The place smelled of stale coffee and indifference. Sheriff Brody was a big man, his gut strai

waved me to the beat-up

osis, Blakely's threat at the hospital. I laid it all o

anging. When I finished, he leaned back

oys being boys. Things

onal, Sheriff.

ithout that, it's just your word against his. And the Blak

voice dropping to a c

ur position should think hard before turning that

h sunlight, the feeling of helplessness a physical weight o

ardware store. He listened patiently, nodding as I spoke. But when I said the name "Blakely,"

rubbing his eyes. "I'm sorry for what happened to

y n

Every judge, every official... he has them. You'd be bankrupted by legal fees before you

ning, my phone buzzed. It was a video from an unknow

was leaning heavily on his crutches. Ryan was mimicking him, taking exaggerated, limping ste

owed the video. It

t of his problems. I'll ruin his reputation so no