Stephen King meets Maine Duck of Justice

Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Horror author Stephen King met with a famous Maine police duck to investigate a case involving a mysterious red balloon.

The Bangor Police Department called King to the state where his 1986 novel It took place, after a notable symbol from the story turned up near the department's famed taxidermy duck.

"When we found the red balloon floating near the Duck of Justice, I surmised out of town pranksters were to blame," Sgt. Tim Cotton said. "I asked Melody (Queen of the Front Desk) whether she had let anyone into the Bangor Police Museum in the last few hours. She said, 'No.'"

Cotton said he was aware of the red balloon's connection to the fictional town of "Derry," Pennywise the clown and the upcoming premiere of the new It film, and felt the need to call in an expert on the subject.

"Only one person could get to the bottom of this, and I knew where he was," Cotton said. "Several things were accomplished, Stephen King finally met the Duck of Justice and Melody was able get another thing off her bucket list. It is hard to tell who is more excited. She was floating all the way back to the station."

While Cotton was able to orchestrate the monumental meeting between the two legends, King was unable to provide any insight about the appearance of the red balloon.

"Mr. King claims he has no idea how the balloon ended up inside the secure doors of the Bangor Police Department," he said. "I believe him. Strange things happen here about every 27 years."