XXIV.
The dog days of August had come.

Roger Shatterheart had stayed at the hospital in Russia until the first day of August. After that, Mikhail and he boarded a flight to Detroit. There they were picked up by Jean Shatterheart, who drove them back to Frittersville. They stayed there, and Roger was told to check the stitches on his wounds every so often. He recovered quickly, as the two bullets from the AK-47 had not hit any vital organs.

Terrence Reel’s body was sent back to the United States, where an autopsy revealed that the fall killed him. He was quietly cremated, and the ashes spread over the Gulf of Mexico. Mike Hudson’s body was buried in Warner Robins, Georgia. Andrew Pickett was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. After that, the grisly task began of burying the other 1,346 people killed in that 16-day reign of terror. The first burial was of, oddly enough, David Pickett. He was laid to rest in Tampa. The next burial was that of a higher-up member of the Church of Scientology. Monuments dedicated to those who died were approved by President Bush at the Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater and the Reynolds Building in Winston-Salem, where the cleanup of the wreckage was almost complete. The congregants of Spottswood Baptist Church who survived the raid were promptly jailed and charged with various terrorism charges. The five surviving Levites were charged with hijacking of an aircraft, attempted murder, and terrorism. The four aboard Flight 98 were sentenced to life in prison. The sole surviving hijacker of Flight 761 was a bizarre case, as the plane took off from Canada, which had no death penalty, but the hijacking happened over Washington, which did have the death penalty. In the end, the judge sentenced him to life as well. The nine surviving Thessalonians, who set off the bombs in Florida, were also tried. All were found guilty. Seven were sentenced to life in prison, and two were sent to the electric chair. The five bombers in North Carolina all received life sentences. Finally, the Virginia bomber who killed 21 people and started the series of disasters received the death penalty, and is currently on death row.

On August 1st, it was announced that Landover Detention Facility existed, and that it was going to be shut down and all prisoners not charged with a crime would be released effective the end of September. Andrew Pickett’s actions were condemned, but a Gallup poll revealed that 67 of America had “mixed” feelings on him. However, a full 98 of those polled said Roger and Mikhail had done a “good or outstanding” job handling what they were given.

Also on August 1st, President Bush officially granted Mikhail Zabolotski and Roger Shatterheart pardons for any crimes they may have committed in the process of stopping Terrence Reel. Both men had received invitations to a banquet with the President scheduled for August 9th.

With Terrence Reel dead, the various states attacked began to rebuild. The Church of Scientology announced that it would rebuild the Fort Harrison Hotel, with a monument dedicated to the 494 people killed there. Universal Studios took the controversial action of not building a monument, the CEO saying, “The Universal Studios is a place for happiness and fun, not sadness and horror. It is tragic what happened here, but we cannot let the actions of one nutcase spoil the experience for generations yet unborn.”

America, and the world, was relieved to have Terrence Reel dead and the whole disaster over with. Tobacco companies still had heightened security in case of any copycats, and though two skyscrapers in North Carolina were evacuated due to bomb threats, no actual bombs went off afterward.

Roger and Mikhail were at a ceremony in Frittersville, celebrating their retirements. Both had received 25 million each from the American government as a reward for Terrence’s head, the reward being raised to that from 10 million after the airplane plot. Mikhail announced he would retire within half an hour of getting the money, and Roger followed suit a day later.

“Well Mikhail,” Roger said, “we did it. And now we’re back in Frittersville.”

“I know. I’m glad to be back. I’m even gladder that this whole anti-smoking business is over. It was scary when Richmond got bombed, and just got worse and worse from there.” Roger was drinking a plastic cup of Coke, and Mikhail was drinking a Coors.

“I do feel a bit guilty about retiring.”

“Why?” Mikhail asked.

“Well, my father was a cop. My grandfather was also a cop. So was his father. I feel like I’m ending a tradition. But damn it, 25 million is a lot of money, and my wife is absolutely sick of me risking my life every time I go to work. I love my job, but I love her too. I have a strong sense of duty, as Andrew Pickett said. But even I know when to quit. I can’t believe I’m retiring in my 40s.”

