The sun is high in the sky and I am enjoying my morning coffee several hours too late. A few sharp knocks sound through my house. I sigh, take one last sip of my coffee, set down my book, and slowly rise from my armchair as more knocks come from the door. They're the kind of knocks that boom just loud enough, but not too often, that you know they belong to a police officer. I unlock the door, yawn, and open the door. I'm greeted by the sight of Sheriff Tom Willits looking straight into my eyes. I open the screen door just enough to stretch my head out.
"Good morning, Tom", I offer.
"Morning? It's 2 in the afternoon, son! You just wake up?" Tom gives me an unapproving look and furrows his brow and mustache.
I step out into the biting cold and reply.
"About an hour ago, yeah. I was drinking some coffee."
"Uh huh. Well, we received a report of gunshots fired last night, just a half mile up the road. We talked to Bill Tucker just an hour ago, and he said that he saw a man stumbling away from Mrs. Wall's house just last night. Said he looked drunk. You know anything about that?"
"No," I replied. "I don't drink anymore, you know that, Tom."
"I know, and I'm not saying it was you. But you are the only one who matches the description. Tall, dark brown hair, and a flannel shirt."
I looked down at my chest. I knew I should have changed clothes this morning.
"And there's something else, Kent. Mrs. Wall. She was found dead in her house. Looked like she had been... Eaten. Have you been takin' any drugs recently? Crack, Shrooms?" Tom craned his neck to look at my eyes.
"No, Tom, you know I don't do that stuff. Look, doesn't she have a dog? Maybe its rabid." I brushed his hand off my chin as he tried to turn my head to get a better look at my eyes.
"Well, yeah, and that's the first thing we checked for, but that's just it: the dog was eaten too. Had its throat torn right out. And what's more... we know that they were bites from human teeth." Tom hung his head.
I leaned against my door as a cold chill ran down my spine.
"Look, Kent, I know this is hard, but you're the only person that lives anywhere near here. Bill Tucker was just driving through to see his Aunt when he heard the shots. He called in, and we came to investigate. I didn't want to call you in for questioning yet, because I didn't like the idea of even considering that you did such a thing, but now I have no choice. I'm going to have to take you to the station for questioning. I'm sorry. You know your Miranda rights, so I'll spare you that much."
Not wanting to cause any trouble, I held my hands out to be handcuffed.
"No, Kent, you know the rules. Turn around."
"Aww, come on. Can't I at least finish my coffee?"
Tom looked at me, the handcuffs dangling loosely on his forefinger.
"Okay, go grab it. I truly don't think you're responsible, but we've still gotta ask you some questions."
I ran back into the house. My coffee had grown cold. I poured a new cup, added cream and sugar, then left the house. Tom walked close behind me as I stepped up to his police car, and he opened the door to allow me into the back seat.
TO BE CONTINUED.
