. He didn’t want to be out and about this evening. Weather like this really screwed, with his bad leg. But there were concerns to be addressed. When he heard through the grapevine. What the prime suspect, had said to Detective Rigby. The “Shadow Man.” Son of a bitch. He hadn’t heard that name. Since he was a young man. Back when his leg worked. The way it was suppose to work. And his position in the church. Meant more than a roof over his head.
“This weather is horrible, for an old man.” He said. Shutting the door behind him.
“Good evening Reverend. What brings you out?” The desk officer asked.
Mary Raposa had been a desk officer. Since she decided, that she wanted to wear a badge. She wanted to see some action. Lockup some drunk wife beating bastards, and shut down little drug operations. But safe to say. Things haven’t gone her way. She started at the desk. Thirteen years have passed, and here she is. Still sitting at the same old desk.
“Ah yes. Good evening Officer Raposa. Looking lovely as ever I see. How’s your mother holding up?” Reverend Mcreed asked. As he leaned against the back of the chair. That faced the desk. His leg was killing him. Maybe he should take the pain pills. That the doctor had given him. It was obvious, simple prayer wasn’t helping.
“Your to kind Rev. Mom is holding up, as good as she can. Losing dad is very hard on her. As it is me.
“Yes my dear it can be tough. We must never lose our faith. God has his plans. Us mere mortals, are just here for the ride.” Mcreed said with a smirk.
“The reason I’m here my dear.” He continued. “Is I’d like to speak, to the officer involved, with the Adams’ girl case.”
“The case was moved over to Detective James Rigby. I can see if he has a minute to spare. If it’s pertaining to the Adams’ case. I’m sure he’d want to see you.” Officer Raposa said. Reaching for the phone, and punching in some numbers.
Five minutes later a door, at the end of the hall opened. Detective James Rigby entered the waiting room. His foot falls, echoing off the walls. Made it sound like, an army. Had invaded this strange little town.
“Hello I’m Detective Rigby.” He offered his hand to Reverend Mcreed.
“Hello Detective. My name is Robert Mcreed. I’m the reverend, here in town. Your not from around here. Are you? I don’t recall a Rigby, here in town.”
“That’s correct. I transferred here from Lowell. Always wanted to try out little town living. I’m happy to be here. Lending a hand. To help establish, Shady Creeks very first Detective Division. What can I do for you?”
“Is there a place? We can talk Detective. It’s a rather peculiar situation.”
Detective James Rigby’s curiosity. Got the best of him. He prompted Reverend Mcreed to follow him. Together they walked down the hall.
###
Reverend Mcreed took a seat. In front of the detectives, some what messy desk.
“I’m going to get right down to it. There is very little time to waste.” Mcreed said as his eyes darted around the room. Taking in the bareness, of the detectives office. A few boxes here and there. But the desk seemed like a big magnet. Which attracted the majority, of the boxes contents.“The Shadow Man. Is very real. Detective.” Mcreed continued.
“Wh—what the hell are you talking about?” Rigby asked. With a little shock in his voice.
“I know the boy. That you have sitting, somewhere in this place. Is innocent. The name Shadow Man. Rose in the conversation, you had with him.”
Detective Rigby glared at the reverend. His fingers finding a pen on his desk, and tapping it on the desktop.
“How do you know about that? I questioned the boy. A few hours ago. There is very little information. That was released to the public. The mayor has made it that way. So the news doesn’t attract, any unwanted crazies. Or media attention.”
“Well Detective. You now reside in Shady Creek. Where people make it their business. To know the business of others.” Mcreed said. Sitting forward in the uncomfortable chair. Looked at the detective, and put his old man hands. On the corner of the desk.
“As for the crazies. Detective. I bet that there’s, to be a whole lot of them. Running around here. In the next forty eight hours.”
“What or who is the Shadow Man? I don’t have time for riddles. Reverend. What I have is a dead, fifteen year old girl. With possibly her murderer, locked in a cell downstairs. Now if you’ll be so kind, and see yourself out. So I can get back. To doing my job.” Rigby stood up, and walked over to the outdated coffee pot.
Reverend Mcreed made no effort. To remove himself from his seat. Instead he sat back, and stared at Rigby.
“Tell me something Detective. Did the examiner find anything unusual, in the postmortem?”
“I can’t answer that.” Rigby said. Taking a sip of coffee. Not liking the contents of his cup. He quickly put it down, and leaned against the filing cabinet.
“What makes you think. Anything unusual was found?”
“Detective. This is no time to play by the rules. Because this case of yours, doesn’t have any rules. There will be more killing. Mark my words on it. While you hide behind your rules. This town will die.” Reverend Mcreed rose slowly from his chair. He made his way to the door. Before opening it. He turned, and looked at Rigby. One last time.
“Sand. Detective. The torso filled with sand, and internal organs missing. That’s what I think, is an unusual find. If this is true. Keep the boy locked up. He’s safer here. She’ll come for him first.” With the sound of his voice. Still in the air. Robert Mcreed made his exit. Not seeing the color drain, from Detective Rigby’s face, and the slight tremor of his hands.