“I can’t either, but I couldn’t be happier about it. Being a policeman was nice, but the danger was a bit much for me. Just out of curiosity, what are you going to do with your money?”

“I haven’t decided yet. I did give half a million to a fund for those affected by the bombings.”

“I bought the big-screen TV I wanted.”

“And I got my iPod. It’s weird, it can hold a week’s worth of music, but I’ve got maybe thirty songs on there.”

“Are you going to get a new car?”

“Fuck that noise. I’ve got a Honda Civic. That works for me.”

“Heh, I agree. I don’t trust myself with a sports car. Although it might help me get a date.”

“The fame should be enough.”

“I did get hit on by a few women here.”

“Well, go for it. Me, I have Jean. Hell, she’s the main reason I’m quitting my job. Well, I’ve got the speech in a few minutes. Hope you enjoy it, Mikhail.” Mikhail smiled, and sat down. Roger got onstage, and the chief of police appeared.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As chief of police of Frittersville, I am proud to present one of our two most famous detectives. Friends, Mr. Roger Shatterheart.” The crowd applauded and Roger walked to the microphone.

“Hello. I’m glad you all have come.” Where’s Jean? I saw her here earlier. “Some of you are friends of mine. Some of you I don’t know. But all of you, it is my duty to protect.

“I know it’s an odd opening statement, but that’s the crux of what I have to say. Mikhail and I, and all of our fine men in uniform here today, are here to enforce the law and serve the public trust. We are here to protect you. It is my honor to do so. I remember a few months ago, we arrested Judy Jones, who until the Richmond bombing was the only person you heard about on the news. She was a vigilante. She tried to act outside the law to enforce the law. She shot and killed drunk drivers, killing three before her arrest.

“It made me realize the job I was doing. It made me see that we are here to uphold the law. It’s obvious, I know, but it underscored for me the value of what we do for you. And it is for you that we do it. I’ve been happy to be an officer, though I am retiring from the force. As for why, well, even I have those who love me.

“Terrence Reel was just Judy Jones, except on a much larger scale. He hated smoking and smokers, and took it out in a way that was unlawful. He was another vigilante. Judy Jones had those who supported her. A Gallup poll said about a fifth of those polled sympathized with Judy. However, Terrence Reel’s case emphasizes much better where vigilantism gets us. Over a thousand people were killed in his spree of bombings. Many landmarks were reduced to dust and debris. And if we set the law aside, and allow people like Terrence Reel and Judy Jones to do what they do, then that is the result. Many dead, much destruction.

“But even those on the side of the law can act unlawfully. Andrew Pickett is an excellent example. He tortured Mike Hudson in ways I cannot describe here. While Mike Hudson killed almost 500 people in Clearwater, even he deserves a trial, a jury, and a judge. That is the basis for our legal system, to try all those accused of a crime, regardless of how horrible. It truly depresses me that Mike Hudson was unable to receive the trial, instead being killed on the orders of Andrew Pickett. Though ironically, Andrew himself never saw trial for his actions, him having been killed aboard Flight 761.

“Thus we see again that those who follow the law have a responsibility to follow it, and that those who uphold the law have a responsibility to not abuse their power. Torturing those who break the law is in itself vigilantism. And that is why we did what we did. We are policemen, and we uphold the law. We do it for you. Thank you.” The audience applauded, but Roger saw again that Jean was missing.

The speeches ended a half hour later, and the ceremonial dinner began. Roger had searched the area, but saw no sign of Jean. Only when he was talking with the chief of police did she finally reappear.

“Sir,” she said, “will you excuse us for a second? I’ve got some news for Roger.” Roger got a worried look on his face, fearing that some surviving member of Spottswood Baptist had done something here. The chief of police excused himself, and Jean and Roger slipped into the hallway.

“Jean, what’s the matter?”

“I was gone for the speech, I know. I was sick. I had to go to the store to find out for myself. It happened shortly after the Richmond bombing.” Roger was puzzled.

“I got what I wanted, and tested myself. I knew it Roger; it was after we learned about the Richmond bombing.”

“Jean, what on Earth are you talking about?”

“Roger,” Jean said, “I’m pregnant.”