He sighed again and his footsteps lagged as he reluctantly plodded a well-worn path to Simms's door. Knocking twice, he let himself in and closed the door behind him.

Simms chewed her lower lip thoughtfully and shook her head as she examined the papers in her hand. Lowering them to her desk blotter, she smoothed them with her fingertips as she searched for words.

Peter plopped into the nearest chair and slumped down in it, folding his hands and resting them on his flat stomach. "OK, Captain, I'm ready. What's the charge de jour? In the past three weeks I've talked with Baake and Dirks so often I feel like I should just ask them to move in with Kacie and me. So far we've discussed inefficiency, incompetency, dereliction of duty, willful disobedience, and insubordination. What's left?"

"Immorality."

Peter's head flew up and he bolted upright in his chair. "What?! How can you even take that seriously? I know immorality is a listed offense in our handbook, but, hell, if that's the case, why wasn't I ever called down before I got married? I mean, it's not as if I lived like a monk before I met Kacie." He looked up, face flaming. "That wasn't meant as a confession."

Simms narrowed her eyes as she stared at him. "I understand your point, Detective. The only reason you're in here before me now is because a formal legal complaint was filed. Ms. Wright is claiming that you are living in an immoral relationship with a woman you are presenting as your wife."

Jumping to his feet, Peter snarled, "This has gone far enough!" He stopped for breath, looking away as he struggled for control. He whipped his head back, his hazel eyes boring into hers. "You know damn well that I have been legally married to Kacie for over a year and a half, and have been completely faithful to her!"

"The complaint alleges that you are not legally married -- that the ceremony was simply for show, and that you are taking advantage of a woman who is a declared mental incompetent."

Kicking the chair out of his way, he paced in agitation. He stopped abruptly and pointed an accusing finger at Simms. "How can you even seriously consider this charge?" He answered his own question. "I know, I know...procedure."

"Peter, the commissioner wants this matter settled as soon as possible, so he wants to meet --"

"Name the time and place!" Peter snapped.

"Main conference room at two o'clock this afternoon."

"Might I please have permission to go home and get my marriage license?" Peter bit off the ends of his words, his voice harsh and shaking with anger. He whirled to stalk off, halting abruptly after taking only two steps. Spinning back around to face his captain, he pointed a warning finger at her. "One more thing: don't you ever -- EVER --refer to my wife as a mental incompetent again. I won't tolerate anyone talking about Kacie like that, not even you! I don't give a rat's ass if you're reading it from a piece of paper or not! No one talks about Kacie like that where I can hear it! No one!"

He didn't give her a chance to respond, storming out of the office and slamming the door behind himself with such force the framed certificates on the wall rattled.

"Well." Simms rested her elbows on her desk and steepled her fingers together as she drew a deep breath and huffed it out slowly. She stared through the open window blinds and watched Peter's rapidly disappearing back. "So glad we've already settled the issue of insubordination."

The commissioner cleared his throat. "All right, I think we're ready to begin here, are we not?" At the signal from the concurring head nods, he pushed the record button on the tape recorder in front of him. "Administrative interview, Detective Peter Caine, September 4, 1999. Detective Caine, this interview is in response to the charge of immorality brought forth by a complaint from Ms. Tammy Wright. For the record, Detective, do you understand that the information received from this interview will be used to determine whether an adverse action is warranted based on the facts obtained during this investigation?"

Peter leaned forward in his seat and rested his elbows on the table as he spoke into his microphone. "I do."

"Do you understand that all statements received will be used in a finding of facts, which may lead to an administrative action against you, and that discipline may include termination?"

"I understand."

"Do you understand you are expected to answer all questions completely and truthfully, or a separate violation of insubordination may be charged, which may lead to additional disciplinary action?"

"I understand the rules of conduct that I am required to follow as outlined in the department handbook. Could we please get on with this so I can get back to real police work?" At the commissioner's raised eyebrow, Peter added quickly, "Meaning no disrespect, sir."

"I appreciate your situation, Detective Caine. I will keep that in mind. I must now inform you that you have the absolute right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used as evidence against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult with an attorney, to be represented by an attorney, and to have an attorney present before and during any questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed free of charge to represent you before and during questioning, if you desire. Do you understand the rights I have just explained to you?"

"Yes. I have waived my right to an attorney because one is not necessary. I have here with me a copy of my marriage license and one of my witnesses. I am confident this matter can be cleared up shortly, and I apologize to those present at this meeting that their time had to be wasted in this manner."

"While we thank you for your concern about our time, it remains to be seen if it has been wasted. Could I please see your license?"

Peter slid the paper across the table to the commissioner, who took it in his hands and examined it while speaking into his microphone. "Let the record show that Detective Caine has submitted the original copy of his marriage license, and all signature lines are filled." Kincaid directed his next comment to Paul. "Captain...Mr. Blaisdell, this is your signature as one of the witnesses?"

"Yes, that is my signature. The other is that of my wife. I helped her write the letters, but the pen was in her hand." Paul shifted his weight forward in his chair and leaned over the table toward the commissioner. "Forgive me for being so forward, Commissioner, but I fail to understand why all this was necessary. At least six officers from Detective Caine's precinct were at this wedding and could attest to the fact the ceremony was held and it was real. What is the point of --"

"The point is, this marriage isn't legal."

Peter was up and out of his chair in an instant, gesturing furiously. "How much more legal can it be? There's my marriage license and here's one of my witnesses! I could have brought in a dozen more people who were at my wedding." Fighting visibly to control himself, he demanded in a shaking voice, "Just what is supposed to be illegal about this?"

Kincaid rose from his chair and tossed the marriage license back to Peter. "The bride's signature is not legal."

Peter froze, staring open-mouthed at Kincaid. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Kincaid's eyes narrowed and he shot back, "Detective Caine, were you aware that Ms. McConnell was in a psychiatric institution for nearly a year?"

"Yes, I am. She told me all about it. She was in the Rivendale Institute in Denver for about thirteen months undergoing treatment for clinical depression after the murders of her father and brother."

"Do you know a Captain Mike O'Brien?"

"Yes. That's my wife's godfather. He took care of her after her family was gone."

"Were you aware that Captain O'Brien went to court and took over conservatorship of Ms. McConnell's affairs? That he had her legally declared incompetent?"

Peter sank slowly back into his seat. "No."

"Were you aware that this conservatorship took control of all Ms. McConnell's legal affairs?"

"No."

"Were you aware that the conservatorship has never been legally revoked, and therefore Ms. McConnell has no legal right to sign any binding contracts?"

Peter stared numbly at the commissioner, his face chalk white. "Oh, my God. We're not married, are we?"

To Part 18

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