Chapter 3: Mysteries of Purgatory.
Nicole wope up in start. She straighted up like an animal attacked on her bed, she drew her service weapon in front of the ceiling. It taken her a few seconds to recognize the pitiful hotel room. She caught her cellphone which appeared to be the only technological device of this middle of nowhere. 7:28 a.m. Her alarm clock had not even rang yet. But Nicole wasn't sleepy anymore. She didn't want stay in this dusty place. She had thought for a long time yesterday before falling asleep. Although this city and her doesn't got off a good start. Nicole was going to try hard to like this city. For that, she was going to be the best assistant than the sheriff ever knew. She was going to be cheerful and pleasant like when she was in New York. And finally, she would seek an apartment or a small house with her economies in so that she will be awaked in a pleasant place. Nicole, motivated again, stood up and didn't even grimaced whe she discovers the bathroom smaller than her car. Her hair wet, falling on her stripped shoulders, the young girl observed herself in the mirror cracked.
-You are splendid ! You are the best ! You will do a good work ! Declared Nicole with her ravishing smile. The smile she used to charm the girls. And you even will seduce the girls of this dump.
Nicole had a small laughter for herself. She pulled on her officer uniform that the sheriff had sent to her at New York. Although that the agent Dolls did not carry him in his heart, the sheriff had been very nice by sending her uniform and the address of the police station. He wasn't so lazy. Nicole had never got a uniform which implies a cowboy's hat. It was unusual but Nicole liked the reflection of herself in the mirror. She had to wear this uniform from now. So people of this city will have known who she is and that she represented the law.
Nicole greeted cordially the owner of the hotel and asked her if she knew the name of a good bakery. The old dame looked surprised that Nicole was in a good mood. She indicated the name of the single bakery in the surroundings. Even though the bakery was small, Nicole found a set of small cakes to offer to her colleagues. Nicole greeted the baker by lowering her cowboy's hat. Yes, definitely. She liked this hat !
Nicole came in the police station and pressed herself to propose the cakes at her future team. But she was disappointed to see that there were only the sheriff and agent Dolls.
-Hello sheriff ! Nicole declared by proposing a cake that the sheriff accepted immediately. I am at your service.
-Call me Nedley. Are you officer Nicole Haught ? Asked the sheriff.
The Nedley sheriff had a thick moustache and a guzzler belly. But he looked more pleasant than the agent Dolls.
-It's me, yes. Where is the rest of the team? Asked Nicole with the box still filled.
-The team ? There are only you and me. We are the only police team of this city. Answered the sheriff surprised that the young girl wasn't aware.
-Really? Questioned Nicole without being able to hide her trouble.
-There's the little Peter well. He is a trainee of first year in security. But he only answers on the telephone, it's out of the question that he comes in the field with us. Answered Nedley with a shrug.
A smile was cracked on Nicole's lips. She was going to be in the field ! Be in the heat of the action was normally booked for the experienced agents in New York. But it's true that a team made up with only two members didn't leave the choice.
-And agent Dolls ? Asked Nicole.
-Pff. An agent of Washington. Grumbled the sheriff in his moustache. He is not from my district. He works on his side and us, of our. That arranges me well.
-Very well. Where do i start ? Asked Nicole with excitation.
-These papers. They are complaints between neighbors. Class them and tell me which are important. The sheriff answered. I made coffee, do you want some ?
-Really? And after that? Asked Nicole by consulting the accumulated papers.
-After what? You have all the day to do that. All the week if you want it. Nedley answered.
When he see Nicole's disappointment, the sheriff added:
-It's a small town here. Nothing very exciting happen. But the cakes were a nice attention, It goes well with a black coffee.
Nicole let herself fall on the chair from the sheriff left to have a coffee. He came back one hour later. During this time, Nicole had time to consult seven files. They were about complaints between obstinate neighbor. Either a dog barked too much or the neighbor put his music too loudly. Nothing exciting and adventurous like Nicole was hoping when the sheriff had announced that they would be in the field. She knew that she was leaving New York for a small town, she moved away from the exciting business. But she wasn't thinking spend all day in an office surrounded by paperwork. Not, she had dreamed of something more. The agent Dolls came to his office. He seemed shocked when he recognizing Nicole. He had certainly thought that she would have left this city by discovering the hotel room.
-What do you make here? Asked Dolls by avoiding any form of greeting.
-I classify complaints between neighbors. Answered Nicole without raising her eyes.
-Enthralling. Answered ironically Dolls. And thank you for cakes!
-Don't you want me to come with you for the investigation ? Asked Nicole with hope.
-Are you a member of the black divison? No. Then, do not think that I need you on a inquiry. Answered the agent before disappearing.
Nicole sighed deeply. She continued to classify the files. She had not study three years of studies in criminology to arrange stupid files. The sheriff was in his office, all that he do was watch television and sip his coffee. Nicole started to understand where is paunchy belly was coming. What she wasn't understanding was what an agent of the black division could do in this small town.
-Mr Nedley. What is the domain of Dolls's investigation ? Asked Nicole.
-Surely how to ruin my life. Said the sheriff without worrying about agent Dolls.
-Do you think it's a drugs affair ? Or a serial killer ? Asked Nicole.
-Nicole. I have been the sheriff of this town for fifteen years. It's not a dangerous village like your New York. Answered the sheriff with a heard smile.
As if the destiny had heard them, the phone rang at this moment. The sheriff answered and connected the high speaker.
