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Kent added cream and sugar to his coffee. “One dead end after another so far. No pun intended. Seth claims if anything happened to his current wife that her boyfriend is behind it. I talked to the guy. He clammed up as soon as I mentioned the name Olsen. Refused to say anything else. But he denied being Haley’s lover, and he’s got a solid alibi that checks out.” Kent took another furtive glance toward the corridor. “Which is more than I can say for Seth.”
More surprising news. “I thought Colvin was his alibi.”
Sipping his coffee, Kent nodded. “Yeah. Supposedly. But they weren’t on duty at the time. I can’t verify that they were even together or what they were doing. I’ve only got Colvin’s and Seth’s word to go on.”
Wonderful.“What’s the alleged boyfriend’s name?” Brian asked.
Tipping his head to the side, Kent gave him a wry look. “Why?”
“Maybe I can take another pass at him for you. It can’t hurt.”
“Listen, you’re the only other detective I’d even consider talking to about this. It’s a big mess. Nothing adds up. My gut tells me this one is not going to end well. As much as I could use someone else on this case with me, it’s got to be official. If you want more information or intend to question suspects, you have to get the lieutenant’s blessing. Then I’ll be happy to share everything I’ve got, and you’ll be free to take a crack at the alleged boyfriend. But you should know that Olsen has some serious connections in town. You won’t be doing yourself any favors hitching a ride on this circus.”
Brian gave him a two-finger salute. If Kent was already seeing red flags, the need for a second detective investigating was essential. And urgent. IA’s involvement was a good sign, but a lot could happen between now and their arrival. Evidence had already been destroyed in the fire. Who was to say what else could happen.
Carrying his cup of coffee, Brian made his way to the lieutenant’s office. He rapped his knuckles on the door.
Lieutenant Malcolm Jameson looked up from the computer. “Bradshaw.” He beckoned for him to enter. “Surprised to see you. What can I do for you?”
Brian closed the door behind him. “Can I speak frankly?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The lieutenant gestured for him to take a chair. “Are you having a problem on the task force? Supervisory Agent Nash Garner speaks very highly of the work you’re doing over there.”
“That’s nice to know and no, I’m not having any problems. I heard about the investigation regarding Detective Olsen and the disappearance of his wife. I understand the situation is complicated, but Kramer would welcome a partner on this.”
Lieutenant Jameson pressed his lips into a thin, hard line. “He’s the only one Chief Nelson would sign off on. We need to make sure there isn’t a conflict of interest in the investigation. Kramer is seasoned and capable. Besides, he only has to manage a few more days. IA will be here soon enough.”
“Do you think the chief would sign off on me?”
“Don’t you already have an assignment? A fairly high-profile one at that.”
Since Brian had joined the force, he kept his nose to the grindstone, never taking vacation days or calling in sick. Only handling family affairs in his spare time. Nash had been pushing him to take some time off. So when Brian had finally asked this morning, his last-minute request had been approved.
“As luck would have it, I can be spared for a few days. I’ve got the free time. Rather than slack off, why not put me on the case?”
The lieutenant leaned back in his chair and folded his hands on the desk. “I have to admit I’m surprised you’ve taken such a keen interest in this.”
“If my wife went missing and my house blew up, I’d want it to be all hands on deck. This is a two-person case, yet only one detective is working on it.”
Jameson narrowed his eyes. “I still haven’t figured you out yet. What drives you to push so hard. Ambition? Accolades? Some other angle? I know you don’t do it for the paycheck.”
Smiling, Brian lowered his head. He could offer the truth. That the driving force in him was simple—a call to serve. To protect. To see justice served. Never to miss the opportunity to fulfill his purpose.
Instead, he said, “I owe Kent. If not for him, I wouldn’t be a detective. He’s still going through a rough patch and needs a partner until IA gets here. I’d like to do it.”
The lieutenant nodded. “I can respect that. It’s good that you’ve had distance with the department for a while. You’ve got a reputation for getting along with everyone, and yet, not really being pals with anyone.” Then he frowned. “Don’t you play football with Seth and a few of the others? Yeah,” he said, as if remembering now. “You scored the winning touchdown in the annual game against the fire department.”
“The season is about to start back up. This week in fact. I can make excuses not to participate. I only played for fun and the extra exercise. Sometimes we grabbed a drink afterward. I assure you there’s no conflict of interest.”
After a moment of consideration, he said, “Okay.” He picked up the phone. “If Chief Nelson says yes, which I think she will, you’re Kent’s partner. Temporary basis. Avoid coming to the station. No one will know you’re on this. It’s best to keep it that way. And when football starts up again, you should play like you normally would. You never know what you might learn.”
“Sure, I can do that.”
CLICK. CLICK.
Charlie snapped photos of Seth leaving Delgado’s. He’d finished having dinner with a man she recognized. The guy had a couple of well-placed ads touting him as the sharpest real estate agent in the Cowboy State.
Pretty big claim if you asked her.
