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“Any coffee?” asked Purcell.

I walked out of the run without saying a word. If I let myself engage in a verbal battle with Burke Foster, I’d lose it and open the door of his cell and probably beat him to death for stabbing Savanna Larson. Better to walk away before that happened.

When the coffee was ready, I took each of them a container and locked them up for the night.

Tammy was taking a tour of the squad room and she seemed to be interested in the inner workings of the office.

“We’re all done. You ready to go?”

“Yep. Your office is nice, Sheriff.”

“Soon be Billy’s office, but he has to win the election first.”

“You should tell people you want Billy to win. They would listen to you.”

I smiled. “You think they would listen to me and vote for him?”

“Sure do.”

“Maybe I’d better try that. Billy doesn’t seem to be doing much campaigning on his own.”

Dry Run Roadhouse.

I parked out front and Tammy said, “I can’t go in there. I ain’t twenty-one.”

“You have to go in with me. I can’t leave you sitting out here alone. Don’t worry, I know the owner and he’ll make an exception for you.”

“I hope I don’t get kicked out.”

“You won’t.”

When we got inside I set Tammy in an empty booth and walked to the bar to tell Jack I had a minor with me.

He nodded and followed me over to the booth and sat down. “Hey, Tammy, I’m Jack.”

“Hi, Jack. I ain’t old enough to be in here.”

“Travis told me and I can’t serve you alcohol, but how about a Coke?”

“Coke is fine for me. Thanks.”

Jack brought me a pitcher of Miller and I wasn’t finished my first glass when Billy dropped in for a beer. He was all cleaned up for another one of his hot dates with Brenda.

“You taking her out tonight or staying in for a cozy evening at home?” I asked.

Billy chuckled. “Probably door number two. But I’m not sleeping over tonight. I’ll be home in case you and Tammy need me later.”

“Appreciate it. I’m no hell on defense with one arm.”

“How did you hurt your arm, Sheriff?” asked Tammy.

“Got in a knife fight.”

I watched her expression change when she figured it out. “Tibor is good with a knife. He brags on it. Did you fight with him?”

I nodded and let it go.

Billy finished his one beer and took off for Shelby to Brenda Conklin’s place. He hadn’t been gone more than ten minutes when Glenda came into the roadhouse.