The morning sun cast long shadows over Ashwood as Lucas stepped out into the cool, crisp air. The town was quieter than he expected. A soft breeze carried the scent of fresh-cut grass and damp earth, but there was an unsettling stillness beneath it all. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was lurking just out of sight.
After meeting Emma at the bakery the previous day, Lucas had decided to take a proper tour of the townâget to know the people, the landmarks, and most importantly, the atmosphere. He couldn't afford to stay isolated in his office. As much as he tried to dismiss it, there was something about Ashwood that set him on edge. The murders, the strange sense of calm, and the way everyone seemed to be hiding somethingâit was all too much to ignore.
His first stop was at Sheriff Ben's office, a small, modest building located near the edge of Main Street. The office, unlike the rest of the town, was bustling with activity. Lucas had expected a quiet, reserved place, but Sheriff Ben's presence seemed to keep things moving.
As he entered, he was greeted by a burly man sitting behind a worn desk, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. Sheriff Ben had a relaxed demeanor, his graying beard and rumpled shirt giving him the appearance of someone who had been doing this job for far too long to care about appearances.
"Ah, the new detective! You've got quite a bit to look into here," Sheriff Ben said, standing up to greet him. His voice was gravelly, but there was a warmth to it. "Name's Ben. You'll be seeing a lot of me around here, though don't expect too much trouble. We like to keep things simple."
Lucas shook his hand. "Thanks for making time, Sheriff. I've heard a lot about you."
Ben chuckled, his eyes narrowing with amusement. "Oh, I bet you have. Just don't believe everything you hear."
They shared a brief, knowing look before Sheriff Ben motioned to a chair in front of his desk. "Take a seat, Grey. I've got a couple of people I'd like you to meet today. Folks you'll want to know if you're going to get a real feel for this place."
Lucas took the seat, trying to keep his attention focused. Ben's relaxed attitude was a stark contrast to the sharpness of Sheriff Cole, but Lucas was beginning to see that Ashwood wasn't a town for people who liked things too orderly. Everyone had their own rhythm.
Ben leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets. "Let me tell you something about Ashwood. This town's got a way of keeping secrets. It doesn't mean we're hiding anything illegal, but... there are things folks don't talk about. Things better left in the past."
"Like the murders," Lucas said, his voice low.
Ben's eyes darkened for a moment, but he quickly recovered, a faint smile returning to his lips. "Especially the murders. That's a whole other story. But hey, I'm sure you'll figure that out soon enough." He motioned for Lucas to follow. "Now, come on. Let's go meet the others."
Their first stop was Tom Marsh, the town's mailman. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a friendly face that always seemed to be smiling, no matter the time of day. He stood in front of a little white house at the edge of town, his mail bag slung over his shoulder, casually chatting with a few of the neighbors.
"Well, if it isn't the new guy," Tom said, giving Lucas a friendly wave as they approached. "I've been hearing about you. This is my turfâwell, mostly." He chuckled and clapped Lucas on the shoulder. "Tom Marsh, at your service."
"Nice to meet you," Lucas said, his instinct telling him that Tom was harmless, but there was something about the man's perpetual cheerfulness that struck him as odd. "You seem to know everyone in town."
Tom shrugged, grinning. "What can I say? When you deliver as much mail as I do, you get to know a lot of people. Don't worry though, I'm not the gossip type." His grin widened. "Mostly."
Sheriff Ben laughed at the exchange. "Tom knows the town better than anyone. If you need any help getting the lay of the land, he's your man."
Lucas smiled, but the words didn't settle quite right. Everyone in Ashwood seemed to have their own way of saying nothing while appearing helpful. But then again, it was early days. He couldn't judge yet.
The next stop was Mrs. Owens, who owned the local departmental store. A short walk from Tom's house, it sat on the side of Main Street, the building looking as old as the town itself. The store was packed with all manner of thingsâgroceries, canned goods, handmade trinkets, and old-fashioned cleaning supplies. It was the kind of place where you could lose yourself in the aisles for hours.
Inside, Mrs. Owens was behind the counter, carefully sorting through a stack of papers. She was a tall woman, her gray hair pulled back into a neat bun, and her sharp eyes gave her the presence of someone who had seen it all. Her smile was welcoming, but there was something unreadable about her.
"Ah, the new detective," she said, her voice cool but not unkind. "I've heard about you, Mr. Grey. I'm Mrs. Owens. This is my shop." She gestured around the small space. "If you need anything, I'm sure we can make it work."
Lucas nodded, glancing around the store. There was an odd familiarity to it, but it also felt like a place where secrets were kept. Every item seemed to have its own history, as though it had been placed with a purpose that only Mrs. Owens truly understood.
"People around here like their privacy," Mrs. Owens continued, folding a shirt with careful precision. "But you'll find what you need if you look closely. This town doesn't speak much, but it's got a lot to say if you listen."
There it was againâanother cryptic remark. Everyone in Ashwood seemed to speak in riddles. But Lucas couldn't let it get to him. Not yet. He had to stay focused.
"Thanks, Mrs. Owens," he said, his voice steady. "I'm sure I'll be back around here."
She gave him a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "We'll see, Mr. Grey. We'll see."
As Lucas followed Ben through the town, he couldn't shake the feeling that Ashwood was drawing him in with its quiet beauty, its slow pace, and the secrets that it seemed to be holding close. The residents were all kind in their own way, but there was an underlying tension in every conversation. As if they were all waiting for something. Or perhaps dreading it.
"Ben," Lucas said, his voice hesitant. "Do you ever feel like something's... off about this town?"
Ben didn't answer immediately. He looked up at the sky, his hands in his pockets. "Everyone feels it when they first get here. Ashwood's got its own way of making people feel welcome. But make no mistakeâit has its share of ghosts."
Before Lucas could respond, Tom called from down the street. "Don't be spooking him already, Ben! It's just the town's charm."
Ben smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Maybe. Or maybe Tom's right. But don't forget, detectiveâthis town's got a history. And sometimes, that history comes back to haunt you."
As they continued their walk, the weight of Ben's words settled over Lucas. Ashwood was a town full of secrets, and everyone seemed to be keeping theirs just below the surface. It wasn't a place you could figure out in a day, and as much as he wanted to, Lucas knew he had to tread carefully.
In the end, Ashwood wasn't just quietâit was mysterious. And every new face he met only seemed to add another layer to the puzzle.