The Sins of the Father

Threatened Beliefs

It took all the strength I could muster, to head into work today. The previous festivities had taken its toll on my body. I had left a message for Chief Rosin to call me, with the police secretary on duty, Linda.

"Oh its good to hear from you Torrey. The Chief has been singing your praises, concerning your progress on the "Vanishing Sleeping Beauty" case. Between you and me, I overheard that little info spoken between Chief and Mr.Banks."

Linda was those cheery, jolly type people, who thought the world ran on cotton candy, brownies and wine. Though her happiness was contagious, as of the moment it was very repulsive. Her rambling continued about five more minutes til the other line rung, forcing her to end the conversation.

Billy was absent from work today a "family emergency" came up was all I got from the note left on my desk and my other co-workers. He probably knew that I was on to him in more ways than one.

The mirrored reflection of my computer revealed the bags under heavy eyes, compliments of having only two hours of sleep. Their once sparkle for life, seemed to diminish a little each day.

My phone line began to ring. Bringing me out of this depressed stupor I buried myself in. I caught the brief beginning digits of 661. Chief. Well it was now or never.

"Hey Toy toy, how is the case coming along ?" The nickname was used as a term of endearment, currently, it seemed to grind upon my nerves. Even my hands tightened around the phone from his use of the pet name. He was in a chipper mood, more than usual. This either meant, he was trying to get me comfortable enough to figure me out or...He knew something I didn't.

"Hey Chief. Its going rather swell. Things seem to be falling into place. Hopefully, I can have this baby solved, bundled and delivered within two weeks time."

"I'm sure Terry will be happy to hear the good news. He hasn't been himself these past few weeks. Worse scores in golf I have ever seen him play. Uhh, Linda conveyed a message that you urgently needed to talk to me, something concerning Sam?"

I began to be conflicted between being straightforward or easing myself into asking him about his part in Sam's disappearance. The phone was silent. I could hear the drumming of his fingers against his oval table. The small huffs of impatient air. I pictured him having his head balanced between his index and thumb fingers, with his knuckles balled close to his cheek.

"Chief, how far involved in this case are you? Mid-waist, up to the neck or buried in it?" Dead silence could be heard through the receiver. His seat gave a groan, a few more short pants while his padded feet carried weight across plush blue carpet. A hollowed clunk could be heard, as I presumed he shut the door.

"I told Terran you were the best for the case. Of course he didn't believe me. Considering, a woman should never be in a predominantly ruled male field anyways. His words, not mine. You have to excuse him, as he has a few old time beliefs. To answer your question about my involvement in the abduction of Sam- I don't think that should concern you? Your job is just to find the kidnapper and..."

"With all due respect sir, it does and should concern me. Especially, when the person who sent me on this wild turkey chase, as a favor to his golfing buddy, has been named and has now become a person of interest in a high profile case. Chief, I have put my all into this, this...I don't even know what to call this anymore. You knew didn't you? All this time I had been struggling to piece, pieces that weren't even in the same puzzle. Why? Why go through all of this and why get me involved?"

"Detective as I said before, this doesn't concern you. So, I'm going to tell you this once. Stay in your damn lane. Play your part, smile and look pretty for the camera when it comes time. Leave everything else to me. Wouldn't want your hands to get too dirty. Oh and trust me, if any of this information leaks out, or I find you snooping in uncharted territory your badge and your career wont be the only things I'll bag. Tell you what, I'm feeling quite generous, why don't you take a couple of personal days off.... Get yourself together, huh? You need it. Now hang up and show those beautiful pearly whites and for goodness sake, turn on that got damn computer for once. Before I forget tell Father..."

He knew.

"I enjoyed this mornings preview talk of mass, it was very...Enlightening. "

I was left with the dial tone in my ear, trying to plaster on a face that I didn't even recognize as my own. For once in my life I was rendered speechless. I was an official lost sheep.