She Wolf and The Detective: (Suspense, Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy) (Book 1-3)

by Michael Reyes

  © Copyright 2017 by MICHAEL REYES ALRIGHTS RESERVED.

  In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Respective authors own all copyright not held by the publisher.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  She Wolf and The Detective

  By

  Michael Reyes

  Harmless Creature

  (She Wolf and The Detective series 1)

  Chapter 1

  Detective Wilson Parker was a detective at the Mayville Police Department. He shared the place with a sheriff, sheriff’s deputy, and ten other police officers, but he was the only plain-closed man in the group. He, the sheriff, and the deputy each had their own offices there, while the other ten officers had desks in the main lobby.

  One day, Wilson was sitting at his desk when Sheriff’s Deputy Jones knocked on his door.

  “Come in!” Wilson called out.

  Jones entered, holding a file sitting on top of an evidence box. He placed the box and file on Wilson’s desk and then shut the door.

  “Hey, Jones, what’s up? What’s all this?” Wilson got up from his desk.

  “I have a case for you,” responded Jones, gesturing to the file and box on the desk.

  “Oh really! A real case or just another one that you guys can’t solve because you’re too lazy?” Wilson joked.

  “Really funny, Parker,” commented Jones. “But this one’s real serious. We can’t figure out the answer to this one, and we’ve been at it for months.”

  “Which one is it?” asked Wilson, going back behind his desk and sitting down.

  Jones picked up the file and dropped it directly in front of Wilson. “Take a look, see.”

  Wilson opened the file to find multiple photos of gruesome murders – a total of five - along with countless police reports on the victims. He studied them closely, noting that every murder victim had huge bites taken out of them. Some were even missing body parts like fingers or even full hands. It was probably the worst Wilson had seen in a very long time, although living in a small town, you don’t see murders that often. But as Wilson looked at the photos carefully, it looked to him like they were just regular animal attacks, like maybe these people just wandered into the wrong animal’s territory at the wrong time.

  “Why are you showing me this? They just look like animal attacks.” Wilson closed the case file and proceeded to hand it back to Jones. “You realize we live near forest areas, don’t you? It could just be a bear or a coyote or a wolf…”

  “Yes,” Jones interrupted, “but they aren’t just any animal attacks. Those bites the victims all suffered…they were bigger than any known animal in the area.” Jones then pushed the evidence box closer to Wilson. “Take a look inside.”

  Wilson opened the box to find multiple torn pieces of clothing inside, along with additional photos from in and around the crime scenes, and other evidence, such as leaves, dirt samples, and other such earthly elements found on the victims, blood samples, and so on. He picked up and looked at each piece of evidence, along with the notes that came with the evidence, and noticed something that he had already brought up earlier.

  “This blood sample here,” Wilson shows Jones, “it says in the notes that it’s from a wolf. Didn’t I just say it must be from animal attacks?”

  “Yes, but we sent it to a lab in the city for analysis, and that wolf’s blood ain’t from any known breed of wolf in existence.” Jones went into the box and pulled out a particular evidence bag. “And these hair fibers here, they’re also from a wolf, but no known breed in existence.” He dropped the bag in front of Wilson. Wilson picked it up to take a closer look.

  “So? Can you take over the case or not?” Jones interrupted, growing impatient by the minute. “You ain’t the only detective in town, ya know.”

  “Yes, I do, but you know that Thompkins is nowhere as good as me. That’s why my office is here in the police station with you guys while his is out in the other end of town.”

  “Sure, Jones. I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Thanks, Wilson. Appreciate it.” Jones shook Wilson’s hand once again and then headed toward the door.

  “Will keep you updated,” Wilson said as he opened the office door.

  “Please do,” said Jones. At that he finally left, leaving Wilson alone once again to his thoughts.

  Chapter 2

  That night, he spent hours looking through the evidence in front of him. He looked over all of the photos once again, the environmental samples, the blood samples…anything and everything that was part of the case. But he couldn’t figure out how there could be a wolf breed that didn’t fit the evidence, and there was no way a human could’ve done this kind of injury to another human. until

  He looked at the clock and realized how late it was getting then, almost eight o’clock. “I haven’t even had dinner,” he commented to himself. He then forced himself off his desk, put on his coat, and proceeded to leave, leaving the evidence from the case on his desk. He closed the door behind him and turned around to find Sheriff Albert Sherwood standing there.

  “Hey, thought you left?”

  “Yeah, Al, I would’ve earlier if I hadn’t been so consumed in this new case your boy Jones just gave me.”

  “Right. The mysterious serial killer case. Any idea what’s going on?”

  “Not one clue, but I’ll look into it further tomorrow. Better get going home now. I haven’t even had dinner yet.”

  “Really? Well if I had known you were still here, I would’ve brought you something. Good ol’ Mrs. Sherwood always brings by some home cookin’ for me for dinner, and there’s always plenty to go around. In fact, I think I still have some leftovers in the fridge for ya, if you’d like to take it with you…”

  “It’s okay,” interrupted Wilson. I’ll just stop by Cheryl’s on the way home.”

