In his favorite gray suit, George Paris looks seriously into the camera to deliver the most recent update. Camera 3’s light goes red, and he gets the signal to read.

  “Authorities are currently investigating the wild events taking place in Assumption Parish. Deputies reported that a series of events left Sheriff Crochet and several other deputies injured as well as several locals missing in action.

  “These events began sometime yesterday morning, and there has been no official word on the cause. Deputies warn to avoid the Avoca Island Cutoff until the situation is under control. We also have reports that Sheriff Crochet is in critical condition at Oshner St. Mary in Morgan City.

  “Mary Thomas is on scene in Pierre Part. Have you heard anything new on the situation, Mary?”

  “Good afternoon, George,” Mary said after a brief pause, waiting for the full sound bite to arrive in her ear. She was standing with the boat launch and river at her back and the Bayside Marina at her left. “So far all is quiet, although we did hear Deputy Mike Vicari took Deputy Susan Johnson and a small team back out into Avoca Island Cutoff some time ago. Our sources tell us, the two men who brought several wounded back into the city last night were part of the team.”

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  “Iz heah yesterdee when Will’s son…um…Bart…came in with da Sheriff,” an old man said with an inquisitive tone. It was the same old man who met with Bart. “Yeah. Sheriff looked all sorts of messed up and Bart looked outta sorts. We don’ get too much ‘citement round here, so you knows we had to get up and see da commotion.”

  The second old man added, “I let him use my phone to call da police and ambulance!”

  “We didn’ win da lottery, but sure felt like we were lucky to be here for da Sheriff to get help,” The first said after he pushed his way back on camera.

  The second started talking again anyway. “Den two more fellers came back. Dat ole troublemaker, Steve and his buddy, Michael or somethin’ like dat.”

  The first continued, “Yeah, and dey brought in several sick and wounded. Don’ know what the hell’s goin’ on out dere, but I don’ wan’ none of dat, cher.”

  Mary turned back to the camera and said, “We’ve reached out to Wildlife and Fisheries and the Sheriff’s Department for more information, and we will have more on this story as it develops. George.”

  “Thanks Mary. Again, please avoid the Avoca Island Cutoff until the situation is under control.”