Chapter Thirteen
The Wayflower citizens gathered to watch Sgt. Saturday escort Beautimus downtown grew large and unruly. The elks were forced to exert control. “Back away, folks. Do not step on the path. Sir, move your tail away from the accused.”
Beautimus knew word of her arrest would spread like marmalade on a hot rock. She couldn’t have been more right. It seemed as though the entire population of Rendaz turned out. She couldn’t cry. She couldn’t speak. She could barely even breathe. She caught pieces of conversation from the burgeoning crowd lining the path between her abode and downtown. She recognized many voices of her friends, students and neighbors.
“Oh no,” Cicero said. “It is Ms. Bea.”
“How awful,” the chinchilla, Angeline said.
The house squirrels were in such distress wh
