The ride in Sheriff Morton’s jeep wasn’t very long, but the town had turned out to be a little bigger than it had initially seemed. The boys were shy and, after the initial introductions, David hadn’t known what to say. But Sheriff Morton was friendly and good at talking to everyone. Soon he was telling them all kinds of facts about the town.

  “This must feel like the middle of nowhere to you boys”, he said with a chuckle. “Especially coming from LA. This used to be a mining town. Back… maybe… a hundred or years ago or more. Copper ran out some fifty years ago. Turns out there wasn’t as much as they thought. But this little town sprang up around it and a bunch of ranchers moved in in the meantime. So, it kind of went from being a mining town to a ranch town.”

  He glanced at David, who had been listening but said nothing as observed the town go by outside the window. He thought maybe David hadn’t understood. “Ranches are… you know. Like, places where they raise cattle, for beef.”

  David nodded, saying ‘Oh yeah, I know’, and Sheriff Morton continued.

  “It’s still not as busy as it was in the days when the mine was open. But, it’s big enough for me.” He concluded reflectively. “There’s only two trains a day now, so that’s why you’re stuck here for a little bit today.” He chuckled.

  It suddenly occurred to David that sometimes adults needed assurance that kids were listening. He knew he should say something. “I think it’s nice here. I like the desert, and it’s really different than back home.”

  The sheriff made a slightly surprised face to himself. “You don’t think it’s boring?”

  “I don’t know. If it’s peaceful enough and you know the people… I think everywhere can be a nice place to live. My dad grew up in a small town, kind of like this. He really likes where he grew up.”

  “Oh, where d’your dad grow up?”

  “Uh… Well actually, he’s from Portugal. He came to America when he was ten, and then he grew up in New Jersey after that.” David replied.

  “Oh,” Sheriff Morton was surprised again. It was not what he expected to hear. “I got a sister who lives in Nashville… Tennessee. Her church group took a trip to Portugal last year, actually. She said it was really nice… friendly people.”

  “Yeah, it is,” David agreed. “I’ve been there a couple of times. But… I think most people, in most places are nice… Once you get to know them.”

  Sheriff Morton glanced at David, continually surprised by his positive attitude. He was starting to take a liking to this plucky young boy from California and his quiet, gentle brother. “Yeah, I guess so David. I think you’re right. Maybe all good people are alike, everywhere…” He snorted as if clearing something out of his nose, and then his tone became more business-like. “Now tell me about this girl. I’m not convinced that you saw what you think you saw, to be honest. Not that you’re lying, but you could have made a mistake, you know? Tell me all the details, from when you first saw her.”

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  It only took two minutes for David to retell the story, which Sheriff Morton listened to without interrupting.

  “You don’t have the little note that she left you with, do you? The note saying ‘Help’?”

  David grunted in frustration. “No. I wish I did. I must have dropped it when I ran after her.” He turned to his brother, who had been listening a bit, but mostly taking in the view. “Robbie, you don’t still have the paper with the writing, do you?”

  Robbie shook his head no. “Sorry.”

  “That’s ok.” David assured him.

  “Well,” Sheriff Morton continued. “It’s definitely fishy, for sure. We’re pulling up to the police station here, and I’ll introduce you boys to our admin, Stevie - she’ll make sure you’re comfortable. I’ll get on my radio and put out an alert to my deputies and to the next town over, Ranch Creek, to keep an eye out for these characters. Even if this whole thing is a misunderstanding, I wanna make sure everything checks out.”

  They parked in front of a small police station and got out. Inside was a small office with an open counter and a woman in her forties, with big curly hair and lots of bracelets on her wrist, stood up from her desk and came to greet them when they came in.

  “Hey Stevie,” the sheriff said as he took off his hat. “Here’s our boys from LA. Take good care of them, alright? I’m gonna get on the horn and put out an alert about these folks with the girl.”

  Stevie was very warm. “Sure thing. I’ve been looking forward to meeting these guys. Wow, did you really come here all the way from Los Angeles? That’s so cool.” She was very warm and the boys took a liking to her immediately.

  David nodded, slightly embarrassed by all the attention. But he also understood that people in small towns are curious about outsiders - it was the same when he visited his dad’s family in Portugal and lots of strangers wanted to meet them. “Yeah, we did. We kind of ended up here by accident,” he responded. “I’m David, and this is my brother Robbie.” Robbie waved to Stevie shyly.

  “It’s so nice to meet you guys. I know this is not as exciting as LA, but I think you’ll find we’re very friendly around here. Say, while the Sheriff was picking you guys up, I had an idea. My cousin has a café across the street. I could walk you over there, and introduce you. And you guys could have some lunch. What do you think?”

  The boys agreed but, just then, someone called on the phone and Stevie went behind the counter to pick it up. The boys couldn’t make out exactly what was being said, but Stevie sounded upset. As the call concluded she said “Yes, of course. I’ll have him go right away.”

  She went into a back office where the Sheriff had disappeared to, and after a minute they returned together. Sheriff Morton was in a hurry and already had his hat on again.

  “Someone fell off his roof and he’s hurt pretty bad. I gotta grab one of my deputies and go pick up this man and take him to the hospital in Ranch Creek, that’s almost an hour away, so I’ll be gone a while.” He checked his pockets for his wallet and keys as he spoke. “You guys stay with Stevie and just go along and have some lunch. I’ll be back later this afternoon.” He walked out the door and shouted behind him. “You’ll be in good hands!” Then he got in his jeep, his tires squealing as he did a quick u-turn, and sped down the road.

  ? 2025 Gil Pedro Bento. All Rights Reserved.