This chapter holds a close connection to another work of mine, "Meeting of the Fallen". If any of my readers recall it, I'm a firm believer that Mary Shepherd-Sunderland is a family relative of Alex Shepherd, the protagonist of SHH, as I think there are no coincidences in Silent Hill. This issue will be explored further in this chapter.

I do not own Silent Hill. It belongs to Konami.

CHAPTER 02 – SHEPHERD'S GLEN

After a few days of investigation, Detective Cartland found nothing of relevance in Ashfield. The first obvious place had been James and Mary's home, but since the police had already combed every inch of that site, if they hadn't found anything new up to the moment, it was unlikely Douglas would. Thus he didn't spend much effort looking there.

Searching for more leads, Douglas thought it was about time to go a bit deeper into this. So, right now, he was driving to a certain town. A town which might hold some sort of bounds to the missing couple, in particular to Mary.

As he drove, the details of the previous conversation he had with Superintendent Sunderland flew through his mind.

"Besides you, Frank, was James close to anyone else in the family?" Douglas questioned. He was working on the hypothesis that, if James wanted to run away (whatever the reason might be), he would have first attempted to get some relatives' help. From what he was told too, Frank's wife had been long deceased and James was the only son.

"Not much. To a few cousins and uncles, I guess, but I doubt he would have gone to any of them without me knowing."

"And what about the side of his wife's family? Perhaps someone in Mary's family to whom he could have resorted."

"Ha," the superintendent snorted, disdain barely concealed. "I pretty much doubt it. Neither James nor Mary were anywhere close to the Shepherds, especially after the marriage."

"Really?" the detective said, catching the hint of scorn in Frank's voice. "Her family was against the marriage, I suppose."

"Her father and brother were. It's reasonable to say that they didn't like the idea of anyone in the family marrying an 'outsider'."

"Outsider?" repeated Douglas, curious. "So Mary's family doesn't hail from here?"

"No," he shook his head. "They come from a distant town. Shepherd's Glen, if I recall."

Douglas paused to ponder a little. Shepherd's Glen... he had seen this name somewhere. Maybe it was on the road map the had used to drive his way to Ashfield. If there was one thing Douglas could be proud of was his excellent memory, an important trait for a detective. Even so, he strained his brains to remember the exact location. That was when it finally dawned on him.

"Shepherd's Glen... isn't it that small town at the shore of Toluca Lake, right across Silent Hill?"

Frank just nodded, nonchalantly.

Douglas found it odd that the older man didn't seem to have noticed it sooner. His son and daughter-in-law went missing in Silent Hill. But right across the place, there was another town, from which his daughter-in-law originally hailed. Wouldn't it be obvious that they could either be staying there, or that someone there would at least know of their whereabouts?

"Have you tried asking the Shepherds about it?" Douglas asked, as a matter of fact.

"Didn't need to. The police had questioned them, but, as expected, they claimed not to know a thing about it. Not that they would be much cooperative anyway."

"Well, I think I should see them nevertheless. Do you still have their contact?"

Shepherd's Glen was around half a day's drive from Ashfield. Quite a long journey, but given it was on the way to Silent Hill, it just came in handy. He would have to go there eventually, although Douglas preferred to start off the investigation in a populated town, rather than going straight to a shut down Silent Hill.

Despite Frank's warning that the Shepherd family was a strict and closed circle (and therefore, not fond of 'outsiders'), the detective still thought it was worth a shot. What was the worst it could happen anyway? With luck, maybe, he could even find in Shepherd's Glen the clues he was looking for and avoid altogether stepping into Silent Hill. Abandoned towns weren't exactly the safest places to wander around, unaccompanied. Before resorting to enter there, he wanted to use up all his other resources.

Shepherd's Glen, hours later.

According to Frank, Mary's father had been long gone by now, but her brother was currently the town's sheriff. So he headed straight to his workplace: the local police station. As an extra, he had also been warned that her brother was a retired army officer, and a rather tough man to deal with, so the detective would better watch what he said.

Parking in front of a fliers board next to the station, Douglas took a moment to observe the building. A nostalgic thought abruptly hit him. It had been awhile since he'd last visited a police station. Ever since his retirement from the force, actually. Of course, he kept in touch with some of his peers, though their meetings were mostly off-duty or on the phone.

Sometimes, Douglas mused if he did well in retiring so early. Cops usually did so, given that life span wasn't particularly long when you had to deal with criminals and murderers in a daily basis. However, his pension check got significantly cut short as a consequence. And not only that; he missed somehow the law enforcement life. He missed being useful to society in general. Maybe that was one more reason, besides atoning for his son's deeds, he had become a private detective afterwards.

