Wright In Danger

Chapter Twenty Two

He had been in and out of sleep throughout the remainder of the night. When he woke for the day, it was a moment before he had gotten from bed. Scrubbing hands over his face, he went to make coffee before anything else. Once it got going, he went to shower, shave and change. As much as he didn't want to face the day, he had no choice. The only upside to it was getting to stop in and talk with Loraine. Hopefully she had managed more sleep than he had. Rinsing his face of any remnants of shaving cream, he patted his face dry.

Dressing quickly, he needed that first hit of coffee. Pouring, he filled the mug nearly to the rim. He'd only managed a single sip when his phone went off with an incoming text. Picking it up he read Rosalie's message. The chief was currently trying to get Colson to talk and some new vans had already arrived. She went on to ask him how he was faring. His reply was simple and straightforward. Been better. Leaving it at that, he stuffed the phone in his pocket. His mind was now on Colson. Would the chief be successful in getting him to talk?

They couldn't afford to press him too hard and risk him clamming up. At the same time... His free hand flexed with impatience. At least he hadn't gone home. He knew the guy would have drank far worse than when Allison had been missing. He might have even hightailed it out of town. Taking the time he needed to finish his coffee, he palmed his keys, heading for his truck. The sky was heavy with clouds that threatened rain. It was fitting with what was going on. He only hoped it held off long enough for them to get through the press conference.

Pulling into the lot, he immediately spotted Ina. It wouldn't surprise him if she'd pulled an all night-er. Parking, he climbed out, making haste to the steps. Even with the little sleep he'd got, he still managed to take the steps two at a time, no problem. Making his way inside, he'd been right about the phones. Their ringing assaulted his ears, making him wince. Walking over to Rosalie's desk, she was just putting down her own phone. Sighing, she propped her chin on her fist. "It's been like this since I walked in."

He believed her. "Why did you come in so early?" They usually arrived at the same time. She shrugged. "I knew it was going to be crazy in here. So I figured I'd come in and help out. I'm shocked at how people are talking to me." She really shouldn't be, he thought. In a small town where they've yet to have experienced a kidnapping, let alone a murder in the same week, their demands for answers came from the protectiveness they held for their hometown. "Is everyone here on the same page with what to say?" If they weren't, it would make for a disastrous mess of phone tag. "Yeah. The chief told us what to say and not deviate."

At the mention of him, she turned her eyes to  his office. Prompting him to do the same. "Has Colson mentioned leaving yet?" He didn't expect he guy to stay much longer after having spent the night. She shook her head. Chief hasn't come out yet. Though he'll need to soon. No doubt the mayor is about to make his appearance. Everyone knew you didn't keep him waiting. He went to his own desk to take some calls. It seemed as soon as soon as he announced himself, the anger erupted. 

It was enough to make him pinch the bridge of his nose and tell himself to remain calm. He stopped answering after the fifth call. Not out of avoidance but because the may had arrived at the same time, the chief came from his office. Beau got to his feet, the mayor's expression was flat while he only gave him a terse nod. It made Beau wonder if the man was upset that he had to yet again get in front of the camera's. This time with worse news. 

The thought had Beau grinding his molars. Rosalie came to stand beside him, both of them watching the two men converse. "That guy is a piece of work," she said." At this moment, Beau agreed with her. "He blames me. That much is clear. I didn't pass the mark." Having said it out loud, he wasn't sure how he felt about it. If he cared for the mans opinion. "I'm glad you're not speaking. I couldn't bear watching the vultures pick you apart." Glancing at her, his smile was brief. "Ina is going to be disappointed. I'm glad she didn't try and pull anything last night."

She scoffed. "Guess she's smarter in that sense than we give her credit for." The two men headed back to the door, the mayor still talking while the chief listened with furrowed brows. There would be emphasis that they had this under control and the killer would be apprehended. Sharing a look, Beau and Rosalie fell into step behind them. Once they hit the steps, the vultures were getting themselves into position. Seemingly unable to help himself, he sought Ina out. She was front and center. Exactly where he'd expected to find her. He wondered if the others around knew that was her self designated spot. Or if there was a pecking order. Maybe it was a bit of both.

Standing off to the side, he watched her brows bunch in confusion. He kept his expression flat, unreadable. Her gaze lingered only a few seconds longer before flicking back to the chief as he settled himself at the podium. As the chief began to talk, he was listening, until he wasn't, really. The chief answered questions, longer than when Allison went missing. It was paramount all the biggest questions get some type of answer. The mayor wrapped it up. Not as neat and tidy as he probably should but it was done. 

Beau could practically feel Ina's inner war to take the steps and get the answers she wanted from him. He ignored her as he made his way back inside. The mayor would leave out another way. Beau's focus was Loraine. He wanted to see her. Unfortunately, she would have to wait a bit longer. There was still the matter of Colson and getting him to talk. He would give the chief more time with him before he came knocking. Turning his eyes on the man, he watched him enter his office, turn his head and freeze. 

Not good. The hairs at his neck stood at attention. Watching, the chief raised both hands, backing up slowly. Seeing the pocket knife in Colson's hands as he directed him to the middle of the floor, all eyes turned. Beau could see some of the officers start to reach for their firearms. Colson was aware of the situation he'd just put himself in as his eyes flicked from one direction to another. He could very well be trying to get himself killed, his grief having grown to this magnitude. 

The way the chief was looking at him wasn't fear. It was calculating. They needed to talk him down and get control of the situation. The guy had just earned himself a pair of cuffs. Stopping, his breathing was hard, his hands shaking on the hold of his knife. "You failed. All of you...failed. My sister is dead and you're all to blame. What do you have to say to that!" His demand came out an anguished wail. The chief didn't take his eyes off him. Meeting his gaze, he kept his hands up. "Saying sorry won't bring her back..."

"No! It won't! You didn't look hard enough! She shouldn't have had to die!" The tension in the room was palpable. Some of the officers edging closer. Not good. Taking a breath, Beau slowly made his way closer. They needed to get the knife out of his hands. Stopping beside the chief, those eyes filled with so much pain burned into him. "What about you? What do you have to say...detective?" His title came out on a sarcastic bite. "Is this what you really need right now? To make a scene when you could be making funeral arrangements for Allison?"

He bared his teeth a moment before swallowing hard. "Don't! You make me sick. All of you...make me sick." As he was about to say something more, he didn't get the chance when two officers jumped Colson, taking him to the ground. The chief was on him too, prying the knife from his hand while they worked the cuffs on him. When he was secured and lifted to his feet, there was nothing but anger from him. "A bunch of failures. All of you!" The chief waved the other two away as he propelled Colson to the interrogation room. No more Mr. Nice Guy.