Tracking A Killer: A Chief Keplar Thriller

By Russell Warnberg and Bernier Richard G.

It is the 1950's and Mick Keplar, a World War II vet finds himself becoming the Chief of Police in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.  It is a peaceful little town until a body is found on the shores of Twin Lakes.  Keplar never had a body to deal with since he left the battlefield, where he saw several soldiers and marines die and suffers from what we now call PTSD which he deals with almost daily.  

To solve the crime, he teams up with Detective Knutson who serves in Minneapolis.  Together, they track the killers all over the upper Midwest.

Mick's wife is now pregnant, but still finds the time and energy to help him solve the crime.  Her skills as a reporter and researcher prove invaluable and her undying love help him deal with his PTSD.

• Language: English
• Publisher: PublishDriveRussell Warnberg
• Release date: Jul 12, 2021

Book preview

Chapter 1

It has been a year of peace and tranquility in his small Minnesota town since being involved in a state-wide case. He was sure that the madness had ended, but then Trish rushed into his office.

Mick, sorry, I mean Chief, there has been an accident on Twin Lake, sounds serious.

Where on the lake?

On the east side of the island.

Okay, on my way. Keplar said while grabbing his coat and rushing out.

When he got there, he could see three cars parked on the ice by the island. It had recently snowed, so he had to plow through about six inches of fresh snow. Although his winter vehicle was a four-wheel drive, he had a devil of a time getting to the island. He made a mental note to get some new tires.

Kip, one of his deputies, waved him over when he came to a stop. We have a strange one, Chief. Directing him over to an old blue Studebaker that had crashed into a large boulder along the edge of the island, Kip pointed to the guy sitting in the driver's seat. He is frozen solid, been here ah while.

Gently pushing Kip aside, Kepler reached in and carefully touched the man's hand that was hanging on his left side. Yeah, definitely been here awhile. Trudging back to his truck, he reached in and grabbed the mic. Trish, we need a medical examiner from Minneapolis here as soon as possible, over.

I'm on it, over.

Attaching his mic back on the dashboard, he turned and went back to the accident scene. Any thought, Kip?

Ah yeah. My guess would be that he was fooling around on the ice and ended up crashing. Looking back over his shoulder, Even with the fresh snow you can see that there were a few cars racing around and spinning on the ice.

With a slight grin, Keplar said, I used to do that myself when I was young.

Yeah, me too. It was a lot of fun.

There were a few guys standing and stamping their feet in an attempt to keep warm. The temperature had dropped to about fifteen degrees. Keplar walked over, Did any of you guys see anything here?

One young guy stepped forward, pointing, Me and my buddy Ralph over there saw that the car had been there since the night before, so we decided to check it out.

What is your name?

I'm Jerry and I live right back there, just to the right of the entrance to the lake.

Did you see anything last night or this morning that might be helpful?

Nope, we just found him right there. Don't know anything else.

Thanks, Jerry. If I have any further questions, I know where to find you.

Walking back to where the others stood, Did any of you see anything that might be useful? They all shook their heads. Okay, thanks guys.

Stomping his feet and wrapping his arms around himself, trying to keep warm, Kip walked over to Keplar, How long before the ME gets here do you think?

No real idea, but it shouldn't be more than an hour or so. Let's go sit in the truck.

About twenty minutes later, they spotted the ME and a couple others walking toward them. Their breath was forming clouds in front of them as they approached.

Keplar hopped out and shouted, Good to see yah, Doc. Sorry to drag you out on such a lovely day.

Waving his arm, Good to see you, Chief. It has been too long. At least this time we're not dragging the body out of the mud … come to think of it, that might be better than this. The doc was breathing hard and struggling to get through the snow. He was clearly overweight, not obese, but close. The temperature was dropping with a light breeze, but all had their jackets buttoned up tight ... not the doc whose jacket was wide open. Small beads of sweat were bubbling up across his forehead.

There's never a good time, ’eh Doc. Motioning to Kip, Hey Kip, have you met Doc Armstrong?

Stepping forward, while holding out his gloved hand, Seen your work, but never had the pleasure.

Armstrong reached out and shook. Alright boys, show me what we have here.

