So much to do, so little satisfaction.

I’ve been in Middle Valley for about a year. My assignment was to assist local police in a murder investigation. Middle Valley had been a sleepy village for many years but had recently been rocked by two murders, one that occurred here, and another that occurred elsewhere but has deep and strong connections to Middle Valley and its residents.

I came here to re-establish peace.

I didn’t expect to stay long, and I didn’t expect to like it.

I am not what you’d call a mixer – it’s difficult for me to make personal and professional connections. But I have gradually come to understanding Middle Valley, and to like most of the people as well. I am still not sure, however, if I would like to stay longer than the investigation, or even permanently, though, if I’m being honest, it’s in the back of my head.

I am especially enjoying working with Mercury. She is a capable investigator, though a bit vulnerable in my estimation. I find myself worrying about her interactions with people, about what she may or may not say – inadvertent though it may be.

When we are working apart on separate aspects of the case, I find myself thinking ahead to when I will see her. I seem to be having feelings for her, something new for me, and I’m a little scared.

I enjoy spending time at the Riverside after work but I am careful about what I say that might be overheard and spread around town. I am especially cautious around Merc’s mother, Bitsy. She’s a very strong person, so protective of Mercury, even controlling of her at times.

She is, of course, wanting to help her daughter divorce Lindy, which will undoubtedly be a lengthy process. Bitsy, nevertheless, scares me. Should I decide to pursue something with Merc, I am afraid the road to her heart runs right through Madam McMurtry.

Compared to the Righteous murder, the case against Carson is complicated. Merc has been doing an excellent job of gathering and tabulating information related to the murder of Carson’s former partner, Gordon, and the body parts. I may need to send her out West to interview law enforcement personnel in several states. Though we realize we won’t be able to close this case because Carson is somewhere in Vietnam, we still need to complete our investigation.

One aspect of this case that is very important and that we can’t resolve is Carson’s mental health. Murdering Gordon because of the dispute over their company is one thing, but depositing pieces of the body in various spots across the country is absolutely bizarre. There can be no sane reason for Carson to take such action. There will need to be a psychiatric evaluation, of course.

So much to do, so little satisfaction.

I did not meet Mercury at Riverside this evening as is our routine, but the investigations are nevertheless still uppermost in my mind as I prepare my dinner. Not sure if Merc made it to the Riverside this evening, but I’ll see her in the morning at our office and we’ll catch up then over our coffee.