It took hours but he finally began to believe it. He grilled me about Chris. And then I told him about my escape only a month ago. Arlene jumped in and really helped to fill in the blanks. I was exhausted thinking about how far that we'd come only to be back here again. I told him about Stinger and the J&R Guides.
"Stinger? That sounds so familiar. Is... does he wear a coonskin cap? He's a white guy about yay high and has a tattoo up one arm?" asked the deputy.
I barked yes and nodded.
"You know what I think he's the one that filed the police report that said you got outta' dodge the next morning. He'd be covering his tracks, I guess. Especially if he was the one who hit you with a car." The deputy thought for a minute.
Disbelieving, he continued, "I'm sorry this all sounds so crazy. And then you say that Stinger murdered that pastor and his family but their RV went off the mountain road and they all died on impact. And those campers, I remember hearing about it all happening on the same day, that was hunting accident. They started a forest fire for crying out loud. I gotta tell you, they caught the guy who did it. He confessed to all of it, and then hung himself in jail. The ranger station burning, yeah I admit that was weird. I mean all so close together, but that was a lighting strike, burned a big swath of forest before the snow put it out. All of those deaths have already been officially explained. And I have heard no conspiracy theories about any of it, and that's saying something for this town."
The deputy swallowed hard and continued, "For what you're saying to be true would require the complicity of several coroners, Sheriff's offices, police, forest rangers, and whole bunch of other three letter agencies who are all supposed to be there to help keep us safe. Which makes this all not pass the bullshit test. That's just too many people to be involved and to not have it leak out somewhere... I will say that there is a Bolo out for this ... " he pointed at me, at a loss for words for a moment. "You know, I have watched you draw letters, and I keep thinking that there is somebody in the other end of the bus watching this on camera and they are somehow telling you what to write. I just... I can't believe this. I just can't." He sat on the couch and put his head in his hands.
Natalie nibbled on her bottom lip, not sure what to do. Arlene stood with her arms crossed and waited. Dr. Broon stared at his fingernails still in his perch in the front seat.
"I'm sorry Nat, but this is over my head. I gotta call this in, there is no way that this is for real. You don't even know this wo..." He reached for his radio. But stopped short.
Soundlessly, Apoc was up and staring at him, not growling but his lips pulled back to reveal the long canines. He shook his head so slowly I wasn't sure I was seeing it.
The deputy didn't even blink.
Finally Natalie stepped over and flopped down on the couch, the picture of relaxation although I could smell her fear sweat, a bright red bitter tang. "I get the feeling that's not a good idea," she said quietly, putting her hand on his arm and moving it slowly away from the radio.
Arlene started in a calm voice, "I think at the very least, you owe it to yourself and to this investigation to check out her story at least. Why don't you go talk with Stinger? Say you're following up on the original report. Get his statement again, and see if it's changed from the last time. At least look him in the eye when you ask him."
Natalie nodded, "Makes sense to me. Right honey?"
"Well hell, why don't I just let you two deputies go do it? Ya'll think yer the brains of this operation? Just do it your own damn self." He crossed his arms and glared.
Apoc sat back on his haunches, but still watching intently.
Natalie gave him big eyes, "You really want me to go talk to that creepy Stinger guy all by myself? Little old me? You're my big strong hero, my He-Man... he'll have to talk to you. If this story is true than he'd sooner shoot me between the eyes than talk with me about this case." She tried to finish up more reasonably. Apoc turned and walked to the back of the minibus and lay down with a sigh.
Arlene reasonably pointed out, "If you are right that this would require the collusion of a number of government and law enforcement then it might be a healthy plan to keep this a secret... at least for the moment." Arlene waved expansively to include everything.
The deputy pinned Natalie with his gaze. "I know what you're trying to do, and I don't like it when you try to manipulate me. But I swore an oath to protect the public. And Dr. Broon here seems to think that she was a human part of the public at some point, so I guess I have an obligation to look out for her." The deputy stood to his feet. "You have my word that I will do my own investigating. Nat and I had plans for tomorrow but we will figure this out. I want you to stay put for the time being." He motioned to Arlene and me. "C'mon Nat. Night Dr. Broon, thanks for coming." And with that the deputy stepped out and gave a hand to Natalie who jumped into his arms with a quiet squeal.
Dr. Broon rose. "Long interesting day. I hope you don't mind but I'd like to take the X-Rays back with me."
I wrote, 'B Careful'. He nodded and stepped into the night.
