Colt Crawford - Chapter 11 (Tuesday)

“I was thinking about the chief last night,” Krissy said early Tuesday morning. She was sitting next to Colt in the front seat of his car enjoying the free ride to work. As promised, he had arrived at her front door at 7:45 and would have her at the police station right on time. “His son had mentioned that he seemed to have something to hide and that it started about two years ago. I remembered that he took a trip on the boat right after he got it and was gone for about a month. Let’s swing by the marina again and talk to the Harbor Master. They keep records of when the boats leave for extended periods of time. I am curious if that boat really ever left.”

“That is an interesting idea. What are you thinking?” Colt chimed in.

“When he got back from that trip, he was not the same man. It was as if the big cop in him had died. Mentally he was still sharp, but he’s not as strong as he used to be. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now it might make sense. If you took a month-long trip in a new boat, wouldn’t you come back full of adventure and stories?

“I would imagine.”

“He didn’t come back refreshed. He was tired.” She paused, her mind seeming to fade back in time. “And maybe even a little frail.”

“Maybe he just gets seasick.”

“Or maybe he was sick and took some time off to get better.” Krissy was on a roll now. Her theory was taking shape and it protected the integrity of a good cop. “Maybe that’s what he was hiding. Cops by nature are proud people and Chief Brown can be the proudest of them all.”

“Would you say he is rebounding? I mean is he back to his old form or he is still weaker?”

“He’s not nearly as bad as he was, but still not his old self either.”

“Other than verifying that the boat never left the harbor, how do we prove this theory of yours?” Colt asked.

“Let’s do it the old fashioned way. Let’s just ask him.”

“But what if he is dirty? What if he lies to cover himself?”

“It’s all in the way you ask.” Krissy smiled. “If I don’t accuse him of anything illegal, he won’t have anything to cover up.”

***

Chief Brown’s office was located in the back of the building. It was not lavish, but it was tastefully decorated with a nautical theme. Krissy glanced around the walls looking at the various awards and commendations that were displayed on one side. Pictures of the chief with his wife were on another wall as well as plenty of shots of the boat.

She quickly focused her attention back on her boss and got right to the point, avoiding any opportunity to beat around the bush. “Chief,” she began. “I’m concerned about your health.”

Chief Brown looked up from his desk. “I’ve never felt better. Why the concern?”

Krissy was about to go out on a limb, but she knew she’d never get the chief to open up if she didn’t. “Ever since that health scare a few years back, you don’t seem the same.” She waited for a reaction, not sure what to expect. If she was right, he might start talking about it. If she was wrong, he’d probably think she was a lousy detective who jumped to conclusions.

“I assure you I am as healthy now than ever.” He didn’t deny having a health problem so Krissy decided to dig deeper and take another risk.

“Cancer free?” She had no idea if he had been fighting cancer, but it seemed like a logical guess.

The chief stopped and gave her a hard stare. He didn’t speak at first. It seemed as if he was trying to figure out the right words to say to deny everything. “You’re a good detective. I knew that when I recommended you for the job. There’s a football game on TV tonight. College championship. Why don’t you and that new boyfriend of yours come over and watch it? We can talk then.” Krissy blushed at the word “boyfriend.”

“Don’t deny it. I’m a good cop, too.” The chief just smiled as Krissy rose to her feet and promised to show up in time for the game.