A Man Named Mike
Copyright© 2025 by Gina Marie Wylie
Chapter 3: Sheriff Post
Mike looked up as the door to his hospital room opened later that morning. Lieutenant Reynolds came in, as did a man in a civilian suit. The second man was much taller, and a little older than the Highway Patrol officer.
“Marshal Dunbar, this is Judge Cruz, a local Superior Court judge. We are here to settle the affairs of Carolyn Post and her daughter. In addition, I have been talking to witnesses at the accident scene where Sheriff Post was killed and I have a question for you.”
“Fire away, Lieutenant,” Mike told him.
“We have a letter in Carolyn Post’s own hand saying a man with your name fathered her daughter and she had never told you of the pregnancy or her daughter’s birth. You asked for a paternity test and that is currently in process,” the judge said.
“However, looking at you and looking at Emily Post reveals a distinct family resemblance. That said I can do no more than award you temporary custody of the young woman until the paternity matter is determined.
“Young Miss Post’s grandparents are well-to-do and have established a number of trust funds that mature at various dates for the young woman. Banks controlled those funds before Sheriff Post was killed, as they will control them in the future,” the judge went on. “No matter what the results of paternity tests reveal, the tests will occur after Sheriff Post’s death. You will never get control of even one of those funds.”
“Is this what this is about? You’re afraid I would rip off a young woman?”
“Just a friendly notice,” the judge stated.
Lewton Reynolds laughed. “Given in the same spirit as a friendly Miranda warning.
“Marshal Dunbar, I talked with Andrei Badorin about you. That motivated me to Google you.
“My! What interesting reading!
“I’ve talked to the serious players at Mountain Pass. Oscar Krumm, proprietor of the ‘OK Corral’ and Malcolm Big Eagle, the local representative of the Tule Indian Tribe. And, not to be forgotten or ignored, Malcolm’s wife, Suzy Big Eagle.
“They feel that Sheriff Post needs to be replaced sooner rather than later. The Big Eagles’ have gotten permission to build a casino on the mini-reservation in Mountain Pass and they are already having trouble with elements who wish to take over their operation.
“They have authorized me to offer you the position of town sheriff, vice Sheriff Post. Sheriff Post eschewed deputies, but the town council authorizes two. I realize that this is not expected, but you are currently on what amounts to paid suspension from your current employer. You owe your current employer no loyalty,” Lewton Reynolds said.
Mike thought rapidly. To his amazement, it seemed like he had a clear path.
“Judge, a question. Do you see any problem with changing my name?”
The judge and Lewton Reynolds shook their heads in unison. “Obviously, the Islamic State is looking for Mike Dunbar. The name might be a factor in a custody dispute. Carolyn’s parents are en route,” Lieutenant Reynolds said.
“I would like to change my name to Mike Post. How about a marriage certificate to Carolyn?”
“You would be more familiar with witness protection protocols than we are,” the Highway Patrol lieutenant said.
“I was an Air Marshal — WitSec was their own group and they never talked about their job. Ever.”
“I would understand if you need time to think about the offer,” the judge said.
Mike laughed. “I don’t need time to think about it. I’ve missed the job. That’s why I volunteered to help Carolyn before I knew about our connection, because I think the air marshal gig is a bust. I accept. Emily would be safer if I changed my name. ISIS is looking for Mike Dunbar — Mike Post will confuse them.”
“Mr. Badorin said it would be best to not name you in the press conferences,” Lew Reynolds said. “We haven’t released your name. We lied to the press, saying you discharged your weapon and that your name wouldn’t be released pending an investigation,” the CHP officer said.
“Unlike the Graysons, I don’t shoot until I can see my target,” Mike said sourly.
“Mr. Badorin said that he can attest for your steadiness and accuracy under fire,” the judge told Mike.
Mike raised an eyebrow. “You seem to respect Mr. Badorin.”
“I realize it is trite to say it, but he has given a lot to Mountain Pass and to Tulare county. Organized crime figures are known for such things,” Lew said. “Perhaps we take advantage of his generosity. We have all new fire equipment in some of the rural areas of the county, and Mountain Pass has a jail, sheriff’s office and a modest sheriff’s residence as well.
“It is a remarkable thing — Mr. Badorin took to Sheriff Post like few others and he did many things for her and Emily,” Lew said. “She told me that everyone has misunderstood Mr. Badorin. That was enough for a lot of folks to accept him.”
