𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐲𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 ~ 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬

𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧

I stared out my bedroom window, shaken and confused. Tears blurred my vision as I sat silently.

Maybe John B wasn't who I thought he was?

Even then, I couldn't comprehend the fact that he claimed Ward killed his father.

He wouldn't say something like that unless he knew it was true.

But it couldn't be true! My father wasn't a killer.

I had so many questions that I couldn't answer.

Thankfully, I knew somebody who could. Well, some of them, at least.

-

Upon waking up the next morning, I immediately got ready then sped over to the police station on my bike.

"I need to see Sheriff Peterkin!" I yelled to the woman at the front desk as I burst through the doors. "Right now! I need to talk to her!"

"Okay, slow down, kid," She said. "Why do you need to see the Sheriff?"

"I have to talk to her! It's important!"

"I can't let you see her unless you give me a reason," The woman replied.

"I need to talk to her! That's your reason!" I protested. "Just please, please let me see her!"

"I need a more specific reason,"

"Why?!" I asked, my frustration growing. "It's none of your business why I need to talk to her!"

"Listen, if you want to see her then-"

"She can come in," A voice said. "Come on, Aspyn,"

I turned to see Peterkin holding the door open for me.

"Thank you, Sheriff," I said, taking a breath to calm myself.

The woman at the desk gave me a dirty look as I stepped through the opened door.

Peterkin led me into her office, taking a seat at the desk.

"What's going on?" She asked.

I took a breath, sitting down as well. "Did my dad file a report yesterday?"

"I'm not really supposed to-"

"Please," I begged. "I'm really stressed right now and I just want to figure something out,"

She sighed. "Your father came in yesterday claiming that John B assaulted him while they were out fishing together,"

"And how true do you think that is?" I questioned.

"Honey, you can't just come in here asking me all these questions," She sighed. "I mean, really, how am I supposed to respond to that?"

"With the truth," I said calmly. "Do you think what my father said was true?"

"I'm not gonna answer that, Aspyn," She told me.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," I sighed. "One more thing..."

"Go ahead,"

"Is there any new information about Big John Routledge?" I asked, hesitantly.

"That's still an open investigation, sweetheart. I can't share that with you,"

"Well- then...Do you think foul play was involved?" I blurted.

"Honey, I already told you I can't share that information,"

I huffed, running my hands through my hair. "Okay, okay..."

I suddenly remembered what John B had told Sarah and I.