New Sheriff, New Mysteries
The phone on his desk began to ring, sounding more like an old fashioned telephone than the iPhone it really was. Roman slid his thumb across the screen and grabbed it, pressing the screen against the side of his face. "Hello?" The voice on the other end was one he recognized, a deputy. "Boss, I think you'll want to get down here. You told me to let you know about any weird situations and I think this would qualify," the deputy explained. The rest of the conversation was little more than directions and a basic rundown of what he would be walking into.
Thankfully the town was small, the trip took only a few minutes before he found himself parking backwards into the driveway of a house. Roman glanced around, searching for others, be they police or members of the local media. He spotted another cruiser in the swale across the street. The other cop, however, was comforting a stranger near the front door. He threw the car in park and exited, making a beeline for the pair. "Sheriff Jimenez, at your service. Deputy Parker told me about an issue you were experiencing," he smiled as he introduced himself, exuding a friendly aura to ease the frantic woman before him.
"Oh thank God, Sheriff! I didn't think you made calls but I think we need the help." Her eyes were wide as she spoke, but as she took in the sight of him she seemed to calm almost immediately. There was something about the man, almost like magic.
Roman chuckled, not to laugh at her but at the idea he wouldn't be a hands-on sheriff. That was one of the ideals that secured his election. "Of course. I intend to make good on my promises as sheriff, Mrs. Williams. Now, what seems to be the problem?"
"Promise you'll hear me out before I tell you?" she asked cautiously. When he nodded, urging her on with a small hand gesture, she let out a loud sigh and began her tale. "My husband passed away last month, as you may know. Or, at least I though he did." The worry in her eyes returned and she clutched the front of her shirt, her hand resting over her heart. "But I saw him, sheriff. I saw him standing over me as I woke up from my afternoon nap!"