The Game Wardens by Dan Hayden

Author:Dan Hayden [Hayden, Dan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781491781944
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2015-12-22T05:00:00+00:00

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CHAPTER 14

Another early morning roll call found Sam and the rest of the Fish and Game Unit listening to Lieutenant Alban summarize the Memorial Day weekend boating accident and tying up loose ends. Fish and Game had come through for the town of Thompson once again. They had been on scene for the entire ordeal and led all the other public service departments in the search efforts. The sheriffs were still creating, and following a paper trail in the conviction of the boat’s driver, who had been charged with two counts of negligent homicide.

Sam was tired of hearing about the accident. He had more hours invested than anyone on the Unit and didn’t want to hear one more detail explained again. Alban started to close the meeting and paused just before dismissing the Unit. He waited for everyone’s attention then said, “Before I dismiss you, I have a promotion to recognize.” All the wardens straightened up and glanced around the room. They realized it could be any one of them. Alban never let on concerning these issues. He continued, “This individual is a dedicated, hardworking individual with all the talents required for becoming a successful Fish and Game Officer. Recently he was responsible for leading a search on the Connecticut River and made the Unit a credit to Thompson’s rescue service.” Alban paused a couple of seconds to let the men digest what he had just said, then looked over at Sam who sat in a rear corner of the room. “Officer Samuel Moody, front and center.” Alban looked Sam in the face and smiled.

Sam sat bolt upright in his chair, Holy shit! He thought. It’s me. So soon? The rest of the wardens whooped and cheered, and whistled, and gave crude opinions of the matter. But it was all in good fun. Sam had gained a lot of respect over the last year and had made many friends. They were genuinely happy for him, except for Farmer who sat across the room from Sam and just rolled his eyes over the whole thing. Sam still sat in his chair utterly surprised. Alban realized he was in shock and said, “Yeah, it’s you Sam. Come on up here.” Sam got up and walked to the front of the room stopping just in front of Alban and Captain Fletcher. Alban ordered the entire room to attention. The wardens became quiet at once and stood up from their seats. Alban turned to Moody and held out a pair of Corporal stripes with his left hand, “Good work, Sam. Congratulations, Corporal Moody.” Sam took the stripes then shook Alban’s extended hand. Alban saluted and Sam returned it. “Dismissed!” The room exploded into cheers and whoops of laughter, everyone patting Sam on the back and shaking his hand. Farmer just watched from his seat in the opposite corner of the room.

As everyone shuffled out for their daily patrols, Corporal Jake Farmer caught Sam’s eye just before he left the roll call room, “Corporal Moody.

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