The Key Jangler

Chief Brown

Police Officer James Brown, a 27-year-old rookie cop sat in his patrol car outside of the college dorms on a Friday night. He could hear the sound of  Morgan's band practicing somewhere inside the dorm building. James started to get a bit hungry and thought about leaving to go get something to eat. He then thought of his duty to "protect" Morgan and decided against it. Any bad decisions would get him in trouble with his father who is also the Chief of Police. It would bring him even more trouble if the Chief knew that he was dating a student who is close friends with Morgan.

James pulled out his phone and texted her anyway. Her name was Taylor, like Swift - 21 and ready for fun.

Soon she was heading downstairs and leaning into his patrol car window. She brought food.

"Hi, James! I got some leftover donuts ha-ha and some coffee from the conference room." James felt like the luckiest guy in the world. "Thank you, Taylor." "You're welcome, Officer James." She giggled to herself, twirling her hair.

"So what are you up to tomorrow?" This question was genuine but also a tactic to keep tabs on Morgan. For the past week, she'd been successfully avoiding James and any inquiries by the authorities into the death of Sabrina. James knew Morgan was innocent but the Chief didn't seem convinced. James chalked it up to getting older. He figured that one day he'd be Chief and would be able to run the department properly.

"Oh, we're all getting ready for the concert at the end of the semester, it's gonna be huge so it needs a lot of planning," Taylor answered.
"What concert?"
"The concert Morgan is hosting in the woods next to campus. You haven't seen the flyers have you? Hold on I think I have one in my purse" Taylor handed off the flyer. "She'll also be headlining with her band Crystal Shit, see?"

Before James could get a look at the flyer he heard sirens behind him. He instinctually glanced in his rearview mirror and was spooked because he recognized it was the Chief's patrol car.

James composed himself, got out of his car, and approached with his hands up mockingly with a smile on his face. The car door opened and the Chief of Police Jim Brown stepped out and hugged his son.

"What are you doing out here? Aren't you supposed to be at the station?" Officer James asked the Chief.
Chief Brown replied, "Just checking in, seeing how things are going. So, do you have any updates?"
The Chief paused and looked over at Taylor "Wait, who's the young lady? You guys dating? ha-ha." He said jokingly.

Taylor blurted out before James could say a word, "Omg, I finally get to meet your dad! I can't believe this is happening ha-ha!"

"What the fuck James? You do realize this woman is friends with our lead person of interest?"

"Morgan is innocent, dad! C'mon, we've been over this already!"

"Don't give me that crap, she was the last one to see Sabrina alive and is more than capable of overpowering that poor girl! She was only 18! Had her whole life ahead of her. Snuffed out by some satanic witch and her freak cult friends!

"Brad is her boyfriend, he's the quarterback of the football team. You're calling him a freak in a cult?"

"Enough! I don't want you on this case!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!? That's it huh?

"That's it."

"I'll see you at work tomorrow morning."

James stood and watched as The Chief got in his car and drove off into the night.