Coyote Midnight
Chapter 1
Danger Comes to Town

As part of her social studies homework, Stevie was assigned to read about national and local politics in the newspaper. As per the assignment, she could read it online or she could read the actual newspaper if she had access to it. Her mother had the Tennessean delivered to their apartment because she still enjoyed holding a newspaper, folding it up as she focused on certain stories, and then when she was quite finished with the day’s news, folding the paper back to its original form and slapping it on her knee. On page 3 Stevie stopped and said, “Mom, listen to this,” and Stevie read the following article aloud to her mother, which had nothing to do with local politics, at least at the moment.

Coyotes Spotted in Nashville

NASHVILLE. As has been the case in other urban areas, Nashville is now home to a small pack of coyotes. Often attracted to metropolitan areas for food sources, coyotes prove to be quite adaptable. While these rangy animals usually inhabit woodlands and fields and tend to stay away from humans, they are also known to become bold hunters in cityscapes. This small pack has been recorded on several street cameras and observed by some local business owners, the Animal Control Officer said yesterday.

While these animals tend to stay away from well-lit places and noise, they can move about with ease in the dark. The Animal Control Officer said that while humans shouldn’t be afraid of these animals, they should also be wary of them. He continued on to say, “Any kind of food source will attract them. Garbage is the number one item we should all take care to keep secure. Domestic animals, cats and small dogs, should be kept under your watchful eye as they become easy prey for coyotes.”

If you should spot any of these wild animals in the city or in your neighborhood, please notify the local police and the animal control officer.

Stevie looked at Jasper who was sitting on the sports page on the dining room table where she was reading the paper and doing her homework. “Wow. I’m glad you’re not out there on the streets anymore, little fella.” She reached over, petted his big orange head. He purred and stood, stretched, arched his back, and walked over to Stevie who picked him up.

By this time Stevie had already taken notes on what was happening at the mayor’s office, gathered information about Tennessee’s “arcane certificate of need law,” read an article about Tennessee universities and free speech, and thoughtfully surveyed what was happening in national politics. This unit had certainly been eye-opening. Her phone beeped on the kitchen counter and her mother asked her, “Finished with your homework?” Stevie nodded. “Fine, answer your texts and let’s start getting ready for bed.

The article that Stevie missed on page 16 was more troublesome than the one on page 3.

Nashville’s Favorite Cat Found Dead

NASHVILLE. The Mayor of Nashville is dead. The gray and white American Wirehair cat known and loved by so many simply as The Mayor for the last twenty years was attacked and killed by coyotes in an alleyway behind Broadway.

Locals and tourists alike were captivated by this friendly street cat. At least thirty local establishments kept a bed and a food bowl for him and many more gave him handouts. He was known to all. The Mayor ranged from Printer’s Alley, to the riverfront, to the State House, to Broadway, and at times was seen as far afield as the Aertson Hotel. Tourists who visited Nashville over the years were always astounded by the cat’s ability to read their minds. “He essentially herded me and my wife to what is now our favorite honky tonk on our very first visit,” said Sam Weiss of Winston-Salem, NC.

One local business owner who discovered The Mayor’s body on Sunday morning said, “At first I just thought he was asleep in a patch of sunshine, and as I got closer I could see that something was wrong. His head was at an unnatural angle. I knelt down and picked him up. His neck was broken and there were bite marks all over him. His fur matted with blood. It must have been a brutal killing.”

The Animal Control Officer confirmed that coyotes had indeed killed him.

Asked what his office was going to do about the coyote problem, he said, “Right now we are working on trying to find out where they are denning up at night. While we’ve seen brief glimpses of them on two of our street cameras, we have no idea where they are staying. Once we figure that out, we will work on removal.” The ACO confirmed that the sheriff’s office was working in conjunction with his department.

A local organization has begun a Go-Fund-Me to raise money for a monument to The Mayor of Nashville.