Daughters of Brinn: Book 2: Don't Fear the Night

By Wendy Watts

After losing his footman Riley, Lieutenant Brigan Corrigan finds himself placed in the center of a mystery and an investigation, all the while protecting the Brinns. What happens next shocks them all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781387805785

Book preview

Daughters of Brinn: Don’t Fear the Night

A Fictional Short Story (2nd in the Series)

By: Wendy Watts

All Rights Reserved.

CHAPTER ONE: A SPIRITED DEBATE

The table was set with fine china, a teapot and tea cups, a jar of sun tea, a pitcher of water, an assortment of wild turkey, chicken and ham sandwiches cut into squares on a platter, a bowl of fruit, a platter of sliced cheese and some crackers in a basket. As they entered, Lizzy, Clari and Corrinne smiled tensely at the Sheriff and Brigan, then seated themselves and began to pass the food around the farmhouse table for sharing.

Seems like a nice setup you’ve got here, Brigan. Ladies, your father would be proud. the Sheriff complimented.

Indeed, Brigan agreed, One never knows the next turn of life but I’m glad I ended up here. Now, if we could just get to the bottom of this murder.

Clarissa gasped and coughed slightly mid-swallow and set her tea cup back down on the table with a slightly shaking hand, then grabbed a cloth napkin to pat her lips. Must we discuss this now? I thought maybe you’d discuss after lunch in the living quarters.

Brigan cast an empathetic expression her way, then returned swiftly to stoicism. If you’d like to be excused you may, Clari, but the Sheriff is only here for lunch, he needs to get back to town before nightfall. So this discussion is happening now.

Lizzy’s analytic and imaginative mind had already analyzed the potential origins of the event in forensic detail; she dove into the conversation like a buzzard after a kill. So are we thinking man or beast? she queried, taking a bite out of the corner edge of toast while stirring some honey into her tea with the opposite hand.

Never were one to be shy, were you…Elizabeth? the Sheriff chuckled.

Never. Lizzy countered with a smile.

Well, we are considering either possibility, or… the Sheriff replied, setting down a glass of sun tea.

Or???  Lizzy pressed.

A hybrid. the Sheriff pondered, taking a bite of his sandwich and savoring it.

Corrinne cringed at the thought. You mean a man/wolf, like the fictional werewolf stories. Or like the legend of Bigfoot. You can’t be serious?!

We aren’t ruling anything out, we haven’t finished the investigation and the clues could suggest either at this point. It’s either a murderer trying to make it look like a beast killing as a cover up or a real beast, sure. the Sheriff clarified.

We need you to sit tight for a while ladies until we figure this out. No one leaves the house without me or someone who can provide protection. Brigan commanded, then continued:  I will be teaching all of you how to shoot, so that in the event you need to defend yourselves, you can.

Good idea, Brigan. You’ll have yourself a female posse. I might need all of your help someday. the Sheriff winked and smiled. That said, ladies, the threat may be coming from a predator in the surrounding forest or a menace from the village/encampment I discovered a few miles away. So remain vigilant, keep an eye out for anything peculiar. It’s not safe out there until we catch whomever or whatever, did this to Riley. The Sheriff, finished with his lunch, pushed back his chair and turned to leave.

Thank you kindly for the lunch, I’ll be on my way now. Brigan, I know you’ll send word of any new findings, I’ll do the same in return. the Sheriff nodded, placing his hat back on as he reached the door. Absolutely, Sir. Brigan replied, closing the door behind them both as they exited and headed toward the barn.

What’s the matter, Brigan? You think whatever it is would attack me in broad daylight on the way to your barn?

No disrespect to you, Sir. But it has happened before unfortunately, so that’s not a risk I’m willing to take.

It’s Charles, Sheriff or Sheriff Danforth, but I think by now we’re on a first name basis, so you can call me Charles.

A forceful wind picked up suddenly, whipping and howling through the center of the barn door as they entered.

Strange, that. the Sheriff remarked. You know, I hadn’t considered it but there may be other forces at work here. How well do you know the Brinn girls?

I’ve only been here a few months, but albeit a bit spirited, a sensible group of girls.

The Sheriff nodded, unlatched the