chapter 15

Chapter 15



When Trevor knocked at Arnie's office door, Arnie jumped up and hurried to open it for him, "What have you been up too? I want to know this minute!" He demanded shaking the report in Trevor's face.

Trevor sat down. he didn't say anything but watched his superior as he sat across the desk. Beads of sweat appeared on Arnie's forehead and he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wiped his face.

"Where did you find all this information? You know I can’t submit this. You know that I can’t file this report. I am taking you off the case.” Arnie blustered, shaking his finger at Trevor.

"I knew you would say that. I figure Jason must have paid you quite a sum over the years to keep quiet or look the other way." Trevor's voice was low and soft, but none the less acusitory.

"That is none of your business." Arnie leaned forward and his voice was a low whisper. "Trevor, I am sorry to point this out. Look at what happened when you bucked the Mob last time. I don't want to lose my family. I will do what I have to in order to maintain my position until I can retire and put this all behind me."

"I am still going to continue to work this case. I think I may have all suspects ready to talk. I need to be on this case for a little while longer. I am so close."

"Too close, Trevor. You’re a good detective and I don’t want to see your name in the obits. What you do on your own time is your business but officialy you are off the case.”

"I don't understand this. It is just some local guy, We can't back down and let them win. We need to show them a strong front here." Trevor argued.

Arnie spoke though clenched teeth, "I won’t explain my action to you or anyone else. Neither will I excuse what I have done. I've come this far and it's too late to back down."

Trevor leaned forward, his expression was tense, "Its never too late. All it takes is one truth and to stick to it." He wanted to grab Arnie by the collar and shake some sense into him.

"Like I said, I am sorry, but this is the position you put me in. Now," Arnie straightened up in his chair. "I see that you are determined to continue, so I am officially going to take you off the case. Stan will handle everything from now on. Like I said; what you do on your own time is up to you, but offically you are off the case. Between you and me. I know you are on the right track, but I can't back you or show any support."

"They win," Trevor spoke low. Arnie looked at him but gave no facial or verbal response, he pointed to the door.

Trevor stood andleaned over the desk, his palms bearing his weight, "Helen identified the two ex-cons as the two who were in the diner at the same time the Stevens' were. They left before Karl did. I don't doubt that was set up. I made the circuit from the diner to the Corbett house and then to the river. It all fits. Karl got to Corbett’s house and the two jumped him, drove the car to the river, where they pushed it in." Trevor was spent, he sat back heavily in the chair.

"You don't have a motive. It is all supposition and you've no proof," Arnie answered quietly.

"Its not and you know it, but you are right about one thing. I don't have solid proof to stand in court," Trevor was too tired to argue.

"I'm not going to authorize any more man power or money to continue the search for this family. It has gone on long enough and if we let it die the media will too, eventually."

"That's it? Another case slotted for the "Unsolved" files," Trevor accused.

"Trevor you're selfish. Think of the officers that you will put in danger if I were to let you pursue this."

Trevor didn't answer. The long time friendship he had with Arnie was ending. There was just no way he wanted to be associated with a dirty cop, no matter how far up the ladder they were.

Trevor was facing the window when he smelled smoke. He turned quickly to see Arnie calmly burning the pages of Trevor's report in the metal trash basket.

"You don't think I'm so stupid as to give you the only copy do you?" He stood and watched the flames die out.

"No, Trevor that's one thing I know, you aren't stupid. This is just a visual reminder of how easy it is to get rid of you and your so called evidence. Remember that."

Trevor didn't bother to shut the door when he left.



Barbara knocked at the closed door and opened it when she heard a muffled, "Come in."

She wasn't aprehisive when she saw his demeanor. She sat down in the chair across from his desk. "Spill it."

He was glaring at the papers, "I went to see the Chief. It seems that he has his position because of his connections. They are telling him what to do. threatening him as they are doing to me. He is close to retirement and I understand he just wants to get out of here and live somewhere else. He was ordered to take me off the case completely. So officially I am. I can do what I want on my own, but not officially. I got a call from Stan. He is scared. He got a call from someone whose voice he didn't recognize and didn't identify himself. The man told him that he was to keep a crew at the Bonneville Dam site looking for bodies. He was not to follow any leads or suggestions I might give him. He told me that I can do what I want as long as it has no connection to him."

Barbara listened, not speaking until he was finished. She was quiet for a moment then leaned forward, speaking low, "Trevor, the clues are there. Do you want to continue with this? Is it worth it? What do you hope to get out of pursuing this search for the Stevens' killer?"

Trevor glared at her, immediately he felt anger at her questions. "Whose side are you on? Is this what you had in mind all the time, to persuade me to stop my investigation? Did someone put you up to this? Become my friend so you can manipulate me?" The last words were harshly spoken, disappointment began to seep in.

She held up her hand to stop the tirade, "Stop! Stop right there Mister! Never in this entire time have I not backed what you and Jake are doing. I am asking you to evaluate your reasons for continuing when you have been pulled off the case. Do you still feel there is enough evidence to make a conviction?" Trevor shook his head. "Then do you think you are going to find the evidence to make a conviction or even find a suspect?" Again Trevor shook his head.

"Then what are you angry about? The Mob? There is nothing you can do there. At the Chief because he pulled you off the case? Now you can do what you want, when you want, and you don't have to report what you find to him or Stan. I don't see the problem here. Do you?" Trevor shook his head, there was a slow grin that began at the corners of his mouth. His eyes were on Barbara. "What are you grinning for?"

"You," Trevor stood and pulled her to her feet. He put his arms around her and hugged her tight. "I needed that. You are the right one to put me in my place. I was sinking in a hole and you pulled me out with your logic." He kissed her.

"I am here for you," She whispered when she could talk. "I think we may have an audience. I know the glass is frosted, but we are still visible."

"I don't care." He gave her a quick kiss and stepped back, putting a little distance between them. "Any time I am acting like a self-obsessed idiot, don't hold anything back. Let me have it."

She opened the door and the sound of furious typing and conversation was heard in the background. "You can be sure of that." She went out leaving the door slightly open.