Chapter 9

Ike seemed to consider the suggestions in a moment’s silence before he responded. “Sheriff in today?”

“Oh, yeah. He’s in the office every weekday and often on Saturday, unless he’s out in the field filling in so a deputy can have a day off. Sheriff Ben isn’t hard to talk to. I can introduce you if you want me to.”

Ike shook his head. “No, you don’t need to sponsor me. Maybe better for you if you don’t. I’ll tell him the truth, and he can make his own decision.”

After they finished the meal, Perry grabbed the ticket. As he headed toward the cash register up front, he saw Ike pull two crumpled dollar bills out of his pocket and lay them on the table. He’d bet that was almost the last money the other man had, if not the last. Ike had a lot of pride. Maybe that was a good thing…you could lean on that when there wasn’t much else

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