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At almost the same moment, the sheriff spotted him, briefly narrowed his sharp eyes, then nodded his head in recognition “Beau Tyler” He walked straight toward hi “A lot of people around here ondering if you’d co bets on it”

“Soot lucky, then” The handshake was firm but brief

“I’ you here Sorry I couldn’t ot tied up at the courthouse”

“Duty first,” Beau responded “Coe”

“That’s right You’d know about that, wouldn’t you? You’re an agent with the DEA now, aren’t you?” Axelrod asked

“I am”

“I never figured you were the kind to go into law enforceood tiaze ht

“People change,” Beau replied, and idly swirled the bourbon in his glass

“That they do,” the sheriff agreed “And Lord knows, there isn’t a part of this country that isn’t plagued by drug problelad we aren’t any closer to the border than we are But this isn’t the time or place for shoptalk” The cell phone hooked to his belt beeped, advising the sheriff of an incolance at Beau, checked his phone, then hooked it back on his belt “If you’re going to be around a few days, maybe you can stop by my office and we can trade some stories”

“I’ve got a flight out tomorrow Maybe another time”

“I’ll hold you to that,” the sheriff replied, giving no sign he meant it any more than Beau did I in the parlor “You wouldn’t knohere I ht find your brother so I can offer him my condolences?”

“Last time I saw him, he was by the bar”

“I’ll find hiain, Beau I’m just sorry it had to be under these circumstances”

Beau nodded in response and watched as the sheriff beganof uests, but he didn’t feel likesmall talk He was about to turn away fronized at once

There was Tori, Will’s ex-wife, in a knee-ski black lawyer suit Tall and slim, with sun-streaked hair, she looked classy as hell Beau had always thought she and Will were ether Whatever had driven the a stubborn, insensitive jackass, especially when it came to women And Tori had never been one to quietly knuckle under