The Referral Game

acquit you on the first ballot,” I said. “Until then I’ve got a call to make.”
    I walked to the phone and called the number I knew best. The phone was answered on the second ring. “Give me Captain Woodward,” I said. “It’s an emergency.”

Chapter 11

The Truth

O ne hour later Bill’s body was gone and Paula had been led away in handcuffs. She smiled, blew me a kiss and told me that she loved me as they took her downtown. Maybe she meant it. She was such a good actress I just couldn’t tell. I figured to spend the rest of my life wondering.
    Captain Woodward had personally directed the action, fingerprints, photos, the works. He hadn’t been happy to be called in after the fireworks were over and he let me know it.
    “It was irresponsible Randall,” he said. “You’re a private citizen.”
    “I am that,” I said.
    He thought that over, looking for an insult.
    “I could run you in for this,” he continued. “You’re in trouble any way you look at it.”
    “What’s the charge Captain?” I asked softly.
    Obstructing justice, impeding an investigation, I’ll think of something don’t worry. And I’ll make it stick.”
    “You could, but it wouldn’t be a smart move.”
    “Are you threatening me Randall?”
    “No,” I said. I was getting that tired feeling again. “The department is going to look bad enough on this, what with Bill running this scam right under your nose. If you arrest the guy who figured it all out, then you look even worse.”
    He stared at me and looked around to see if anyone was within listening distance.
    “What are you trying to say?”
    “Just this, if it comes out that you and I were working together then you come out pretty good.”
    “We were working together?” he asked doubtfully.
    “Sure. We both had suspicions from the beginning, but since there was nothing solid you let me sift through things in the background, bring you information until you could file charges. Police officers use confidential sources all the time.”
    “And Vinson’s death?”
    “He felt us closing in and…” I trailed off.
    Woodward mulled it over. “I don’t like it,” he said finally. “I know you don’t like me Randall, but I’m an honest cop. I can’t go along with you on a story like that. I can’t lie in an official record. I’ll take my lumps in the papers and the politicians.”
    “It was just a suggestion,” I said. “Do you want to cuff me now? I suppose I’m in for a few days of county accommodations.”
    He studied me closely. I’m not certain what he was looking for and I don’t know if he found it. The silence grew. We were the only two left in the house. I could hear no street sounds. It was like being in a bottle or maybe a coffin.
    “Why did you come here?” Woodward asked finally. “He might have killed you. Why did you take that chance?”
    “Bill was my partner. I owed him that much.”
    “I think I can understand that. I’m a cop too Randall.”
    He seemed to have more to say, so I waited.
    “Alright Randall, you can go. Keep yourself available and I’ll want you downtown tomorrow morning for a complete statement.”
    “I’ll see you then. By the way, congratulations on cracking the Hanson case.”
    “Just doing my job Randall.”
    “Right,” I said and started for the door. I was almost there when Woodward’s voice stopped.
    “Randall.”
    “Yeah?” I said, turning around.
    You know Frank, I feel the same way about those kids as you do.”
    “Yeah, I know.”
    “I know I came down hard on you, but sometimes I wonder if there’s something wrong with me. How can I go on, bury my feelings and not think about them twenty-four hours a day?”
    “I don’t know the answer Captain.”
    We left the thought hanging in the air and I left the house. It was a partly cloudy day and a breeze was coming up.

    In my office that evening the phone rang. The news about Bill and Paula had broken and the phone had rang for much of the day.
    “Frank Randall,” I said.
    “Hey Randall. I see you had a big day.” It was Jimmy.
    “It was a long day anyhow.”
    “Always the smart crack, that’s what I like about you.”
    “What do you want Jimmy?”
    “This is a follow up call. Don’t you know anything about running a successful business?”
    “I guess not.”
    “You’re supposed to follow up each business transaction with a phone call to make sure the customer is satisfied with the product. That’s how you build repeat