Perri parked in a spot on the far side of the police station. Inside, there was a counter running most of the width of the narrow building. The front was paneled in the light grayish paneling popular in the sixties and the top was covered with beige and white Formica. There was a handful of chairs, square chrome legs and black vinyl, lined up against the plate glass window. An officer appeared around the corner of the narrow doorway that led to the rear of the building. “What can I help you ladies with?” he smiled and slapped his hand onto the counter, sliding onto a stool.
“I’d like to report someone who fired a gun.”
The officer’s smile vanished. “Fired a gun? Alright, let’s get the whole story here. Why don’t you start…”
“At the beginning,” Perri finished the sentence. “Yes, no problem.” Officer Wilcox, as the nametag indicated, listened and made notes about the incident as Perri told her story. She began with an explanation of the purpose of their visit and their presence on Mr. Freighley’s land, and ended with their departure from the cemetery.
Officer Wilcox heaved a voluminous sigh and thrust his hand through his thinning hair, “That’s Milton Sauer, the guy with the shotgun. Not the first time we’ve crossed paths with Milton, or the rest of his family for that matter.”
“Not a new thing, huh?” asked Nina.
“Yes and no. Not new that a Sauer is causing trouble, but yes, it is new because Milton has never fired a gun at someone before. You say he shot up into the air?”
“Yes, yes, he definitely pointed it up, at about a 90-degree angle, and fired. But the threat felt pretty real.”
Nina asked, “You say you’ve had trouble with the Sauers before, how many of them are there?”
“Not as many as there were, used to be a dozen of them. Now it’s down to Milton and his two sons, Howard and Rodney. Not Howard anymore though, because he moved away.”
“Rodney?” asked Perri and Nina in unison.
Perri continued, “Is that the guy who works at the filling station?”
Officer Wilcox laughed, “So you’ve met Rodney.”
“They should rename that place ‘Cuckoo’s Filling Station.’ He’s a pig.”
“Ma’am, I have heard your opinion expressed before, I’ll say that.” He tore the piece of paper off the pad, pulled out a form, and said, “If you don’t mind having a seat over there for a few minutes, I’ll write this report up and have you sign it. We’ll go out and talk to Milton, see what’s stuck in his craw this week.”
“Thank you.” As they turned to have a seat, the door opened and the detective they had seen in the cemetery walked through.
“Hey there, George.”
“How you doing, Sarah? Finished out at the cemetery?”
“Yes, the car is being brought in now. I called ahead and let Martin know it was coming.”
“Sounds good.”
“Getting to wear your Detective hat today? How’s it feel?” asked George.
Sarah chuckled, “It’s a nice change of scenery, George. Thankfully, I don’t have too much opportunity to switch gears.”
“Gotcha.”
Sarah ran her eyes over the waiting area, “Everything ok here?”
“Yeah, yeah. Just a complaint about Milton Sauer.” George nodded at Perri and Nina, “These two were up at Freighley’s old cemetery looking at stones, had his permission, Milton decided to threaten them and fired his gun to run ‘em off.”
“Really. He fired a gun? What kind?”
“Shotgun, that old thing he’s been pointing at people for years.”
Sarah stepped over to Perri and Nina and briskly shook their hands, “Hi, I’m Detective Sarah Vines. I’m concerned about Mr. Sauer’s behavior. He’s been a bit of a loose cannon, so to speak, over the years but he’s never gone as far as shooting. You both alright?”
“Oh yeah, we’re fine, we were just a bit shaken. I haven’t been nearly shot at before,” replied Perri. “We, uh, stopped by Whippoorwill Cemetery on our way out this morning and saw you looking over the wrecked car.”
Sarah nodded, “Yes. This will be a puzzle, I’m afraid. Well, I’m glad you are ok. If you have any further trouble while you are here,” Sarah transferred her gaze to Officer Wilcox, “I’d like to know.”
“Will do, Sarah,” answered George.
Sarah passed the counter and then turned around, “If they were in the cemetery, they weren’t even on Milton’s property. What’s his problem?”
Officer Wilcox waved the report and said, “That’s what we’re going to find out.”