Martin left the hospital, eager to get this unpleasant business with the normal over with. He didn’t know all the facts just yet, but the situation seemed to be quite complicated from what Samantha and Francis did tell him. Martin only hoped that the solution would prove to be beneficial to everyone, Claire Robertson included.
He drove to the police station, and saw that the Twists weren’t there just yet. So he went inside and spoke to the arresting officer, Ryan Connor. A Moon Lake born and bred werewolf. Martin knew the family well, the Connors had been in the area almost as long as his family had.
“What do we know about this girl? Other than that she’s a student from out of town? Does she have any sort of criminal background?” Martin asked. He and Connor were in a private conference room. Connor gave him the file they had on Claire, and explained things as best he could.
“No. Originally from Alaska, from what I can tell this girl is about as ‘normal’ as one can get. A speeding ticket, but no other infractions.”
“But she had a gun with her.” Martin said, noting the logged image of the rifle Claire had been carrying.
“For protection. I don’t think she had intention of hunting if that’s what you’re getting at. Everything else in the tent, as you can see, was just standard camping gear. No sign of hunting equipment.” Connor pointed to the other images, as well as the list of items the police had collected from Claire’s campsite.
“I see… Well that’s good. And she’s still in a holding cell right now?”
“Yes sir. And, if I may ask, do you think…” Connor’s question was cut short as the two heard Frances and Samantha Twist approaching their room. Martin called them in, and Connor bowed out. He wished he could have finished what he was going to say.
“Do you think I could move her somewhere more comfortable?” Is what Connor wanted to say. He truly felt sorry for Claire. Unfortunate circumstances placed her in the holding cell.
“So, what do you two make of the situation?” Martin asked the Twists once Connor had gone.
“It’s definitely a hard call to make. Did you see the photos she took?” Samantha rummaged around in the evidence box and came up with the camera in question. Martin shook his head, a bit afraid to see the pictures. But at the lady’s encouragement, he did.
The ones of actual wildlife were quite good. But then there were the photos of weres, which were NOT good. A pair of werefoxes running through the brush, it was hard to tell they weren’t mundane foxes. But the last, most recent photo was of two obviously teenage werewolves kissing.
“What’s her take on this?” Martin turned the camera around to show Francis and Samantha the incriminating image.
“She doesn’t, or rather her brain doesn’t want to believe that what she saw are werewolves, even if the proof is before you. I can’t say how she’d react to the truth. But from what I can tell, she’d willingly accept any explanation. The only problem with that is we’d have to make sure she leaves and doesn’t come back. And based on her natural curiosity, and sense of adventure, that’s not likely.” Frances said.
“Samantha?” Martin turned to the other Twist to get her opinion.
“Honestly, I’d prefer to just erase the photos, tell her some story, and let her go. It’s a case of wrong time-wrong place. But there’s always the possibility she’ll come back, or tell someone else. Someone more dangerous. She did mention she has several brothers, and a father who are all equally interested in the outdoors. I can imagine that if she told them this story they’d jump at the chance to pay us a visit.” Samantha said with a heavy heart.
She really didn’t want to force this poor girl into joining were society. It was hard enough learning weres existed. Joining was a whole other mountain to climb, as proven by Eric’s recent transformation which left a series of wreckage in its wake.
“How long can we keep her here?”
“Until tomorrow morning.” Samantha replied.
“Then I guess I need to make a decision now…” Martin sighed.
“If it’s any consolation, I think she really is sorry for causing so much trouble. It might ‘scare her straight’ so to speak.” Frances added.
Martin nodded and stared down at the camera in his hands. He knew what he had to do as the mayor of this town. He had a duty to protect his home, and its people from outside threats. No matter how likely or unlikely they were to play out.