all from his enthusiasm and big ideas of where to take the division.
After the announcement and offer, I gather the puppies and their mats while Sheriff Helki shakes hands and accepts the position. See, he didn’t need a week to decide. He confidently strides down the stairs to the parking area while I sluggishly follow. It’s late afternoon so hopefully a good night’s sleep will help with that. Too bad I need to be at the community garden in the early morning. I just want to sleep in.
The ride to my house is quiet. Sheriff Helki must still be basking in the glow of a promotion while I’m just trying to keep awake. He pulls into my gravel driveway, then follows it to my house. Parking and turning off the truck, he helps me grab my bike and pet trailer from the bed and store them in their usual spot. I turn to say goodbye but feel his eyes look through me.
“You’re exhausted. I’ll follow you in the house and you can get ready while I take them in the back yard for a bit. Then I’ll get the dogs settled. Don’t
