"The plan is to find David and see exactly what it is he has to show you. May as well see the reason for him dragging you out here and then you dragging me out here."

"What's he got?" Joey asked.

"Supposedly, evidence of the Sasquatch," Annja said.

"Is that so?" Joey chuckled. "This ought to be good."

Jenny glanced at him. "You don't believe him?"

Joey shook his head. "Never said that. A lot of people have thought they've found evidence over the years. As long as I've been around I've heard stories about people who claim to have found tracks and hairs and even scat. Nothing ever pans out as being authentic."

"Well, maybe David found something real this time," Jenny said defensively.

"Maybe he did," Joey said. "And if so, then good for him. I just hope it doesn't provoke an onslaught into this town and to these woods. I've sort of adopted them as my own and that makes me something of a caretaker."

"Did your grandfather teach you that, too?" Annja asked.

Joey nodded. "All woodlands are sacred. The flow of life continues even in the face of death. Cheehawk's spirit now roams those same woods as he did in life. The cycle always continues."

"And as a caretaker you do what?"

"I make sure nothing upsets the balance and harmony of the place. It's my job to ensure nothing threatens the creatures that live there."

They stopped outside the police station. Annja looked at Jenny. "You okay with doing this?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

Annja shrugged. "What we talked about earlier. David's reaction to you. That kind of thing."

Jenny frowned. "He just doesn't realize how great I am yet. The trick is to make him see."

"I suggest subtlety," Annja said. "Don't be so overt about it."

"I can be subtle," Jenny said, and she marched up the steps into the office.

Annja glanced at Joey. "She's never been subtle."

Joey smirked. "Now there's something I never would have guessed."

Inside, Jenny was already deep in conversation with David, who sat on the bench outside his office drinking a cup of coffee. Annja studied him and found it tough to imagine that he was anything like how Sheila had described him.

Glancing at Ellen, who laughed from time to time as the flow of conversation slowly progressed, Annja doubted that she was in any way distressed by her boss. Like Joey had warned her, Sheila might have been a few sandwiches shy of a picnic. She was a great hostess, but still a bit crazy.

David called out to her. "Jenny tells me you guys found the hotel okay."

Annja nodded. "Nothing like a hot bath and a nap to make you feel almost human again."

"I'll bet." David got up and washed his coffee mug in the sink.

Annja looked at Ellen. "You and Sheila must be pretty tight, huh?"

Ellen shrugged. "I don't really talk to her that much. She had some issues a few years back, and as a result of that she pretty much keeps to herself."

"Well, thanks for calling her earlier to let her know we were coming."

Ellen shook her head. "I never called her."

Annja frowned. "She said you called her. Told her we would be looking for rooms."

Ellen shook her head. "Nope. Soon as you left, I was on the horn with the state police. Been busy playing phone tag ever since. I haven't had time to take my lunch break, let alone call down to Sheila."

Annja looked at Jenny. "Well, that's odd."

Ellen sighed. "I wouldn't put much stock in what she says. She just hasn't been right since the breakdown. People round these parts think she's a bit loony."

"That's not a nice thing to say," David said as he dried the mug. "Everyone's got their own troubles to deal with."

"It might not be nice," Ellen said, "but it's a fair shade more accurate than pooh-poohing it away as if she's perfectly fine. She's not."

David nodded. "Well, let's just hope you never go through the same thing and have to endure all the teasing she has."

"No one teases her," Ellen said. "She makes all that stuff up just to feel better. Honestly."

David shrugged and then turned to Joey. "I see you're back."

"Safe and sound as always," Joey said. "I suppose Annja told you why I was out there."

David nodded. "I'm sorry about Cheehawk. Can we do a ceremony sometime?"

Joey nodded. "They killed him, sheriff. I know they did. He was in terrible pain when he died. Well, before Annja helped out, that is."

David looked up. "Oh? And how did she help?"

Annja spoke up hurriedly. "I just helped ease him over to the other side, that's all. Nothing special."

David looked at her for a moment and then nodded. "So why don't we go and see why I asked Jenny to come out here. I suppose that's what you're anxious to do, huh?"

Annja nodded. "Absolutely."

David smiled. "Fine, let's all take a drive."

Chapter 24.

Outside, David led Annja, Jenny and Joey around the back of the police station to a new black Chevy Tahoe.

Annja whistled as they approached. "Well, this certainly is a step up from the truck you were driving earlier this morning. Did you hit the lottery right after we exploded or what?"