Rodriguez and the deputies who had shown up. Bob was amazed that their reactions to everything had not been stronger. The doctor and the deputies hadn’t seemed all that surprised to hear that a newborn infant had sprouted fangs and attacked people in the room, killing one by ripping her open and gnawing on her intestines. They hadn’t seemed all that concerned that the creature in question was running loose somewhere in the hospital. Once they were done questioning him, the deputies had assured him that everything would be handled, and they’d told him to go on home. On his way out of the ER, Bob had passed Sheriff Taggart on his way in. The sheriff had nodded at him and said, “Hello, Bob,” as they passed. Thinking of the sheriff on his way home brought Vanessa to mind. He remembered his encounter with her in the church kitchen, went over it all again in his mind, ever wonderful detail. As he had so many times before, Bob wished he were more at ease in social situations, more comfortable interacting with people.
