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“So much snow, I don’t know where we could put up a target,” I said.

“I could clear a spot next to the lane fence,” said Billy, “and she could stand in front of the garage and shoot towards the open field.”

“Uh huh, that will work. We’ll work on that.”

Tammy smiled and as the bruising and the black and blue receded from her skin, I caught a glimpse of how pretty she was underneath.

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

Molly had fed breakfast to Purcell and Foster before we arrived at the station and she also had news from the DA’s office concerning their trial dates. The sooner I got rid of the two of them, the better. A nasty pair to put up with day after day.

“What’s the date on the docket, Molly? I hope it’s before I move to Texas.”

She shook her head. “Nope, the first week of December, Travis. You’ll be long gone to Texas. They’ll be tried together, both charged with capital murder.”

“Yep, murder during the commitment of a felony. Death row for both of them.” Made me smile thinking about it.

“You’ll have to come back to testify,” said Molly.

“In December? I can imagine what it will be like then. Oh well, it is what it is. No way I’ll miss testifying against those two. I want them to fry for killing Tim Morrison, and so do a lot of other people in Coyote Creek.”

The front door of the station opened and Wyatt Thompson blew in along with a fierce gust of wind. He grinned and pointed at Billy.

“Just the man I wanted to see, Billy Johnson. The next sheriff of Harrison County.”

Billy grinned. “That’s not for sure, Wyatt.”

“I’m the man who’s going to make it happen, Billy,” said Wyatt. “I’ve interviewed the other two candidates and you have the most experience by far, and with your stellar military record, the position should definitely go to you.”

Molly nodded in agreement. She was a big fan of Billy’s since he had become my deputy. “I’m voting for him. He’s the man who will keep the county safe after Travis is gone.”

“I’m voting for him too,” I said and then laughed. “Vote and go.”

“That’s two guaranteed votes.” Billy chuckled. “My Mom and Dad will vote for me. They are working the Shelby area for me. I don’t know too many folks in Cut Bank or out that way, so I’m depending on Wyatt and the newspaper to show them my face and my good side.”

“I’ll make it happen,” said Wyatt. “Let’s do another piece for the paper and beef up the article with your service to your country and your time served as a deputy under Sheriff Frost. Two important qualifications the other two candidates do not have.”

“Okay. I’m down with that. Make me look good.” Billy laughed. He was always happy and I didn’t know how he maintained it.

I hooked a thumb over my shoulder, “Y’all can use my office to hash out your story, Wyatt. Molly and I have reports to go over out here.”

“Thanks, Sheriff,” said Wyatt.

“You can sit with me and Molly, Tammy.”

“Want some coffee, Sheriff?” Tammy asked.

“Sure. Coffee sounds good.”

“Have you heard who the other candidates are?” I asked Molly. “I haven’t been paying enough attention to Billy’s campaign.”

“I’ve been looking into the other two men to gauge Billy’s competition,” said Molly. “Cole Lyttle and Logan Arthur.”

“I’m no further ahead. Never heard of either one.”

“I don’t know them either,” said Molly. “Neither one of them is from Coyote Creek. Cole Lyttle is from Cut Bank and I think I heard that Logan Arthur is from Ethridge.”

“What kind of qualifications do they have?”