Chapter 3: Somewhat Obstructive
Half an hour later, Lieutenant Welsh signaled Ray to come to his office. Fraser followed, and spoke to the detective on their way there.
"By any chance, have you seen Diefenbaker?"
"You're telling me that you can track a guy through the busy downtown streets of Chicago, but you can't track your own wolf who would uh, stand out?"
"Well yes, Ray. That's why I'm asking," the Mountie answered, a bit puzzled.
Kowalski sighed in exasperation and didn't answer.
The two reached Welsh's office and stepped in.
"I just wanted to check on you," the Lieutenant went straight to business. "Your whereabouts, what you've been doing with your time." He stood in silence as he picked up his coffee and took a drink. Realizing that no response was coming, he continued.
"I heard about your vandalism case. What did you find?"
The blonde detective tilted over his head and looked at the Mountie. "I'm sure Fraser would like to explain."
Without disagreement, the Lieutenant nodded Fraser on.
The Mountie told the story in full, but was not as boringly detailed as he usually was.
As his friend finished, Kowalski crossed his arms.
"And when you questioned this Nicholson, did you find anything else?" Welsh asked.
This time Ray answered. "Not really. But he co-operated. Probably 'cause I made him," he smirked. "There was only something about his friend knowing about the incident. Nothing worth looking into."
In that moment, Kowalski purposely turned to Fraser and gave an expectant look. It was like the Mountie to debate whether they should indeed go after Nicholson's friend and question him. But Fraser didn't object.
"Good job, detective. I expect you to go ahead on the next case."
Ray bit his lip and nodded. "Of course, sir."
Fraser and Ray then turned and left the office.
Kowalski pulled out a piece of gum from his pocked. "Ya want some?" he asked Fraser, already anticipating the response.
"Oh no, Ray. I couldn't," Fraser turned down the offer, but not without glancing at the package.
Kowalski snapped his gum in an effortless reply.
Reaching his desk, Ray picked up a random file and sifted through it.
He snapped his gum again, and passed the folder to Fraser, waiting for his comments.
"Sounds reasonable enough. Let's go," the Mountie asserted.
Without a word, Kowalski grabbed his jacket and walked with Fraser out of the station.
"That gum that you have," Fraser noted, "it's called 'Obsidian'?"
"What's it to ya?"
"Well, it's the name of a volcanic glass."
"I see. So why would they call it that?"
"You tell me, Ray. You're the one chewing on lava."
Kowalski just about choked on his gum.
Side note: Yes, a bit short, but more is coming!