Chapter 93

“Unlike the deputy who accepted a deal and is already in prison, the sheriff not only wants to have his day in court, he’s looking forward to it.”

“Shit.”

“I’m not so sure I agree with that assessment of the situation,” I said.

“Why?”

“Think about it for a minute or two. We both agree that Steve and Roger need to have this whole thing over. A trial and conviction will be good for them in terms of putting the whole sorry episode to rest.”

“I can see that,” he said. “Maybe another round of publicity will give their business a boost.”

“Stranger things have happened.”

“We haven’t talked about North Carolina,” he said.

“I knew you’d get around to it in your own good time.”

“Well, the bottom line is that we now own a somewhat larger chunk of the valley than we did.”

“And?”

“You have a decision to make.”

“What kind of decision?” I said.

“Wouldn’t you rather have an asphalt or concrete runway?”

“Instead of grass?”