Sheriff Delsmann walked into her office with the morning paper and a cup of coffee in hand. She sat down at her desk and put the coffee cup down. Sheriff Delsmann grimaced a little when she opened the paper. The reason was, splashed across the front page were the words ‘The Vampire Murders’.
“Great,” Sheriff Delsmann lamented. “Just great!”
She folded the paper up and tossed it into the recycling bin. Sheriff Delsmann spun around to the credenza where her computer was and turned it on. While waiting, she stood up and glanced out the window down at the street in front of the building. A red AC Cobra came to a stop in one of the parking spaces. She saw a well dressed dark haired man get out with a briefcase. He quickly jogged across the street and into the building.
Andrew stopped at the service window in the lobby of the sheriffs’ department building. The deputy on duty recognized Andrew.
“Good morning Mister Knight,” she said.
“Good morning,” Andrew answered. “I have an appointment with Sheriff Delsmann.”
“Here’s your visitors pass.” She smiled and handed him the clip-on ID badge.
“Thanks,” Andrew said, as he clipped it to his lapel. She buzzed him in.
Andrew took the elevator to the fourth floor and when the doors opened, he exited into the large detectives’ room. Usually the guys in the division greeted him with smiles and handshakes. They were always glad to see him, but today it was different. There were no smiles or handshakes. All of the guys looked grumpy, and grudgingly as they were doing their work.
At the far end of the room was the office of the sheriff. Andrew had worked with the previous sheriff, Sheriff Ackerman, for several years. He didn’t know what the current sheriff was like. Andrew had done some checking on her before he came here today. Sheriff Delsmann, Talia, had been a detective with the Chicago police department for twenty years. She was a highly decorated, police officer.
Andrew knocked, and immediately opened the door. The woman seated at the desk looked to be close to his age or a bit younger. The slender African American woman with straight black hair motioned for him to come in. Andrew did just that and strode up to her confidently and they briefly shook hands.
“Please be seated Mister Knight,” Talia gestured to one of the chairs in front of her desk. “Would you like some coffee?”
“Yes, that would be nice.”
“Could you bring Mister Knight some coffee,” Talia buzzed the intercom.
“So tell me what I can do for you,” Talia settled back and unbuttoned her dark blue blazer. “Or is this just a courtesy call?”
“Direct and to the point,” Andrew smiled.
When the receptionist entered with his coffee, she smiled and said, “Good morning Mister Knight.”
“Good morning Jenny.” Andrew smiled back. She was the only one smiling.
“Please leave us alone, Jenny,” Talia seemed to chastise her.
“I’ve been hired by Nedra Collins to find her son, Wyatt,” Andrew announced.
“Well as you know I cannot share any details of our investigation,” Talia replied harshly. Andrew detected a note of disgust in her voice as well. She went on, “All I can say is that Wyatt Collins is a person of interest.”
“I can get a look at the crime scene?”
“No,” Talia shot back. “Besides I don’t see how it will help you locate the boy.”
“Is there evidence linking him to the crime?” Andrew asked. He continued, “What about professional courtesy?”
“I cannot comment on the DNA evidence. And you are here to tell me about professional courtesy?” Talia retorted. This time there was no mistaking her disdain for him. Talia opened her top desk drawer and plopped a manila folder on top of the desk pad. She put on her reading glasses and began, “Andrew Phillip Knight. Born in Bayport, attended the Bayport, school system. Graduated from Washington High School and went on to attend Mount Richmond Community College.” Talia paused to take a drink and draw a quick breath. She continued reading, “Graduated with honors and law degree. Instead of going into law practice, joined the Preston Detective agency instead as an investigator. You graduated with a degree in private investigation, an expert in all types of weapons, multilingual, and efficient at several forms of martial arts. Your success rate in solving the cases you work on are well, quite phenomenal.” Talia closed the folder and put her glasses down. The look on her face concerned Andrew greatly. He was not ready for her next barrage.
“So tell me Mister Knight, where were you when the Higgins family was attacked?” Talia began her unexpected interrogation.
“What!?” Andrew was taken aback.
“You’re trained in martial arts; you’re efficient with all types of weapons. One of the types used was throwing stars. And according to my information throwing stars is sometimes your weapon of choice,” Talia started ticking off each item she listed on her fingers. “Did someone hire you to eliminate the Higgins family?”
“I’m not going to dignify that with an answer,” Andrew growled back.
“I’ll be honest with you Mister Knight,” Talia said leaning forward, placing her folded arms on the desk. “I have never liked private investigators. I feel you and your fellow colleagues tarnish the work we law enforcement professionals do.” She unfolded her arms and pointed a warning finger at Andrew, “If you go anywhere near the crime scene I will have you arrested for obstruction, tainting an ongoing crime scene, and any other charge I can come up with! Do I make myself clear?”
“Perfectly,” Andrew said as he rose from the chair. Andrew walked up to the door, opened it, and before leaving, said, “I thought you would be professional enough to work together on this case. But apparently I was wrong.”