“She’s dead, you know...”

Zach looked down at her, knowing a flood of tears was about to bathe his face. He reached down and smoothed the hair back from her eyes. It was so soft and familiar that he, momentarily, blocked out the current situation. When he looked up, he answered the Park Ranger. His voice cracked with the pain he was feeling.

“Of course, I know that, but what happened? How did she die?”

“We’re not sure yet, Mr. Jones.  Looks like she was shot with a 22 caliber pistol or rifle.”

“Did anyone notice someone suspicious hanging around here in the park?”

“No, everyone we’ve talked to denies seeing anything out of the ordinary.”

“Well, did anyone hear the gunshot?” 

“Not that we know, but we’re still asking  people that were here in the park at the time she was found.”

“Who found her, anyway?”

“A bunch of kids playing in the park  found her.  They were playing catch and when they went to retrieve their ball, they saw her foot sticking out.”

“Is this where they found her?” 

“Actually, no.  She was shoved under that group of red azalea bushes over there by the maple tree, but we brought her out here to see how badly she was injured.”

“Was she still alive then? How long do you think she had been lying there?

“No, she wasn’t alive when I got here, but I did everything possible to see if she could be revived. I don’t know how long she had been dead, but it couldn’t have been too long.”

“Oh, Lord, I hope she didn’t suffer before she died.  Was there anything on the ground near her to help with the discovery of who would do such a horrible thing?”

“We found nothing, no footprints or evidence of any kind.”

“I still don’t understand who would do such a thing.  She loved everyone and never had an enemy. She walked this park every day and had lots of friends here. I love her so much. We’ve been together over four years. What will I ever do without her?”

“People are crazy nowadays, mister.  They don’t have to have a reason.  Sometimes they do disgraceful things just for the fun of it.  You would be surprised at the number of times we find out there really was no motive.  Get calls like that all the time.  Very sad.”

“How did you get notified?”

The kids that found her hopped on their bikes and came looking for me.  I was over by the ball field checking on a gang of kids vandalizing the dugout.  Yep, just crazy people these days doing senseless things.”

“Do you think they may have been the same ones that killed her?”

“I doubt it, they just arrived at the park and headed straight to the ball field.  Never came by this way.”

“How did you know to notify me?  I’m so grateful that you did.”

“Your phone number was on her tag.  If you have a blanket to wrap her in, I’ll help you carry the dog to your car.”