Free Dead Man Running by Barry Davis Page A

whined Jan.
    " And it won't!  Chi, do as I say! "
    Chi nodded, made eye contact with Elias in the rear view mirror.  " Alright.  I'll watch him like a hawk.  I just got to go home and get some stuff. "
    " Make it quick. "

SEVEN
    The next day Fred Jones and Lou Leone, the detectives investigating Bernadette Brinkman's disappearance, knock on the front door of the Wiley residence .  An impatient Jones pushed the ornate doorbell three times .
    " Remember, Fred, this is a c ongressman. "
    " No problem, Lou, I left my plunger and brass knuckles at the station. "
    The older cop looked around warily for video cameras.  "Shaddup, you dope.  They could have you on tape right now threatening a congressman."
    Inside, C hi was in the kitchen when he heard the knocking and doorbell .  He flip ped his grilled cheese sandwich onto a plate then turn ed off the burner.
    Jan c ame in to the room.  The doorbell r ang again.
    " You expecting anybody? " she asked.
    " No.  I don't know who that is ."
    " Do you think we should answer it? "
    " Probably.  Not answering may b e more suspicious than answering.  Where's Wiley? "
    " I have him upstairs in his bedroom. "
    " Good, keep him there until I get rid of whoever's at the door. "
    Chi approache d the door.  He recognized the two detectives through the smoked glass portal.
    " Shit. "  He open ed the door.
    " We were starting to think no one was home ," said Leone .   " Mr. Bright, good to see you again. "  He extended his hand and they sh ook .  Jones and Chi sh ook hands as well.
    Chi had his body not so subtly blocking the doorway.  " How can I help you two.  I told you everything I know about the reporter.  What was her name, Bricker ? "
    "Brinkman, Bernadette Brinkman," replied Jones.  " That's not the only reason we're here.  May we come in? "
    Chi considered his options.  Finally he stepped out of the way.  " Sure, come on in. "
    Chi escort ed the pair into the house.   " Why don't we have a seat in the living room ?"
    " Thanks ," the men said .
    Chi le d the detectives into the living room.  He gesture d for the detectives to take a seat on the sofa.  Chi s at on a nearby love seat.
    " What's going on, detectives?  Why are you here? "
    Said Leone: " Delores Capshaw is making a lot of noise.  She says that someone contacted her office with an allegation that Reverend Wiley is somehow involved in the reporter's disappearance and the incident at the World Affairs Club . "
    " Does she have any proof? "
    "No.  She has very little proof," replied Leone.
    " What she has in abundance are friends.  Those friends in Albany spoke to friends at headquar ters and therefore, we are here," explained Jones.
    " To do what, exactly ?"
    " To interview Reverend Wiley and to search the premises ," replied Leone.
    Chi felt a chill start in his toes and travel up his spine.  " Do you have a warrant? "
    " Do we need one? " asked Jones.
    " Reverend Wiley has nothing to hide. "
    " Is he home? "
    " Yes, he is.  He's upstairs.  I'll go get him. "  Chi stood.
    " Is Mrs. Wiley home? " asked Leone.
    " No.  She's not home.   I believe she went to their home in the Hamptons . "
    "Strange, we had some men check there and the servants said she returned here," said Leone.
    "They obviously lied because she's not here," Chi said.
    " Anyone else here? " asked Jones.
    " Jan Sugerfoot, Reverend Wiley's executive assistant. "
    " We'd like to speak to her as well ," said Jones .   Chi nodded. 
    " I'll go get her and Reverend Wiley. "  Chi fast walked out of the room.  He considered for a moment running out the front door, leaving this entire mess to Jan and Elias but he had second thoughts.  He actually feared for these detectives if he should leave them alone with Jan and that monster called Wiley.
    He turned away from the front door and headed up the stairs.
    In the Wiley bedroom Chi found Wiley dressed and sitting on the bed.  Jan stood next to the zombie , small hand massaging the