“Yep. Hunting accident. Didn’t have his orange slicker on and somebody thought he was a deer. Abby told me to tell you she’s got some more work you can do. Same pay scale.”

“I’ll head over there right now.” After the news on the radio last night he was even more uncomfortable being around the lawman.

When Stone arrived at Rita’s Restaurant Abby had breakfast waiting for him. When he walked in customers smiled and waved at him. A few miners came over and clapped him on the back, thanking him for helping their fellow miner.

“How’s it feel to be a hero?” Abby asked, pouring him a cup of coffee.

“I’m just glad he’s okay. But he’s got a long road ahead of him. Apparently he has a drug problem.”

“Most miners do. Willie Coombs is actually a good young man. He and Danny played ball in high school together. Best of friends but then they had a falling-out.”

“Over what?”

“When we were all poor, that was one thing. Then when we got the settlement money Willie seemed to think Danny owed him. We gave him some money, sure, but most of it went up his nose so we stopped.”

A tall, thin man came over to them. He was the only man in the place dressed in a suit and tie. His gray hair was neatly parted and fashionably cut. His eyes were gray and alert and his face was deeply lined, carrying the gravitas one usually found in scholars.

Abby said, “Ben, this is Charlie Trimble. He runs the Divine Eagle, the local newspaper.”

It was all Stone could do not to leap up and run out of the place.

A smiling Trimble said, “I would love to interview you about your experience with Willie, Ben.Not only because it’s an amazing story but it shows why we need to reinstate the volunteer rescue squad program here.”

Abby looked at Stone. “Is that okay?”

Stone said slowly, “What I did wasn’t all that special. And I’m not looking to get any publicity just because I helped someone.”

Trimble smiled more broadly. “And modest too. That will work well in the story angle. It’s just a few questions, Ben. We can even do it here or back at my office.”

Stone stood. “Abby, if you have some more work for me to do that would be great.” He looked at Trimble. “I’m sorry, Mr. Trimble. I’m sure Bob would love to talk to you. He helped as much as I did. Maybe more.”

Trimble looked put off. “Just a couple of questions?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

Abby gave him a list of jobs to do while Trimble sat at his table, drinking a cup of coffee and staring at Stone. And Stone could feel the burn of the man’s gaze.