Chapter 9: Relatively Uncooperative
They came up and knocked at Collin's door, avoiding the view of the peephole.
There was no answer. The Mountie, having ears trained as a dog, listened very carefully.
Fraser mouthed to Kowalski. I think he's in there.
The detective nodded, and before Fraser could do anything, Kowalski backed up and took a kick at the door. He grunted in pain.
They could not take back what happened, the noise already alerting Collin. The detective had loosened some of the bolts, which helped.
The Mountie whirled into action, and took a couple more kicks before the door came crashing down.
As if on cue, the two men took a few steps in and suddenly noticed in the far wall of the apartment, a large window that was opened as if someone had escaped.
Kowalski rolled his eyes as this happened time and time again. Without a word, he turned around and ran down the stairs, heading for outside.
Fraser, on the other hand, followed Collin's route through the window and came down a few ladders and stairs, which landed into a parking lot.
He quickly looked all directions when noticed a flash of a movement around a corner up ahead to his left.
Ray was already on Collin's tail as he dashed to the front of the building and headed left.
The Mountie decided to try and cut him off in a different direction, and turned 360 degrees, going behind different buildings and properties. He cut across lawns and (surprisingly) jumped over a couple white picket fences, almost landed on a black cat, and excused himself while cutting through a woman's reading club meeting.
The detective was catching up with Nicholson, bit by bit, as his determination was pumping his adrenaline. He followed him up an alley to an open field: Chicago's Park District.
It was obvious to Collin that the open space would make it easier for Kowalski and Fraser to spot him and finally catch him. But he felt he had no choice but to keep running.
Kowalski tried out another strategy, one that should have been used from the start. "Stop, or I'll shoot!" He shouted, still pacing behind Nicholson and drawing out his gun.
By now, Fraser was halfway into the park, coming in from the left. He accelerated, as if going to charge straight into Collin.
The detective noticed the Mountie, and for more warning, shot a couple bullets into the air.
Collin seemed panicked, but didn't give up his speed.
"It's about your sister, Jenna!" The Mountie shouted, using another strategy: one of psychology.
Collin finally stopped, out of breath. A few seconds later, he put his hands up and turned around apprehensively.
The two law officials caught up, Ray's gun still being on him. "You gonna stop running?"
The Mountie tried to give Collin a reassuring look to tell him it was in his best interest.
Still heavily breathing, he nodded.
Kowalski placed his gun back into his jacket.
Meanwhile, Collin put his uplifted hands down, slightly leaning over to catch himself. He was very pale, contrasting against his very dark hair. The stress from the last few weeks was finally taking a toll on him.
"You have a lot of explaining to do," Ray announced. "So you wanna talk here, or down at the station?"
Collin didn't answer, so Ray assumed where they were would be fine. "Okay, so, you play baseball much?"
"What?" Collin looked up, dumbfounded.
"You heard me. Do you play?"
"Uh, no. I'm not into sports."
"Could you decipher why you purchased a baseball bat on March 22nd?" Fraser asked.
"Baseball bat? What is this!" Collin exclaimed. When none of the other two men let up, he sighed and continued. "I remember now. Yeah, I bought something from some sport store, but it wasn't for me."
"Were you instructed to?"
Collin looked away from Fraser and sighed again.
"Look, if you wanna protect your sister, you're better off trusting us than Dan," Ray declared.
The troubled individual lifted his head and decided that Ray had a point. He didn't bother asking how they knew. "I guess things couldn't get any worse," he laughed bitterly. "Dan told me to buy it, but I think it was Michael's idea. Michael is-"
"We know, uh, thanks," the detective cut him off.
"Did they use it to brutally harm other people for information?" The Mountie queried.
"Probably."
Fraser gave a slight nod, and turned his focus on Kowalski. "I think we may be onto the real story."