Chapter Text
Sheriff Earl Whitehorse raised a hand and tipped his hat as a farewell to the young woman he had just interviewed as she drove away. She was on the shorter side, probably only 5’5, but what she lacked in height she would make up for in sass and determination; exactly what was needed to counter softer Pratt and harder Hudson. His two deputy’s, as if conjured by thought, were waiting for him as he re-entered the prison, ready with questions.
He held up a hand to stop them before they could start, “Yep, I think we found our new Junior Deputy”.
Pratt grinned, while Hudson just nodded. “I read her resume,” the dark-haired woman started, “Eight years military service, and four years working in child protective services? She’s probably more qualified than Pratt” Whitehorse glanced at Pratt, who shrugged, seemingly unphased by Joey’s comment, before moving past his two deputies to enter his office.
“I think she’ll fit in just fine” The younger deputy added, smile evident in his voice. Whitehorse turned in time to see Hudson roll her eyes at Pratt’s optimistic nature. Earl had to agree though, he also thought that Verona Maxwell would do just fine.
Rookie Deputy Verona Maxwell. Ronnie toyed with the title in her head and said it a few times out loud to herself, chuckling at how official it sounded. She smoothed her short blonde hair, again, and checked her uniform for the fifth time before cracking her knuckles, grabbing her keys and leaving her new home to jump into her old, beaten orange pickup truck.
The trip to the Hope County Jail was not a long one, about 20 minutes, although there were back roads that Ronnie was sure she would learn over time. She pulled up in the car park just as one of the other deputies got out of their car, so she smiled and waved at him; he responded brightly and waited for her to park and get out. “I’m Staci Pratt, you must be Verona?”
“Just Ronnie, Verona was my Grandmothers name, so it sounds a bit old lady-ish to me” Staci chuckled, and held out his hand, which Ronnie eagerly shook.
“Okay ‘just Ronnie’, welcome to Hope County, let me show you where we set up shop”. Pratt guided her into the jail, introducing her to Nancy, the sweet older lady who ran dispatch, and pointing out points of interest and things to remember. When he opened the door to their bull pen, where the other Deputy was set up, he stepped back to set up his own desk.
“I’m Hudson, Joey Hudson, welcome to Hope County,” The shook hands, and Hudson showed Ronnie to her desk, “Whitehorse will be here soon, we’ll do a quick debrief, then you and the Sheriff will head on out and start meeting the town, letting them know there’s a new deputy in town. Around 2pm, you’ll head back, and we’ll show you how we run this place”
“The entire town is really excited to meet you,” Staci told her, sitting on the edge of his desk, “which you may already know, if you’ve made it in to town… how many days have you been here now?”
Ronnie smiled, “Today is day 3, technically. Before I moved, I came out to inspect the house with Adelaide Drubman, and then the second time I came in for the interview. I moved into the new place three days ago, I’ve done a few trips down to the general store, but that’s about it… Haven’t really met anyone yet,” Pratt and Hudson looked a bit confused, “The house I bought… it required a lot of work, so I’ve been a bit busy…”
“You didn’t buy that run-down place off the main drag near Red’s Farm supplies, did you?” Hudson asked, warily.
Ronnie blushed, “it’s small enough for one person, and was super cheap,” Hudson threw her arms in the arm and groaned, while Pratt just rubbed his forehead awkwardly, “What?! What’s wrong with the place?”
“I’m gonna kill Adelaide, what a dick move,” Hudson said to Pratt, rolling her eyes, before addressing Ronnie again, “Adelaide’s been trying to sell that place for 18 months now. The last owner died, messily, and the family had to hire professional cleaners to… uh... get the smell out? But while they were trying to get rid of it, a family of skunks got in there, and then got kicked out by a wild turkey… which was super aggressive – the town even named it, it was so infamous. Tommy the Turkey”
Ronnie stared at her, wide eyed “I’m sorry… what? Did you just… make that all up? Is this some kind of weird hazing thing?”
Pratt laughed outright, and Hudson chuckled, “I wish. Just… if you see a mean looking turkey around there… just… be careful. It almost dropped Hurk, and he’d be at least double your weight,” Pratt tapped Hudsons’ arm excitedly, “Hey, maybe the run in with Sharkys’ flamethrower actually killed old Tommy?!”
They began to talk excitedly about the possibility of Tommy being exterminated, and just as Ronnie lost track of whether they were pro dead Tommy or not, Sheriff Whitehorse entered the bullpen, followed by Nancy. “Morning team, Rookie, good to see you getting acquainted,” Hudson and Pratt grinned at the Sheriff, before following him into the small office that Whitehorse occupied.
“First things first, Rooks first day, gonna take her around and introduce her to people, help her find her bearings, so on. Second thing, Pratt, you’re gonna go up and check in on Eli Palmer today. He’s been threatening to make a complaint about Jacob Seeds’ dogs again. Go up and see if you can’t see what his complaints are this time, and then check in with Jacob and check out whether the complaints are valid,” Pratt nodded and Ronnie saw Hudson smirk at him, which he ignored, “Lastly, Hudson, need you to check in on Larry Parker,” Hudson groaned, “we got a noise complaint. But, after that, Rae Rae needs help with what she thinks is a bear over at the pumpkin farm” Hudson seemed to perk up after that, nodding once.
Nancy moved to the door, “As always, I’ll be on the radio. Have fun today” and then she was gone. Hudson rolled her shoulders and said goodbye, followed quickly by Pratt, who gave Ronnie a grin and a pat on the shoulder.
Whitehorse turned to Ronnie, “Alright kid, let’s go start with coffee. Easiest way to meet people and start the day”
Once in the car, Whitehorse explained a few things about the town, laughing occasionally about the antics that the youth around town got up to – same things that he used to get up to, 50 years ago, “kids don’t change, do they?” – and pointing out things to remember – “don’t use that walking trail unless you’re armed, there are cougars” and “that road there leads to the F.A.N.G. Centre”. Then he started talking about the people, “Mary May runs the ‘Spread Eagle’ bar. We normally do a trip round there every Friday and Saturday night, around 10, make sure no one does anything stupid”, “Those signs for State Senator? Yeah, that’s old Hurk Drubman, Senior. He’s harmless, if a bit hard to handle if you’re even the slightest bit untraditional, but harmless none the less”
Whitehorse obviously knew everyone and was fair in the information he gave Ronnie. “Then there’s the Seed family. The Seeds moved into the County about a year ago – started with Joseph, he runs the coffee shop we’re headed to now. Faith followed him about a month later and she works in the coffee shop too. John and Jacob moved in about six months ago – John bought that big ranch out past Falls End, calls it Seed Ranch now. Jacob lives up in the Whitetail Mountains. They’re good folk, for the most part. If there’s ever a problem with Jacob, call in Pratt, those two seem to have an agreement of some kind, or find Grace Armstrong or Joseph Seed, they can talk him out of almost anything”
“Has Jacob caused problems?” Ronnie asked, as they approached Falls End.
“Nah, not problems, just makes people nervous I suppose. Jacob has PTSD, did a few tours here and there. He’s a good man, fiercely loyal to his family, but not a people person on the whole. Prefers animals, and breeds dogs on his property – hence the complaint that Pratt is working on this morning. Eli Palmer and Jacob Seed do not get along”
They made it into town and pulled up in front of a small coffee shop, with a sign saying “Eden’s Gate” above the doorway in black classic text. Whitehorse got out and Ronnie followed him into the cosy building, heading up to the counter behind the Sheriff, who was talking to a stunning young woman with blonde hair that she wore down. She greeted Whitehorse cheerfully, “Hey Sheriff! Just the usual today?”
“You bet, Faith. Also came by to introduce my new deputy, Verona Maxwell”
Faith beamed at Ronnie, who immediately corrected the Sheriff, “Just Ronnie, if that’s OK?” Whitehorse nodded at her, and Faith held her hand out over the counter.
