Chapter 5

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Detective cooper slid his solid frame into an empty booth just as Winters fire hit the stage. Ordering a beer and burger he flipped though his notes inside the tiny dive bar that sat on the edge of the lake. Rock's was surrounded by high end shops yet the tacky dive bar didn't feel out of place and Cooper wondered how they managed to stay open without being cannibalized by some chain place.

It was early on a Fri night, a week since he had spoken to Jack at his office and yet Cooper couldn't seem to let go of the missing Guitarist or the simple fact that no one seemed bothered by his disappearance. He had been told more than a few times by the Sargent to stop digging and let it go. There was no indication of fowl play and the higher ups were getting annoyed with him.

Sam had split. Simply up and left. Poof gone, as did Thane. Well Detective Cooper wasn't buying it and that's what brought him out to Rock's on a busy Friday night. He sipped his beer and listened to the band play. He had to admit they were good and the crowd they drew were a good mix of younger collage age kids and older adults. He studied the singer as he stalked across the stage, trying to see Jack in the kids features. Rem had spiky blond hair and dark brown eyes. He Had Jack's lips and maybe his bone structure. The drummer, Blaze had his fathers chin and cocky grin. He didn't have any photos of the boys with either parent and wasn't sure if he had any photos of their mother at all.

What he did have was a few band photos of Sam who was also a good looking kid with a strong Jaw line and a penetrating gaze. He chewed his dry burger as he studied his notes. Sam had last been seen at Britt's birthday party on Halloween night. She had hired them the week before and Cooper wanted to know if either of them had known they were half siblings?

He knew he should be working on other cases but this one really bothered him.

" Hey there, Andy. Need another drink? " Katelyn Jade slid into the booth with a couple of beers and a bright smile. " Don't you ever stop working? "

Copper smiled and held up his half full bottle to the young redheaded school librarian. " Yeah when I take a shit. " He noted that she was wearing a black shirt with white lettering. BLS it read across the front. Not a winters fire shirt. Most of the people around the bar had on the same shirts. Some of the townies worried it was a gang but Copper knew better. BLS stood for Black Label Society. A band that made him turn off his radio if it came on in the car. He was a Jazz guy and loved Billy Joel.

" So what brings you out here on a Friday night? Got a date? " She grinned impishly at him.

He couldn't tell if she was flirting or not, probably not since she had no problem getting dates. " How well did you know Sam Fire? " He tried to sound offhanded but her expression told him otherwise. It also told him she was going to lie.

" Sam who? " Her cheeks colored as her eyes moved to the spot on the stage that he would normally have stood.

" You know who I am talking about. " So she had known him intimately, it was all over her pretty face and he had to admit that he was a bit jealous. " Did he go to your school? Do you remember seeing him there before he disappeared? "

" They dropped out once they made their first record. "

" And the las time you saw him did he say anything strange? Act differently? "

" No. We had a fight. "

" About? "

" Another guy. What is this about anyway? " Her brown eyes darkened with deep emotion.

" Did you also know Thane Wolf? "

" Come on Andy. Yes I knew Thane as a student at my school. No I was not sleeping with him. He was gay and you know it. "

" Gay enough not to rape someone? "

" That's bullshit. Thane didn't touch Mia. "

" You know this for a fact? He had a rap sheet longer than the constitution. "

" So maybe Thane killed Sam and split. Ever thought of that, Detective? "

Seeing how upset she was, Cooper drank from the second beer and ordered them another round. " Top of the list. " He grumbled as the band ended their song and came off the stage.

Remmy went right for Kate. Hugging her over the booth. " Hello Detective. Surprised to see you out so late. "

" You can call me, Andy and I was wondering if you had a minute to chat."

" I have enough time to hug my favorite girl and take a leak. " Kissing Kate's cheek he took her beer and went towards the front.

Blaze appeared where Remmy had been. Smiled sweetly at Kate and tipped his hat to Cooper before also vanishing into the crowd.

" Charming. " Cooper muttered as he put a few bills down for a tip.

" They are actually very sweet. " Kate said, getting up from the booth.

" I bet. Just remember that if you think of anything or need anything you have my number. "

" I will keep that in mind. "

He watched her as she rejoined her friends, then left the building. He didn't feel like staying to see if they would speak to him and with his head pounding he really just wanted to get some much needed sleep. He could always go out to their rented cabin after a good night sleep and a decent breakfast. Calling it a night he left the dive bar and headed for home. 

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