He even recalled a few good friends he had made during and after his working years. One in particular, he remembered quite well: a young lad still in the police academy, who seemed a very promising soon-to-be officer. Even after he retired from the force, Douglas still acted like a mentor figure to many of the rookie cops, with his wise advices and patience. Last time he heard, this young lad had already graduated from the academy and got stationed in a place named Raccoon City. Douglas, however, wondered what happened to Leon after the outbreak that plagued that location not long ago.

Anyway, it wasn't the time to get lost in memories, so the investigator stepped out of the car and entered the station.

The place looked empty. Naturally he didn't expect a small town like Shepherd's Glen to have a large police force, but to just leave the station unattented like that...

"May I help ya, sir?" suddenly spoke a voice off the kitchen.

A tad startled by the voice, Douglas turned to its owner. An African-American policeman stood at the kitchen's door, with shaved head and a cup of coffee in hand, displaying a serious stare.

"Uh yes," the detective answered, walking up to the policeman. "My name is Douglas Cartland, private detective. May I speak with Sheriff Shepherd?"

The dark-skinned man raised an eyebrow. "Ya wanna speak with the boss? What for?"

"It's a private issue. I'd rather discuss it with him personally." Douglas stated, deciding not to bring forth the family subject.

The officer eyed the older man attentively. He didn't seem dangerous, and he probably knew better than attempting anything against a police officer. Thus, he felt it wouldn't hurt to tell him. "The sheriff's not here right now. I think he went home earlier today."

Douglas felt a little frustrated that Mary's brother wasn't at the station. After all, he had traveled all the way to this town and yet he couldn't find him. Nevertheless, he didn't want to leave empty-handed, so he risked asking. "Can you tell me where the sheriff lives? It's a very important matter."

"Sorry," said the policeman, dismissively, passing by the investigator and heading to his desk. "I can't give this kinda information. If ya really need to talk to him, come back tomorrow."

"I know I'm asking a bit too much, but as I said, it's urgent." Douglas insisted. "If you want, I can leave my ID here, as a guarantee."

"Sir, I think ya didn't get what I mean. I've never seen ya around, so I can't give the sheriff's address to some random stranger who just waltzed in the station."

"Fine, then." Douglas fetched his car keys out of his coat pocket. "My car is just parked out there. It's my only means of transportation here. If it makes you feel safer, I'll leave the keys with you. Please uh... Officer Wheeler." He pleaded, glancing at the officer's name on the plate over his desk.

Wheeler sighed in annoyance. That old man was really bent on talking to his boss. In the end, he would eventually end up finding the sheriff's address by himself. This was a pretty small town and, therefore, it shouldn't be that hard. So, it'd be better if he simply accepted the deal. At least, this way, he would keep the car as a guarantee that the so-called detective wouldn't escape in case he did something.

After writing down the address on a piece of paper, Wheeler reluctantly handed it to Douglas. "Look, if the sheriff asks how ya got it, you've never been here."

Accepting the note, the investigator thanked the officer and took his leave.

.

Not far from the police station stood the Shepherd House. Which was good, since without his keys, Douglas was on foot. It consisted of a traditional two-floored wooden structure, with an attic and a porch. At the front yard, many children toys were scattered around, like a tricycle and a rubber ball. That led to the conclusion that Mary's older brother, Adam Shepherd, probably had kids. The detective took a mental note on that, as he made it to the house entrance.

Ringing the door bell, he didn't wait much until someone answered it. A bald, middle-aged man, with a white T-shirt and brown military trousers, bearing an face which had a permanent scowl appeared and looked sternly at the visitor.

"Sheriff Shepherd?" the investigator asked.

"Yes. Who are you?" Adam inquired.

"Good afternoon, sheriff. I'm Detective Cartland," he politely introduced himself. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions regarding your sister, Mary Shepherd."

Adam's forehead, which was already furrowed, frowned even more at the mention of this name. "I've already told everything to the police investigators. There's nothing else to say." He proceeded to close the door on the detective.

Douglas, however, promptly held the door open with his hand. Normally, he wouldn't act that bold towards a person he just met, but the investigation outcome was at stake there. "Sorry if I insist, sir. But it's very important."

Feeling affronted by the old man's persistence, the sheriff was about to rant at him. Before that though, someone showed up at the porch's steps. Both men turned their heads to see the newcomer: a teenage boy, no older than fourteen, with short spiky brown hair, carrying a shopping bag.

"Dad, I brought the groceries you..." the boy stopped mid-sentence, noticing the old man in front of his house. "Sorry, are we having a visitor?"

Douglas just smirked gently at him. "Don't mind me, son. I'm just talking to your father about his sister."

To Douglas' surprise, the boy's young face immediately brightened up as he approached the old man. "You mean Aunt Mary?" he asked. "I haven't seen Aunt Mary in ages. How is she?"

His reaction was pretty unexpected to Douglas. Nonetheless before he could reply, Adam intervened in an angry tone. "Alex, go upstairs!"

The boy and the detective looked back at the bald man, a little shocked by his tone. "But, Dad..." the teen tried to retort.

