CHAPTER XXII: JOHNNY FREE

For two solid days, Rob and Doug kept hammering at Johnny Chase. Long sessions with his public defender present whenever he was questioned. He was asked over and over about the murders, and both detectives wanted to see if he stuck to a consistent story. He did and he didn't. He stayed clammed up and as frustrating as that was there wasn't much they could do about it. Jason the PD didn't have to do much since Johnny refused to talk...and finally, Rob came back into the office and told us he was going to have to release Johnny. They could only hold him for 48 hours without charging him with something and they didn't have evidence to do so. None. Zilch.

"My God. You don't want to do that do you?"
"No, I do not..but I don't have a choice. The law is clear on this point," and of course I knew that.

So, about an hour later Johnny was set free...to do only God knows...what. who knew? Maybe even he didn't, but one thing I did know. He would be in a mood most foul and that could trigger actions that otherwise...but then. He seemed to us and to Katie to be beyond being able to control his emotions any longer. That made him totally dangerous and beyond that very very unpredictable. Except maybe not in the sense that he would kill again? But as Rob said, we could suspect all we want but until we have hard evidence and can prove our suspicions, suspicions do not a hard case make. Drat.

Frustrated as he was, Rob didn't oversee his release, letting Doug do it instead. I couldn't blame him. But, again, now what I wondered...and of course nobody knew the answer to that.

I told Katie what was going on and expected she would want to see him again...but she said no. There was nothing she could do to help him now and I nodded. I understood sort of and didn't envy her at this moment. Johnny knew she was at the Precinct but never once asked to see her. Guilt? Shame? He didn't seem the type. But what else? Again, no clue.

We spent the next hour writing reports and me filing one for the station, and then we all headed home. Getting there I headed for the kitchen and Drew followed. He has taken to helping me cook for the troops and to be honest he is very good at it. One night I asked if he had ever thought about Culinary as an avocation and he just laughed no, and so that was that...but I always appreciate his help and he is always good for a laugh and other times he can be quite thought provoking. Quite different from his twin Dylan when apart...together is another matter.

I set about getting stuff out of the frig and he set about preparing to make a tossed salad and prep the potatoes. Suddenly, he stopped and grabbed my arm.
"Dylan?"
"Yeah?"
"You think that maybe the four of us ought to start staking out "Night Moves" and the restaurant? We could get Courtlandt and Anthony Jay to help too...and maybe couple of other guys I know."
"You're too young."
"Not if we are on 'official business', and Rob makes it happen."
He had a point, and I said we should ask Robbie and see what he thinks.

"Dylan and I know a TON of gay dudes and they will all want to help I know. This is getting too personal."

I stopped and just looked at him and God how I wanted to ask...but decided if he wanted to tell me he would. If not none of my business.

"Yeh, ok. I think he will like the idea."
Hmmm...perhaps, lol.

We had no more than sat down to eat when the phone rang and fearing it was Rob's duty officer I cringed but actually it was for me, the station...and I told my anchorman, Rick Williamson hello. Seems he thought I should do an update on our ongong crime spree for the 11pm news and after seeing Rob and the twins nodding I said we would come down after we finished dinner and he said kewl and hung up.

Never a dull moment.

CONTINUE TO CHAPTER XXIII: