Devil’s Claw

Burton Kimball sighed and nodded. “Let me remind you that I’m also a damned fine defense attorney, but that is what I meant when I warned you that she might make trouble.”

And now, as Joa

Unfortunately, her fingerprints would be found there, and they wouldn’t be wear-dated. If Reba set out to do so, she might be able to make the case that the prints had been placed on Clayton Rhodes’ ignition key long before he died rather than after. The idea that Sheriff Joa

“Therefore choose life,” Maria

With his shaven head glowing deep-red, Butch reached over and folded Joa

After the closing hymn, Butch and Joa

Once Maria

Finished with shaking hands at the door, Maria

Always attuned to what was going on with other people, Maria

“What makes you say that?” Joa

Maria

“Clayton Rhodes died and left me his place in his will,” Joa

Surprise washed over Maria

Joa

“What about his daughter?” Maria

“I talked to Burton Kimball on the way to church this morning. According to him, she’s not a happy camper. She may go so far as to try to accuse me of murdering her father.”

Maria

“I am. Dead serious.”

Maria

“Cleaning house,” Joa

“I have an idea,” Maria

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Joa

Joa

“It sounds as though you’ve had a busy few days of it,” Marliss began sweetly enough. “It’s too bad about what happened to Clayton. I know he’s been such a help to you all this time. How are you and Je

“We’re doing all right,” Joa

“And then, of course, you do have Butch. I understand he’s something of a city slicker, but he seems bright enough.”

“He is trainable,” Joa

“I didn’t mean to imply that he wasn’t.”

Of course, you didn’t, Joa

“Have you spoken to Reba Singleton yet?” Marliss asked. “Clayton’s daughter? She’s in town, you know.”

“We touched base,” Joa

“The Bee is trying to set up an interview for me with her. Molly and Clayton Rhodes were such old-timers around here that Clayton should get more than just the standard, run-of-the-mill obituary. It’s a little out of my usual line of work, but I told my editor I’d be glad to write the piece for them. I’m sure Reba will be able to give me all sorts of insights into the kind of person her father was.”

Great, Joa

“I’m sure it’ll be very interesting,” she said, sidling away. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Marliss, I need to catch up with Je