Clarence (part 2 of 3)

Clarence

"They're already on their way,"

'Friendly' Jenny Larson

“The idea that there is some folder containing information that they don’t have just doesn’t sit well with them.”

They need something concrete.  “I can’t say who I got it from but talk to Bill. He’s the one running the show anyway.” Norman Oakland had given Clarence the file in the first place.  The ‘super file’ contained thorough information about every known and underground World Worshiper.  Oakland had given him the huge folder containing names and descriptions of each Worshiper. Bill was the head of Oakland’s department. If anyone could set things straight it would be Bill.

“Yea but that’s the thing, Clarence: Bill is the one throwing you under the buss. It could only have been you or Coarse. Again, if you just tell us where Coarse is-”

“I don’t know!!”

“Or give us the file.”

“Ok,” Clarence agreed. “Damn it, it shouldn’t have gotten to this. Just- Just call off the local police.” The reason for the severity came into focus: since the Sam’s Town massacre the massive folder, especially the extensive list of so many worshipers, had essentially become a war document.

“They’re already on their way,” Jen said sharply.

“Just call them off, now, Jen. I’m sorry, I just don’t want Donny to see,” Clarence was pleading now.

“The chief is here right now and said he would drop all charges if you just produced the folder,” Jen said easily.  He had just agreed. Why is she asking again? Does she know where it is? What is she playing at?

“I said I would give it up. It’s yours.”

“How can it be?” Jen said calmly as Clarence heard sirens in the distance. “How can you promise the folder is going to be mine if it is not even yours anymore?”

Then a thick pain in his stomach curled up towards his throat and stopped, nearly choking him.  Oakland had requested the folder back last week.  At the time Clarence assumed it was a formality in closing the case.  But if Oakland wanted to frame Clarence for the Sam’s Town massacre he had only to keep the folder from Clarence. Oakland is the enemy and the key.  If I can get the folder I can get my life back. The sirens whipped his brain like a painful memory. He looked down the long hallway of the duplex.