Oh my god, I had no idea these sentences would jump off a conversation about everything from werewolves to science.
This has all been very helpful. Thank you.
A few notes:
1. The unnamed character is named two sentences later. I know there's a strong and long school of thought about this but so many of my favourite writers (especially James Sallis) ease into naming their characters and I guess I'm working through a bit of that.
Na, you're fine. Some folks need to get a grip.
2. It IS supposed to read 'flashlight', seeing it's set in the US. THANKS! Although I think my favourite revision was by @Randy_Lee and does away with that altogether:
Of course "torch" has been and will be used even in the U.S., from British characters. It's been done in successful American literature, tv shows and movies. Some people might consider broadening their horizons. But I agree, Randy handled it quite well.
3. I don't think you can take notes in a full moon. It's bright but not that bright.
Wouldn't be that weird in a pinch. Hey, maybe Little Jim has great night vision.
4. Little Jim is not a werewolf. He's standing out in the yard giving Leo (the MC) a statement. Leo is a cop. Little Jim is a bit of a deadbeat. He's high. In my experience, people who work with the public - especially at night - notice that trouble does seem to brew around the full moon. Science doesn't really come into it. This is how the MC talks/thinks and it's more of a tired observation than something he lives by.
All as I gleaned from my first read, of course except for the things we can't possibly know yet. I think some lean toward insisting the entire story had better hook you and be explained in 3 sentences. Me? I prefer a bit more meat to my fiction.
So thorough everyone. I had no idea.