Crane Creek

Jesse walked directly into the Chief’s office as though he owned it and sat in the Chief’s chair.  Simpson closed the door and began talking.  Whatever Simpson was saying was making Jesse angry.  Periodically, Jesse would look at Chet and then look back at Simpson.

Chief Beard arrived back at the office and joined Simpson and Jesse.  Jesse made no attempt to move from the Chief’s chair.  The three men conversed for a few minutes and then came out of the office.  Jesse walked straight to the door, shot a quick look at Chet, and disappeared.

Chief Beard approached Chet.   “Young man, I drove out to the low water bridge and couldn’t find a body where you said it was.”

“What?” responded Chet.

“There is no body there,” said the Chief.

“There has to be,” insisted Chet, “I saw it with my own eyes.  I pulled it from the pipe.”

“I don’t know what you saw, but it wasn’t a body and there is no proof that a body has been there,” said Beard.

“Maybe the body floated downstream,” said Chet.

“Son, that creek doesn’t have enough flow to move a stick.”

“Chief Beard, I know what I saw,” said Chet.

“Why don’t you go home and just forget about this.  I’m sure it was an honest mistake,” said Beard.

“I’ll go home, but this won’t be the end of it,” stated Chet.

With that Chet left.  He was about to get into his van when he heard a feminine voice.

“Hey, where are you going?   I thought you were going to come by for some coffee.”  Chet looked up and saw Carla.

“I’m getting out of here,” said Chet.

“Well, it won’t hurt to grab some coffee before you go. You’ve got a long trip ahead of you,” said Carla.

Chet thought a minute.  He knew it would be a long trip home.  Coffee would help keep him awake.

“You’re right.  I could use a cup,” said Chet.

Once inside Carla looked at the coffee and decided to make a fresh pot.  “I can’t have you drinking this old stuff,” she said.

“Can you make it quick, I’m in a hurry.”

Carla came over and rested her elbows on the table.  “You look like something’s troubling you.  Do you want to talk about it?” asked Carla.

“No, I’d rather not,” replied Chet.  “If I can have my coffee, I’ll be out of here.”

Coming out of the Police Station, Simpson noted Chet’s van still there and walked down to the diner.  He saw Chet talking with Carla.  He turned and headed back to the station, but not before Carla saw him.

“I think you had better go,” said Carla.

“Why, what’s wrong?” asked Chet.

“Simpson saw you in here and I smell trouble.  Go on, get out.”