From one problem to the next…
Martin Stovall arrived at the police station with a grim face. He was hoping this whole ordeal would blow over quickly. He had enough on his plate. Martin found Chief Cooper and Officer Conner discussing their newest “jailbird”.
“Any good news?” Martin asked as he approached the two.
“Yes and no,” Cooper said, “Agent Johnson called to say he was only ten minutes from the town border. So with any luck he’ll give Walker a lecture and then drag his sorry ass away from us.”
“And the bad news?” Martin pressed.
“Not exactly bad news, more like a bad feeling. I’m worried the two might get talking, and Johnson’ll jump onto Walker’s boat.” Cooper said.
“I doubt it. Walker seems like the kind of guy who likes a good conspiracy. Not Agent Johnson. The guy isn’t stupid.” Ryan remarked. He hadn’t dealt directly with the agents during their not so brief time in Moon Lake. But he just got the feeling that of the three, Walker was closer to crazy than the others.
“I think that’s him pulling up now.” All three turned around as their keen ears picked up the sound of a car pulling into the parking lot. Ryan went out to meet the agents while Cooper and Martin hung back in the office.
“Worst case scenario?” Martin whispered in anticipation for what was about to unfold.
“Worst… someone starts asking questions we can’t answer. If things get really out of hand, I’d suggest we go to some of the town elders for advice. Moon Lake’s been around for almost four hundred years. I’m sure there have been some close calls in that time.” Cooper said.
Martin nodded, secretly praying things didn’t come to that. His family had been in Moon Lake since the beginning. And as far as he knew, no threat had ever been as serious as the current threat. Mostly because back then there were no such things as computers, cameras, or even FBI. The assets of the modern world were doubled edged swords in that sense.
When Ryan reentered the station, he was followed by the two agents. Bryan Johnson and Brooke Reed (who Martin was surprised to see), and a third unknown male. Much older, pushing eighty if Martin had to guess, with the smell of vitamins on him. He had a dark brown briefcase in one hand, and kept his other buried deep in his pant pocket.
“Chief, Mayor Stovall. This is George Walker, Agent Walker’s father. Also his son’s legal counsel.” Agent Johnson said. The four went into Cooper’s office to speak, leaving Ryan and Brooke just outside. The door was left open, not that it mattered. Ryan could still hear every word that was spoken.
“Pleasure. I assume you’d like to see your son.” Cooper said shaking the George’s hand.
“Like to get your take on things first. Any idea how long Sean’s been in town?” the elder asked.
Martin didn’t let it show, but he wasn’t happy with how the elder Walker said, “get your take” on the situation. As if there were two sides to the story. They’d caught his son nosing around town, trespassing on private property, and with federal resources he wasn’t given permission to “borrow”. What other side was there to that?
“I HATE lawyers.” Martin thought, his mind also drifting to Alyssa. Who was an entirely different kind of problem to deal with.
“Two, maybe three days based on witnesses. They didn’t report him specifically, just that there was an unknown man poking around town. Asking questions and such.” Cooper said.
“He took his ‘leave’ at the beginning of last week.” Johnson added. George Walker nodded, taking a moment to think.
“Mmm, alright then. What are you holding Sean on?” he finally asked.
“Trespassing on private property, and possession of federal property.” Cooper motioned for Ryan to hand George a copy of their report. George put on a pair of glasses and quickly read the file. He didn’t seem that impressed.
“Take me to him.” George said, handing the file back to Ryan. Ryan looked at Cooper, who nodded, then led George to the back where Sean was being kept. Which left the two agents, Martin and Cooper alone at last. There were a few things none dared to say in front of Sean’s father. Partly because he was Sean’s father, and partly because he was a lawyer.
“I feel I should warn you, this won’t be the last of either Sean or George you see. If I had my way I’d put the kid on desk duty until St. Patrick’s day. But knowing George Walker, Sean will be free to roam the streets in a day.” Johnson said.
“Is he that good of a lawyer?” Martin asked.
“Well yes. But he and OUR boss,” Johnson gestured to himself and Agent Reed behind him, “are old friends. That’s how Sean got the job, and how he’s managed to avoid getting in any serious trouble. This isn’t the first time he’s done something stupid.”
“Sean is a good agent, and at heart a good person. Unfortunately, he’s too impulsive, and doesn’t know when enough is enough. Truth be told, there are a few things about this place I find pretty weird too. But I’m not going to snoop because of personal suspicion.”
“Good to know.” Martin thought.
Ryan came back into the office, saying Mr. Walker wanted to speak to Agent Johnson. Once the agent excused himself, Brooke slipped into the office. Ryan followed her, and shut the door behind him. Once they were sure they couldn’t be heard, the three looked expectantly at Agent Reed.
She felt a little out of place surrounded by the three. Not just because she was smaller and a girl, but also because she was a normal. But she was the only other person present who knew the severity of the situation, and what was at stake if things went south. So to the three weres, Brooke was a potential life saver.
“I know it’s a lot to ask, but is there any way you…” Martin started to say.
“Believe me sir, if I could make the problem go away I would. But it’s like Johnson said, George Walker has friends in high places. Sean’s as stubborn as he is stupid. If he wants answers to something, he’ll find a way to get them. And, to be honest, I don’t think I can do much. I’m too green of an agent. I don’t even know if there are other agents ‘aware’ of the town’s secret.” Brooke said.
Her words effectively sent all three men into a gloomy state. Brooke really did wish she could do more to help. Exposure of one were town meant risking exposure for other towns, or weres as a whole. Brooke would prefer not to see her parents being chased by angry villagers with pitchforks and torches if she could help it. The silver lining to this mess was that she got to see Officer Conn
“I don’t suppose you have any suggestions on how to solve this?” Martin asked after another long stretch of silence.
“Maybe Evan Lawson knows someone who can put the Walkers in their place? I’ll do what I can to deter Sean from coming back. Otherwise, my advice would be to get a really good lawyer on your side.”