GRYDER'S COVE TALES: HOWLERS

it gets weird...

"Gryder's Cove? Is that even on the map?" asked Olivia as she searched her bag for an empty SD card, "Joel said it was the highest point in the whole area. Once we get there, we're not gonna get any signal on our phones or anything, are we? Using GPS is out the window if we get lost."

"I dunno, those towers are everywhere these days. Besides, we don't have to go all the way up there just yet," said Gail. "If we do, though, I hope you remember how to read a compass like we did in Adventure Scouts."

"Yeah, of course, and I can start a fire with two sticks, too," said Olivia.

"Is that the distinctive aroma of sarcasm coming from your direction?" said Gail with a raised eyebrow and a twisted little smile.

"It's that or those shitty scrambled eggs and underdone bacon you brought me from the diner."

They both burst out laughing, a laugh they both sorely needed after almost a week of nothing but blood, guts, and death out in the middle of nowhere. Before they knew it, they were passing the old wooden sign that read, 'Welcome to Derby Cross, Where History Still Lives!'

"Oh yay, back in Cornfield County again. Lucky us," Olivia quipped, "Who were we supposed to meet again?"

"Sheriff Herbert Whaley. He's gonna take us up to the place where those people were found and give us more details on the case. The police station's here on this street some...ok, there it is, up there on the right," said Gail, pointing to a building on a corner two blocks ahead. Parking by the door, Gail reached for her backpack and took out her tablet and stylus while Olivia hung her camera on her shoulder.

"Well then....shall we, Ms. Scott?"

Gail walked in first, and was greeted by a small elderly woman in uniform behind the counter.

"Mornin', ladies. I'm Officer Judy. What kin we help ye with t'day?"

Her accent was thick and her voice as sweet and friendly as the little round, wrinkled face under her silvery-white hair bun.

"Hi, um, I'm Gail Stevens, and this is Olivia Scott. We're from the Wildlife Center in Crow's Rest. We're supposed to see Sheriff Whaley about the incident at Gryder's Cove," Gail said, trying to disguise how amused she was with this sweet little lady.

"Oooh yeah, Herbert mentioned y'all'd be a-comin' this mornin'. I'll go 'n git 'im fer ye."

She toddled off toward the back of the room and opened the heavy white door there.

"HERBERT!!! HEEERBERRT!! THEM GIRLS IS HERE!!" she screeched, suddenly sounding more like a giant vulture than the little songbird who had been so bright and cheery a few seconds ago. She looked back over her shoulder, smiled at Gail and chirped, "He'll be 'long in a minute. Coffee, y'all?"

"Umm..yeah, ok. That'd be great, Officer Judy," said Gail, looking Officer Judy over with amused curiosity.

At that moment, Olivia leaned in and whispered in her ear, "She is so great!"

Gail couldn't help but agree as they were each handed a styrofoam cup of strong black coffee and a third cup filled with sugar packets, stiiring sticks and some of those tiny creamers.

The door in the back of the room swung open with a small squeak as Sheriff Whaley stepped through it and walked to the counter. He was a ruggedly handsome man who looked to be in his early to mid-fifties. He wasn't especially tall or broad, but still had an undeniable air of authority about him. His sandy blond mustache was so long you couldn't see his top lip, and had some gray coming in right in the middle. Officer Judy introduced Gail and Olivia to him, and he reached over the counter to shake hands with each in turn.