Cross Roads

Chief Trummel sat in a chair across from Cue, and was peering at his little notebook. “Quinton, it’s no secret that you had to borrow money against Sticks, and forgive me, but you also have a rather shady background. Would you mind telling me what you were doing at the scene so early in the morning?”

Cue stared at him in disbelief. “Chief, I’m the one that tried to save Max. I even have a witness…” He thought about what it would look like to tell him about Gloria. “Listen, Chief. I’d like you to keep this quiet, but Gloria stayed with me that night. Someone had attacked her earlier, and she was afraid to stay in the trailer alone. I woke to the blast and went running to see what it was.” He thought some more. “Why, even the motel guests can vouch for me. I was yelling to Gloria to help get them out of their rooms.”

Trummel was writing notes as Cue relived his morning. When he finished his story, the chief closed the notebook, then stood and shook Cue’s hand before leaving. “Thank you, Quinton. I’ll need to check your story out, of course, but it sounds like you’re in the clear.” They heard voices outside his room, “I’d better let your friends in, I’ll see my way out.” When he entered the hall, he nodded to Ben and Katie that he was finished.