Aiden Stone sat rooted to the spot, too stunned to speak. The fiery woman before him differed greatly from the one before. She spoke without reserve and disposed of all formality; it was frankly, refreshing. He massaged his temple again before opening his drawer and popping a single painkiller into his mouth. “I apologise for losing my composure. I have misjudged you, Miss Williams.”

“Hermia, please.”

“Hermia, you said you represent the Town of Idyllic.” His voice wavered, “Are you the Sheriff? You're not the Mayor; while I cannot recall his name, I’d certainly remember if it was your face upon the election posters.”

“No, but you’re not too far off. Deputy Hermia Williams, I am here today to offer you the position of Sheriff of Idyllic.”

He blinked at her again before scoffing, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware my name was renown in New Brunswick, much less known in the Idyllic.”

Idyllic was a small tourist town located on the border between New Jersey and New York. A news article once ran the headline: Idyllic, The Town Time Left Behind. From the township’s architecture down to its inhabitants occupations, it sported the air of a 1960s midwestern town. Ice cream parlors had checkered floors, shoe shining chairs were outside movie theaters, and bars with pool tables and shiny juke boxes could be seen on Main Street. With a population of 3000 strong, crime there was unheard of. Even more odd was that despite there being obvious interest, there were never any vacant homes, nor was anyone aware of how to become a citizen. On paper, it was an exclusive, historic town—the perfect town, almost too perfect. The idea that murder was afoot in such a place was preposterous. But an appointment for him, a nobody detective, to occupy the station of Sheriff—now that was a good laugh.

“Our town is a bit peculiar. But as I’ve stated before, we need you, a detective with no ties to our fair town, to solve-”

“A certain murder.” Aiden tapped his fingers on his desk. “I may be jumping the gun here, but is the previous Sheriff the victim in this ‘certain murder’?”

Hermia’s eyes shined, “Very good.” She tucked the loose hair by her ear back again. “The previous Sheriff was my father.”

“...You have my condolences.” He averted his gaze from her glistening green eyes, and looked to no avail for tissues. “When did this happen?”

“About a week ago.” She sniffed, causing him to hasten his search. “It happened last Thursday evening, shortly after a Town Hall meeting. We are a small town; everyone was accounted for; my father left not 10 minutes before me for home. I lingered to socialise, on my way home…I found his body in an alley.”

“I’m sorry,” Aiden finally produced tissues from his breast pocket. “Any suspects?” 

Hermia carefully dabbed under her eyes, “Nearly everyone is a suspect.” She clenched the used tissue in her fist. “Now do you see why we have had to seek assistance from outside the town?”

He nodded. “And the state of the body?”

“Throat slit and body dissected. Organs missing.”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed, an unpleasant thought crossed his mind, but he squashed it. “Murder weapon was a knife then?”

“Perhaps.”

“Perhaps? Surely an accomplished medical examiner could confirm that.”

“Again, small town problems; our doctor is the coroner and the medical examiner.”

“I see." His headache was hitting a fever pitch; one painkiller was of no help whatsoever. “I can pop by as early as tomorrow to the morgue myself with a medical examiner-”

“No need for the medical examiner.”

“No need? Good Lord, a doctor triple-dipping in positions, why, if he isn’t overworked, he most certainly is underpaid.”

“No, I’m saying this case only requires you.” Hermia said firmly, and she set the remaining tissues on the desk. “The town of Idyllic has appointed you, Detective Aiden Stone, as its new Sheriff. You're to replace my father, the late Sheriff John Williams. Your duties as Sheriff would come first, and my father’s murder is but one case.” She looked resentful at that final statement, “It’s not a question of need but of the will of the town. No one else is to be involved.”

Aiden sat back in his chair and went silent. He did not like to argue; it was rarely worth it. Moreover, to argue against someone who was trying to do her job painted him to be the bad guy. He chose his words carefully. “Hermia, I'm sure this has been a cumbersome task for you. But as sorry as I am for your loss and your town’s plight, I can’t just leave my business. I mean… I've got bills to pay…debts, if I’m being honest, and other clients. Uprooting my entire life, that is simply out of the question. I can take up the case, but the appointment to be Sheriff is something I will have to decline.”

“One comes with another; you cannot come into town to solve the case if you do not become Sheriff.”

“In that case, I shall have to decline both.”

“$1,000,000.”

Aiden startled, “I-I’m sorry?”

“The Township of Idyllic will pay you $1,000,000 if you solve the case on top of $95,000 in salary for the position. I’ve been given the authority to provide you an advance of the $200,000 you owe in debt. You need only accept the position and take the case.”

He stared at her, unblinking. The town of Idyllic kept their deputies quite busy, it seemed. She knew how much debt he owed, all about his past, and perhaps more. “...Why would they go that far for me?”

“Does it matter?” Hermia idly flicked a glass flagon with her perfect nails. “You get a cushy job as a small town Sheriff, take care of a few delinquents on the regular while you solve a larger case. Once you do, you will have enough money to start anew. Or fall into a bottle for the rest of your life. If you ask me, the choice is simple.”

Aiden folded his hands before him, “...It just doesn’t add up. There’s more accomplished individuals than me. I’m nothing but a washed-up Private Detective who can barely afford rent.”

“As I said, does it matter why you were chosen?” Hermia stood up abruptly, “I can wire you the advance immediately; you need only nod to comply.” She smoothed out her collar and buttoned up her coat. “I can afford you one week to make a decision." Hermia reached into her pocket and laid a business card on the table. It was a simple white card with a silver border, her name, title, and a phone number. “I look forward to your positive response.” She pushed her chair in and headed for the door.

“You’re rather confident that I'll accept.” He called after her; his tone while bemused was a bit accusatory, “I can still say no.”

Hermia, whose hand was on the doorknob, smiled to herself before opening the door. She whirled around, the hem of her dark coat making an arc around her. “A good detective never lets a girl down.” She gave him a final knowing smile and backed out of the door. “Fare thee well, Sheriff.” 

The door shut with a snap. Detective Aiden Stone was left by himself, with a migraine and many questions. Yet they didn’t seem all that pressing, for he knew what he must do.