Again, the banging sounded. Evelyn grabbed the phone on the nightstand and dialed the operator. Evelyn frantically exclaimed to the police “I need help, I’m all alone and I think a prowler is outside my home.” The officer on the other end of the phone attempted to put her at ease and said a car would be right over. Evelyn then went into her husband’s office and pulled the loaded revolver from the desk drawer.


She made her way into the living room and sat on the couch. The cold steel of the gun never leaving her grasp. After some amount of time Evelyn did not know a knock again came. Evelyn rose and pointed the pistol at the front door and cocked it. As her finger found the trigger a man’s voice came. “It’s the police, may we come in Mrs. Gilles?” Evelyn opened the door and led the two officers into the living room.


An offer of drink, or coffee was made, and the officers politely declined. The senior of the two officers began to speak. “We checked all around the property Mrs. Gilles but no sign of anyone.” As they continued Evelyn realized she had seen the officer before. As the officers wrapped up their report and rose to leave Evelyn thanked them for their time. “You were here before weren’t you, for Henry’s.” Evelyn sniffed as her voice trailed off. “Yes, I was here for Mr. Gilles’s death. I’m very sorry for your loss.” With that the officers instructed Evelyn to call if there was any more disturbance and left.


The house was quiet for a time. Evelyn allowed herself to relax. Then came the knocking once again. With the pistol in hand, she again charged out the door and proclaimed to no one in particular. “I have a gun, and I will use it.” A nearby owl flew from the tree in the yard. Jumping in fear from the sudden break in silence, Evelyn fired a round into the air More birds took the sky, then the night was still again.