36. Sloan
THIRTY-SIX
SLOAN
“Can I see that list?”
“Sure.” Sloan handed the list of names to Aareth.
Aareth took the paper as the two continued to walk down the town’s main dirt road. There were thirty-two names on the list of deceased town folk and only three on the side that had been compiled of eyewitnesses.
Sloan waved to a few of the town’s people who passed at varying intervals and smiled back. The sun was warm. Sloan was eager to get to the bottom of the killings and complete her mission. She had a good feeling about the day but couldn’t help but notice the frown on Aareth’s face.
“What is it? Did you find something?”
“There are so many attacks in the given timeframe. We need so much more information than this piece of paper is going to tell us. Who knows if this list is even accurate.”
“You think the preacher is lying, don’t you?” Sloan asked, slowing her pace.
“Maybe not exactly lying, but—maybe withholding information.”
“I got the same feeling.”
“We need to go someplace where we can get the truth, someplace where we know they’ll talk to us without a filter.”
“Where’s that?”
“A bar.”
“We’re here to work.” Sloan scowled. “Not to get drunk.”
“Excuse me, sir.” Aareth was already ignoring her as he flagged down an older gentleman who pushed a wheelbarrow. “Where can we get a drink around here?”
“A little early to be drinking, son,” The man cocked his head to the side looking up at Aareth. “Even if there was someplace to get a drink at nowadays.”
“You mean there’s no bar or saloon in the entire city?”
“Used to be.” The man lowered the wheelbarrow, wiping sweat from his forehead. “We used to have quite a few, but they got shut down when their owners and operators died.”
“All of them died?” Sloan asked. “From the animal attacks?”
“That they did.” The man rocked back and forth on his feet as he nodded.
“Well, I guess if you’re hurting for a drink that bad, you still might be able to find one inside The Corner Saloon.
That was the last bar to close. It just closed its doors last week.
It’s down this road another block and to the left.
Don’t let Preacher Ahab find you there. He’s not a big supporter of the drinking business. ”
“We won’t.” Aareth extended a hand. “Thanks for the information.”
“No problem; anything I can do to help.” The man shook Aareth’s hand in return.
Sloan and Aareth turned from the wheelbarrow-rolling citizen and headed in the direction he pointed out.
“What are the odds that all the bars were targeted by this creature?” Sloan asked as her boots kicked up miniature dirt clouds.
“Not to mention the mayor, the sheriff and the deputies,” Aareth continued her thought.
“This is starting to look less and less random. It sounds like coordinated attacks.”
“How’s the animal able to target certain people and not others?”
“I don’t know, Inspector Emerson. You tell me.”
Aareth took a deep breath. “This is getting more confusing by the minute.”
“Agreed. Looks like we’re here.” Sloan pointed to a single-story wooden building. The wood structure sported a large sign that read The Corner Saloon above its swinging double doors.
“Ladies first.”
“Such a gentleman.” Sloan stepped onto a creaky wooden porch and entered the dark building. The saloon was one large room with tables and chairs thrown every which way like a tornado touched down inside the building. Near the back of the room was a long bar.
Behind and on top of the bar, broken glass was scattered everywhere. The stench of spilled alcohol and blood filled Sloan’s nostrils. It made her cough. Gore marks and spatters could still be seen around the floor, walls, and even ceiling.
“Wow.” Aareth gagged past the smell. “Wheelbarrow guy didn’t tell us we’d be walking into a war ground.”
Sloan forced herself to move into the room making her way to the bar. They were alone besides the stench of the building that met them at every turn.
“Well, so much for finding someone willing to talk to us.” Sloan fixated on a particularly large red mark on the back wall.
Sloan was still looking around the room, when they both heard something crash behind the bar. Sloan jumped back. In one quick motion, drew her sword. Without even thinking, she flipped the switch that heated the blade.
Aareth stood on her left, both hands slipping into the mage-powered gauntlets dangling from his belt.