“Make yourself comfortable in this chair while I get coffee. Two sugars, Cora? But before I step out, I’ll remind you to keep close the details of an active investigation.” Sheriff McCoy’s lack of sleep sensitizes every encounter; he wonders whether Cora’s early morning visit is a prelude to more surprises. Over breakfast, his wife had explained that their thirteen-year-old daughter is at the first milestone of womanhood, that she looks forward to their Friday night tryst because the doc says she is finally beyond expectancy, that their son telephoned from UT about a new girlfriend. The avalanche of disclosures has the sheriff nervous, though invisibly so. Sheriff McCoy’s ability and steadfast demeanor has assured his reelection for twenty-plus years.
After nodding in agreement to the sug
