Page 3 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Casey***

Everything’ll be fine. For some reason, his words

give me comfort. At least he didn’t throw me out. Looking around his office, I can

tell he’s no backwoods-town sheriff. Ethan Matthew McKenzie. Certificates and

awards decorate his walls, even a degree in criminal justice. It hangs right

next to his awards for marksmanship. I have to remember never to get into a gun

fight with him. He’s educated and obviously good at his job. He looks young,

though; too young to be a sheriff. I watch as he picks up his radio and speaks

into it.

“Boys, do me a favor and look out for an elderly man,

possibly wandering around. Name’s Luke Bryan. I got a very worried young lady

looking for her daddy. Over.”

A voice answers, “Roger that, Sheriff.”

“Sure thing,” another voice chimes in.

“He was wearing a green sweater,” I offer.

He nods and then turns back to the radio. “Me again. He was

last seen wearing a green sweater. Over.”

“What now?” I ask.

“Why don’t I drive around a little, see if I can find him?”

“Let’s go.” He gives me a disapproving look, and I return one

of my own. “I’m the only one who can calm him down. You’ll just scare him more.”

Sighing, he shakes his head in resignation.

“Okay, Miss Bryan. Let’s go.”