Jonathan drove quickly to the Jericho police station, where he expected to have a brief meeting with Sheriff Galpin.
The dark entity that had been summoned was very powerful, similar to the greatest opponents he had faced, and that was why a more veteran team was being sent by what he intuited was The Order, the organization created by his family.
That was why his current priority was to have full control of the police, and for that he needed to meet personally with the stubborn Sheriff of the town.
Sheriff Galpin was the highest police authority in Jericho, the place where the operation to eliminate anomalies would take place and draw a lot of attention.
When Jonathan arrived at the station, he got out of his vehicle and walked toward the main building.
As soon as he entered, he drew the attention of the officers because it wasn't common to see a man in a suit in a place like that; even the police wouldn't wear a suit unless it was for their children's parent-teacher meeting.
"Sir, can I help you?"
"I'm Jonathan. May I speak with the Sheriff of this station?" Jonathan asked with a friendly look.
The woman at reception, upon hearing his name, nodded, walked to the phone, and placed a call: "Sheriff, the man who's waiting is asking to see you. Shall I tell him he can come in?"
That was the protocol everywhere.
Of course Jonathan adhered to the rules of every place he went before sending everything to hell.
"Please, follow me."
Jonathan nodded with a friendly expression, then was led into the building where the Sheriff's office was located.
When the Sheriff looked at Jonathan, there was a degree of hostility in his gaze. "You finally deign to visit me? Not only did you steal my investigation, but you also went back on your word."
Jonathan sat down, looked at the Sheriff and said, "We have a lot to talk about."
"I'll handle things from here, Officer Pérez." Sheriff Galpin looked at the receptionist and told her she could step out.
"Yes, sir."
Jonathan left some documents on the desk and said: "I like the town—much more peaceful than I would have expected."
"Well, that's this place. Many hate that part and prefer to go to a much more modern city to put their brains to use." The Sheriff walked to his seat and said: "Let's get to the point: you're not a cop. You and the men accompanying you seem like private security, so tell me—are you here to hide the messy business of that academy?"
Jonathan showed no surprise and, with a broad smile, said: "I expected no less from the Sheriff of Jericho. I have this for you."
"What is this?" Sheriff Galpin took some documents that were in a portfolio.
"In a few hours you will receive a call about a group of armed agents who will enter the town to eliminate a dangerous entity. But you don't like beating around the bush, so I'll tell you this is an undercover operation by The Order, an organization created in collaboration between the government and my family, the Belmonts—and we are here to kill."
The truth was always better than a lie, especially when the person was about to risk their life on a mission from which there was no return.
"Your police, as of this moment, fall under my orders. You will know the truth and they the lies that will place them in the right spots so as not to hinder the mission." Jonathan was direct with his words, and the documents contained enough information so that Noah wouldn't ask any more questions.
What the Sheriff examined was the agency Jonathan belonged to, what they were tasked with eliminating, and how this had kept the world turning without disasters.
"We will enter, search, eliminate, and the town will remain as it was before," Jonathan said, checking the time and knowing his team would be there soon.
"I'll have to make a few calls…"
"You can do whatever you want—just make sure you keep people in their homes when we do our job." After saying this, Jonathan rose to his feet.
He granted the Sheriff a certain degree of understanding; only in that way could he use him later to capture his son.
That was also so the Sheriff would know enough about dark entities and, hopefully, not go mad over it.
People don't usually hold up well at this point.
But at least he expected this reaction from people not related to his world.
"One last question: what will you eliminate?" Sheriff Galpin appreciated that Jonathan took the time to inform him in advance—this at least had generated an acceptable degree of trust.
Jonathan turned and said, "Something inexplicable. It could be anything from a cat to a child—we won't know until we've seen its form."
With that, Jonathan left the office, and at that moment the Sheriff received a direct call.
"Zz… Donovan Galpin, your payroll code has been activated in The Order's program. You have level 4 authority, so you can access information up to that scale."
"When will the agents arrive?" the Sheriff asked, somewhat nervous.
"Zz… The agents are entering Jericho now. Keep your officers informed about the following orders they must follow above all others, regardless of the level of threat."
That left only one alternative: everything related to The Order was much more important than the safety of the people, and when that happened the situation would be serious.