"Go now! I'm not repeating myself!" he ordered louder.

This time, Alex simply lowered his head and headed quietly to his room as told, under the admonishing gaze of his father. On his side, Douglas couldn't understand what the boy had done wrong to deserve such severeness; he had only wondered about a family member long time not seen. Even himself had never treated his deceased son like this. Once the kid was out of sight, the two older men continued their discussion.

"Listen, detective," the retired military spat, although in less angry tone than before (it seemed he had taken it out on his own child, much to Douglas' disapproval). "I don't know who sent you, or what do you want with it, but this is none of you damn business."

"It's going to be just a few quick questions, sheriff. I don't wish to take much of your time," The investigator knew that beating around the bushes wouldn't add anything new to the investigation. He had already learned of the Shepherds' testimony through Frank and, consequently, he would have to ask straight for the still unknown details that Adam might be keeping. "And I promise not to ask anything too personal, but I can assure you I wouldn't be bothering you if it wasn't of utmost importance."

Adam still seemed pissed and said nothing, however he didn't close the door either. So, Douglas took his action (or lack thereof) as a positive answer... in a way. Maybe he still did care for his sister, despite her marrying against the family's wish.

"After James and Mary's disappearance, have you, or any of your familiars, sighted anybody that could have resembled them?"

"No." The bald man dully shot.

"Even in Silent Hill or the nearby towns?" Douglas asked, while taking notes.

The sheriff showed a faint hint of discomfort at that question, but quickly hid it. "My family never left this town, and I'm sure that I haven't seen my sister or her husband anywhere."

No surprise there, the detective analyzed. Considering his sister's fate, it might have occurred to him that something akin could befall the rest of his family. Fearing it, he probably have become most paranoid to the point of never allowing another family member out of his protection circle again.

"Okay. During their first trip to Silent Hill years ago, did they pay you a visit or something?"

"No, they didn't." The monosyllabic replies Adam was giving showed that his patience was wearing thin, therefore the chat had to be concluded quickly.

"All right. One last question: when was the last time you've seen or been in contact with Mary or James?"

"Not ever since her wedding, when she moved out to Ashfield." His answers were mostly short and straightforward, but filled with a certain intensity that somehow convinced Douglas he wasn't lying. Bitterness wasn't something one could fake that easily.

"That's it. Thanks for your time, sheriff." He finished, pocketing his notepad.

"Just don't bother us with this issue anymore," Adam responded, closing the door. Before shutting it completely though, he let out a last warning. "And don't you dare come back here, or I'll put you in jail." The door finally slammed shut.

Douglas just exhaled a breath and headed off the porch. He was feeling quite frustrated right now. Not because of Adam's attitude. In fact, he had expected that. And he had even managed to confirm a few things from the small chat. One was that Mary's relationship with her family was as strained as Frank had mentioned. Thus certainly James wouldn't have come here. Second, the Shepherds really didn't know anything. Adam could have refused to answer his questions, or lied, but he didn't in the end. While talking to him, Adam's eyes reflected anger, annoyance, yet no falsehood.

He wasn't afraid of Adam's threat either. Being a former cop himself, Douglas knew that the sheriff didn't have any legal ground to arrest him, so that menace was quite hollow. Even further, he considered talking later to that Alex boy (not at home, of course), who seemed to be Mary's nephew and more willing to talk. Even so, considering that the teen was ignorant of his aunt's situation, most likely he didn't know of anything, so it wouldn't help much the investigation.

Speaking of that, the detective was rather bewildered at how harshly Adam treated his son. Of course, it was expected for a former military man to be strict with their children, but... the look Adam bore on his face while speaking to Alex... it was as though he wanted to humiliate him. Almost like, to make the kid's life miserable. Also from his years as a investigator, Douglas had become pretty good at deciphering people's expressions and that was a disturbing possibility to think of. Nevertheless, there was nothing he could do for the boy. He had enough problems for now.

What actually frustrated him in the end was the fact that he didn't get anything really useful out of the conversation. And now, it looked like he would have to go to Silent Hill, one way or another. Searching for clues inside an abandoned place wasn't going to be pleasant, but now it was the only thing left to do. So, he made his way back to the station, in order to fetch his car keys and drive to the town across the lake.

Douglas' reference to Leon Kennedy (from the Resident Evil series) may have seemed a bit off, but I like the idea of Douglas, a former cop, being acquainted with Leon, another former cop. Many RExSH crossovers explore this idea, so in order to keep a tie with them, I've made this reference.

I guess a bit of math is also in order here: this fic takes place in the year of 1999, which puts it, according to SH timeline, roughly six years after SH2 (1993), one year before SH3 (2000) and eight years before SHH (2007). The exact time of SH4 is uncertain, but it's reasonable to assume it happened somewhere between SH3 and SHH. Hope it helps the readers to situate the characters' current ages in this fic.

Please read & review.