Wright In Danger

Chapter Seven

The next morning, Rosalie set down a coffee in front of him while she put her hair up. "He is not going to be at all happy to see us." No. Beau was under no impression that he would be. It wasn't yet eight and they were about to come knocking on his door. "I'd rather catch him when he's not at work. Lessen the chance of having an excuse to run away." Finished with her hair, she picked up her coffee, pushing the tab back. "I should have thought to pick him one up too. He would have be that much more accepting of us."

Arriving at the apartment building the age of it was showing. Climbing out, they walked over the door. Beau glanced at Rosalie before touching the intercom. Colson didn't answer until the third time. "Who is it? What do you want?" he demanded. "Colson. It's Detective Tanner and Officer Duvall. We wanted to speak with you before you left for work." There was a lengthy pause. Was he going to let them in? He answered, his annoyance more pronounced and less groggy. "I'll give you fifteen minutes. That's it." Walking in, they were enveloped by odors of mold and stale smoke. 

Rosalie wrinkled her nose. "Nice place." Throwing a look at her he started up the stairs. They groaned loudly with every step they took. Going slow they made it to the second floor. Beau led the way to 2H. Rosalie knocked before he had the chance. The door came open to a half naked Colson, eyes bloodshot and reeking of alcohol. He really planned on going to work in his condition. Beau was of a mind to call Rita and let her know he wouldn't be coming. He couldn't work machinery when he'd been drinking.

"The two of you have crap timing. Just saying." Moving back, they walked past. The place was a disaster. It really didn't smell much better than the hallway either. Shutting the door, he walked around the other side of the table, tossing everything on the ratty couch onto the floor. Taking the equally ratty recliner across, he laid his arms on his legs, leaning forward. "The clock is ticking. What do you need to talk with me about?" Mimicking his posture, Beau made sure to look him straight in the eye. "We'll respect the time you've given us. Does Allison frequently change hobbies?"

He shook his head. "She's really been about hobbies. When she turned to writing lyrics I didn't think she would actually stick to it. I mean, like I said. She doesn't play an instrument. Can't make good music without an instrument, right?" Rubbing at his eye, Beau was tempted to open his mouth but a nudge from Allison shut that down. They couldn't lose their fifteen minutes getting into it with him about his current state. It would also cost them talking like this again. "How long have you and Allison lived in Clairview?" He dropped his hand. "It was right as Loraine was opening her shop."

So that photo was a few years old. "Has Allison ever spoke of a customer making her uncomfortable or feeling as if she were being watched?" Stilling, his eyes came up slowly. "You mean like a stalker? No. She wouldn't have kept something like that from me either. She knows I'll protect her." Exhaling, he thrust a hand into his hair. It was in need of a wash. "I just want my sister back. Not the looks of pity and sure as hell not the probing questions." Beau really hoped he thought better of going into work.

"We won't be needing the entire fifteen minutes. We'll just be going now. We still have some footage we need to take a look at," Rosalie said. He got to his feet the same time they did. "You find who took her. You hear me?" There was a plea in that command. " We hear you, Colson. We'll find them." Shutting the door behind him, Rosalie turned on him. "Beau. You know better than to talk like that. That's giving false hope and we both know how dangerous that can be." He thumbed a finger at the door. "The kids hungover and most likely not even going to remember this conversation."

She wasn't pacified as she turned heel, stomping back down the hall. Stepping back out into the fresh air, they both took a moment to just breathe. "I do not intend to step foot back in there anytime soon," she said. "Same here. That air is foul." Walking back to the car, he paused. "We need to make sure the boutique owner is alright. She was really shaken having seen Loraine in that state yesterday." Rosalie drummed her fingers on the hood. "I really shouldn't be but I am surprised at how fast Solei came across her."

"Sometimes I think this town is just her world and the rest of us are just living in it." She laughed. "An accurate depiction. Let's go get that footage." It was a short drive over. Walking in, a bell chimed above their heads. Taking in the place the only apt for to describe it was-colorful. The woman was serious about drawing the eyes. His attention was snagged by the owner coming to greet them. Her smile was wide, her outfit making Beau think boho. "Detective Tanner. Officer Duvall. I'm Linda. Sorry for not properly introducing myself."

"That's perfectly alright. You were in shock. How are you doing now?" Beau asked. Clasping her hands, her smile was still in place. "Much better. Solei sat with me while I cried it out and that helped a great deal. What can I do for you?" Explaining what they were there for, she made no fuss about taking them to the back. "I'll admit. I hadn't thought about the footage. Hopefully there is something that can help. I'll be out on the floor when you're done. Setting them up, she closed the door softly. "I like her," Rosalie said.

Linda's footage was only slightly longer than Brett's. Unlike his, it was in color for which Beau was thankful. They watched it a handful of times before leaving with a copy. "Jeremy is going to be happy to see you." Climbing back in, she glared at him. "You're just as impressed with him as I am. Don't even deny it." Reaching for his belt, she had him there. "Don't tell him that," Beau ordered. Smirking to herself, he turned the key in the ignition. When they got back, Beau sent Rosalie off to hand over the copy. He wanted to meet with the linguist. 

Luckily he was talking with the chief. He was noticed before he had the chance to knock. "Tanner. I would like you to me Ralph Weiss. He has more than twenty years as a linguists." Giving the man a firm shake of his hand, his eyes caught on the few sheets of paper on the desk. "Have you already started taking a look?" Reaching for the top paper, Ralph's brow furrowed. "I'll say this. These...lyrics. They don't require much insight. From what I have read, she is dealing with depression. There are hints of anger in her words as well." 

"Do you get a sense of who she was angry at?" It would really give them the leverage. "Her words could very well be referring to both a man and a woman. That's the most I've been able to make of them so far. There's still plenty hours left in the day. So I'm willing to keep looking them over." Having twenty years of experience, Beau was glad the man didn't find this a waste of his time. "Thank you, Mr. Weiss. It really helps us out." The man left to get back to it.

"How did your conversation with Colson go? I take it you weren't there very long." Thrusting his hands in his pockets, he rocked back on his heels. "He only permitted us fifteen minutes. The kid was hung over and in need of a shower. I'll be shocked if Rita doesn't send him straight home." The chief sighed at hearing this. "If he's in that bad a shape, she will. Working with machinery, she won't risk injury. To anyone. What were you able to get from him?" He put his feet flat on the floor. "He was adamant she would have told her if she had been having trouble with a customer at work. If they had been stalking her, essentially." Which meant that struck out the kidnapper being an ex or a stalker or a family member. The look on the chief's face told him he didn't like where this was leading them. He didn't either. 

Rosalie made her appearance. "Jeremy said he's bumping up Linda's footage to top priority. It should be good to look at by no later than tomorrow morning." The way that guy worked, Beau was on the fast track to owing him a beer and a compliment.