Free The Equalizer by Midge Bubany Page A

they’re good.” He laughed a little. Jack was right. I would not underestimate this man.
    “Sure,” Jack said. “Help yourself. I have to go to the can. I’ll be right back.”
    As soon as Jack left the room I pulled the bag of doughnuts away and said, “Let’s hold off until we’re through.”
    He nodded.
    “So, did you ever confront Kohler about your wife or his secretary?”
    “No. I seen him out at Cadillac Jack’s about a week ago but I dint say nothin’ to him about anything. Didn’t think it was my business.”
    “What night was that?”
    “Actually, it was the night after Lisa’s trouble with him—toward the end of September sometime.”
    “Did you see him talking to anyone that night?”
    “No, he didn’t stay long—dint even have a drink.”
    “Why do you suppose he was out there?”
    “I think he was lookin’ for somebody.”
    “Lisa?”
    “Didn’t seem like it.”
    “Do you have a good marriage?”
    “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
    “Yes, actually it is. I’m entitled to ask you any question that I think necessary to help bring this investigation to a conclusion,” I said.
    Bob shifted in his chair and said, “We’ve been working on our marriage.”
    “Did she go to visit her mother because of that?”
    “Guess so.”
    “Did you ever fight with Peterson or Kohler?”
    “No, sir.”
    Jack walked back in Bob said, “Hey, you ever go out to Jack’s restaurant on rib night? They have the best ribs. Good steaks, too,” said Bob.
    What?
    “That’s quite a commercial, Bob,” Jack said.
    Bob had a real knack for diverting the focus. This behavior was absurd and I was done with Bob and Jack’s tag team.
    “Mr. Brutlag, that’s all I have for now, but I may need to speak with you again,” he said.
    “Anytime,” he said as he grinned. “Maybe I’ll see you out at Jack’s place sometime,” he answered.
    I handed him my card. “Just in case you might remember or hear something that would help with the investigation.”
    I watched Bob walk out of the conference room and signaled for the recording to be terminated.
    “Sheriff, what’s this about Kohler and his secretary?”
    “Cal, first thing you better learn is to sort out facts from hearsay.”
    “You mean about Kohler molesting his secretary?”
    “I talked to Kohler and he said it never happened.”
    Unbelievable. “Like men don’t lie about things like that?”
    “Trust me. Kohler wouldn’t have touched her. He was a real Christian.”
    “Right.”
    “Why did you go at Bob like he’s a suspect?”
    “The person who discovers the body is always a suspect until eliminated.”
    “That what you learned at those classes I paid for? A good investigator intuits who he needs to look at and so far you’re batting zero as far as I’m concerned,” he said and stalked out of the room.
    This investigation was the first time I’d experienced the controlling, demeaning, manipulating side of Jack, and I didn’t like it.
    “Don’t you worry, Bulldog, I can sort out facts from hearsay,” I mumbled as I gathered my things together.
    Jack popped back . “Calvin, I see where you’re going with this. Don’t waste time on Bob or Eleanor Kohler or Ham Fairchild. They aren’t responsible. Period.”
    I said nothing and he left without waiting for my comment. “Okay you figure it out, asshole,” I whispered.
    Every muscle in my body felt tense. I needed a workout so went down to the gym in the basement of the department next to the firing range. I normally run and work out opposite days and had missed a couple. My muscles were complaining. I changed into my sweats and pushed the machines with a vigor that came from pure frustration.
    What the hell was Jack doing? Why did he chastise me for questioning Brutlag as a suspect? Was something else going on? I wanted Ralph’s feedback after he viewed the tape. Regardless of Jack’s opinion about Kohler’s alleged sexual impropriety with Lisa Kelly,