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“More about the sheriff running for Congress. If you ask me, choosing between Axelrod and Garn Prescott’s about like choosing between a coyote and a skunk.”
Sky gave the old man a quiet smile. He appreciated the humor, but he didn’t feel like laughing.
“What’s that in your lap?” Jasper frowned at the sealed envelope. “Don’t tell me you haven’t opened it yet.”
“I’m not sure I want to. I once read a story about Pandora’s box, how she opened it and let loose a world of trouble. What if I’m holding a Pandora’s box?”
Jasper didn’t answer. Sky stared at him, the realization breaking like dawn. “You know what’s in it, don’t you?”
The old man nodded. “I was there when Bull sealed it and gave it to that big-city lawyer. Do you want me to tell you what’s inside?”
“I was thinking maybe I should just burn it.”
Jasper leaned back in his rocker, his eyes half closed. “You’re a strange one, Sky Fletcher. Must be the Comanche in you. They aren’t exactly the most cheerful folks God put down on the planet. Not the ones I’ve known at least. Always wandering around with gloomy faces, expecting the worst.”
“This isn’t what you’d call a cheerful time,” Sky said.
“No, but it’ll all come right. Things usually do.”
“I wish I had your faith. With the sheriff running for Congress and wanting to look like a hero, he won’t give Beau a chance. The last thing he wants is for folks to find out he arrested an innocent man.”
“Hoyt Axelrod is a pompous rooster, but he’s smart. If we want to beat him, we’ll just have to be smarter.” Jasper scratched the head of the aging Border collie, who’d plopped down at his feet. “But getting back to that envelope you’re too stubborn to open. I promise you it’s no Pandora’s box. Bull wasn’t one for fancy words, but he set quite a store by you—more than he ever let on. What’s in there will tell you what you meant to him.”
Sky shook his head. “If Bull was here tonight, he just might change his mind. If I’d left well enough alone—if I hadn’t brought Lute here and hadn’t looked for that bullet, maybe Beau wouldn’t be in so much trouble.”
“Beau’s troubles aren’t your fault. And beating yourself up won’t change what Bull left you or the fact that he’d want you to have it.”
“Then you take this.” Sky thrust the envelope toward the old man. “You can give it back to me later.”
“And when will that be, you mule-headed young whippersnapper?”
“I’ll let you know.”
With a mutter of protest, Jasper took the envelope and tucked it under his arm. Restless now, Sky rose, stretched, and walked down the porch steps.
“Where you goin’?” Jasper called after him.
“Just around.”
Fishing the keys out of his pocket, Sky headed for the shed where he kept his truck.
CHAPTER 15
The Blue Coyote was humming tonight. Customers crowded the bar, clamoring for drinks and watching the NBA game that blared from the big-screen TV. The plump young waitress, her dyed black hair gelled into spikes, bustled among the tables, her tray balanced shoulder high. Perspiration made a dark streak down the back of her lavender T-shirt.
From the corner booth, Sky nursed his beer and watched the action. He had stopped by Haskell Trucking on his way into town, hoping Lute might be back. But he’d found the place closed. A look through the chain-link fence had revealed no sign of the big rig Lute had supposedly driven to Mexico.
Sky spotted Stella weaving her way among the tables with a foaming glass of beer in one hand. Her striking green eyes were looking directly at him.
“Hello, Blue Eyes. Mind if I join you?”
“I’d be honored.” Sky knew how to charm if he needed to.
She slid the full glass toward him. “I’ve been watching you for the past hour. You haven’t drunk enough of that cheap stuff to make it worth your coming in here. This one’s on me. Drink up.”
“Thanks.” Sky took a sip. “Not bad.”
She fixed her riveting gaze on him. “You’re Lute’s cousin, aren’t you?”
