I saved everything.
Screenshots.
Dates.
Times.
Account histories.
I had learned long ago that patterns mattered more than isolated events.
And Brenda was beginning to leave a pattern.
The Private Investigators
The next morning, two strangers entered my driveway.
They claimed to be conducting an insurance assessment.
I asked for identification.
They refused.
“Sir, I strongly suggest you return inside.”
I smiled.
“I strongly suggest you leave my property.”
They left.
But they photographed everything.
Two hours later, I received a phone call.
“Mr. Kellerman?”
“Yes.”
“Rick Santos. Apex Investigations.”
I leaned back in my chair.
“How can I help you?”
“Brenda Ashworth hired us.”
That got my attention.
“She hired you to investigate me?”
“Yes.”
“For what?”
“Anything illegal. Anything embarrassing. Anything that could support removing you from the neighborhood.”
I was silent.
Rick continued.
“She offered a five-thousand-dollar bonus if we found evidence that could lead to your arrest.”
“Why are you telling me?”
There was a pause.
“Because during our background investigation, we discovered your professional history.”
I smiled faintly.
“What did you discover?”
“That you're law enforcement.”
“That's true.”
“More specifically, you're the police chief.”
“Yes.”
Another pause.
“Brenda doesn't know?”
“Apparently not.”
Rick sighed.
“She hired my company to investigate the police chief.”
I couldn't help laughing.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was almost too absurd to believe.
But then something happened that wasn't funny.
Brenda filed a police complaint against me.
Stalking.
Harassment.
Abuse of authority.
I immediately recused myself.
“Assign Lieutenant Martinez,” I told dispatch.
“Chief, this is ridiculous.”
“That's exactly why we follow procedure.”
Maria Martinez handled the complaint.
She reviewed security footage.
Dates.
Times.
Property records.
Witness statements.
When she finished, she looked at me.