### Chapter 10: The Return of the Sheriff
The city was in an uproar. For two days, Sheriff Ciroko's absence had left a void that no one could fill. Without his leadership, the cases had been closed due to a lack of clues or concrete searches. Insecurity hung in the air like a dark cloud, and residents murmured among themselves, fearing the worst.
When Ciroko entered the main square, the population stopped, mouths open. It was as if they had seen a ghost. Murmurs of astonishment and relief echoed throughout the room.
— The sheriff is alive! someone shouted, and the news spread like wildfire.
Ciroko raised his hand, asking for silence. His face was marked by tiredness and determination.
— I'm back, and I won't rest until we solve this case — he said, his firm voice echoing through the square. — We need order and justice, and I will not allow chaos to take over our city.
The crowd applauded, but Ciroko knew that words wouldn't be enough. He had lost two precious days, and now he needed to make up for lost time. The first task was to find the person who had called him, claiming that Frothy was responsible for the crimes. This clue was the only hope he had.
Back in his office, Ciroko began reviewing call logs and trying to trace the origin of the call. There was something in the informant's voice that bothered him, a familiarity he couldn't identify.
- Who are you? — Ciroko muttered to himself, as he leafed through the papers.
The clue took him to a small neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. It was a place where the law was rarely present, a refuge for those who preferred to live in the shadows. Ciroko knew he needed to be cautious. He decided to go alone, in disguise, so as not to attract attention.
Upon arriving at the designated location, a seedy bar with flashing neon, he entered and looked around. The people inside noticed his presence, but no one dared to approach him. He walked up to the counter and ordered a drink, keeping his ears open for any mention of Frothy or the mysterious informant.
It was then that he heard a conversation in the corner of the bar. Two men spoke in low tones, but the name Frothy was clearly mentioned. Ciroko approached discreetly and heard enough to know he was on the right path.
"I know he was the one who called the sheriff," one of the men said. — But why would he do that? What does he gain from this?
"Maybe he wants Frothy out of the way," replied the other. — Or maybe he has a personal feud.
Ciroko decided to intervene. He approached the table and said:
— Call me curious, but I'm looking for answers. Who made the call to me?
The men looked at each other, and for a moment it looked like they were going to run. But then, one of them said:
— It was old Jonas. He lives in the cabin at the end of the road. But be careful, sheriff. He's not trustworthy.
Ciroko nodded and left the bar, the new information burning in his mind. If Jonas was the key, he needed to find out why. He got on his horse and rode to the secluded cabin. The sun was setting when he arrived, giving the place an even more sinister appearance.
He knocked on the door and waited. After a few moments, an elderly man opened it, looking suspicious.
- What do you want? asked Jonas.
— I'm here to find out why you called me about Frothy — Ciroko replied directly.
Old Jonas hesitated, but the sheriff's eyes left no room for lies.
— Come in, sheriff. I think it's time for you to know the truth.
### End of Chapter 10
The search for the truth has led Sheriff Ciroko to a new turning point. Old Jonas's revelations promised to change everything, while Frothy's shadow continued to hover over the city. The path to justice was far from simple, and each step seemed more treacherous than the last.