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right?
I ll adjust. I always have.
We went into the office, and I began picking up
papers from the floor. Cate left the room and returned
with a bucket of water and sponges. We worked
without talking for nearly an hour.
Finally I said, Let s take a break.
She dried her hands on her jeans, and I went into
the kitchen and poured coffee for us. We carried our
cups onto the front porch to take in some fresh air and
clear the disaster inside from our minds.
Do you want to talk about it, Jo? she asked.
No, I answered without looking at her.
You can t keep your feelings bottled up inside.
Sooner or later they re going to come out.
You know, Cate, I don t recall seeing a
psychology degree hanging in your office when I was
there.
I don t understand why you won t let anyone get
close enough to help you.
Shifting my eyes toward her, I said, Because
when you let someone get too close you eventually
wind up hurting her or getting hurt yourself.
You want a refill? she asked as she got up.
Why not, I said, draining my cup before
handing it to her.
While she was gone, I got up and stretched. I
heard the sound of gravel being crushed under car
tires again and quickly turned and looked. The rifle
was leaning just inside the front door, but by the time
I turned around, I saw I wasn t going to need it as a
sheriff s unit came into view. I still had the rifle in my
hand when the vehicle stopped. The door opened, and
Cal Duncan stepped from the car.
You planning to shoot me, Jo? He smiled.
Not this time, Cal.
Cal and I had gone to school together in Kerrville.
He had spent a lot of time outdoors, and now his face,
rugged and brown with deep creases, reflected it. He
looked like he was still physically fit, and I didn t
doubt that he was still tough.
I been meaning to come out since I heard you
were home. Sorry I didn t make it under happier
circumstances, he said as he ambled up the steps and
shook my hand.
Yeah, there s a lot of things we mean to do but
never get around to.
Got a few minutes?
Sure.
The front door opened, and Cate came back onto
the porch with our coffee. Cal removed his hat when
he saw her.
Ma am. He nodded.
Cate, this is Sheriff Duncan. Cal, Cate
Hammond.
Cate smiled and extended her hand to Cal.
Can I get you a cup of coffee, Sheriff?
Wouldn t mind a cup, ma am. Thank you.
As Cate left us alone on the porch, we sat down,
and I rested the rifle against the porch wall.
Nasty business out here, Jo. Got any idea what it
was about?
Yeah, but I don t have any evidence. Probably
involves a story I ve been looking into.
What kind of story? he asked as Cate
reappeared with his coffee and handed it to him.
He smiled as he said thanks again. Cate leaned
against the porch railing and sipped her coffee.
It started out as a story about illegals and
mushroomed from there.
Doesn t sound like something you d usually be
interested in.
It isn t, I said, glancing at Cate. Actually the
story is my son s. I was helping him out with some
background information.
You think whoever came out here was looking
for you, and Lena got in the way?
Probably, but like I said, Cal, I can t say for
sure.
No idea what they were looking for?
I was just beginning to research the story. Hell, I
could have it right in front of me and wouldn t know
what I was looking at yet, so if it involved the story,
they were a little premature.
Could be someone was trying to nip it in the
bud.
Maybe.
By the way, Jo, Lena doesn t seem to have any
relatives around here. Is there anyone you know we
can contact to make the funeral arrangements? Cal
asked.
I ll take care of it. She might have relatives
somewhere, but I don t know where they d be.
Well, the county coroner will be ready to release
the body later this afternoon.
Have them call Sanderson s. I ll let them know to
expect her.
Cal got up slowly until his full six-three frame
was erect and handed his cup to Cate. Appreciate it,
ma am. You be careful, Jo. And let me know if you
think of anything I should know.
Rising from my chair, I shook his hand.
After Cal left, I located a phone book and looked
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