Savage (A Blood Feud Novel)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Fraser was at the station several days later. Half of the officers were there, including Grant and the receptionist, an old lady named Arianna Conner. The chatter going around was on the whereabouts of retiring Officer Phillip Coleman.

"Officers," Chief Clancy said. "I'm afraid no one has heard from Coleman since yesterday morning. We have a small group of ours who went to find him this morning."

Chief Clancy looked at Fraser who was as concerned about his friend whereabouts as the other officers.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Officer Brannon finally said. "We've had four brutal murders over the last several months. No one knows who did it and the town is on edge. I'm scared for my life as well."

Fraser glanced at the group. Arianna was holding his hand tightly. She was on edge too.

Officer Sharpe stepped forward, said, "Fraser, when last did you talk with him?"

All eyes were on Fraser. Fraser stared back at Sharpe sympathetically. He resented the young officer. He was aware that he had been picked out now.

"A few days ago," Fraser said. "I had not known about Coleman missing until this morning after Arianna called. I know the paper is going to run a story tomorrow about him missing. That, I don't want to talk about."

It was as if the air in the room had deflated. No word came from the volunteers on Coleman's whereabouts. A minute later the phone inside the Chief's office rang.

Fraser ran to the office and picked up the phone. The rest of the group followed him. Fraser turned. His face had turned pale. Arianna was at a breaking point.

"Fraser, what the hell happened?" Chief Clancy asked.

Fraser swallowed. "That was one of the volunteers on the other end of the line."

Chief Clancy yelled, "Tell us, what the fuck happened with Coleman?"

Fraser swallowed again, slowly placing the receiver on the table then placed his hands on his hips. He glanced down then looked back up and sighed deeply.

He said to the anxious group, "He's gotten a call from a friend in Shelburne, a town two and a half hours west of here. The friend had come across a burnt-out car with a body inside on a side road. An I.D. card with Coleman's name was found a few feet away from the wreckage."

There was stunned silence.

Arianna sunk her head into her hands and broke down. Officers Sharpe, Brannon, and Leary quickly exited the office. Chief Clancy remained where he was standing. He looked ashen.

Fraser slammed his fists on the desk. Arianna was wailing in tears. She had known Phillip Coleman since he was a teenager. Now he was gone.

Fraser shook his head while mumbling something under his breath. He felt weakened.

Chief Clancy left the office. He contacted the priest and asked how the officer could have been targeted for such a senseless killing, but the priest had nothing to give than words of hope. Fraser slowly sat Arianna down and tended to her.

Later that evening, Sheila was sitting on her bed. She had a rosary in one hand and a Bible in the other. She was praying. She didn't pay attention when Fraser checked on her and then went downstairs.

Emily was in the kitchen studying. She looked up when she saw her dad. She smiled at him. Fraser kissed her on her head.

"How's the first week of senior grade?" Fraser asked Emily. "You met any new students?"

"Mum said she wants to leave you," Emily said.

Fraser gave his daughter the 'What the Fuck?' Look. He sat at the table with Emily. Today was a hectic day for him, and the last thing he needed was more burden.

Sheila came in a while later wrapped in a coat. She had dried tears on her face. Emily avoided looking at her.

"I'm sorry about Philip," she said.

Fraser nodded. He and Philip went a long way back.

"Has there been any news on the Tanya and Jessica murders? Grant is no longer a suspect, right?"

Fraser said, "A credible witness provided testimony of a strange vehicle outside the house. Also, someone did see Grant entering his mistress place at the time of the murders. So, yes he's been cleared."

"Do you think whoever killed them also killed Philip?" Sheila asked with raised eyebrow.

Fraser shrugged.

"So, mum, aren't you going to tell Dad you're leaving him?" Emily said.

"Is what Emily said true?" Fraser asked.

Sheila offered no reply.