CHAPTER 3
I STEPPED INTO the hallway with Rob Trilling.
He definitely had my attention. Before he said anything, I heard someone call my name.
I glanced down the hallway and saw Sergeant Paul Lester lumbering toward me.
His hair was a mass of gray and black swiped to one side.
Even after twenty years on the force, he looked like a pro wrestler, with a wide chest and thick arms.
I said, “I figured I’d see you around here somewhere.”
“I remember when you used to work with us in the field. You were a hell of a hostage negotiator, Mike. I guess now you just wander onto scenes once they’re safe.”
“I’m glad I never let you talk me into joining the Bomb Squad. I don’t look good in those thick padded suits.”
“You don’t look that good in tailored suits either.”
We shared a laugh, and I introduced Lester to Trilling. It was clear my partner was antsy to talk to me privately.
Lester said, “It’s probably not related, but I just got a call that someone burglarized Picatinny Arsenal over in Jersey. I heard they took some C-4 and black powder the CO used for hunting. You might want to look into it.”
“Thanks, Paul. I’ll see how my day unfolds.” I made it sound casual, but it was something I couldn’t ignore.
Finally, I turned my attention to Trilling. “What’s up?”
He was momentarily hesitant to speak, then said, “I hate to ask this, because I don’t want to leave you shorthanded, but I was wondering if I could take some time off.”
“Everything okay?”
Trilling looked down at the floor, kicking a piece of debris that had found its way into the corridor. Then he looked up at me and said, “It’s a family problem back home. My brother needs help with his business.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
Trilling shrugged. “My brother, Gary, runs a car lot outside of Bozeman. My grandfather started it. Someone is trying to buy it, and Pops is adamant about not selling. My brother is a little freaked out by the guy trying to buy it.”
“Sure, you can take some time. I hope it all works out. Don’t worry about this case.
The Bomb Squad and Sergeant Lester are top shelf.
He’ll bust my balls, but he’s really sharp and will help out any way I need.
” I paused, foolishly thinking Trilling would say something else.
To fill the silence, I said, “When was the last time you took some time off?”
“Not counting suspensions, I haven’t taken any time off since I came on the PD almost two years ago.
” He gave me a sly smile. “It’s probably nothing too serious.
But the car lot is in a little town my great-grandfather incorporated back in the fifties.
He named it Palm Island just because he wanted to see the look on people’s faces when they found out it wasn’t an island and there were no palm trees. ”
I chuckled. “Sounds like your great-grandfather had a sense of humor.”
“And a pretty good business sense. The town now has a handful of establishments, including my brother’s car lot, a water tower, and a few dozen residents.”
“Maybe it’ll be a new Manhattan one day.”
“I know that’s a joke, but to the people in the area, that’s the one thing they don’t want. With all the Californians moving into Montana, the locals hate the idea of urban sprawl.”
I patted Trilling on the shoulder and said, “Go.”