Chapter27 Locating the Old Johnston Farm

"Charles. I'd like to see you in my office; now." Deputy Hopkins watches as Deputy Grotto goes into the sheriff's office. Before closing his office door, Sheriff Faulkner and Deputy Hopkins exchange glances. "Charles, I need your help." "Sure thing, Lloyd; what do need?" "I'm trying to locate this place; and, I can't seem to find it on any of these maps. I figured since you're from here, you'd know where it is; or, at least be able to give me a general location to look for it." "No problem, Lloyd; what are you looking for?" The deputy starts looking down at the maps spread out on the sheriff's desk. "I'm looking for the old Johnston farm." The deputy steps back from the desk and looks at the file cabinets in the corner of the office. The sheriff looks up at his deputy. "Charles, is there a problem?" Deputy Grotto turns to the sheriff, "Huh? Uh…no. No problem, Lloyd." "Good. Then back to these maps. Do you have any idea where Johnston farm is?" The deputy fidgets; as his eyes wander around the room. The sheriff senses that he's struck a nerve with the deputy. The question is what nerve did he strike? "Deputy Grotto," the sheriff speaks in an authoritative tone, "do you, or do you not, know where the old Johnston farm is?" The deputy hesitates before replying. "No, Lloyd; I don't know where it is. I don't recall ever hearing about a place called Johnston farm around here. Are you sure it's in Beaver Ridge? Maybe it's in another county?" The deputy's focus goes straight to the floor. Sheriff Faulkner realizes two things at this moment. First; that Deputy Grotto's lying about never hearing about an old Johnston farm. And, second; he's not going to tell where it is. "Alright then…Charles…if there's no Johnston farm in Beaver Ridge; can I ask another favor?" Still avoiding looking at the sheriff, "Sure, Lloyd; what?" "I need for you to go get some maps of all the surrounding towns and counties in the area; and, see if you can't find me that farm. Can you do that for me, Deputy?" "You got it." He rushes out the office without looking at the sheriff. One by one, Sheriff Faulkner calls in each of his deputies, asking for the location of the farm; and, one by one, they each react in the same manner that Deputy Grotto had. The sheriff's at a loss; if he wants to know what's going on with Delilah, he needs to go to the old Johnston farm. He only has one more desperation move he can make. "Mike; can I see you in my office?" Deputy Hopkins straightens some papers on his desk; then, takes his time walking to the sheriff's office. When he finally enters the room, the deputy closes the door, and sits down in the chair in front of the sheriff's desk; throwing his feet up on the desk while resting his hands on his lap. Sheriff Faulkner sits behind his desk, assuming the same position Deputy Hopkins has taken. The two sit there in silence. A minute or two passes before Deputy Hopkins breaks the silence. "So, Lloyd; having trouble finding the old Johnston farm?" "That's right, Mike; how did you know?" Deputy Hopkins laughs, "You can't be serious. Hell, you've asked what…just about everyone if they knew where it was. You don't think the guys are talking…what kind of police department were you with?" "Fair enough. Well then, Mike; would you happen to know where the farm is?" "Well then…Lloyd…why don't you answer a couple of questions I have; before I answer you?" "Alright; what do you want to ask me?" "I've got two questions for you, Lloyd?" "Let me guess…the first one must be why I want to know where the Johnston farm is; am I right?" "Actually, Lloyd; that was my second question. But, since you brought it up; why don't we start with that one. So, why do you want to know where the old Johnston farm is, Lloyd?" "Well, Mike, let's just say there's some things I need to check out on a case I'm looking into; and, we'll leave it at that. Next question?" "Wait a minute; let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we. A case you're working on? We're working on cases by ourselves now? What kind of teamwork is that?" "Teamwork?" The sheriff laughs, "There's an interesting choice of words. Generally you need a team to have teamwork. I'm not sensing much of a team here…at least one that's working along with me." "Really? What makes you say that, Lloyd?" "Well, Mike; I'm getting the impression that some of you are keeping information from me. Let's see…like the location of a certain farm perhaps." "Surely you can't be serious, Lloyd? People working together keeping things from each other; imagine that. Have you ever heard of such a thing?" The sheriff looks at his wrist watch. "Next question, Mike." The deputy mimics the sheriff; looking at his wrist watch. "I'm sorry, Lloyd; I didn't realize we're on a time limit here. Anyway, next question; why'd you wait so long to ask me…I am the senior deputy in the department. Twenty years, Lloyd. Why didn't you come to me first?" Sheriff Faulkner doesn't know what to say…he certainly can't tell Hopkins he's the number one suspect in this case. Besides, if he does have any involvement in whatever happened at that farm, it wouldn't matter if he was the first or hundred and first person asked; he wouldn't fess up to knowing where the farm was. "For Christ's sake, Mike; do you know where the damn farm is, or not?" The deputy looks around the room before standing up. He leans over the desk… putting his hands on it palms down…looks at the maps spread out on the surface and laughs. "Well; I can tell you where you won't find that farm….And, that's on these maps." The sheriff stands. "Where's the farm, Mike?" "Gee Lloyd, why don't you just ask Madame Chybovsky when she arrives. Maybe she could use her ‘gift' to tell you where it is." The deputy starts to leave the office; but, before exiting, stops in the doorway and… with his back to the sheriff…tells him, "I told you before, Lloyd; I really don't give a rat's ass about what you or the mayor wants. But, since you're feeling so down about being left out, I'll tell you this…the old Johnston farm doesn't exist anymore. But. I'm guessing that isn't exactly good enough for you; is it now, Sheriff? Well how about this, Lloyd…if you're still interested in knowing its whereabouts… the old Johnston Farm used to be where your new friends, the Lazinski's, are now. Or, at least part of it was. The rest of the farm extended out into the woods just off their property. Now, if that's all; I'll see you around, Lloyd."