"I have been searching for a beast. I could have patrolled right past the attacker and not even realized." He tried to think back to the people he had passed each evening as he walked his route. He had not noticed anyone acting suspiciously. But if they were clever, it would be easy enough for them to blend in with the town folk.

He exhaled slowly, then squared his shoulders back up. "I will redouble my efforts," he declared, though the thought of it just reminded him how tired he already was. "Examine anyone out after dark, check for weapons. I wonder if implementing curfew would be possible. I should speak with the lawmen in the morning..." he rambled, voicing ideas as they came to him.