Shakespeare, Mark Twain, and Me

Chapter 01

On a Friday night in August, just a few minutes shy of midnight, a blue Chevrolet Blazer crossed over Lake Estes, and entered the town of Estes Park, Colorado. The occupants of that vehicle were the Chief of Police, Spencer Blackfeather, and his wife Colleen. Spencer and Colleen were returning from Boulder, Colorado, where they had celebrated their second wedding anniversary with a quiet dinner, and a movie.

* * *

In her home on Aspen Avenue, Nancy Browning stepped out of the shower, dried off, then slipped into a robe. Nancy was the Assistant Police Chief and this Friday had been a fifteen hour day from hell. All she wanted now, was a good night's rest, and a peaceful week-end. After tossing back the last of a small glass of wine, Nancy slipped out of her robe, took a quick peek out the window to be sure everything was as it should be, then crawled into bed. Being well beyond exhausted, she was fast asleep in in less than two minutes.

* * *

At the same time Nancy was getting ready for bed, just two blocks away, Carol Burnes was roaming her apartment as she struggled to stay awake. Carol was a patrol officer on the Estes Park police force. Having worked for Spencer when he was the Chief of Police in Sheridan, Montana, she had been friends with him longer than anyone in Estes Park. Tonight, despite her best efforts to avoid it, Carol was actively clock watching. The reason was simple. She was expecting Brad to call at one A.M.

Brad, was Brad Grant. Three months had passed since their first meeting. Before deploying with his New Jersey National Guard Unit, Brad had come to Colorado to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. On his second day in Estes Park, Carol pulled him over for speeding. Somehow or another, she never got around to writing that ticket. Instead, she found herself having supper with Brad after work that evening. It had been a whirlwind four day romance, and Carol still hadn't caught her breath. Since most of his unit's assignments were classified, Brad insisted that he couldn't tell her where he was going, but he had promised to email her regularly.

Since Brad left, Carol had missed him dearly, and had finally admitted to her best friend, Nancy Browning, that she was secretly afraid that with time and distance now involved, Brad might forget her. As it turned out, her fears were unfounded. To her surprise, Brad's emails had come even more often than she'd dreamed possible. In his last email, Brad said that if it were possible, he would call her this Saturday morning at one A.M., Colorado time. Carol understood that military demands might make that call impossible, but win, lose, or draw, she was determined to stay awake, just in case.

* * *

When Spencer and Colleen reached their home on Aspen Avenue, Spencer turned the Blazer into the driveway, shut off the engine, reached into the console, pulled out his holstered pistol, then slipped it onto his belt. Before he could reach for the door handle, Colleen was halfway out the passenger side door, laughing and yelling.

Last one inside, makes breakfast in the morning.

You're on, Spencer shouted, as he jumped out the door.

They raced down the sidewalk in the direction of their front porch, laughing like two love struck teenagers, as they each tried to trip the other. Then, the silence of the late night was shattered by the sound of gunfire.

* * *

Nancy Browning had been asleep for no more than half an hour, when the ring tone from her cell phone ruined her plans for a long night's rest. Not again, she grumbled. As second in command on the Estes Park Police Force, In case of a serious problem at night, or on week-ends, Nancy was normally the first to be called. Once she had the facts, she would then decide whether or not Spencer would needed to be notified. Her fingers fumbled around on the nightstand until she found the phone. The caller was Clyde Fairchild, her most senior patrolman on the evening shift.

Clyde, if this isn't important, I'm going to get dressed, drive over there, and shoot you.

Fairchild wasted no words. Nancy, you need to get to the hospital right now. I'm at Spencer and Colleen's place. They've both been shot. The ambulance is leaving for the hospital as we speak. I'll meet you there.

For a few seconds, Nancy couldn't even breathe. A hundred questions, and numerous awful possibilities filled her mind. Then, her training and experience kicked in.

Get two people out there protecting the crime scene, she ordered. Tell whoever you assign, that if I find anybody has disturbed the crime scene when I get there in the morning, I'll have their ass. Got that?

All ready done, he answered. I pulled Stan and Ted off patrol with orders to not let anybody on the property without your approval. And I gave them a much more descriptive explanation as to what would happen if they screwed this up.

Relieved that the shooting scene would still be intact for her to go over in the morning, she declared. Good work, Clyde. I'll be out the door in two minutes. Call Carol right now. Tell her I'll pick her up on the way.

* * *

Clyde was waiting when Nancy and Carol rushed through the door to the Emergency Room. Before they could ask, Clyde told them that a team of doctors was still working on Spencer, and that the only thing the head nurse would tell him, was that Spencer was in serious trouble.

Carol grabbed Clyde by the arm. What about Colleen?

Clyde dropped his eyes for just a second, then looked up, and spoke softly to them both.

Colleen was pronounced on arrival.

Chapter 02

Both Nancy and Carol were close friends with Colleen. In fact, they had both been bridesmaids in her wedding. The news of her death hit them hard. Still, both had been police officers long enough that they were professionally prepared for bad news. Their grief would have to be dealt with later. At this moment, Spencer was fighting for his life, and Colleen's killer or killers had to be identified and caught. Nancy took, and released a deep breath, then made another inquiry.

Clyde, what can you tell me at this point?

Almost nothing, he replied. I'd say at least two shooters, maybe more. Won't be able to tell for sure until we can look the scene over after daylight. Both Spencer and Colleen had multiple wounds. It looked to me like Spencer was hit three times. I saw at least three bullet wounds on Colleen, maybe more.

