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mind,” Vance said.
    â€œI can take you back when you’re finished,” Turley said. “I’ll help you look.”

    â€œYou’ll have to be very careful,” Vance told him.
    â€œI will.”
    Jennifer looked at Rhodes.
    â€œWell?” she said.
    Rhodes managed not to sigh. He knew what was coming as soon as they got in the car.
    â€œYou can ride with me,” he said. “Let’s take the easy way and cross the creek on the bridge.”
    â€œGood idea,” Jennifer said. “No wonder they keep electing you.”
    â€œI knew there must be a reason,” Rhodes said, and he shoved off through the weeds.
    He didn’t look back, but he knew that Jennifer was right behind him.
    Â 
    Â 
    By the time they arrived at Louetta Kennedy’s store, Jennifer Loam had learned almost everything Rhodes knew about Larry Colley’s death.
    Although she’d gotten all the facts, he’d managed to withhold a couple of his guesses, but that was only because she hadn’t had more time with him. She was smart and persistent, and Rhodes had a feeling she wouldn’t be staying in Blacklin County for long. As soon as she had a little more experience, she’d be off to Dallas or Houston for a bigger and better-paying job.
    â€œThis place looks as if a good strong norther would blow it right over,” Jennifer said when Rhodes parked beside the store in about the same spot he’d used the day before.
    â€œIt’s probably sturdier than it seems,” Rhodes said.

    Jennifer looked skeptical. “I suppose it would have to be if it’s still in use.”
    â€œIt’s been here a long time and withstood a lot of northers. I expect it’ll hold up for a little while longer.”
    â€œWhy are we stopping here, anyway?” Jennifer asked. “It’s not just because you want a Dr Pepper, is it?”
    â€œNo,” Rhodes admitted, getting out of the car. “The Dr Pepper was just an excuse. I want to ask Louetta a couple of questions.”
    Jennifer got out on her side. “Then I’m coming in. It’s always enlightening to hear an experienced sleuth do an interrogation.”
    â€œSleuth?” Rhodes said.
    Jennifer laughed. “It’s a word we professional reporters like to use.”
    â€œLouetta must be busy inside today,” Rhodes said when he stepped up on the porch.
    Jennifer stayed back, as if wondering whether the ice machine was going to slide off and crush her.
    â€œShe’s usually sitting out here in her chair,” Rhodes said, opening the screen door.
    As soon as he looked inside the store, however, he knew that Louetta wasn’t busy. She wasn’t ever going to be busy again.
    She lay on the floor in front of the counter, her gray hair falling over her face. Her head was twisted at an odd angle, leaving no doubt in Rhodes’s mind that she was dead.

9
    SEEING A DEAD BODY ALWAYS MADE RHODES FEEL A LITTLE empty, as if his stomach had suddenly been hollowed out. Sometimes the feeling was stronger than at others. He hadn’t felt it so much when he’d seen Larry Colley lying in the woods. He felt it more this time.
    He turned away from the door and told Jennifer to stay outside because the store was now a crime scene. She wanted to know what was going on, but he didn’t tell her until after he’d radioed Hack. Then he filled her in on what he knew and told her to stay out of the way.
    â€œDon’t worry,” she said. She had the professional’s calm demeanor in the face of unexpected events. “I know how to behave at a crime scene. But I would like to have a look, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œLouetta’s dead,” Rhodes reminded her.
    â€œAnd I’m a reporter,” Jennifer said. “I have a job to do.”

    Rhodes nodded. “Go ahead, then. You can look through the door, but don’t go inside.”
    Jennifer went up on the porch