As promised...
Chapter 23
-oOo-

Having called her team in early so she could share 'new information' with them, the Sheriff now cast her eyes over the men and women who were down to go out and patrol the township through the night. Men and women, some who'd had volunteered to join their night shift colleagues, all keen for another chance to stop a potential murder taking place under the full moon and finally end the serial killer's reign of terror. Despite her newly increased fears for the safety of her officers and after time spent considering her options, the Sheriff had at last come to a decision. She simply wasn't prepared to have any of her people experience the moments of terror and helplessness that she herself had been suffering since finding out there actually could be a monster under the bed so, instead, she had formulated a plan that she dearly hoped would make the team even more cautious and safety aware while they kept a look out for their serial killer. Not for the first time, she wondered exactly how her officers were going to react to her statement? 'Only one way to find out girl.'

Clearing her throat, she silenced the few muttered conversations that were going on within the huddle of people.
"Listen up everybody. This' important. We've finally had a break through, I've been given some new intel about our Moonlight Murderer and it's information that could save your life."
The gathered officers shared quick glances and a few hushed whispers then all eyes fixed firmly on the Sheriff, who took a deep breath.
"What I've got for you is a verified description."
There was a collective widening of eyes and a few surprised intakes of breath.
"Thanks to some time consuming and complex forensics, we now know our killer suffers from a rare syndrome that, lucky for us, makes him easy to recognise if you catch sight of him. Some of you might've heard of it? It's called Hypertrichosis?"
There was a couple of nodding heads among the blank stares from her team.
"Ignorant folks commonly call it 'werewolf syndrome', anyone heard that name?"
The number of nods increased.

"Good. Ok, for them that don't know, it means the guy we're after has an unusual amount of long, thick hair covering his whole body, including his face. If you spot him at a distance he'll probably look like some really massive long haired dog but, this' no kinda cute puppy dog. You all know already how savage this guy is well, I can also tell you that our guy's big. Big and unnaturally strong...Next. I'm assuming by now that most of you've heard there's a couple of new guys in town? They've had success with cases like this before and their knowledge means they've been able to compile a detailed profile of this kinda perp. Some of that profile sounds weird but, you have my word, both these guys really know what they're talking about. So...Yeah our murderer walks on two legs but, here's the thing, he'll also move round on all fours like he's some crazy over sized wolf, and the weird don't end there. The expert view is that our killer probably actually thinks he is a wolf, and he's even likely to have undergone extreme cosmetic surgery to support his delusion...Everybody with me so far?"
One of the female officers raised her hand.
"If I hear you right; you're tellin' us we're lookin' out for some big hairy full moon doggy loon who's likely got no poop bags on him?"
The Sheriff waited until the smattering of laughter died down.

"What I'm telling you, Officer Crawshaw, is that you should all be looking out for a lethal killer stalking round who acts and probably looks like a supersized Goddamn wolf! Gottit? Good...Right, if any of you spot something like that? These are my orders, no debate no deviation...You will stay back. You will keep out of sight. You will hide some place secure if possible and, you will alert our two specialists using the phone number for Agent Foley that you were all given earlier. Agent Foley and his colleague, Mr Halen, have on them what's needed to take this killerdown permanently and that, people, is exactly what they're here to do...I've got faith in these guys, and you should have too. If it comes to it, nobody is to get in the way of them doing their job; nobody! They'll be covering the forest areas tonight but, if you call them, they'll get to you asap. If our freak is on the prowl tonight I can guarantee you this; he will not surrender. If the situation arises you will leave the kill to Agent Foley and Mr Halen. Do you understand?"

Not surprisingly there were a good number of confused looks in amongst the nods. One of the older officers held up his hand.
"Yes Lee, what is it?"
"Ma'am? I just wanna make certain, for all of us. You're sayin' if we see this guy an' maybe he's threatenin' a civilian or one of us, we shouldn't draw our gun and shoot the fucker, 'scuse my language, ma'am?"
The Sheriff suspected she would face this or a similar question and had her answer prepared. She could only pray it was good enough.

"That's a fair question Lee. Ok, that kinda situation? Here's what you do, and I won't accept any variations. If, and only if, you've got a clear shot and you know without any doubt whatsoever that you can make the shot, you will aim for the head. I repeat, head shot only. You'll aim for the head and you'll keep on shooting until there's nothing but mush and the killer is down. Then you'll get yourselves and any civilians out of there to somewhere safer as fast as you can and call the specialist's number. There must be no other action. You will not check to see if the guy's dead even if his head is gone. You will not search him for any ID. You will not leave an officer behind guarding the body. Just so it's very clear and very simple, I find out anybody does anything other than comply with my orders? Somebody better organise a collection for that individual 'cos he or she will be looking for a new job, I promise you."

Seeing the shock on the faces of her team, the Sheriff softened her voice.
"Look. I know this isn't how we normally do things, and I know it's harsh but...This' the only way I've got of trying to make sure every single one of you goes home safe and well in the morning. I'll tell you now, if our killer's a no show tonight? Then the same orders will apply tomorrow night and for every full moon period till this thing's ended...And that's all I've got for now. You've all got another 20 minutes to relax, then I want you splitting into your teams and getting set to go out there. Stay sharp, stay safe people."

Although Hope remained silent as she sat in the passenger seat, it felt to Joel that there was less tension in the air compared to the levels he had grown accustomed to and his spirits raised in response. Enjoying the sensation he actually risked playing one of his favourite classical music CD's softly in the car, smiling when Hope didn't immediately object, snatch the disc out of the player and throw it into the back of the car like she normally would. He was, however, careful not to start humming along with the music. His doing so had always irritated Hope, ever since they had first found one another, before he turned her. When the music started, there was a fleeting moment where Hope's hand automatically began to lift, preparing to reach out and grab the CD however, although she rolled her eyes, she left the music playing. Staring out of the passenger side window, she found the music to be almost pleasantly relaxing. Her thoughts turned back to her newly acquired promise of independence and the music faded away into the background. She was still feeling astonished by how her uncle had responded to her announcement that she intended to leave home, unplanned and spur of the moment as the announcement had been. His reaction meant that she really felt like tonight she would be embarking on the path to freedom and she had spent an excited and happy afternoon gazing at a map of the U.S., considering all the places she might live. Currently her most favoured destinations came down to either Los Angeles, New York, Manhattan, San Francisco or Las Vegas. However, she wasn't quite yet prepared to completely blow out New Orleans, Chicago, Dallas or Miami. Her wild card destination of choice was Hawaii, but that would very much depend on whether she could find somewhere nice that wasn't too close to a volcano!

Caught up in her daydreams, Hope didn't notice when the car came to a halt.
"Hope? We're here."
The teenager glanced around in surprise, she had been so distracted by her thoughts, the journey felt like it had taken only half the time it usually did. As she and her uncle set off on the trek to the hide, Hope felt her stomach churning with excitement. My first step! Here I come.

Riding shotgun, Sam glanced up at the rapidly darkening sky then checked his watch.
"The Sheriff's night patrol teams should be setting out any minute."
"Yeah well, let's hope they catch a quiet night an' leave us to have' all the fun in the forest."

-oOo-
Chick xxxxx