It is Wednesday Story Time again and last week we left Mrs. Murphy hearing an earful from the sheriff (Seth) about the fact that Lucas is a person of interest in the murder of his parents. The sheriff warned Mrs. Murphy to be careful even as Lucas was working outside on her house. Mrs. Murphy seemed to take the information in stride and promised the sheriff that she would be careful. We need to get back there as I see the sheriff is walking off the front porch of Mrs. Murphy’s house.
“Hey Lucas can I have a word with you?”
“Sure thing sheriff. I’ll be right down.”
“Yeah, thanks, Lucas.”
“Okay, Sheriff I’m here what do you want?”
“This is kind of awkward, Lucas but I heard from the police in Wisconsin have you pegged as a person of interest in your parents murder.”
“You did a little checking did you sheriff?”
“Well, that’s my job after all.”
“Yeah of course it is. So what did you find out?”
“Just that you are on their watch list.”
“I could have told you that, Seth. You could’ve just asked.”
“Um that is not according to procedure.”
“So procedure dictates that you sneak around behind someone’s back and get information on them?”
“Hold on son. No need to get ugly. What would I bother you if there is nothing to find out?”
“So what did you find out.”
“Well, there are some questions as to why you didn’t call 911 right away when you found your parents.”
“Not a big mystery. I already told the cops that I want to my room and fell asleep. I didn’t make it a habit to burst into my parents room to say I’m home.”
“So what woke you up and made you look for them?”
“Buffy.”
“Buffy?”
“Yeah, Buffy their dog. He came into my room and started licking my face.”
“Was that usual?”
“No. In fact, he was downright agitated. I woke up and he jumped down and ran down the hall.”
“Then what?”
“I laid back down and he came in again. I knew something was wrong when he did that so I got up and then found them. I used their phone to call 911.”
“You were described as being calm on the phone.”
“I was holding Buffy and needed to keep him calm. If I started yelling he would have jumped away. I didn’t want him to get upset any more than he was.”
“You told all this to the police.”
“Yes, I did. All the evidence backed me up. Little Buffy had some blood on his feet and it was on my bed and on me since he jumped all over.”
“Where is Buffy now?”
“He is best friends with the neighbor’s terrier and now lives with them. He was my parent’s dog and I know he missed them very much.”
“Geez, Lucas. Why do they have you as a person of interest?”
“Cause they have no one else.”
“And your sister. Where is she?”
“Good question. She has been gone for over a year.”
“She left before the murders.”
“Yes. About a month before.”
“She didn’t come back for the funeral?”
“No, she didn’t.”
“I’m sorry, Lucas. I suppose the police told you to stay in touch.”
“Yeah, I have to let them know where I am always.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Other than find the killers I don’t think so, Sheriff.”
“Thanks for the chat. I’ll be seeing you. Take care.”
“You too, Sheriff. You too.”
Goodreads Synopsis: