Arriving at the Elder Council building roughly an hour later than planned; Douglas sighed as he and his “witness” Betty arrived safely. Having to take the back roads because of a large trailer truck jack knifing on the main highway was not something Douglas looked forward to having to sit through as he along with the rest of traffic was made to wait for emergency crews to clear. Despite being in a police cruiser; Sheriff Cooper was out of his jurisdiction and could not use his position as sheriff of Moon Lake to force his way pass the makeshift barricade designed to protect the emergency workers. Instead he did a U-turn to head back to Seattle, only to turn onto a rarely used country road that was mostly dirt then paved.
“Look,” Sheriff Copper looking at Betty; “I know you want to go to the were-club and all, but it would be best to talk to Tachibana first before running off and rutting like mad.”
“The were-club isn’t until tomorrow evening Sheriff,’ Betty answering; “and besides, Alyssa isn’t the only were I know of in town that likes to have fun with me.”
“Betty,” Sheriff Cooper glaring at her; “I thought I told you that Brian Walker was off limits.”
“I wasn’t referring to a minor,” Betty answering; “plenty of were-cat and feline prides here in town that are more than willing to allow me to crash their gathering.”
“Well,” the sheriff shaking his head as he gets out of the car along with Betty; “Tachibana may want to insist you stay at her estate so you can brief her on what you know. But what do I know,” The sheriff guiding Betty to the building entrance; “I have a five year old child who probably doesn’t even know his mother is dead and I’m his only relative from the looks of things.”
“I’m sorry sheriff,” Betty responding; “I know you and Alyssa had issues, and my selfish desires for sexual gratification must seem-“
“Ill-timed,” Sheriff Cooper finishing the sentence; “but you care enough to want to help resolve this matter. I only hope that my cousin doesn’t have any more skeletons in her closet waiting to surprise me.”
Sitting in the common area; Joan Morningstar was cradling Darrell; Alyssa’s five year old child. After the lad stuffed himself with tater tots and chicken nuggets; the young kid was feeling sleepy and both Joan and Tachibana could not deny that a post lunch nap was just what the doctor ordered for the energetic kid. Spending the hour chatting over the various places that Moon Lake has to offer for weres; Tachibana could not help feel sorry for the were-tigress before her as she was kept in the dark. Not just by her parents, now dead; but by also Alyssa who clearly tried to insulate the young female from the world. Tachibana was about to continue when the were-vixen looks up to see the sheriff in his were-grizzly fursona escorting a black furred were-cat; both walking towards her.
“Sheriff,” Tachibana standing up; “is this the witness you chose to drive all the way to Seattle for?”
“I’m Betty Van Rosenberg,” the were-cat speaking; “Alyssa was my friend. Yet I was the one who informed the Luna brotherhood as to Julie Stovall’s location.”
“So,” Tachibana staring at the were-cat; “this is remorse over what you did to your friend?”
“I make no apologies for what I did,” Betty answering; “I did what was right by informing the proper authorities. Alyssa getting killed,” Betty looking sad; “that I feel sorry for.”
“Fine,” Tachibana answering; “we’ll talk someplace more private. Let’s give,” looking at the sheriff and Joan; “give them a chance to talk amongst themselves.”
As Tachibana and Betty padded off to a more private place to chat; Douglas stares at the were-tigress before him. Unsure of what to say but seeing a young child sleeping on her lap; he sighs as he looks melancholy, “so this little kid is Darrell. My cousin’s son.”
“And I’m Joan Morningstar,” the were-tigress speaking; “Alyssa and I were-“
“A couple,” Sheriff Cooper placing a paw on the kid a gently brushing his blonde hair; “it’s nothing to be ashamed of. My cousin, while bisexual always preferred females to rut with over males more often than not.”
“We never officially got married,” Joan correcting the sheriff; “we did live together as common law partners looking after Darrell and each other, but that was just about it.”
“You never scratched each other’s itch,” Douglas sitting next to Joan; “you know in a sexual manner?”
“No,” Joan answering; “if Alyssa ever had those desires for me, she never made any mention of it. Whenever she came home from her business trips,” Joan adjusting the sleeping kid on her lap; “Alyssa would run herself ragged spending time with Darrell here. She dotted on her son, Sheriff; what you are describing is an Alyssa Cooper I never knew of.”
“Then I wonder if you answer me one thing that has been nagging at me,” The sheriff watching the kid stir; “something that has been on my mind since Tachibana told me of Darrell existence.”
“And what is that,” Joan asking.
“Who is Darrell’s father,” Douglas Cooper seeing Darrell eyes open and seeing a large were-grizzly staring down at him.
“I have his birth certificate with me,” Joan answering; seeing the child on her lap getting up, “I hope that will answer your question."
“Yogi bear,” Darrell looking at the large were-grizzly before him.
“No Darrell,” Joan answering; “this is your mother’s cousin the town sheriff. You are going to be living with him now.”
“What about you furry Joan,” Darrell starring at the sheriff; “are you staying as well?”
“That,” Joan sighing; “I can’t answer right now. Maybe for a bit while I help the Sheriff settle your mother’s affairs.
“When is mommy fish coming back,” Darrell asking; “she promised to take me swimming.”
“Darrell,” Sheriff Cooper picking up the kid and placing him on his lap; “Something really bad happened to your mother. A group of bad men,” sheriff speaking; “harmed her and now she is gone. You mother was my cousin,” Sheriff Cooper taking a photo of him and her; "Your mother and me six years ago shortly after my parents died.”
“Did mommy fish die,” Darrell starting to cry.
“I’m afraid so,” Sheriff Cooper answering; “but you are not alone. I’m here and will be looking after you from now on.”
“No,” Darrell crying; “I want my mommy. I want my MOMMY!”
“If it helps,” Joan looking at the teary eyed kid; “I’ll be here as well. But the sheriff here is your relative, I can’t get in his way as being a lawful caregiver.”
“Okay,” Darrell crying; “can we go back home now?”
“This town is our home now,” Joan answering; “the Sheriff here is going to take us to our new home.”
“I have to warn you,” Douglas speaking; “my house is a small bungalow. I have a spare room but I’m not sure of what the sleeping arraignments will be.”
“We’ll work that out later,” Joan speaking; “right now I think it’s best to take this kid someplace where he can relax and possibly come to terms of his mother’s death.”
“Are you going to punish the bad men for taking mommy fish away,” Darrell looking at the sheriff.
“Nothing would give me greater pleasure,” Sheriff Cooper growling; “and if I had an opportunity,” the sheriff looking at the six inch claws from his paws; “I’m not sure I would be able to stop myself, or want to.”