Who's in the Night

His talons clutched the branch as he looked into the darkness and extended his neck, listening attentively, waiting for the slightest sounds.

He could hear the badger family munching on earthworms, why did they have to be so loud, at this rate they were going to devour the whole forest. The gentle squeals of insect-eating bats in search of water. And there! A mouse scurrying.

Hugh dived into the air, the rush of wind gliding between his noiseless golden wings. He targeted the mouse and before the animal could react, it was off solid ground and sliding down his throat.

<Silent hit, you show-off! Finish up and let’s get going.> Cheryl Hoot’d.

Hugh could feel himself getting ecstatic, one look at the lovely white-auburn Cheryl and he was ready for business; anything to get away from the badger family.

They flew straight to the barn. As they reached the window, they were met by an ominous calm. Even for owls, this deadly silence was awkward. They landed on the ledge and there was Jeff in the way.

<Why aren’t you going inside!?> Hugh hoot’d impatiently.

<Wait!> But Hugh was already inside and had seen it all.

<What the hell is going on!>

There laid a body amid the hay, blood spurting from a man’s head. He could tell from his stillness, that he was already dead, but not for long. Rushing out, he circled the barn. Getting the information he needed, he flew back. Everyone was ready to begin.

<Did you see anything?> Dyala hoot’d. He gave her a look. His mood turned to despair. The animals never slept in the barn; it was used as their feeding area. The perfect place for owls to meet and organize; and seemingly, for murder.

<Welcome owls to our monthly meet. Today we have the honor of experiencing the energy of the pink moon…> Her voice became sinister, <but, as you can see, there has been a murder in our precious barn. An abomination! Inexcusable. I want this solved. Did anyone see anything, speak up.>

Cooper stepped up.

<I saw a black Mercedes leaving the forest as I was flying here, we don’t typically see high-class cars like that here…>

<Did you see the plate?> Hugh interrupted.

<Yeah, of course, it was JUST * 007.>

The barn went silent. Dozens of flat white heart-shaped faces staring at him.

Dyala spoke again,

<tomorrow the farmer will come out and find the body, but I want this to be reported tonight! The investigation begins now.>

Tension rose as everyone began to whisper,

<Whoo hoo will it be, Whoo hoo will go.>

Hugh prayed silently, watching Dyala. Sensing him, she looked back and continued. <This may seem like something you want, but it will be a whole other job. With the information Cooper gave us, he may be someone with dollars. Brody! Go disturb the chickens, I want them loud enough to wake up George and Lepula. I want cops here within the hour. Understood? Take everyone you need and head over. Tact team! Hugh will be on this mission.>

Unified boooooo’s, accompanied swooshing wings as they departed.

<Get Hugh ID, transfer him to the precinct on this case, and set up a fake team in case they call for info. There can be no mistakes. Go, and make sure to get him an apartment too!>

7 of the smartest owls, nodded their long white necks and left.

Barn owls were perfect for watching over the forest. They had a whole set-up, and every 4 months they had a huge party in the capital. It gave them a chance to meet, greet and completely let go. Most days were spent alone, but “Ol Fest” was always remembered.

Dyala flew straight to Hugh, <what did you see?>

<You know the man that comes here every 3 nights, sitting in the forest watching darkness. Him. He was sobbing like a baby nearby. I’ve followed him before; I know where he lives.>

<You have 3 weeks to solve this case! I want my barn back by the first of May,> she glared at him with her pitch-dark eyes. <I have been working my hoot off for this Ol Fest and it’s not some murder that will make me reschedule the unmoveable.> She got ready to leave. <You will have all the resources you need at your disposal.> He watched as her rainbow-colored feathers swooped out the window. No doubt, she was great at giving orders and leaving.

<I guess it’s up to me now.>

<Yeah! so don’t fuck it up,> Cheryl hoot’d.

<Oh, my owlette,> he recomposed himself. <My sweet owlette, I’m trying to move and groove with you at the next party, ain’t no way some cold-hearted human is going to get in the way of that… Won’t you give Hughie a chance?>

<Talk to me after you solve the case> she smirked, leaving him in a feathered haze.

<Tell me what to do chief?>

<Wait for my signal.>

Cooper was left alone, bewildered by Hugh’s speed and the coldness of the barn. Shaking his feathers, he left too.

It gave him the advantage being the must silent owl, he thought as he glided through the air.

About 600m from the barn he could hear loud clucks echoing the forest. And so, it begins.

…

Hugh flew into the night. Eyes piercing through the darkness until he landed on the 11th floor sill. Gazing in, there was Morris on the floor, crying like a baby.

Hugh contemplated whether to see him now or wait until he was official. It didn’t look like he was going to call the cops. Suspicious, but it gave him time to check in with Tact.

It was 2am when he got to boot-hoot HQ. Tact was on point. Geoffrey was ready with his ID. <We’re still setting up the former precinct, but your transfer is ready. >

<Damn that was quick.> Geoffrey gave him a look because they both knew Dyala’s true nature.

