The Serpent and the Crow

Book 1: Chapter Two

Douglas Nez stood out amidst the townsfolk, journalists, and police inside the town hall. Doug was a milk dud in an ocean of peppermint tic-tacs, out of place, and everyone knew it.

Nez towered over many of the residents of Solemn Pines. He was six foot six and imposing because of his sheer size. There were a few sniggers because he was a Native Crow Indian and a Detective at that. No one would arouse his anger over his heritage.

Although he was no stranger to press conferences, this was the first time reporters from the New York Post, and The Times, and Chicago Tribune. Even Fox News and the BBC were present. They were like bloodhounds seeking a tragic story, and in Solemn Pines, there was always blood in the wind.

Nez saw the Chief navigate over the cardboard cut-outs of frightening tree trunks. The local kindergarten had a Hansel and Gretel play just the other night. They had forgotten to dismantle the set pieces.

"Good evening, everyone. I am Chief of Solemn Pines Police Department, Hank Kelly. Next to me is CIB Director Mick Flavell."

Director Flavell nodded to the crowd.

"On my right, County Sheriff's Office's Sheriff Lionel Martinez."

Unlike Flavell, Martinez was too staunch to acknowledge the crowd. But the Sheriff looked like he wanted to serve mob justice, regardless.

"We believe that six-year-old Katie Harding went missing between ten and midnight, the daughter of William and Heather Harding."

Douglas saw William had his arm around Heather's shoulder as she cried. Douglas deliberated; no one should escape suspicion.

Hank said, "SPPD. The County Sheriff's Department, and the CIB, believe that Katie was kidnapped."

The crowd erupted in a slew of questions quicker than the bulb flashes from photographers. There were a few dozen unsolved missing persons cases, Douglas was beside himself, and one girl missing from the Navajo Reservation. Douglas thought that no matter what line of the Reservation Boundary the killer took them, a kid needed to be found.

"Tell me everything," asked Derringer.

Although Wade is not tiny, in comparison, he may as well have been five-foot standing next to Nez. Derringer's palm rested on the hilt of his holstered six-shooter.

"How did you get here so quick?"

Derringer shared a look you give someone to let them know they are not here for the small talk. Nez waded through the townsfolk and columnists, while Derringer followed behind.

A man in a dark black hooded trench coat was staring. Eyes that seem not to blink. The Man was more interested in the detectives than the swarths of townsfolk, correspondents, and police.

Wade felt as if someone was following his every move. Intuition told him to look behind. He glared. The hooded man had disappeared. Wade turned and pushed Douglas through the townsfolk blocking the entrance.