Burning Man by Alan Russell Read Free Book Online

argue, I didn’t. I couldn’t.
    “Before taking this meeting, I put in some calls to people that know you.”
    I tried to look surprised, but the truth is that I had heard from several people the chief had talked with. The chief had told them to keep it on the QT. I knew that because that same phrase was used by a few of my sources, even if I wasn’t exactly sure what the QT was.
    “Everyone said you were bright,” Ehrlich said, “perhaps to a fault. They said you were impatient, and that you use caustic humor as a defense mechanism. Is that about right?”
    “Sometimes the humor is more puerile than caustic.”
    The chief didn’t slap his knee, but he didn’t appear to take offense either. “How is it that you became a cop?” he asked.
    “I was a sixth-year senior at Cal Northridge and was being forced to reluctantly graduate. There was a job fair on campus and I started talking to some cops manning the booth. My firstquestion was about the department’s retirement package, and they told me right then and there that I was LAPD material.”
    “What was your major?”
    “For five and a half years it was undeclared, which seemed to suit me, but then the Northridge administrators said they were sick of me and that I better get my sheepskin in something. Since I had taken so many courses in so many subjects, I discovered that I qualified for the trifecta in anthropology, history, and humanities. If they’d let me stay another year, I could have had the pick six with political science, religious studies, and psychology, but I ended up with minors in those.”
    “It sounds as if you enjoyed school.”
    “It seemed like a good alternative to growing up.”
    “You’re single I understand.”
    “You understand right. As you undoubtedly know, my wife died.”
    He nodded. “How did that affect you?”
    “For a long time it was like starting and ending my day with a kick in the balls.”
    “What about now?”
    “It’s more like a kick in the ribs.”
    “Do you have any family?”
    “A mother,” I said, and then after a moment’s hesitation I gestured with my head to Sirius and added, “And my friend with the mange here.”
    Sirius looked at me with his big, brown eyes. His mouth was open and it appeared as if he was laughing. I’m glad my partner appreciates my sense of humor.
    “Your encounter with Ellis Haines made you famous,” said Ehrlich.
    Haines was the real name of the Santa Ana Strangler, who was now also known as the Weatherman. When you’re considered the worst of the worst, I guess you’re entitled to two nicknames.
    “As I understand it,” said Ehrlich, “you could have cashed in but didn’t. There were all sorts of movie and book deals offered toyou, but as far as I know you turned down all those offers. Why is that?”
    “I wanted creative control and ten percent of the gross. They might have accepted my demands, but unfortunately Sirius was holding out for a lot more. When I told him they were considering a female poodle for his role, he went ballistic and there was no reasoning with him.”
    “You’re right,” the chief said. “Your humor is probably more puerile than caustic.” At least he said it with a smile. “But let’s call it what it really is: a wonderful defensive mechanism. And when you use it, most people probably forget the question they asked. I am still curious, though, as to why you didn’t sell the story of you and the Strangler.”
    “Not everything’s for sale,” I said, “even in Los Angeles.”
    He nodded. I don’t know if it was my answer, but the chief’s mind seemed to be made up. “Your notoriety from that case has put you in a unique position. Like it or not, the city of Los Angeles looks upon you and Sirius as heroes. To the public, that’s a designation that far exceeds rank. It’s no secret that the department would like some of your luster rubbing off on it.”
    I was already shaking my head. “We did the required appearances. I am