Chapter Two

Audrey saw Nathan put his face on his desk and cover his head with both hands. Oh hell, he's really embarrassed. "Sorry Chief" she said, louder than necessary. "I was just busting Nathan's chops - What's up?"

The Chief strolled into the office, a stack of papers in his hands. "Nathan, I need you to drop these off at Rudy's place and get some supplies when you're there".

"Rudy's place? That's the next town over - what for"?

The Chief gave his son a look of deep frustration. "Town's paying you two jokers to sit in here and horse around - might as well make yourself useful while it's quiet. Anyway, copier's on the fritz and we just blew through the last of the paper. You know your way around over there. You should be able to do what I ask fast enough and get back here without a hassle. Now would you stop arguing with me and get going?"

"and this can't be done in town because...?"

"Nathan!" barked the Chief. Nathan simply crossed his arms in reply, "Would it kill you to do what I ask"? Looking at his son sitting resolutely still. "It's cheaper".

"So... " Said Nathan in a measured voice, as if he was talking to child or someone who had trouble understanding English. "you want me to go 15 miles out of the way to save a few pennies on copies and supplies?" His face flashed in annoyed confusion. "Since when am I the office clerk, ...is Darlene sick? What the hell is this"?

The Chief looked at Nathan for a few seconds, his face held in a neutral vaguely cranky expression. "You know Edna Miller passed last week". "

"Yeah, I heard that" Nathan said spun by the sudden change of topic.

"She left Marlene Anderson that big antique grandfather clock of hers". He sighed. "I ran into Eddie at breakfast. Seems the whole family's coming here to pick it up later this morning."

Nathan swallowed hard, a wary look on his face. "The Andersons"?

"Uh Huh".

"with Nat?"

"Expect so".

Nathan rested his face in both hands, "Shit!"

"Pretty much. yeah"

Audrey noticed that Nathan looked slightly ill. He started to shake his head. "just terrific" he muttered. Standing up, he headed for the doorway and grabbed his coat. "I'm headin' out".

Audrey broke in. "Hey! Could I get a clued in here?"

Nathan looked back towards her but didn't meet her eyes. "I need to take off for a few hours"

"Nathan..."

"I'll be back." He walked out before she had time to get out of her chair

Audrey stared at the doorway. What the hell just happened? She had gotten used to going everywhere with him - it was pretty much assumed that when one left the other would follow. A strange hollow feeling started in her stomach. She stood up and headed after him.

"Whoa there" the Chief said, holding up one hand. "You can't go tearing after Nathan right now".

"Watch me!" She snapped.

"Parker" he said, moving in front of her. "You're not the world's most patient woman." Audrey blinked in surprise. "You could chase him down and spend the next six hours pulling the story out of him word-by-word, or... you could save yourself some hassle and Nathan a killer headache and just go see Duke."

"Duke?" Asked Audrey, confused.

"Yup, shifty fella'... has a boat"

She shot him a dirty look.

Chief Wournos looked at the clock on the wall, took a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth. "He was involved somehow... when they blew up. Don't ask me how - Nathan doesn't talk about stuff like that, especially with me."

Blew up? "Nathan and this... Nat person?"

"Uh huh. Name's Natalie. Hasn't been in town for a few years."

"So... She and Nathan were a couple?"

"Oh Yes. My best guess ... she'll head straight here once they've packed the car".

" ..to see him?"

He gave her the look that sarcastic people always give the the infinitely stupid. He turned and went back into his office, leaving Audrey standing in the middle of the floor lost and confused.