For the first time all morning...
The corner of my mouth twitched.
Because if Gerald thought he was going to scare me away from Eagle River...
He clearly didn't know the people who lived here.
Or the giant former Ranger standing beside me.
And judging by the look in Beast's eyes...
Gerald was about to learn a very expensive lesson.
19
BEAST
Ishould have known better.
The moment Mrs. Jenkins smiled at me.
I should have run.
Fast.
Possibly to another state.
Instead, I was sitting on a stool outside Hank's barn drinking iced sweet tea.
Trying to enjoy ten minutes of peace.
The boys were repairing fence posts.
Or pretending to.
Hank was inside, resting his gouty foot.
Sadie had gone into town with Sheriff Cooper to make a statement.
For the first time all week, things were quiet.
Then Mrs. Jenkins arrived.
Followed by Doris.
Followed by Betty.
I immediately considered my escape options.
There weren't any.
The women sat down around me.
Like vultures.
Friendly vultures.
But vultures nonetheless.