<Thank you.>

<Here are the keys to your condo, make sure to keep the place spotless, it’s a month lease.>

Not having any luggage, Hugh decided to return to Morris. He flew until about a block from the entrance and took his human form. The energy of the full moon made it effortless.

He went up uncertain of the number.

<Morris, open up>. He instinctively knocked, and his knuckles were met by a door.

<Who is it?> a shaky voice came from the other side. <Do you know what time it is?>

<It’s the police open up.>

Morris’ words weighed heavily on his mind. Between pleas and hysteria, he explained who the murderer was and why he wouldn’t testify. Feeling conflicted, Hugh went to the precinct. They should’ve already shut down the crime scene.

<Hey boss, I'm detective Hugh, here to help with the forest murder.>

<Yeah, I got the fax, why the hell is your precinct sending a transfer in the middle of the night.>

<Not sure, guess they couldn’t wait to get rid of me.>

The gruff captain looked at him slightly amused and put off. <Get to work detective, you’ll need to see the crime scene.>

<Actually sir, I already have, I’d like to get started.>

<Wow, efficient, alright get to work and keep me updated.>

2 days passed and Hugh narrowed down cars that could’ve been in the area that night. He followed the clues, simple enough since he knew who he was looking for.

He signaled Cooper. They met at the top of the supreme court building.

<That the car Cooper?>

<Yoop.>

<You sure?>

<I have great eyes to Hugh, trust me that’s it.>

He watched a lanky man in his 40s walk to the car. It was him.

<Thanks Coop.>

Carla was drinking a coffee at her desk when he walked in.

“How important is this man Carla?”

After seeing the picture, she looked at him weirdly. “That’s Judge Michael Couard, super important. Handles big cases, hardass. Why?”

“I suspect him…”

“Don’t even go there”, she whispered harshly, “nobody can touch that judge. Unless you have hard evidence do not bring that shit to the captain, he will fire you on the spot. That man basically pays for this precinct.” She looked at him carefully, “do what you want but it’s the most generous warning you’ll ever get.”

He’d never had an opponent like Michael. What should’ve taken a few days, became him getting hooted on day 12. Since he couldn’t talk to the captain, and Morris had no cojones, he decided to confront Judge Michael. He provoked him at a food stand, got a little rough then shouted, murderer, in a public street. All he got was a 2-second freeze and a grin. 30 minutes later, he was limping in pain near a streetlamp. He looked around perplexed. What the hell was up with this guy. There was absolutely no evidence to pin the death or the battery on him.

Hugh walked as close to his forest as he could and began hooting. 5 minutes later, Cheryl was by his side.

<What happened you idiot! What did you do?>

She rushed over to him and took her human form. Hugh couldn’t help but stare, she looked exactly like his highschool crush.

What did I just think?

“Hugh!”

He shook the thought,

“Cheryl, I need help! I can’t pin it on the guy. I have no evidence. Morris won’t admit to being a witness. He’s dangerous, he’s powerful, how do you deal with such a man.”

She chuckled. “Do you know how many animals think that you're dangerous? You are powerful, sly, and have the trust of Dyala. You can creep up on anyone without making a sound, how would you plan a murder.”

His mind raced. “In my territory.” He got into his original form, healing all his wounds, and flew off.

“Thank you, I love you! Go to the dance with me.”

He didn’t turn back to look but if he had, he would’ve seen her tan face blush.

He rushed to Michael’s house, where he found him laughing like a maniac and bragging.

What an egotistic man. Watching Michael revel in this moment really pissed him off. He flew to the other window. Rich man had enough windows to buy another home… without windows.

That’s better. Gaping at the screen, his white face went black. It was a plan to kill the man from the barn… not a hate crime but one to destroy his business for a gluttonous plan. Using his keen sight, he sped through the document in front.

“No worries, my lady. The project will go as planned; without Junior, we have full control of the city. To think he had such power, he should be proud of what his death is accomplishing.”

Not wasting time, Hugh, quickly took out his phone and shot an image.

Right at that moment, an alarm went off.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

!?

“What the fuck”, Hugh called out. He was in bed, drenched in sweat. “Impossible”, that could not have been a dream. He was so shaken up that he could barely stand. The Judge that wanted to tear down my building for improper documentation is a murderer!?

Hugh burst into laughter, “wooooooot, subconscious you play too much!”

He checked the mirror for feathers, questioning everything, he was unable to shake off the feeling. It was all so vivid.

Driving to work he still felt unsettled. Detour. He went to the judge’s house.

Parked out in front, he had no idea what to do. The house looked exactly like his dream. Coincidence? Yeeeahhhh

He got out, went around the corner of the house and you won’t believe what he saw.

…

That night Hugh fell asleep a hero.

<The news reads that an anonymous photo was sent to all media platforms, precincts, and well-known celebrities in the city. Good job, silent hit. Are you ready to boogie?>