Free A Werewolf Meant to Be Loved by R. T. Ratliff

Chapter 1 – Trying to make sense of things
     
    Pass the ketchup, officer Butler asks? Hey, did you hear me Chandler, Butler repeats? Officer David Chandler is completely distracted by thoughts of recent events. He agreed to go to lunch with his new partner, Officer Michelle Butler to take his mind off of things but, it really hasn’t helped. Hey, David, are you listening to me, Michelle asks again? Snapping back to reality, David replies; yes, I’m sorry, my head was somewhere else. Yeah, I know, she comments. I thought that was why we were going to lunch, to get your mind off whatever has been bothering you. We did Michelle, David agrees; I just get lost sometimes. Okay, well, I still need that ketchup, Michelle jokes.
    The two enjoy their lunch for a few minutes longer before they get a call on the radio; all units in the vicinity of 8th and Euclid, respond to a residential call reporting a sighting of a wild animal roaming the area.  Michelle and David look at each; well, do you wanna take it, David asks? We are closest, Michelle replies. David gets on the radio; Butler and Chandler ID 6809 to respond. David leaves the money for their lunch and they head to the squad car.
    David Chandler has been on the force in their small town for more than 25 years. He started at the age of 20 under the mentorship of his father, David senior. David grew up in the small town of Cottonwood Point the youngest of one sister and two brothers. When his older siblings moved away, he stayed to help out his parents. After his father passed, he realized there was no chance of him ever leaving Cottonwood Point. He settled in for the long ride.
    David never married but, has come close three times. The first, his high school sweetheart; she decided Cottonwood Point was not the place for her. The second, a college classmate; again, left for the big city. The last and third; a local woman born and raised in Cottonwood Point as well. The relationship seemed pretty promising until her sudden disappearance. There were a few odd things that happened prior to her disappearing but, David didn’t make a big deal of it. After all, it had happened to him before. He was more surprised at Eileen’s disappearance than the others though. Eileen, was pretty easy going and he thought things were going well but, he let it go.
    Michelle and David quickly arrive at the Euclid address. An old farm backed off the main road about 2 miles, nestled into a small patch of woods. The car slowly rolls up the long graveled road as the two officers assess the parameter.  Once comfortable the two park and get out. Hand on gun, David knocks on the old half hung screen door. “Bang, Bang, Bang”, he knocks hard. They can hear noise coming from inside but they don’t see a person yet.
    Suddenly, a little old woman, looks to be 100, appears in front of the screen; the two look at each other wondering where she could have come from. Michelle speaks first; did someone call for the police? The little woman looks over at Michelle then at David. She then addresses David; yes, I did. I seen a wolf, she replies in a deep southern accent. Michelle then asks another question; where did you see the wolf? The woman looks at Michelle again, and then turns to David; it was right up here on my front stoop, right at my front door. It was looking right in my house at me, she replies.
    Realizing the woman won’t talk to Michelle; may we come in mam, David asks? The woman stares at David for a moment then opens the screen door. She holds the door open for David but, lets it go just as Michelle goes to walk in.
    They step into the woman’s living room area. Michelle pulls out a small note pad; David I will let you ask all of the questions since I can’t get answers. David smiles at Michelle then continues questioning the woman; mam, what is your name? Olivia Sullivan she replies; that’s O, L, I, V. Mam, David interrupts, I have it, thanks. Do you take any medications, drugs or drink