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"Glad I could oblige y'all. I'd say seven o'clock ought to do." He looks back up the road towards town. "Cousin Vern's a stuffy sort, but he means well. No doubt he'll appreciate the opportunity for bein' civil as much as I have." He tips his hat in farewell. "Miss Harvey, Mister Clark; until this evening." He then strides over to Ernest and inspects the young man's work.
George politely listens to Luther's requests and gives a nod, then turns to Amaya. "If y'all wanted to pick my brain I'm free after-hours. Maybe you'd like to hash it out over dinner at the Lakeside tonight?"
"Not a lot of love lost between most folks and old man Pallaver, I'm afraid. Too much bad blood. Now not many hold it against Kathy - not her fault who her daddy was. They's real understandin' that way." It's hard to tell whether his last remark is serious or in jest. "The occasional exchange of words was had between the old man and some of the older folks in town - usually Gustav - but nothin' more serious than that. Pallaver mostly kept himself to himself. Now that he's gone I reckon the matter's laid to rest." "How have they taken to a younger man in your position? Hopefully not as disrespectful as we found them to be." "I think I took some gettin' used to, for sure, but all in all they put up with me just fine, Miss Harvey. I prefer dirty looks to bullets." He smiles. "Course, it don't hurt that that the mayor's my cousin." His eyes turn to Oukonunaka as the man squat-waddles past with his eyes on the ground. "Beggin' your pardon, Miss, but you folks don't seem to be out just for the mornin' air. Anything I can help you with?" "Constable, regarding the 'bit of business' -- may I ask you about this? One of the others in our party is a doctor, and suggested that it may be the work of a diseased and potentially dangerous animal. If this is the case, it would be a good idea to find and destroy the animal. I wonder if I might I have a look at the remnants to evaluate this possibility?" "I assure you I'm lookin' into the matter, Mr. Clark. It's been two dead chickens; I figure it's one of the boys playin' at spookin' folks on account of Pallaver. I wouldn't worry yerselves about it."
Constable Schultz shakes Amaya's hand with a smile. "A pleasure, Miss Harvey." He nods to Luther at his introduction. "Not as a matter of routine, Mr. Clark. It's when their routine's broken that they start to get a mite irritable." He turns his eyes back to Amaya. "I hope y'all haven't had any more problems from Gustav..?" Amaya: From his accent, you'd guess George is a second or third generation Texan of Southern heritage.
"Morning, ma'am," the better-dressed man drawls, tipping his hat to Amaya. He has a trimmed beard and mustache, his face handsome but lined and weathered for his twenty-some years. "We're just clearing up a small bit of business. Nothing to worry yourself about. Ain't that right, Karl?" He looks to the exasperated farmer. "No, that ain't right, Sheriff! You can take your damn 'reasonable' and choke on it!" The farmer storms off down the down the coast of the lake to the west, cursing. The man sighs and shakes his head. "I must apologize for Karl's rude behavior; he's got some silly notions in his head that've got him upset. But where are my own manners? I'm George Schultz, Helorus Town Constable. Welcome to town. You're here for the Pallaver funeral, aren't you?" He holds Amaya's eyes with a steady blue gaze.
"Well, I... I guess I'm done here. Karl, you get on about your business, and don't go spookin' people. I'll walk you back, Miss Pallaver - it's on my way anyways."
"I assure you it's neither, Miss Pallaver. Karl there came across a dead chicken this morning, probably done in by a fox that got scared off when it heard him coming. Darn thing made quite a mess of it, and Karl got spooked by the sight, the damn fool. He came running to me like the Devil himself had had a hand in it. Now I've got Ernest cleanin' it up so Karl doesn't raise no more fuss about it. "What brings the two of you down to the lake?"
"Good morning, sir, and to you, Miss Pallaver," the better-dressed man replies, turning from the farmer. "No assistance is required, I assure you; just an unfortunate incident involving a dead chicken, of all things. Simply ludicrous." This last statement is pointedly directed at the farmer, who reddens somewhat and hangs his head. The man then walks up to join the pair of hikers. "Condolences to you, Miss Pallaver, on your loss. And you, sir, must be in town for the funeral. I'm George Shultz, town constable. Heard about Gustav's nonsense yesterday, for which he's been reprimanded, I assure you both. I don't think you'll get a formal apology out of him, Miss Pallaver, but you'll not get any more trouble, either. I also heard about your swordsmanship, Mister... Oculus? Or should I say canesmanship?" George looks pointedly at the magician's concealed weapon. "I appreciate that no blood was spilled yesterday, and would appreciate it even more if things continue that way." |