Spencer had been in combat while in the military, and had gone to war against some heavy crime figures during his time as a lawman. That he might have been ambushed without his at least getting off a few shots in return, was hard for Nancy to imagine.

Any sign that Spencer might have hit any of the shooters?

No. It looked like a cold ambush. The Chief's weapon was still in his holster.

Has the Mayor been notified?

No. I figured you should decide on that. There really isn't anything he can do tonight.

No, there isn't, she agreed. However, Chappy and Spencer are friends. More than that, they both served in the Corps. Different eras, but, once a Marine, always a Marine. I'd better call him.

Carol grabbed Nancy's arm. Never mind. I'll call him. I've got to do something before I lose my mind.

Nancy watched as Carol took her cell phone from her purse, then walked across the room to call the Mayor in private. Suddenly, Nancy's hand went to her mouth. Has Colleen's mother been told yet?

Clyde said, I called Fred and Herschel, gave them the bare facts, and told them to meet up and notify her. They should be there just about now. Lousy part of the job.

Nancy grimaced. It sucks, but it's part of what we do. Better than the next of kin getting an email.

* * *

Two hours later, the nurse led them into a room where the doctor was already waiting. The Mayor, Ward (Chappy) Chappel, had joined them by then. The doctor motioned for them all to sit down.

I'm Doctor Underwood. I'm afraid there's not much I can tell you at this point. Chief Blackfeather is still alive. If he can hang on for another forty eight hours, he has a chance. I have to be honest. Nobody should get their hopes up. I'm sorry. Wish I had better news. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get back in there.

Watching the doctor walk down the hall, Nancy took a deep breath to steady herself, then turned to face Carol.

Until further notice, I want two officers at the door of any room Spencer is in. One in uniform, one in plain clothes. The officer in uniform is to wear body armor. If the plain clothes officer wears clothing that can hide evidence of body armor, they should do so. If these bastards weren't afraid to ambush them at their home, they damn sure won't be afraid to finish the job here.

* * *

By the evening of the third day, Spencer's condition had began to improve. When at last he came to and asked about his wife, the nurses pleaded ignorance. He didn't argue, but insisted that someone call Nancy Browning to the hospital. Fifteen minutes later, when Nancy entered his room, Spencer turned his distressed eyes in her direction, and asked a single question.

Colleen?

Nancy looked at the nurses, and motioned for them to get out. They quickly left and closed the door behind them. Nancy took Spencer by the hand, and tried to gather her strength.

I'm sorry Spencer. Colleen didn't make it.

He stared without expression for a full minute, then turned, buried his face in the pillow and cried. Nancy put her arm around him, with her face touching the back of his neck, and matched him tear for tear.

Chapter 03

It had been raining in Seattle for three days. Staring out the window, Lane Tanner was feeling pretty good about the fact that he would soon be on a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina. The most recent forecast for that area, was for constant sunshine over the next two weeks. His eager anticipation was interrupted when his secretary walked into his office. Part of Crystal's job often involved bringing him news he wouldn't want to hear. The fact that she was very good at her job, had a quick wit, a beautiful face, and excellent legs, sometimes made hearing bad news a little easier to take.

Excuse me Lane, there is a Nancy Browning standing outside. She insists on seeing you right away.

Did you explain to her that I have one foot out the door to go bask in all day Carolina sunshine? He couldn't imagine anything important enough to stand in his way of getting away from the last last three weeks of steady rainfall.

Yes sir. She simply says that she must see you now.

Every time Crystal called Lane sir, he laughed inside. In the office, she insisted on following what she considered to be business protocol. After working hours, she loved to give him a hard time. If he said or did something to tick her off, she could, and often did, call him many things. None of them were Sir.

Look, tell her that I simply do not have the time today. I'll be glad to see her as soon as I get back in town.

Crystal smiled, said, Yes Sir, turned and left.

For the fourth time that morning, Lane checked to be sure he had his ticket. He was doing a mental inventory of what else he might forget to take, when Crystal walked back in. She didn't look quite as confident as before.

I'm sorry Sir, but Miss Browning insists that I tell you that it's in regards to a Spencer Blackfeather.

The airplane tickets were in Lane's hand, and it was time to leave for the airport. Instead, he opened his top desk drawer, dropped the tickets inside, slid the drawer closed, then said, Send her in.

Stunned, Crystal replied. But you need to leave now to catch your flight. The CEO of Jenkins Enterprises is expecting you.

Send her in, Crystal.

She'd heard that tone in his voice before. The look she gave him expressed both disapproval and obedience, then she left to follow his instructions.

A few seconds later, a very poised and attractive woman walked in. Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Tanner. My name is Nancy Browning. I'm here on behalf of Spencer Blackfeather. I think you know him?

"Yes, I do. Please have a seat Nancy. Tell me what this is about.

She sat down in one of the chairs in front of Lane's desk, then crossed her legs. From a lifetime devoted to girl watching, Lane knew great legs when he saw them. Nancy had great legs.

Ignoring Lane's lustful eyes, Nancy wasted no time in getting to the point. At the moment, I'm filling in for Spencer as the Chief of Police in Estes Park. Spencer has been shot. He and his wife Colleen were ambushed at their home. She was killed.

For Lane Tanner, that news was like a punch in the gut. He looked up at the ceiling then slammed his fist down on the desk.

Damn it! Spencer's first wife was murdered also. Her name was Samantha.

Nancy shook her head. Yes, I know.

Lane asked with a heavy heart, How's he doing?