-Sheriff. We have an attack near to the lake. Nelson Chelsea would be on the site and seriously wounded. Declared a voice sizzling on the telephone.
-We arrive. Answered simply the sheriff by hanging up again the telephone.
-An attack! Near to the lake! My god, we have to run ! Nicole exclaimed whose voice betrayed excitation and concern.
Nicole caught her hat, her service weapon, her jacket and she precipitated to the police car. But sat on the front seat, she noticed that the sheriff wasn't here several minutes after this worrying telephone call. She made half turn while realizing that the sheriff had not followed her. Nicole came back to see him, the robust man was pulling out with difficulty of his armchair and was taking a new cake.
-Mister. There is an attack! Nicole exclaimed.
-Not the sorrow to run. He's probably already died. The sheriff answered by taking a mouthful of his pastry.
-What ? But it's horrible. You cannot say that. Nicole declared.
-It's sadly the truth. Many coyotes prowl nearby. The sheriff answered.
Nicole was suffering in silence. The sheriff wasn't a reactive man to dangers. And as Nicole didn't know where was this lake, she had to let him the wheel. The sheriff drove prudently and slowly during 10 kilometers. Surroundings of Purgatory were only pasture and small farms for as far as the eye can see. When they finally arrived at the lake, the agent Dolls was already here and took pictures of the victim. Nicole seemed annoyed to be arrived after him.
-Well, well, what we have there, agent of the black whatever thing? Asked the sheriff by riding up his pants with an awkward gesture.
-Nelson Chelsea is deceased by following his wounds. Internal bleeding I would say. Declared agent Dolls without paying attention to unpleasant remarks of the sheriff.
-That's sad. He made the best blanquette than I know. Said Nedley.
-How is he deceased? Asked Nicole by slipping on gloves and approaching the scene of crime.
-I thought that you would pass out. He lost a lot of blood. Notice the agent.
-I am not a little girl. Nicole retorted. I studied three years in criminology with photographs of dismembered corpses that would haunt your nights.
-Erk. Me, I want to throw up when I saw this kind of thing. Answered the sheriff in front of the skepticism of agent Dolls and officer Haught.
-Where did these bites come from ? Asked Nicole.
-There is so many coyotes in this region. Answered Dolls with a point of sarcasm in his voice. Like he didn't believe himself in this explanation.
-These bites don't have anything to do with an animal. They are smaller but quite as Nicole by observing the wounds of the poor guy.
-What do you think officière Haught? Asked the agent Dolls with mistrust.
-Would it be possible that an activity of cannibalism prevails in this city? Asked Nicole by seeking the truth in Dolls's eyes.
Nedley, the sheriff, muffled a noisy giggle. Agent Dolls doesn't say anything. He didn't seem to be amuse by this assumption. In truth, it was surprised by Nicole's talent of investigator.
-Cannibalism? Where do you think you are, Haught? In a haunted city? We are in Purgatory here. Not in one of your sordid districts in New York. The sheriff answered while dandling himself.
-It was a simple assumption. Said Nicole with a grimace.
-It's a banal coyotes affair. Right Dolls? Declared the sheriff.
-At least, it's not cannibalism, officer Haught. Answered Dolls with a significant shaking of head before leaving.
The agent of black division climbed in his 4x4 and cleared off at the speed of the light. Nicole didn't know how to act with the agent Dolls.
-Officer Haught. The sun seems to have blow up your mind. Declared the sheriff while taking the young girl by the shoulders. You had better to take a rest. The day was hard for all of us.
Nicole doesn't contradict the recommendations of her superior. After all, maybe he was right. Cannibals in this small town? Even if country bumpkins didn't seem very smart, they looked inoffensive. Nicole and the sheriff came back to the police car in silence. Nicole dried her face. It was maybe 40° degrees Celsius. She understood now why the vegetation was so rare in Purgatory. However, the sun disappeared quickly for the evening. Letting the night be the only mistress. Nicole greeted the sheriff before leaving cordially the police station. Even if the paunchy man didn't take seriously her assumptions and didn't stop criticizing New York, he was nice. He acted with her like a dad who wouldn't like that his daughter approaches of danger and death.
It was still early, she could always seek a new room. The one in the hotel inspired all except sleepy. Unlike to the big cities, Purgatory didn't have real estate agency. Nicole went to local shop to introduce herself and to know if they knew a rented property. Villagers of this small town didn't see Nicole, the new officer, like a good thing. They advised the hotel "Good Night" and the bar "Shorty". When Nicole posed her glance on her watch indicating 8 P.M, she realized that she hadn't found a room and the night started to fall. She didn't have the choice. The pretty read-head was parked in front of the bar "Shorty". It was amazed to note that the car park was empty. This bar was the only distraction of this city, Nicole thought that all people of Purgatoire would find themselves here at first darknesses of the night. Nicole entered almost hesitant in the bar. But she wanted a coffee so much to be a shy person now.
The place was illuminating by candles and lanterns. The seats, the tables and the bar were in solid wood. There were a billiard table and a pinball machine in the center of the room. Nicole had certainly found her relaxation place. A reedy voice has tempted her attention. An young girl seemed to fight with the tap of beer and no doubt, she lost. The young girl stopped the beer spurt with a furious gesture. Her top was soaked and let guess all the barmaid curves.
"Finally, this place becomes interesting." Nicole thought.