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is just goosed you in the butt about five minutes ago, and did some titty-squeezing with your lieutenant and your sergeant. You saw it slap a boy down, rip the clothes off a lady, and knock one of my deputies to the floor. What I don’t need at this time, Major, is a lot of press types in here. You get my point?”
    â€œYou can’t detain us, Sheriff; not with our credentials. But we might be of assistance if we stayed here.”
    Gordie walked to a window and looked out onto a side street. The view was somewhat less than awe-inspiring. With his back to the military people, he said, “You didn’t offer to stay.”
    Maj. Jackson thought about that for a few seconds, then smiled. “Sheriff Rivera, would you like for me and my people to stay here in town so that we might possibly be of some assistance to you and your people in the event of further trouble?”
    Gordie laughed and turned around. “Isn’t there some sort of federal law about active troops getting involved in local civilian matters without prior government approval?”
    â€œYes. But if we are attacked, we certainly have the right to defend ourselves.”
    â€œThat’s good to know. I don’t suppose any of you came armed?”
    â€œSidearms.”
    â€œLemmie out of this son of a bitch!” Hubbard screamed from the drunk tank just up the hall.
    He was ignored.
    â€œI would like for all of us to be brought fully up to date, Sheriff,” Jackson requested.
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œI have a question, Sheriff,” Kathy said.
    â€œAsk.”
    â€œWhy don’t you just call in the highway patrol, or ask the governor to send in the national guard?”
    â€œI can answer that,” Howie spoke from the doorway. He was holding a wet cloth to the side of his face. The swelling appeared to be going down.
    All turned to face the small boy.
    â€œGo ahead, Howie,” Gordie said.
    â€œThe sheriff doesn’t want to involve any more people than he absolutely has to. He doesn’t want to risk any more lives. He isn’t sure that any of us are going to live through whatever it is that is menacing us. And he isn’t at all certain that . . . that, whatever it is, call it a thing, would allow any of us to leave this area.”
    â€œIs that it, Sheriff?”
    â€œThat about sums it up,” Gordie said with a sigh. He looked at Howie. “You’re a very smart boy, Howie. I have a hunch that you know, or think you know, more about this thing, as you call it, than you’re letting on. Am I correct?”
    â€œYes, sir. I think so.”
    â€œWant to share it with us?”
    â€œOf course. Just as soon as I get it worked out in my head.”
    Country and western music suddenly filled the room, the music heavy with guitars and drums.

    â€œHe came rollin’ out of Monte Rio, with blood stains on his hands.
    â€œCrazy Morg was with him, as they screamed across the land.
    â€œWith their future all behind them, they threw their fates to the wind.

    â€œSand, good-bye, Sand.”
    I HATE THAT GODDAMNED SONG! TURN IT OFF!

    â€œScrew you,” another voice was added.
    Watts had to lean against the table for support.
    The second voice belonged to Sand.

Chapter Five
    â€œMr. Jennings, you used to be called Ace, were you not?”
    Richard laughed that strange, hollow laugh. “Yeah, I did. A long time back.”
    â€œAnd you were friends with Sand? You were a part of that . . . club?”
    â€œYeah. From the beginning to the end. The Pack. That’s what the city police hung on us. It stuck. Willowdale doesn’t have a city police department anymore. The sheriffs department handles all that now.”
    â€œThe pack? From wolf pack?”
    â€œProbably. They hung it on us after a bad fight.”
    â€œWith whom?”
    â€œA bunch of college boys – rich kids – from over the pass. A town called Monte Rio.”
    â€œThe