“You are aware that he and I are acquainted?” Mike asked. “And the circumstances?”
Lew nodded. “We have no more problem with that than we had with Sheriff Post’s relationship with him ... that is, no problem at all. Like we said, we googled you. Speaking as an badged LEO, what the Marshal Service did to you was beyond stupid. I know a couple of them and they tell me that their morale is in the shitter. They also filled me in on the details that fell through the cracks on Wikipedia.”
The judge looked at the lieutenant. “Tell me.”
“Mr. Badorin and Mr ... Post, were the only survivors in the hotel lobby. The terrorists had a poor plan and minimal or no training. They entered the lobby in small groups. The two men were at opposite ends of the lobby and one would shoot and everyone would look his way, then the other would shoot and they’d look away again. Sheriff Post killed more terrorists than Mr. Badorin did and more than the Italian cops did as well.”
“Google is very well informed,” Mike said sourly.
“Yes,” Lieutenant Reynolds agreed. “Mike Dunbar has fatwahs from clerics in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Hezbollah laid against him. Mike Post doesn’t have any. Basically, the Shias hate you and the Sunnis are allied, mostly, with Israel, and will likely leave Dunbar alone.”
“I hate to be a party pooper, but I need to talk to Emily and find out what her wishes are. As far as I am concerned, I don’t want to make the young woman do anything in regards to the future,” Mike said firmly. “My name change, my getting custody of her, even to where I live and how I earn a living. And above all, what our relationship is going to be.”
The Highway Patrol officer smiled. “My wife and daughter took Emily to breakfast and to get a change of clothes and a chance to clean up. They’ll be here in a couple of hours.”
The doctor came in and shooed everyone out and examined him. “I saw Sheriff Post’s body. You look like you were in different accidents.”
“I can’t say with any certainty, because it was like I was dreaming, but I was looking forward when whatever happened, happened. It was like the truck was spinning on its long axis. I can’t imagine how that could happen, but it’s what I remember. I remember we were rotating counter-clockwise, towards the left. Even on the first rotation I remember a loud crash when we were upside down, and every rotation after that. I remember four. Each time there was a crash the spin seemed slower, until the last crash, which stopped us, upside down.
“I looked over at Carolyn and was nearly sick.”
“A half dozen EMTs got ill, either at the scene or at the hospital.”
“Then I smelled gas and was having trouble getting out of the pickup. Someone had one of those window-busters that opened the window and I got out as quickly as I could.”
“The CHP will be by later this afternoon to get a statement. We’ll hold you one more night, then let you go in the morning. The hospital got an email with your financial details and your insurance information. There’s nothing there that you need to worry about.”
After lunch, which consisted of real mashed potatoes, so-so gravy and a large steak Emily showed up with a woman. “This is my god-mom, Mike. Ellen Reynolds.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Mike told her.
She sighed. “Carolyn and I had many long talks ... some of them about what a mistake she made letting you get away.”
“And now, dearest godmother, I told you. I need to be alone with Mike.”
In a moment they were alone and Mike regarded Emily for a few seconds.
“You want to know what I think?” Emily said out of the blue.
“More than anything else in the world just now.”
“It’s a conundrum, a tough nut to crack. I don’t know you, have never met you before ... but you are my father and never knew I existed. My mother has been sorry she didn’t marry you my entire life. I met you for the first time yesterday evening, and we did not hit it off at first, but you understood that I don’t like jokes about my name and were genuinely sorry you said what you did. Before you knew what I was.
“You listened to me talk about the shootout at the Corral, and didn’t bat an eye when you noticed it was an eyewitness description. When you talked to Mom, she didn’t break your neck for butting in.
“I am faced with a number of choices. I’m too young to stay by myself. I tell myself I’m mature enough, but what do I use for money? My grandparents set up trust funds for me, but the first one is for use for college only and comes at 18. It wouldn’t be legal even for me to try, even if I have money.
“So, my grandparents say they want me to come live with them. Ellen Reynolds says I can stay with her and Lew and my best friend Janet. And of course, there is you.”
“I’m single, never been married, never had a steady girlfriend. Until not long ago I loved my job and never imagined doing anything else. However there has been a misunderstanding and the government would cheer if they saw my backside departing. However, a Judge Cruz and Lewton Reynolds offered me your mother’s job.