“Hi Ronnie, I’m Faith! Welcome to Hope County! What kind of coffee?” Ronnie ordered a latte and Faith moved over to start making both the latte and Sheriffs usual, while Whitehorse moved over to introduce her to the three people sitting around the café. The first was Wade Fowler, the man who ran the F.A.N.G. centre and invited her to come up and meet the local celebrity ‘Cheeseburger’ the bear. The next person was Fred Wolfe, a local who worked over at the lumber yard. The last person Whitehorse introduced her to was Jerome Jeffries, the local Pastor.
Whitehorse and the Pastor had started to talk about the mass on Sunday would focus on when Faith approached them with two coffees in take away cups, moving like a dancer as she did. “Josephs just out the back, Sheriff, if you wait a moment, I’ll go get him so he can meet the new deputy too!” Sheriff Whitehorse nodded and smiled softly while Faith left them again, drifting into the back rooms, before reappearing with a tall man, hair pulled back into a small man bun, and sporting yellow sunglasses on his crown.
He smiled softly at Ronnie, and welcomed her to Hope County, his intense blue eyes seeming to bore into her soul, making her feel like maybe he could see something that others couldn’t. Joseph and Jerome talked with Whitehorse for a few minutes, before the Sheriff advised that they should probably hit the road, as they had plenty more introductions to do.
Joseph took her hand when they went to leave, “I hope you find the same peace that I found here in Hope County” he told her, maintaining that intense eye contact, and he smiled softly as she thanked him, and moved away so that Faith could envelop her in a quick hug.
Once they were back in the Sheriffs’ truck, Ronnie cracked her knuckles and looked at Whitehorse, obviously sporting a confused expression, as Whitehorse chuckled, “yeah, Joseph Seed’s a bit intense. All the Seed family is, probably should have warned ya, sorry Rook”
“Yeah, probably should have warned me… Jesus” Ronnie mumbled, downing more of her coffee in an attempt to shake the odd feeling that Joseph had left with her.
“Shake it off, kid, more introductions to get through yet” Whitehorse tried to be encouraging, but Ronnie just groaned.
After meeting all the locals in Falls End, Whitehorse took Rook out to the Rye house, and asked Ronnie if she knew how to fly before they got out of the truck, to which she responded a sad no. “I always wanted to learn, but it just… wasn’t in the cards for me”. Whitehorse seemed to think on this a bit but shook it off quickly.
He knocked on the door, which was answered by a woman, almost the same height as Rook, with a noticeably round stomach. “Sheriff? Please tell me Nick hasn’t done something again?”
Whitehorse chuckled, and took off his hat, “No ma’am, no trouble today. Just swinging past to introduce you to our new Deputy, Ronnie Maxwell” Ronnie stepped up onto the porch, and offered her hand, while Kim looked visibly relieved.
“Oh thank God,” She shook Ronnie’s extended hand, “Hey Deputy, good to meet you, come inside!”
Kim and Ronnie got along immensely well, and after they’d been sitting at the table for about ten minutes, Kim mentioned Nick was in the hanger, and Whitehorse excused himself to go grab him, so they could be on their way.
Whitehorse entered again a few minutes later, trailed by a tall man, with long hair covered by a baseball hat, an oil stained shirt and a ripped flannelette shirt over the top, who introduced himself as “Nick Rye, King of the Skies”
Kim rolled her eyes good-naturedly, and chucked under her breath, while Rook just grinned.
They stayed at the Rye house another few minutes, and Kim made Rook promise that she would come back for dinner the following evening.
When they were back in the truck, Whitehorse turned to her, “See why I save the Rye’s for after Joseph?”
The first week went on without any issues – mostly it was just Whitehorse, Hudson and Pratt introducing Ronnie to almost every local in the County – Sharky Boshaw had volunteered to help by taking her around on one of her days off, which Hudson had refused for her- and getting her used to where everything was situated, as well as how they did things. Ronnie was a quick learner and was picking it up quick enough for even Hudson to be pleased.
“Well kid, you survived the first week, how do you feel?”
Ronnie beamed at Whitehorse as she closed the door behind her, the older man settling down into the chair behind his desk.
“I feel good Sheriff, thank you. I’m really enjoying it, and obviously I love the county, it’s too beautiful to not love it” Whitehorse chuckled, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the desk. He knew his county was beautiful and enjoyed when other people shared his opinion.
