"Yes," she whispered back, quickly recovering herself.
"Thank goodness you're okay. I was so worried. They all rushed out and went after you. I saw where you were headed andradioed the backup to redirect them down the road. Then I came in here, but it’s empty."
May stared around. The trailer was unoccupied, apart from her and Owen. It was a small, cozily furnished, one-bedroom setup, with a kitchenette in the corner, a single bed under the window, a comfortable looking couch, a desk and chair, and a wooden wardrobe. There was a bathroom in the far corner, but the door was open, and May could see nobody inside.
“Where is he?” she asked, confused. And then, she and Owen spun around as they heard a scraping, swishing noise coming from near the window.
Professor Bright was crawling out from under the bed.
The professor was covered in dust. A slim, bony man, his curly, graying hair and beard were wild, and May saw a dust bunny caught in his beard and a spider web hooked on his right ear.
His eyes were wide and panicked, but he looked unhurt and was now scrambling to his feet, seemingly ready to make a run for it.
"Where have they gone? Did they leave?" he asked May and Owen breathlessly, staring from one to the other. And then, in a more coherent tone, "And who are you?"
"We're police," May told him shortly. "We're here to question you regarding a series of crimes."
At that moment they heard the racing of a car engine down the road. The professor tensed, as if ready to dive back under the bed. Owen strode to the door, looking out.
But then, the radio crackled. May ran out, heading to the car and grabbed it out, listening anxiously to the progress update.
"We’ve arrived at the scene. We're approaching with firearms ready. We can see a vehicle with four suspects. They're attempting to extricate another partially submerged vehicle."
"Be careful. They are armed and dangerous."
May held her breath, waiting for any updates. If needs be, she told herself, she'd jump in the car and drive down there herself to help out. But then, the update came again.
"The suspects are surrounded. They are surrendering their weapons. We're taking them in. It looks like these weapons are illegal, and from a quick check, we’ve already established that at least one of these men is a felon who has violated parole conditions. We’ll be keeping them in the holding cells."
May breathed a sigh of relief. She ran back to the trailer.
"Those four men have been arrested. But what was that about?" Wanting to establish, first, what had happened, she turned to the Professor sternly.
"I’m very glad you arrived." The professor sighed in relief. His hands were shaking. “I knew I was in trouble there.”
"What were they doing here?" Owen asked.
"People in this area know I’m very good with planting advice. I help many of the farmers improve their yields phenomenally, and they pay me well. But this is not the first time I’ve been approached by people who are growing crops that are — shall we say — not legal. They seem to think they can strongarm me into helping them. I always refuse. But I saw these men from out of the window and suspected the worst. When I noticed their guns, I hid. It was like a worst-case scenario coming true, I must say."
“I’m very glad you thought to do that,” May said.
“I think they were busy searching my place when you arrived. I heard the horn from outside."
"Alright. I’m glad you stayed safe. You should probably get a more secure lock on your trailer door, though." Having established a sketchy explanation for the scenario that had played out, May decided to waste no time in exploring the professor's motives for murder.
"We're here because of two recent crimes. Two murders. We believe both victims may be connected to you."
"To me?" The professor looked surprised. "I heard about both deaths, of course. But I only worked with Jenna. I didn't know the other victim, rest her soul, at all."
"You didn't?"
"Not at all. I think she signed up for the short course, which is not administered by me. It’s done by the university assistants."
"Why were you fired from the university?"
The professor sighed. "I wish people wouldn't say that. It's completely incorrect. We had a difference of opinion where I chose to leave, rather than abandon my principles about growing and cultivation, and a number of other environmental issues. You see, I believe that everyone has the right to grow crops anywhere. The world is humanity’s farm. But a lot of individuals are more selfish and don't agree with that principle. I got into trouble when I tilled a portion of the local park. And farmers were angry when I said their front yards should be open to all, to farm and forage."
"I can see why you would have had some problems," May said.