Fire Games

by Mark Stewart

  CLAIRE FOLLOWED Kendal into Police Headquarters.

  Constable Susie Alderson looked up when they walked past the front desk.

  “Captain Hughes wants to see you both in his office.”

  “Later,” Kendal replied. “I’m busy going over the arson case. The clock is ticking.”

  “I think by the look on the Captain’s face he wants to see you, now.”

  Kendal saluted and escorted Claire to the lift.

  “Asshole,” rookie Alderson muttered under her breath. She raised her middle finger to Kendal’s back.

  Captain Hughes’ office was located on the second floor. Kendal stepped up to and rapped his knuckles on the light brown door.

  “Enter,” bellowed a deep voice.

  Kendal opened the door and allowed Claire to enter the office first.

  “Thanks, Sugar,” she chirped.

  “Two of my favourite Detectives,” the Captain boomed, turning from the window. “Don’t be shy, come in. Join the party.”

  “I wonder where I’ve heard that saying before,” Kendal mumbled. He frowned and waited for the usual verbal abuse over anything from parking in the wrong place to arriving at the office door later than expected. “Cap, I can see you’re not happy, though I don’t know why? You have a nice office. The phone is sitting neatly on your dust free desk. You have a new filing cabinet, a coffee machine at the ready, and a small fridge probably stocked full of milk and liqueurs.”

  “You’re correct; I’m not happy. The painters are going to paint my office today, and I’m being moved out.”

  “Change is good,” mumbled Kendal.

  “Shut up. I don’t like your sarcasm. Now pay attention.”

  “Yes, Cap.”

  “I want a full report on last night. I have the media on my back demanding an internal investigation over why one of my top detectives discharged his gun without probable cause five times. Kendal, before you say a word, I’ll talk to the commissioner. I’ll make up a story so you can find some time to type up your fictitious excuse.”

  Instead of correcting the false accusations, Kendal just stood nodding his head.

  Captain Hughes averted his attention to Claire. He smiled and talked using friendly tone.

  “Please, Claire, tell me all you know.”

  “There’s not much to tell sir. I was babysitting my friend’s son for the night. They were only out for dinner and a movie. I expected them home in four or five hours.”

  Hughes sat at his desk switching his gaze between the two detectives. He reached out, picked up a pencil and started tapping the end on the desk.

  Kendal gazed at the big man. He even managed to send a tight smile. To his relief, the Captain stopped his annoying tapping.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I was amusing myself by trying to guess what colour suit you’ll be wearing this time next week.”

  Hughes scoffed at the sentence. He leaned forward across the desk.

  “I think you should find a way of catching this arsonist than waste your time thinking about my clothing.”

  “Yes Sir, Cap.”

  “Stop calling me Cap. Why on earth do you persist on calling me that stupid name?”

  “Your predecessor came from the army, and the nickname stuck,” explained Kendal.

  “Tell me something intelligent by informing me the name of the bloke I saw running from the fire?”

  “He’s attached himself to the woman sitting next to me.”

  “If I may cut in,” growled Claire, sending Kendal a cold steel look.

  “I’m listening,” said Captain Hughes.

  “Daniel Weakom is my boyfriend. My personal life is my business.”

  “How long have you known this Weakom character?”

  “Three months.”

  “Kendal’s been on Patrick’s case for the past three months.”

  “It’s a coincidence.”

  Sitting on his swivel chair, the Captain scooted to the window. He parted the wooden louvers and stared out across the area set aside for impounded cars. There was a total of twenty cars in the yard. They had been either stolen or vandalized. All were waiting to be claimed by their owners.

  “I think Alan and I should be partners,” Claire blurted. “I have a few ideas of my own.”

  The Captain scooted back to the desk. He displayed a widening grin.

  “Say no more. I think that’s the best news I’ve heard in days.”

  “I have to protest. Patrick’s kidnapped my daughter, Tegan. I have to work on this case alone.”

  “I reckon Detective Ambroso will make you an excellent partner.”

  “Did you hear what I said?” questioned Kendal.

  “I heard. You now have a new partner.”

  “I have personal excuses why I prefer to work alone.”

  “I don’t care about your reasons. Claire has a good point. You seem to be having a lot of trouble finding this asshole. I have the Chief Commissioner on my back demanding results. Claire, you have to help catch this idiot.”

  “Sir, if I may suggest something.”

  “You’re full of good ideas this morning,” grumbled Kendal.

  The Captain’s eyebrows shot up. “I’m listening.”

  “So am I. One minute on this assignment and you want to run the show,” jeered Kendal.

  “Sir, I have an idea on Patrick’s identity.”

  “Good, I like detectives who think of solving a case and not about clothes.”

  “I’m almost certain he’s a cop.”

  Kendal buried his head in his hands.

  “He might even work in this building.”

  “Harsh words,” blurted the Captain. “Do you have proof?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Kendal, do you agree?”

  He looked the Captain in the eyes.

  “No. I’ve suspicions of my own. I must add Patrick knows I’m closing in.”

  “You think Patrick is Daniel Weakom,” hissed Claire.

  “If Patrick is a cop or Weakom or anyone else I need to have strong evidence,” warned Captain Hughes. He banged a clenched fist on the table. “I need hard evidence.”

  “Sir, we’ll find Patrick real soon,” announced Claire.

  “You two have twenty-nine days.”

  “Thirty Nights,” corrected Kendal. “Patrick sets one house on fire every month. He’s granted me thirty Nights before his big finale.”

  Hughes picked up his pencil and again started his annoying tapping.

  “Get out and do some work.”

  He threw his pencil at the two detectives as they marched towards the door.

  “I think the meeting went well,” announced Claire, on the safe side of the door.

  “Thanks for the encouragement in front of the Captain.”

  “Sorry Sugar. I thought you could use some new ideas. I’m fond of Tegan too. I’m proud to know the kid. I reckon the way she looks up to you and wants to walk in your footsteps is wonderful. Makes me want to have a kid like Tegan and I am not even married.”

  Her voice faltered on the last word.

  Kendal gave Claire a deep, meaningful stare. Instead of probing into her private life he decided to file his thoughts. His questions could wait.

  “In my opinion, I don’t think you and Weakom make a good looking couple.”

  “Who asked you?”

  “We need to have a chat.”

  “Why?”

  “For a start, you haven’ told me where Weakom is.”

  “If you’re think Weakom is Patrick, let me put your mind at ease. He’s not.”

  “Are you positive?”

  The glass observation window behind Kendal and Claire banged a few times. When they turned around, they saw Captain Hughes beckoning for their return.

  Stepping into the office, Claire closed the door.

  “I’ve been thinking,” said Hughes. “Kendal, take your family to a safe location. Get them far away from this maniac. Call your w
ife and tell her to pack. I’ll arrange an impounded car for you to drive.”

  “Sir isn’t it illegal to use an impounded car?” asked Claire.

  “Usually yes, the wagon I’m referring to has only been sprayed with graffiti. The owners are holidaying in Queensland and have given written permission to use their car if we need to.”

  “Cap, I can’t risk the time moving my family. I don’t want the trail to go cold.”

  “Don’t argue Kendal, just do it.” Hughes waved them away.

  On the corridor side of the door, Claire grabbed her partner’s arm.

  “Tell me why you’re only focusing on Patrick? And why is it you seem so lax in wanting to find Tegan?”

  “I’m desperate to find her. To uncover Patrick’s identity, I have to flush him out in a non-threatening way. Besides, when I find Patrick, I’ll find Tegan. The game has to finish. Claire, there’s not many souls I can trust. Not even Captain Hughes.”

  “Sugar, you can trust me.”

  He displayed a steady smile. “Thanks, partner.”

  Claire opened the door and poked her head into the office.

  “Excuse me, Captain Hughes. I’d be grateful if I can have today off. I’m still tired after the fire.”

  “Yes, of course, you can, rest today, catch Patrick tomorrow. Kendal, the next time you want to pick on my clothing look at your reflection in the mirror and ask yourself. Why do I wear the same brown pants, white shirt, and black coat every day?”

  Kendal faked a smile, digging the CD from his pocket.

  “Partner before you go home, could you run the names of the band members through the computer? I have to run my family out to Aura Lake.”

  “Claire, are you certain your boyfriend, Daniel Weakom, isn’t Patrick?” asked Hughes.

  CHAPTER SEVEN