By this time, the snowfall was picking up making it hard to see the shoreline from where they were. Aside from the snow, everything appeared gray.

As soon as they got to the car, Armstrong reached in and tried to move the victim’s head. Frozen solid. Stepping back to take in the whole picture, How are we going to get him out of there? Stepping closer again he bent over and tried to move the body. Without looking at Keplar, This is going to be tricky. One arm is between two spokes of the steering wheel and his right foot is caught under the brake pedal. I don't think we can move him without breaking his arm.

Weighing in, Kip said, What difference would it make now?

Ignoring him, Armstrong pointing at the seat cushion, Looks like a lot of frozen blood under him. Now looking at Keplar, I think we have more than an accident victim here.

How we going to get him out? Keplar asked.

Motioning to his team, One of you go back to the van and get a bolt cutter. We are going to have to cut the seat out and leave the body in it.

Anything we can do to help? Keplar asked.

We might need your truck to get the body back to the van.

No problem. I’ll back it up as close as I can get to the car. Motioning to Kip, Can you do that?

Just guide me to where you want it. As he turned, he slipped on the ice and went down hard. Slowly sitting up, he shook his head.

Keplar slid over, picked up Kip’s cap that had slipped off, and knelt next to him. You okay, buddy?

Aside from a sore ass, I think I’ll be fine. Help me up and give my hat back.

Here, take it, and get that truck moved.

Fifteen minutes later, the body, attached to the car seat, was loaded into the van.

I'll get a tow truck out here to pull the car back to the lab. Checking it out will give us a fuller picture. Armstrong said.

Chapter 2

The next morning, Hey Trish, any word from the ME yet? Keplar shouted.

Shouting back, There is an intercom you can use. We shouldn’t have to shout at one another. Still shouting, The answer is no. Pausing, See now, I have a sore throat.

Chuckling softly, he plopped his feet on the desk and put his head back. As usual, at times like this, he thought about Rose and what a blessing she was. It was almost a year since they married and a little over a year since they met. The most wonderful year of his life, leaving aside the wounds he received fighting crimes all over the state during that time. Rose, Detective Knutson, and himself had proved to be a good team. He just prayed they would never get caught up in a case like that again, but deep down he missed the action and adrenaline rush.

Rose, a reporter for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune, enjoyed her work thoroughly. There was always a new story to work on and in her spare time she interviewed and wrote articles about World War I and II veterans. She wanted to get their stories out there so the people could get a flavor for the sacrifices so many of them made. The most heartbreaking thing she found was how many of the vets suffered from shell shock like her husband, Mick.

Although he was making some improvement, there were many troubling nights when she would have to wake him up from one of his terrible dreams. A couple of times, he struck out at her when she tried to wake him, so she learned to do this carefully and lovingly. One time, after hitting her, he held her tight and cried for almost an hour. He suggested that they get twin beds. She slapped him lovingly and told him there was no way that was going to happen.

Mick was a Marine who served in the Pacific and was involved in tough battles where he saw many young men killed. During the battle at Iwo Jima, he saw some buddies and others killed. These were the cause of the nightmares. He also saved a few by running out and dragging them to shelter. One of them is a sheriff in North Dakota that he happened upon during the earlier case. It was a heartwarming reunion.

Hearing his stomach grumble, Keplar decided it was time for lunch, so he breezed by Trish and went directly to the root beer stand where he had a three-course meal for sixty cents. Sitting in his car, he watched gentle flakes begin to fall. The forecast said another storm was on its way. This was only the beginning.

Arriving back at the station, Trish announced, The ME called and wants you to call him back asap.

Without sitting down, he made the call. Hi, Doc, what did you find out?

Shot in the back twice, so you definitely have a murder on your hands.

I’m going to head over and have a look. See you in a few.

Pulling into the ME’s parking lot, he spotted a familiar, shiny, nearly new Oldsmobile. What the heck is he doing here already? he said aloud. Moving to the lab, slowly opening the door, he peeked in and said, What the hell are you doing here? You could have waited til I called.

Well yeah, I could have, but things were quiet and I was bored out of my mind, Knutson said.

Looking at Doc Armstrong accusingly, Did you call him? Keplar asked.

