Savage (A Blood Feud Novel)

Chapter Eighteen

Chief Clancy was hunched over his desk sorting through some paperwork Sunday morning when Fraser walked in.

"Chief, I need to speak to you," Fraser said.

Chief Clancy looked up. "I didn't expect to find you here. How's your wife?"

"Sheila's doing okay, sir. She's taking it little by little. The depression is a lot less than it was a month ago," Fraser replied.

"That's good to hear," Chief Clancy said. "What brings you here?"

Fraser took a moment. "Chief, I'm going to quit the squad, at least partially," Fraser said. "I don't have the juices for it anymore. Everything that's happened with Grant and me and Sheila has affected me."

Chief Clancy wasn't sure how to react to that. He feared that the revelations of his affair with Fraser's wife could put Fraser over. The chief and Fraser were just a few years apart in age, but Clancy knew that Fraser wasn't a man to mess with.

"Fraser, you sure you want to do this?" Chief Clancy said. "Are you sure you want to take this step?"

Fraser nodded. "I do. I don't want any part, anymore. I have a sick wife and teenage daughter to worry about. Sheila is getting better bit by bit. The miscarriage hit her hard."

Chief Clancy moved some of the papers around on his desk. He didn't like that Fraser wanted to leave. He sighed and took a breath. He wanted his senior officer to remain, at least for just a while. Fraser was a crazy man, and he wanted him around, where he could watch him.

"What about Grant?" he asked/

"That's not for you to worry about," Fraser said. "But then I don't think anything can be done about it. What was done was done. I don't think I can change him or Sheila back."

"I see," said the Chief. "I'm sorry things have led to this point. We've haven't gone anywhere on Grant's family's murders. Grant is still a potential suspect."

"I'm not surprised," Fraser said. "I never trusted or liked him to begin with."

"Look, he's your half-brother. I've had my doubts about him ever since he joined our squad a few years ago," Chief Clancy said.

"Well, now there's something to be said about that."

"But we aren't sure yet. There's a possibility that the killer is out there. All the motives he could have are not solid, so we have to keep on digging until we find something."

Fraser took his badge from his left pocket. He placed it on the desk in front of Chief Clancy. He turned and left the office.

Chief sat back down in his chair. He stared at the badge for a moment. A few minutes later Officer Brannon came into the office. She sat down in front of the Chief.

"Sir, what are we to do about Grant?" she asked.

"I'm not sure," Chief Clancy said. "I know he's staying at the town hotel. Although we don't have anything to pinpoint him to the murders, I'm not ruling him out as a suspect. I don't believe Fraser was involved in the murders. He was with his wife, Sheila. In fact, you know that Grant had called Fraser over to the crime scene."

"I know," Officer Brannon said. "I think he's trying to use Fraser as a leeway. A way to get out, I guess."

"Maybe, but it's too early to suggest," Chief Clancy said. "I'll have a chat with him tomorrow."

Officer Brannon got up and left the office. Chief Clancy picked up the cordless phone receiver. He dialed Grant's cell number. The call went to the answering machine. Chief Clancy sighed again.

After a few more attempts he placed the receiver back in place. He decidedhe was going to bring an officer along for a visit.