“I hear ya’, it’s a damn sight more beautiful out here than it is in those big cities. Look rook, I’ll be real,” Whitehorse lifted his hat, running his hand over his balding crown before replacing his hat, “I think you’re a good fit and Hudson and Pratt are gonna need you once I retire next year. So, if you’re happy to stay, I’m happy to keep you”
Rook grinned and extended her hand, which Whitehorse stood to shake, “Thank you Sheriff. I definitely think I’m here to stay”
Whitehorse called out for Pratt and Hudson to join them, and he poured four glasses of the whiskey he kept in his bottom drawer. Joey shook the rookies hand, and Staci patted her on the back.
It was the Tuesday night of her second week as Deputy when Rook encountered her first small hiccup. She was in Falls end, loading up a few supplies into the tray of her pickup before heading home – including a much-required tub of triple choc fudge ‘death by chocolate’ ice cream – when someone called for her.
“Rookie, hey, Rookie!” ignoring the sarcastic remark about her title being ‘deputy’ not ‘rookie’, Ronnie turned, greeting Mary May with a small smile as they met in the middle of the road between the small general store and the ‘Spread Eagle’. She was about to ask what the problem was when two fully grown men tumbled out the doors of the Eagle, landing on the front porch. Mary May groaned, and rubbed her forehead before grimacing at Ronnie, “These two jokers have had probably a bit too much, and they’re talking about driving home. I’m so sorry to ask, but I’ve gotta stay with the Eagle- Do you reckon you can get them home?”
Ronnie stared at the two grown men, easily recognizing Nick Rye by the ripped flannelette over shirt and the long hair. The second man looked familiar, but she couldn’t place a name to the face – not unusual considering how many people she’d met over the last week or so. She glanced briefly at her watch, grunting when she realised it was only 8:30.
“How did these two end up this far gone, it’s so early?” Her nose wrinkled in confusion as Nick tried to help the other man up from the floor, but both fell back down in hysterical laughter.
Mary May shrugged, “I honestly do not know, they’re normally not like this. I’m so sorry”.
Ronnie sighed, “Alright, let’s load them into the truck,” She cracked her knuckles before grumbling, “Lord help them if they throw up”.
Mary May and Ronnie headed over to Nick and his companion, and Nick greeted them both with a sloppy smile, “Hey Deputy!” his speech was fairly slurred, but he seemed willing to co-operate when Mary May helped him up and threw his arm around her shoulders, dragging him the few metres to Ronnie’s truck. Ronnie offered her hand to the man trying to work his way to his knees and was shocked when he looked up to lock his blue, blue eyes on her.
“Deputy? You’re not Hudson” his words didn’t slur, despite the fact that his cheeks were flushed, and his eyes were lidded and foggy. Ronnie raised an eyebrow and hesitated before frowning and grabbing his hand when he didn’t move to take her extended one. She hauled him up, moving his arm over her shoulders and taking the brunt of his weight.
Ronnie glanced at her truck to see Mary May pushing Nick into the back seat before replying to her new friend, “yeah, I’m the new deputy, started last week. Ronnie Maxwell, I’m sure it would’ve been lovely to meet you a few hours ago”. They had managed to stumble over to her truck, and Mary May came over to help load him into the truck.
Nick guffawed at her comment, having obviously overheard, “Trust me, Dep, John Seed is never lovely to meet”
John didn’t miss a beat as he bit back, “Oh, and you’re such a shining example of humanity, Rye?” he pushed Mary May’s hand away as she tried to clip in his seat belt for him, and he did it himself, on the third go.
John Seed, Josephs’ younger brother. Ronnie eyed John again – it made sense now why he looked so familiar. Ronnie was sure that she’d seen him once or twice in Josephs little coffee shop but had never been introduced.
“Thank you again for this, Deputy, you’re a lifesaver!” Mary May told her, before turning around and heading back into her bar. Deputy sighed and moved around the truck to jump into the drivers seat.
It wasn’t until she started the truck that she realised that her ice cream was definitely going to be melted by the time she got home.
She cracked her knuckles and pulled out onto the road, “Alright, Nick first. Let’s do this. No vomiting”