Ch. 8: Words of Wisdom

Chief Beatcom sat in his office, looking at the number Kayla had given him. Ted Dalson's work number, written in Kayla's even script, seemed to challenge the police chief to call it and confirm what Kayla had said about her family.

Might as well. Chief Beatcom picked up the phone and quickly dialed the number. The phone rang twice before a woman's voice sounded with an obviously rehearsed,

"Ted Dalson's office. May I help you?"

"Yes. My name is Michael Beatcom and I'm the Chief of police in the 8th precinct in New York City. I'm calling about his daughter."

"One moment please." Immediately, all Chief Beatcom heard was silence for a few minutes before a bluff voice said,

"This is Ted Dalson. What's the trouble?"

"Uh, yes. Hello, Mr. Dalson. My name is Michael Beatcom, Chief of-"

"Yes, yes, I heard. Now, what's the problem?"

"Uh, it's not much of a problem as it is good news. I've found your daughter Kayla."

"Kayla? Huh, my wife and I called off the investigation last month; wasn't going anywhere."

"Well, she's completely unharmed, but-"

"Lemme guess; she wants money."

"What? No, nothing of the sort. Kayla maintains that she wasn't kidnapped, but left of her own free will and-"

"That's the case, is it? Well, she's a big girl, so if she's screwed her life up, let her wallow in it. My wife and I did our best to give our kids everything, but if they want to throw everything away, it's no business of ours."

For a moment, Chief Beatcom was speechless. He managed to say,

"Mr. Dalso. Your daughter is alive and happy. I just wanted to let you know."

"If she's unharmed, there's no need to get me involved, Beatcom. Kayla wants to live her own life, she can do it with no support from me. Now, is that all?"

"Yes. That's all," Chief Beatcom replied coldly.

"Good. I'm a busy man. Good bye." With a click, the line went dead.

Chief Beatcom slowly hung up the phone, suddenly feeling very cold. How could anyone, anyone, act in such a matter with regards to his children? As an officer of the law, he handled more child abuse and neglect cases than he'd cared to see (although he firmly believed that one was too many), but the conversation with Ted Dalson really upset the Chief. He could see why Kayla had wanted to leave that life behind.

So I guess you believe money buys you happiness, doesn't it? Kayla had asked. No more than ever, Chief Beatcom knew that such an idea was false.

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That night in his apartment, Chief Beatcom was reclining in his easy chair when the phone rang. The police chief glanced at the clock; it was exactly 11:15. This wasn't a good sign. Nonetheless, he quickly picked up the phone.

"Chief Beatcom."

"Hello, Chief." Beatcom sat straight up.

"Kayla?"

"Yes. It's me."

"Are you okay?"

"More than okay. I wanted to ask you if you spoke with my dad."

"Oh, that."

"You have, haven't you?"

"Yeah." Beatcom couldn't help sounding melancholy.

"What'd he say?" With a sigh, Beatcom described the conversation with Ted Dalson. He could almost see Kayla nodding.

"It's what I expected. If it makes you feel better, you caught him in a generous mood."

"You're kidding."

"No."

"I'm… I'm real sorry, Kayla."

"Don't be. It's not your fault."

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that. "Yeah, sure."

"Look, I know you and the others were only doing your jobs. But you don't have to worry about me. I'm happy, Chief. Are you?"

"Well," Chief Beatcom glanced around at his bachelor's apartment. His tuxedo cat Rudy was sleeping on a windowsill and the radiator hummed softly. "Yeah. Yeah, I would say so."

"Good. Continue being happy, Chief. It's the best thing you can do."

"Alright. Take care of yourself, Kayla."

"I will. Bye."

"Bye." Chief Beatcom hung up the phone and lay back, remarking to Rudy,

"That girl's got a lot of sense. She knows what she's doing, so I'm not going to bother her at all. Rudy meowed softly in his sleep, but it sounded like he agreed with his owner.

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Meanwhile, Kayla hung up the phone, pleased with how the conversation had gone.

"I take it things went well with our law-abiding friend?" Kayla glanced up at Frank, who was slowly approaching her, dressed in his usual outfit of a black corset, black satin lingerie, sequined stilettos and black lace-up gloves. Kayla was garbed in a brown and green kimono nightgown Frank had given her, though it was tied loosely. After all, they were in Frank's bedroom.

"Indeed it did."

"Good. That's good." Frank suddenly snatched Kayla up and lightly placed her on the bed. "But I know how to make something good even better. Shall we indulge, my sweet one?"

"That would be wonderful, Frank." The two joined and for the rest of the night were joined in the passion that is the way of the Transylvanian people.

Of course, there will be more. And the next group of meddlers won't be quite so lucky.