After the hearing, the repercussions spewed like lava from an erupting volcano. This was an especially difficult time as she had to remain in Major Crime Unit (MCU) until an agreement was reached between MCAD and the State Police. This left her much too close to O'D and his rage.
Unidentified authors would leave notes on Joan's desk with variations of: "You don't deserve to be a trooper"; "Get out"; and "I'd like to spit in your face!" The Lieutenant in charge of the MCU repeatedly stated to Joan, "YOU NEED PROTECTION." Also, an MCU Sergeant said to Joan on two occasions, "I told him he couldn't do this to you." Joan knew they were both referring to OD's blatant abuse but it would take years for her to gain a true understanding of just how far and deep his vengeance could reach.
OD gave MCU troopers the assignment to find anything negative they could on her. The grapevine revealed that he couldn't find any mud that would stick. His next maneuver was to tell MCAD that, "No District Attorney wants her." She knew this to be utterly false.
The MCAD representative asked if she could obtain a letter from a DA stating that they would like her to work in their unit. Joan approached the Plymouth County District Attorney. Ever so nicely he told her he would be more than willing to sign a letter if all the DAs in the state signed with him. It was her thought that he didn't want to be singled out for O'Ds rage. So that project felt overwhelming to her at a time of so much stress.
As Joan was awaiting the official finding from MCAD, the grapevine supplied her with some great undercurrents once more. First, that O'D was trying his best to undermine the whole legal process and that MCAD's response to the Commissioner was, "If you don't get a hold of O'Ds behavior, the State Police are going to have major problems!"
One day, as Joan waited in an open hallway with many other Troopers to attend a law enforcement presentation, she saw the Commissioner making his way through the crowd towards her. He stated loudly, "Joannie, I'm so sorry about O'D! Hang in there. I've got something in the works for you." She was so embarrassed to be singled out in front of other Troopers, but he was a good man and she knew he was sincere. She was thankful to him as it gave her new hope.
MCAD and the State Police finally negotiated a Pre-Determination Settlement. Discriminatory practices would stop, and Joan would get her transfer.
A Missing Persons Unit (MPU) was being developed and Joan was offered the position of
running it. It was a wonderful job and she was stationed a comfortable distance away from O'D. There, in that unit, most of the taunting stopped, but one comment continued on,
"You know Joan. O'D doesn't like you. He lost a lot of power because of you!!!"
God bless you dearest Joan.
Read the last 2 installments. Had to be a very stressful situation for you. Hope the "A**H*** who caused you so much grief, got or gets his due. Men like that don't deserve to be "in charge" of anyone.