Bull said he heard all about two women fighting over one man. It turned out the guy was lying to both of the girls, so they got together and decided to beat him up. Bull also said he heard a nurse say she was going to kill the neighbor who started his mower behind her house at dawn.

Ketch had to listen to several stories about spouses wanting to end their marriages fast. Wynn said the girl in his English class was plotting the death of her parents, but she planned to wait until they finished paying off her college bills.

Finally, Bull mentioned a couple of dropouts like him who were talking about causing such chaos that no one would want to send their kids to Clifton.

Ketch started to ask questions without appearing too interested. After a few minutes it was obvious that the dropouts were trying to recruit Bull.

“I told them I had to work nights at the hospital and couldn’t make the meetings. When they found out that I was security for the hospital they wondered if I had a gun and could pick up drug samples.” Bull looked sad. “After I said no, they stopped being friendly.”

“They were using you, Bull,” Wynn said.

“I know, but it was nice to listen to them talk. It was like I was a part of a big plan. Exciting. It was like I belonged to a club.”

“Any idea where the clubhouse was?” Ketch asked as he began to mentally log into his brain everything Bull said.

He described a place past the tracks. Said they called it the “supply stash.”

As the brothers ate the pizza, Ketch made mental notes of the descriptions of the men, the cars they drove, even the girlfriend of one, who Bull said looked meaner than any of the guys.

Bull rubbed his face. “I just smiled at her and she slapped me so hard on this side that my teeth are still loose.”

“Was she pretty, Bull?”

“No, bulldog ugly and had a prison tattoo on her throat, but I’d still do her as long as she didn’t slap me again.”

Wynn slapped him for being an idiot. “Don’t talk like that. We’re talking official-like. Remember, we’ve been asked to do our duty. This is our town, brother, and no one messes with our town.”

“I know.” Bull started bobbing his head again.

Ketch knew he’d gotten all he could. He leaned in close. “All right, soldiers, here is the plan. Keep your eyes open. Wynn, as a favor to me, watch the campus for anything unusual and report to me if you see anything. A stranger that doesn’t look like he belongs. Someone sneaking around.”

“I’ll cut all classes tomorrow and be on patrol.”

Ketch turned to Bull. “You stay on guard at the hospital. That’s a hot spot for trouble. We already know that.”