Devil’s Claw

“If we need detectives, they can look things over in the morning. Meanwhile, you and Deputy Pakin do what you can to secure the scene,” she answered. “You’ve got the house keys?”

Debbie Howell nodded. “Right here in the bag.”

“Let’s close up for tonight,” Joa

“Will do,” Debbie said.

As Deputy Howell walked away, George Winfield peered questioningly at Joa

The likelihood that Clayton Rhodes hadn’t committed suicide should have made Joa

She shook her head. “I’ve been sitting here all torn up that Clayton had the unmitigated nerve to go and die without giving me any advance notice. Like he should have been thoughtful enough to pick up the phone and say, ”By the way, Joa

“Sounds to me like you’re blaming yourself,” George observed.

“Maybe I am,” Joa

George shook his head. “I doubt it,” he replied. “I don’t think your getting here sooner would have made any difference at all. The way it looks to me, once he slumped over onto the steering wheel, I doubt he even twitched. We’re dealing with something catastrophic here, Joa

“I suppose you’re right,” Joa

George reached over and gave her shoulder a gentle pat. “So, there you are then, Joa

“I’ll try.”

George stood up and rubbed his hands together. “Back home in Mi

Joa

“I’d best be getting back home to your mother,” George added. “She doesn’t like it when I have to be out late at night-even when I’m off on official business and in the company of her very own daughter.”

“Truth be known, Eleanor doesn’t like her daughter being out late, either,” Joa

“You want me to stick around while you finish up?”

“No need. I’ll wait until my deputies leave, then I’ll go, too.”

George started down the walkway, then turned back. “How’s Butch holding up?” he asked. “With all the wedding preparations, I mean.”

“Fine,” Joa

“I know things are turning out to be somewhat more complicated than either one of you originally envisioned,” George added, “but I appreciate it. Ellie’s having the time of her life making all the arrangements. She’s in her element and loving every minute of it. By the way, she wanted me to ask when do your new in-laws arrive?”

“On Monday. They’re driving into town in their RV. They wanted to come a few days early so they’ll have a chance to visit with Butch before the wedding. He tried to talk them into coming a little closer to time, but he doesn’t seem to have any better luck with his mother than I do with mine. In other words, his folks will be here for the better part of the week. Since they’ll be staying at that new RV park down by the Elk’s Club, it shouldn’t be too bad.”

“I’ll try to see to it that Ellie and I do our fair share of entertaining,” George said. “Your mother will be in tall cotton and cooking up a storm. I’ll probably gain ten pounds.”

With that, George Winfield waved and continued down the gravel walkway. Joa

Clayton had lived a good life-a long and useful one. He had worked for Joa

Before turning off the living room light fixture, Joa

As Joa

“What are you doing here?” Joa

“I called to tell you good night,” Butch replied. “When Je

“He’s dead,” Joa

Butch reached out and put a comforting arm around Joa