Chapter 10: Close to the Catch
Nicholson finally filled in more details regarding Dan and Michael. They had driven to a very abandoned spot outside of the city and were sitting in Ray's car.
In summary, the detective and Mountie already knew most of what Collin had finally told them, but there was one common factor that all three of them did not know. What specific information Dan and Michael wanted, and why it was so important.
At this point, everyone was in their own thoughts. Right before the next move could be calculated, Fraser broke the silence.
"That vehicle you were driving – it isn't yours, is it?"
Collin shook his head. "Nah. Dan got a message to me, and I drove it."
You could almost see the wheels turning in the Mountie's brain. "So it was left for you."
Collin just nodded.
"Okay, Fraser, what are you thinking?" Ray emphasized.
"Well, I was contemplating that it could be possible that Dan could have set it up so the police, namely us, would follow Collin and perhaps get him in deeper trouble." The Mountie slightly shook his head. "But not likely because it ultimately led to Dan himself."
At this, Collin mumbled, "I wouldn't put it past him." Straightening up, he sighed. "My question now, is what are we going to do?"
Ray put his chin in his hand. "The only real way to find out what's going on is for you to go back in and find out."
Taken aback, Collin blinked. "Me? You can't be serious. Dan said I'm not needed anymore. Anyways, I can't put on an act to save my life."
"He's right, Ray," Fraser chimed in.
Kowalski sighed again and stared at the ceiling of his car. A moment later, he spoke. "Maybe we do this the slow way. Pick up clues we already have."
Surprised at the detective's idea, the Mountie said, "Good thinking, Ray. Collect more evidence and speculate on some scenarios." He turned to Collin. "There is probably something else you know that you just don't remember at the moment."
Feeling even more tired than before, Nicholson placed a hand on his head. "I don't think so. I told you as much as I could."
"Well, that ain't good enough. Let's start over," Ray said as a matter-of-fact.
Nicholson groaned. "We're not going to go through everything again!"
"He's right, Ray," Fraser said for the second time.
"He's right, Ray," Kowalski imitated, slightly annoyed. "Well, I'm right too sometimes Fraser…actually, more than sometimes-"
"Can we just get on with it!" Collin said, exasperated.
"In this case, the quality of our questions may serve more well then a quantity of them," the Mountie stated.
The detective sat back and smirked. He couldn't wait to see what kind of questioning techniques the Mountie would use. I wonder if he'll try to hypnotize again, he thought humorously.
"Now Collin, do you remember if Dan has communicated with someone outside of his circle in the last few weeks?"
Kowalski shook his head and closed his eyes, leaning down farther into his seat. This was going to be a snooze-fest.
"Think very carefully," the Mountie prodded on.
"That's right, Fraser. Because we wouldn't want him to think spontaneously and remember something," the detective said easily, without opening his eyes.
Fraser ignored the comment. He focused on Collin.
Collin focused on him. It was almost as if he had a clearer mind when concentrating on something.
Some time passed. The silence was deafening.
"Grant Park!" Collin suddenly said.
Ray's eyes popped open. "Huh?"
"Grant Park, Ray. It's on a road just off of Lake-"
"Michigan. It's coming to me."
"And precisely northeast of Chinatown."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Ray continued.
Collin grew more confident by the second. "I remember! I overheard Dan talking on his cell phone one day when I was to meet him." Nicholson took a breath. "He ended the call real quick when he saw I was there, stepped out of the shadows into the light and warned me to never do that again. But I heard some of his words…like, 'Grant Park', '31'.
"Thirty-one? What, like 'tree' number thirty-one?" Ray asked sarcastically.
"Thirty-one is probably not referring to a tree," Fraser corrected the detective.
Kowalski made a show of dramatically dropping his head down.
"Thirty-one could be a number of things, like-"
"I know, I know. A license plate number, an I.D., a secret code, the number of apples to bring, yada yada. Let's drop Collin off someplace safe and get to the station to find out more about this park."
Everyone in agreement, Ray turned the car to head back into the city.
"Apples?" Nicholson questioned. "Why would you think that?"
Ray slowly turned his head. "I think you've been spending too much time with Fraser."