Officer Daniels handed me the paper. Emily had drawn a creature with large circular eyes and a round body, with what looked like wings. The drawing, once terrifying, now seemed almost comical in its childlike innocence.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. “Emily,” I said softly, “it looks like you might have seen a bird, a very big bird.”

Her eyes widened in amazement, not fear. “A birdie?” she whispered, as if the idea of such a large bird was beyond belief.

We spent the next few hours talking to Nathan, who was more than relieved to learn he was no longer under suspicion. He apologized profusely, vowing to speak with his neighbor about securing their animals.