Shaking his head, He called me and asked if I had anything he might be interested in, so here we are.

Knutson stepped over to Keplar and gave him a bear hug. Patting him on the back, How is my favorite chief of police today? It’s been too long.

Smiling and jabbing Knutson in the side, It has been too long. That’s why I was going to give you a call as soon as I saw the body.

The two men had become close friends while working on the aforementioned case about a year earlier. Keplar had saved Knutson’s life twice, or so Knutson insisted. It turned out to be the toughest and most dangerous case either had ever faced. Not too long after it ended, Knutson became Keplar’s best man at his wedding.

Alright Doc, show us what you’ve found.

Motioning them over to the table that the victim was laid out on, It took a while to get him thawed out, but when we did, it was obvious that he was shot through the seat twice in the back. Pointing at the wounds on the body, So, whoever shot him was sitting behind him. He must have known whoever did it.

Have you found anything else? Keplar asked while bending over the body to get a closer look.

Not on the body, but we still have to go through the car. A couple of my guys are working on that now.

Mind taking us down?

Not a bit, he said while ripping off his bloody gloves.

I’ve never been here before, Keplar said. Looking at Knutson, You’ve been holding out on me.

There are always some new surprises on the horizon, keeps life interesting don’t you think?

Shaking his head, Keplar walked over to the car. Turning to the Doc, A bit dreary down here, don’t yah think.

Armstrong laughed, You are quite the pair. Now, as you can see on the table are all the loose change and other small items taken from the car. In the bag is a Zippo lighter with fingerprints that may help us find out who the shooter is. It was found in the back seat behind the driver. I’m guessing that it slipped out of the killer's pocket. We are also checking other prints from the car to see if they match those on the lighter, but I’m betting that the shooter had gloves on and left no other prints. We’ll have to wait and see.

With a ballpoint pen he pulled out of his pocket, Knutson picked at the other small items on the table. Let’s see, we have thirty-seven cents in change, a used tissue that looks like it has been there a while, a broken pencil, a small penknife, and a woman’s hair clip, probably not his.

My guys are still looking, as you can see, but that’s it for now. Opening the door, I’ll keep you guys up to date.

Studying the prepared meal on his car seat, You’re making the rest of us look bad, Knutson said while patting Keplar on the shoulder.

Jumping in his truck, Keplar smirked, I’m gonna call your wife as soon as I get home, so you might consider picking something up on your way.

I think I’ll pick up a steak, carrots, and potatoes. She’ll love preparing that for me.

Good luck, my friend.

Chapter 3

Rose was already busy in the kitchen when Mick walked in. Hey, what are you doing home already? I had planned on doing supper.

I finished up early, so I thought I would surprise you.

While Rose stood at the stove, Mick walked up behind her, grabbed her around the waist, and nibbled on her neck. Have I told you lately, how much I love you?

Turning around, pushing him away, she said, You must come up with a new line. I hear that one at least twice a day. Tenderly touching his face with her right hand, I went shopping today and bought something that you will enjoy tonight.

Whispering in her ear, Nothing to eat, I hope, because I picked something up.

No, it is not.

A delicious meal was only the beginning of a wonderful evening. He loved her new sleepwear. Both were ready for a good night’s sleep. These were the kind of nights that Mick was able to sleep through without nightmares. They fell asleep with arms and legs entangled.

The phone rang a little after two a.m. Rose answered it and then slapped Mick on the shoulder, It’s Kip, for you, she said and then rolled over.

I was sleeping so peacefully, so this better be good.

Sorry, Chief, but you were the only one I could reach. There is a wild party of some sort taking place on the lake. Several neighbors have called in to complain.

You can’t handle it alone?

Several kids are racing around on the ice in their cars shouting and blowing their horns. I suspect a lot of drinking is involved.

Head on over and I’ll join you as soon as I can. He hung up and raced into the bathroom. Five minutes later he was dressed and ready to go. Sitting on the bed beside Rose, he bent over and kissed her on the forehead, I’ll be back as soon as I can.

Be careful.

Kip had pulled his car into the entrance to the lake, blocking the only escape route. His red bubble light was flashing. Some of the kids on the lake had noticed and stopped. Kip sat there for about five minutes before Keplar arrived.