  “Alright. You have a nice night now, then, Wilson. See ya in the morning.”

  “You, too, Sheriff.” Wilson looked over at the few other officers who were there for the overnight shift, smiled, and said “goodbye” to them all as well before going out the front door of the police station.

  Chapter 3

  Cheryl’s was a popular diner in town. She was actually Jones’ wife, so she’d occasionally stop by the station with a delivery from her place for Jones’ lunch or dinner, depending on how late he was working, or he’d go to her diner himself when he had time to sit and relax for a bit. It was a well-known hangout for all the teenagers in town and had the best in home cooking and comfort food. At least the best that Wilson had ever known, having been born and raised in Mayville. It was also just a block away from the police station, so eating there was convenient for cops, as well.

  When Wilson walked in, it wasn’t busy, but that was normal for a Tuesday night after eight o’clock.

  “Good evening, detective,” said Cheryl, as soon as Wilson walked in. “Working late?”

  “Not intentionally,” responded Wilson. “I lost track of time and completely forgot about dinner.”

  “Well, you came to the right place as always. Have a seat anyplace you’d like.”

 
Wilson picked a booth close to the door and took off his coat before settling in. Cheryl then brought him a menu. “Anything to drink to start with?” asked Cheryl.

  “Just water’s fine,” responded Wilson.

  “Alrighty. Be right back.”

  As Wilson glossed over the menu again for what had to be the millionth time ever in his whole life, he overheard people talking a few booths down about something very familiar. He recognized the people as Mr. and Mrs. Richard O’Reilley, who lived just down the street from the diner.

  “I’m telling you, it’s gotta be some huge bear or something,” continued Mr. O’Reilley from a conversation that had started before Wilson came in.

  “Then why do the police say it’s some kind of wolf?” asked Mrs. O’Reilley.

  “Because they don’t know anything about animals, that’s why. The lab reports must be wrong or something.”

  “Still, whatever it is, it’s attacking people from our town, and the police aren’t able to do anything about it?”

  “No, that’s not what the news reporter said, hon.” Mr. O’Reilley stopped to take a sip of his coffee before continuing. “They say they’re constantly working on it, and they have extra patrols out on the streets and in the surrounding areas looking out for any animals that have gone astray and are attacking people. And they say that we citizens should just be extra careful when out at night, and carry guns if we own them, just in case.”

  As Wilson was listening to them intently, Cheryl returned and interrupted him. She placed a glass of ice water on his table. “Are we ready yet?”

  “Oh um…no. Please give me a few more minutes.”

  “Sure thing, sweetie.” Cheryl stopped by the O’Reilleys’ table. “Will there be anything else this evening, folks?”

  “Just the check will do,” responded Mr. O’Reilley.

  Cheryl found their check in her pocket and placed it on the table. “I’ll be your cashier this evening.”

  Mr. O’Reilley pulled out his wallet, got out some money for the check, and then asked, “Hey, Cheryl, what do you make of the animal attacks that have been happening in town and in the forests nearby?” At that, Wilson continued to listen intently.

  “The ones that’s been all over the news lately? I don’t know. They keep saying it’s some kind of wolf, but the bite marks indicate that it could be something bigger than a wolf? I’m totally confused about all this nonsense.” Cheryl took the money and the check. “Need change this evening?”

  “No, it’s all yours,” replied Mr. O’Reilley. “Have a good one!”

  “Be careful getting home, you two. Hate to wake up in the morning and find on the morning news that you’ve been attacked.”

  “We will, and you be careful, too, when you get out of here for the night.”

  “Thanks,” responded Cheryl. “Have a nice evening, too!” Cheryl put the money in the register, taking out the change for the tip jar, and then returned to Wilson’s table once again. “Ready yet, Wilson?”

  “Yeah. Order me up your spaghetti and meatballs,” Wilson responded.

  “Will do,” Cheryl said, and she disappeared into the kitchen just before there was a commotion outside.

  Two police cars, including the sheriff’s, passed by, lights and sirens blaring. Wilson had to know what was happening despite being technically off-duty. “Be right back, Cheryl!” he yelled before putting his coat back on and rushing out the door.

  Wilson hoped that if it was another murder, it wasn’t Mr. or Mrs. O’Reilley. Of course, he preferred that it not be a murder, period, but his heart told him it was likely another victim of that serial killer whose case he had been given earlier. The police cars were stopped just a few blocks away from the diner, so Wilson didn’t have to go far to find out what was happening, and he was happy to see that Mr. or Mrs. O’Reilley was there, safe and sound, talking to Sheriff Sherwood.

  “You didn’t see anything, Richard?” Sherwood was asking Mr. O’Reilley.

  “No. We were just on our way home when we noticed the body.”

  “Body?” Wilson pushed his way through the small crowd of onlookers to take a closer look, having no problem getting into the crime scene since everyone knew he was a detective in town.

  “Oh, hey there, Parker,” said Officer Julie Martin, who for some reason always only called him by his last name. “It’s a shame, isn’t it? Poor gal probably didn’t know what hit her.”

  “Got gloves on you?”

  “Sure thing.” Julie pulled out a pair of latex gloves and handed them to Wilson. Wilson then put them on, bent down, and started studying the body. “Forensics is on their way, too,” Julie told him.

  Wilson noticed the same bite marks that the other victims had, in this case on the arm and neck. No body parts were bitten off, but there were more bite marks than previous victims, and he also noticed scratches on her arms and legs. “Do we know the time of death?” Wilson asked Julie.

  “Sheriff estimates it had to be between two and four hours ago,” responded Julie.

  Wilson pulled out a notepad out of his coat pocket, and noted that down. He also noted the location of the bite marks and scratches, even though forensics would be noting that, too, once they arrived. Wilson then carefully brushed the girl’s hair off her face and jumped back, almost bumping into Julie.

  “Yeah, I know,” said Julie. “It’s the Carsons’ daughter.” Julie shook her head in sadness. “Poor gal shouldn’t have even been out here this late at night.”

  “Doesn’t she waitress for Cheryl nowadays?” Wilson asked.

  “Oh right. I forgot about that.” Julie sighed. “Well, if it is indeed animal, we better find it soon and kill it, because I don’t know how much more of this I can take. Sheriff’s talking about implementing a curfew, which means everything except the police station, fire station, and hospital will have to close up early, including Cheryl’s, and I’m really going to miss those late night dinners there.”

  “Agreed. Speaking of which,” Wilson took the latex gloves off and handed them back to Julie, “I better get back. Got dinner cooking there. I assume I’ll find all the forensics’ info on my desk by morning?”

  “Sure thing,” said Julie.

  When Wilson returned to Cheryl, he had no choice but to tell her what had happened to her newest star waitress. Cheryl was devastated.

  Chapter 4

  After dinner, Wilson stopped back at the station to pick up his car (which he didn’t need to take to Cheryl’s since it was only a block away). As he took the long drive home, he was very aware of the animal possibly roaming around the streets, who had killed a girl that night and could attack again at any time. But he also noted that this animal, if it is indeed an animal, also seemed to only take on one victim each night, and not even every night. Still he felt better knowing that his gun was on his gun belt under his coat, just in case, and he was in a car that was well built enough to hopefully keep that animal out if needed.

  Wilson’s place was not too far away from the police station, but was in the direct opposite direction of Cheryl’s. He lived in a reasonably nice house alone with his dog Charlie, who he had his neighbor Ella stop by to feed and check on whenever he couldn’t stop by during his shifts at the police station. It was in a secluded neighborhood about a mile away from the police station, close to a forest area. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed taking Charlie out on walks through the forest area, where Charlie liked to smell the trees and Wilson enjoyed the fresh air away from the main part of town.

  As usual, Charlie got excited as soon as he walked in the front door and jumped onto Wilson, his paws on Wilson’s chest. Wilson gave Charlie a good petting on the head and then forced Charlie off him. Ella was also there, on his couch watching TV, and Charlie ran back to her for more petting.

  “Hi, Wilson! I hope you don’t mind me being here, but I noticed it was getting late and you weren’t home yet, so I thought I’d better stay with Charlie for a little while. You know how lonely he
can get when you don’t get home at a reasonable hour. He was just about to start whining when I came over.”

  “Thanks, Ella, that’s very nice of you. Has he been fed?”

  “Three hours ago, and I also brought Lindsay with me to play with him for a bit.” Lindsay was Ella’s ten-year-old daughter.

  “Well, I’m home now so let me walk you home.”

  “Oh it’s alright. I live right next door—“

  “I insist. There was another attack tonight in town.”

  “Really? I hadn’t heard anything about it on the news.”

  “It just happened a few hours ago. Don’t know if the news got word of it yet.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  Wilson gave Charlie another pet on the head and told him to stay and that he’d be right back. As he and Ella walked the short distance to her house, they discussed the attack more.

  “So the police have no idea what kind of animal is doing this?” asked Ella.

  “Well, they suspect it’s some kind of wolf, but evidence shows that it’s not a wolf from around here.”

  “Then what are they doing to stop the attacks?”

  “They’re relayed the case to me, hoping I can help.” Wilson shook his head. “You won’t believe who the latest victim was.”

  “Who?”

  “Melanie Carson.”

  “Oh no, really? I heard she started a new job at Cheryl’s just last week.”

  “Yeah, unfortunately. Looks like she was on her way home when she was killed.”

  Ella sighed. “I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t imagine what I would do if I lost Lindsay.”

  “Then you better keep her close. Looks like whatever’s attacking is at least focusing on folks that are alone at the time. None of the attacks involved more than one person at a time, and there were never witnesses at the time of the attacks, either, which suggests that this wolf…if it is that…would get scared off if they encountered a group of two or more people.”