My daughter, I found myself thinking. My precious little girl. Not for the first time, and not for the last time, I chided myself for almost rejecting...her. I couldn't believe how stupid I had been.Instead of going straight home, I took her to a nearby park that I liked to visit around sunset. The way the fading light of evening glowed on the trees turned an otherwise mundane sight into a magical wonderland. I wanted to share it with Kimmy.We sat on a bench with my arm around her and her head. Jake grabbed his bag and headed for the door. He stopped by the librarian’s desk and told Miss Doane he thought she looked great today and he loved the skirt and blouse she wore. Rebecca blushed and thanked him. She had dressed with care that day for some reason and was flattered he had noticed.As soon as he hit the gym, he sought out Coach Nelson.“Got a second, Coach?” he asked.“Sure, Turner. What’s up?”“I had a little run in with Mrs. Greer, today. What’s her problem?”Coach replied, “Victoria. She had given up so much when she accepted the Amulets. I wondered if it had really been worth it? My amulet warmed up between the two of us then, but I wasn’t totally convinced. We went to bed after that and I held Suenee all night. She seemed better in the morning.We had hot water to shave with in the morning. Sgt. Phillips had set up the immersion heater outside near the kitchen and had filled the metal trash can with water last night and lit the heater earlier this morning. Everyone agreed. ”“Any info at all?” asked Brad.“Only that itʼs a female and as best they could tell sheʼs in her twenties. Apparently sheʼs pretty badly mutilated.”“Call David. Tell him to meet us...”“Already on his way,” replied Sheila.
“And you might want to...”
“Checking the missing persons bulletins now,” smiled the older woman.
“Why donʼt I just retire and let you run the office?” smiled Linda.
“Now how much fun would that be?” laughed Sheila as the sheriff and deputy disappeared out the door. Minutes.