Murder and Mayhem in Cedar Falls. Walter Wittmuss

three days ago, didn’t you?”

      “Yes, and it just made me sick. Who in their right mind would slit a poor dog’s throat from ear to ear? Things like that just don’t happen in Cedar Falls.”

      “You hit the nail on the head when you said right mind. Nobody in their right mind would do a thing like that. What scares me so bad is, if you remember, that was how that poor girl was killed that was raped not too long ago.”

      “My husband won’t let me go anyplace unless I have a friend go with me.”

      “I just wonder if the sheriff is making any progress in any of the rape cases. And now there’s this dog thing…”

      “Your guess is as good as anybody’s. If he is, he isn’t letting anybody else know.”

      “All I’ve got to say is, he had better get his butt in gear. Elections for sheriff is coming up, and if he wants to keep his job, he had better start showing some results.”

      The two people who had been in front of the two ladies had been taken care of, and now it was Rose’s turn. They got through the procedure, and then it was my turn.

      “Mr. Brennon,” the clerk said, looking at my Texas license, “have you permanently moved to this county?”

      “Yes. I’ve moved from Texas to right here in this town.”

      “Okay. Have you gotten a permanent address in town yet?”

      “Yes, sir. It is 1021 Fifth Street.”

      “Okay. Since this license isn’t expired, the state and county allow me to let your Nebraska license expire on the same date as your Texas license would have. Take this over to have your picture taken,” he said, handing me the form he had just filled out. “They will issue you your Nebraska license there. Thank you.”

      “Thank you,” I said, taking the form.

      I went over and had my picture taken. Shortly afterward, I had my new license. Next stop was to get new plates for the car. By the time I got everything done, the morning was pretty well gone. I decided to grab a bite to eat over at Jim’s Cafe.

      I noticed the police patrol car out in front of the cafe. When I walked in, I saw the deputy that knew Denise was seated at a back table. I went over to his table.

      “Hello, Deputy. Do you mind if I join you?”

      “No, I don’t mind. Aren’t you the guy that ran into Denise yesterday?”

      “Guilty,” I admitted with a little laugh. “I got my driver’s license and car plates taken care of this morning. I will be happy to show them to you if you like.”

      The waitress came over with a glass of water. I ordered lunch.

      “That won’t be necessary. I believe you,” the deputy said.

      “I am curious about something, Deputy. I know it probably isn’t any of my business, but I heard some people talking about three rapes that has happened in town. I also heard a dog was found with its throat cut.”

      “What about them?”

      “Since I’m going to be living in town now, the stories make me a little nervous. I was wondering if the police has made any progress in any of the cases?”

      “Not much progress, but of what interest would it be to you, Mister…?”

      “Brennon. John Brennon. I just hate to see any criminal escape justice. My profession is astrology, but I have an interest in crime detection.”

      “Well, I’m sure Sheriff Blocker will get to the bottom of it and catch the guy doing it all.”

      “I assume Sheriff Blocker collected DNA from the rape victims?”

      “You would have to ask the sheriff. But if he did, it’s not much good unless you can find a match, and if that had happened, there would be someone behind bars. The jail is empty. I have to go. Been nice chatting with you, Mr. Brennon.”

      My lunch came as the deputy left. I ate my hamburger, soup, fries, and Coke. The hot August sun beat down on me as I stepped out of the cafe and walked to my car. The Cadillac’s air conditioner kept me cool, though, as I drove to the college. I found the building my classroom was in with the aid of the campus map.

      A short distance from the classroom building, on the crest of a hill, stood the imposing observatory. It’s high-arched roof with its slit for the telescope, which was now closed, sent a thrill through me. I could vividly see in my mind’s eye the wonders of the heavens just waiting to be enjoyed via the telescope.

      It surprised me when I thought I saw the figure of a person by the observatory wall. Since classes hadn’t started yet, I didn’t see what business anybody would have by the observatory. Of course, it could be a cleaning crew person, I reasoned. The figure momentarily stepped out of the shadow of the observatory. I could distinguish that it was a man’s, or a boy’s, figure. Then just as quickly, the figure disappeared behind the observatory. I wondered whether I should go up and check it out. After a minute or two of debating on what I should do, I decided if the person was a trespasser, the college’s security would handle it.

      I went into the classroom building and found the room that was to be my classroom. Stepping into the room, I was struck by the bareness of the room. Whatever had been taught in the classroom before was no longer evident. As a matter of fact, the room looked like it hadn’t been used for a couple of years. The floor was swept, but there was a thin layer of dust on my desk and on the four tiers of students’ seats. As I started to make a list of things I would have to order, like charts, models, and reference books, Denise walked in.

      “Hello,” I said, surprised. “I had planned on picking you up at the Music Building.”

      “What I wanted to get done today I finished early, so after finding out where they had put you, I decided to come over and see your new classroom.”

      “Well, this is it. I haven’t been up to the observatory yet. I’m anxious to, though. How long have you been a professor here at the college, Denise?”

      “Three years. Why?”

      “Is there any reason that you can think of for anybody to be up by the observatory? Maybe a member of the housekeeping staff who cleans the classrooms and maybe the observatory as well?”

      “As far as I know, nobody has set foot inside the observatory for a year. Were you able to see the person well enough to describe them?”

      “No. I could tell it was a guy, but that is all.”

      “Well, it wasn’t her then.”

      “Her?”

      “Yes. Miss Florence Duncan. The great-granddaughter of the college’s founder. She lives in that mansion that sits a little ways from the observatory. But you said it was a guy you saw.”

      “Yes, it was. When was the new telescope installed?”

      “About a year ago. At the time, I thought it was just a waste of money since there wasn’t anybody here who really knew how to use it. Are they hard to operate? That size, I mean.”

      “No, they aren’t hard to operate once you know how, but you do have to be trained to operate one. You are saying, though, that nobody has operated the telescope or done any type of maintenance on it since it was installed?”

      “I’m not saying no, just none that I know of.”

      “If that’s the case, I hope it hasn’t been ruined from neglect. I think I have my list pretty complete. Are you ready to go?”

      “Whenever you are.”

      “I have to stop at the Maintenance Building to turn in this list. Do you mind?”

      “No, not at all.”

      I followed her out, locking the door behind me. When we stepped out of the