Lionel’s thoughts were everywhere as he finished up his rounds. He knew the beat and the rhythm of Happy Village, and tonight it was off. It wasn’t the rain, either. He’d felt it the moment he came on duty. And because of his feeling, he’d made sure he paid attention to every little thing, like Sid Donaldson’s porch light. Nothing he could put his finger on and say, aha, so that’s what it is. There was nothing out of the ordinary, no traffic, no one out walking, no loud noises. No stray animals. Absolutely nothing, and yet he was absolutely positive that something was wrong. Twice he’d walked by Gentry Lomax’s quarters, but they were dark. His pickup truck was parked in its allotted spot. Nothing there to cause concern.

Lionel rounded the corner of Sycamore and Acadia. He stopped and pushed back the sleeve of his slicker to look at his watch, a gift from his granny when he graduated high school. It was an old Timex that had belonged to his beloved grandfather, a watch his granny had bought with money she said she saved by doing extra ironing for people. The leather band was worn and frayed. It felt like a second skin on Lionel’s wrist. The watch kept perfect time right down to the second. Cosmo Cricket had teased him about it, asking if he’d trade it for his gold Rolex. Lionel had just shaken his head no. He’d no more give up this watch than he would part with his front teeth. Time to head for the clubhouse so Dom could take over and he could dry out or catch an hour’s catnap.

Lionel turned around and stopped in the middle of the road. He looked all around him. He could see or hear nothing to set off an alarm. He couldn’t hear anything other than the rain splashing in the puddles and on his slicker, yet he knew something, somewhere was wrong. He could feel it in every pore of his body. What the hell was it? What was he missing?

By the time Lionel made his way to the clubhouse, the rain had stopped its ferocious onslaught and seemed to be tapering off. He hoped it would all stop soon.

“You’re up, Dom,” Lionel called out just as he opened the door.

Dom was already in his slicker, boots, and fisherman’s rain hat. “Anything I need to know, Lionel, before I start making my rounds?”

“Sid Donaldson’s porch light is on, but that’s okay. I checked on him, and he fell asleep on the sofa. Sadie Davis left her light on, but she’s spending the night with her friend Ada Cummings. I read the note she left on her door, and that’s how I know, so don’t waste your time checking those two out.”