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Mildred walked into the small sheriff's office with her usual cheery smile. She was an older Boxer who taught at the schoolhouse on the edge of town.
“Hi Mildred, how are you,” asked Henry before realizing his mistake.
“Just wonderful. The children are wonderful and they’re a joy to teach. Well all except Alexander you know Robert’s kid. He is always interrupting class and I’ve had yet to find a way to stop it,” Mildred started enthusiastically.
“Well I think he just needs to figure out school is important,” Henry barely was able to say before Mildred interrupted.
“It’s his father's fault that man should shut down his saloon. His job is a bad influence on his son. I know you're going to say that the grumpy bulldog’s job has nothing to do with it but children tend to take after their parent’s. Luckily his mother is a great influence on him despite his interrupting class Alexander is the politest kid I’ve ever met,” Mildred said, getting slightly louder as she continued.
“Yes he is a rather sweet kid,” Henry said, trying to politely end the conversation.
“If that kid would only apply himself he would be the best kid at the school and maybe end up going to college. Yet as it stands Alexander will probably never end up making something of himself,” Mildred honestly said.
“Now wait a minute I’m trying my best to raise my son and I want him to use his smarts for something useful,” Robert interjected, charging into the sheriff's office.
Robert knowing Mildred was talking up a blue streak then left the office before she could talk his head off as well.
“That’s not the only trouble I have been having lately. My brother has decided to come to visit. Now that wouldn’t be a problem if he stayed at Elizabeth and Peggy’s hotel like everyone else who visits town but now he has to stay at my house. It’s not like their hotel is a complete dump and I’m pretty sure they both consider Harry’s refusal to stay a great insult. He also refuses my one request not to come to my house drunk,” Mildred explained exasperatedly.
“Did you just come here to report that your brother was drunk,” Henry said, getting visibly frustrated, “I’ve told you this several times I can’t arrest him unless he is in public and drunk.”
“No, that’s not what I came here to report. I saw a shady figure on the other side of town today and I’m pretty sure he’s not related to anyone in town because I’ve never seen him before,” Mildred said absentmindedly.
“Finally, what did this shady figure look like,” Henry asked relieved that Mildred had finally said something actually important.
“He looked to be a white Poodle with green eyes. You know I've never seen anyone before with green eyes. He also had on a black hat and a brown and black jacket which couldn’t have been comfortable in this heat. He also was smoking a cigar,” said Mildred, obviously more curious about the stranger then scared.
“Okay let's go see if we can find this stranger,” said Henry walking towards the door.