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“They’ve used up the insurance that Duke gets through the town”

“What happens if Duke can’t pay for the treatments?”

“I don’t know,” Bobby said “I guessI guess Lila will die” He looked like that bothered him, and then I realized he’d probably known her all his life

“She’s already dying,” Newman said

“But without the treatments, she’ll die soonera lot sooner,” Bobby sai

d

“How old is she, his daughter?” I asked

“Twenty or e of the bunk with the blanket around hiain

“She’s twenty-one,” Frankie said

“So, whoever killed Ray Marchand basically killed the sheriff’s daughter, too,” I said

“I think that’s how Duke sees it,” Newman said

“Well, fuck,” I said

“Yeah,” Newman said

“Go see if you can find Duke, and check on him,” Newman said

Frankie shook her head “We’re a small force, but we’re professionals Duke uard duty here, and until he tellsto follow orders I know that you think he’s lost it, and maybe he has, but until I’m sure, I’ll stay at my post”