Pulling up behind Kip, he stuck his head out the window and shouted, Move up and get your car out of my way. Getting onto the ice, he stopped so Kip could move his car back to block the entrance and hopped in beside Keplar. There were about a dozen kids and almost as many cars. They had all pulled up near the island when they saw the police car coming their way.

Rolling up slowly at the right distance to light up all the cars and kids. Keplar got out, Alright, I want all of you to line up in front of the cars and keep your hands at your side. Some were moving slowly, It’s cold, so step it up, he shouted, creating a large cloud with his breath.

One of the boys asked meekly, Are you going to tell our parents?

I suspect that will be necessary. Moving closer, How many of you were drinking?

It was only three-two beer, Chief, one of the boys protested.

That’s no excuse and by the looks of it, you’re all underage. Now my deputy and I will be taking all your names and addresses, so get your driver’s licenses out. Once that was finished, he told them to lock up their cars. You can pick them up tomorrow when you are sober. Be on your way.

One of the boys lagged back. Hey, Chief, did you find out who the frozen guy was in the car?

No, do you have any idea?

I think it might be the guy that lives on Oak Street. I think his name might be Dorian, or something like that.

Do you know which house?

I think it is the white stucco house with green trim, just up from France Avenue.

What is your name, I’ll want to talk with you again. Okay? After getting his name and asking Kip to keep an eye on things for a while to make sure none of the boys came back for their car, Keplar headed home to get some sleep.

Chapter 4

The next morning, Keplar called Knutson from the station and filled him in. I’m going over to the house after I hang up.

Want any company?

Not necessary. I’ll call again after I check it out. Besides, there must be some crime taking place in Minneapolis that needs your attention.

Funny man. We’ll talk later.

Shouting, Hey, Trish, how’s the research on this guy?

What have I told you about the intercom? Please stop the shouting, and yes, I think I have who you are looking for on Oak Street. It’s not Dorian, but Dorland, first name Bishop, address Twenty-Three Oak.

Standing in front of her desk, Interesting, two last names. I’m heading over there now. Thanks, Trish, I can always count on you.

By the way, your mother called and expects a drop by and she told me to keep an eye on you.

Two moms, just what I need, he whispered as he headed out into a light snowfall.

What was that? Trish nearly shouted.

The roads were getting packed down with snow, making driving a bit of a challenge. Given the driving conditions and the short distance he had to travel, it took less than ten minutes to pull onto Oak Street.

Finding Twenty-Three Oak on the left, he realized the boy had it right, white stucco and green trim. The snow in the driveway was at least six inches deep, so it was obvious that no one had been here for at least a couple days.

He parked out front against a three-foot wall of snow left by the plow. Stepping over it, he walked up the driveway, pushing through the snow. The front door was to the left. Reaching it, he rang the doorbell, not expecting anyone to answer. He couldn’t hear it ring, so he rapped on the aluminum screen door. This time he heard movement inside and stepped back as an elderly lady opened the inner door.

Hi, I’m Chief Keplar. Is this the Dorland residence?

Why yes, it is, she answered with a quizzical stare.

Is Bishop home?

No, and I’m getting worried cause I haven’t seen him for a couple days. He’s my son.

Stomping his feet, It’s cold, any chance I could come in?

Of course, Chief, she said, stepping aside to let him in. She then closed and latched the door. Please come in and sit down. She led him to a small comfortable living room.

Taking a cushioned chair across from the sofa where she sat down, Keplar asked, What kind of car does your son drive?

I believe it is a dark colored Studebaker.

Do you have a recent picture of him?

Concern showing on her face, Has something happened to Bishop? Pulling a framed picture off the mantle, This was taken last Christmas.

Studying it, Keplar knew it was the victim. I’m sorry, pausing to find the words, I’m afraid, your son was killed, night before last. We found him in his car parked on Twin Lakes.

Breaking down in tears, she choked out, I have no one else. What am I going to do? She stood and stumbled across the room. Keplar stood and reached out to make sure she didn’t fall. Motioning him away, she fell into her chair.

Is there anyone you can call to come over and be with you?

Regaining some composure, No, no family.

How about a neighbor?

"Mr. Rosen next