Zimmer turned his attention to me. “Mr. Tanner, why don’t you follow me? We can talk about this”—he nodded toward the departing ambulance—“and whatever else you have on your mind at my office.”

I looked at my truck. Three side windows and the back window were smashed in, and the windshield was shattered. I picked up the destroyed mirror and tossed it inside.

“Sheriff, I can’t drive my truck in this condition. What say I park it off to the side and call a wrecker to pick it up and take it to a shop. Is there a rental agency in town where I can get a car?”

“Sure,” he replied. “We can help you with that.”

“Also, there’s one other thing I need to tell you. I have a firearm in my truck, and I don’t want to leave it here.”

A faint smile touched Zimmer’s lips. “Is it a big one or a little one?” He asked in a teasing fashion.

“Rather small,” I replied.

“You got a carry permit?”

“Yes, sir, I do.”

“Well, if the sovereign state of Georgia thinks well enough of you to issue a concealed gun permit, I guess I can play along, too. Get it and come on, though. I’m tired of standing around in this cold and damp. It’s beginning to depress me.”

As I pulled my wounded truck to the side of the building, Sheriff Zimmer looked across to Sandy, who was standing quietly nearby.

“Sandy, I don’t want you having to lose time from work on account of this mess, but I need a statement from you, too. So why don’t you come see me when your shift is over. All right?”

Sandy nodded her head. “Okay, Sheriff. I’ll be there right after three o’clock.”

“I’ll tell Evaleen that you’re coming. She’ll show you right in. I just ask that you don’t talk to anyone else about this until you talk to me. Can you do that?”

“I can, Sheriff,” she replied.

“Good girl,” he said as he got into his car.

With my body between her and the sheriff, I handed Sandy one of my cards and spoke in a quiet voice, “I still want to hear your thoughts about Tonya. Call me and let’s set up a meeting—will you?”

Sandy looked closely at the card, then lifted her eyes to my face and nodded her head. “I’ll call,” she whispered, and then turned and scurried back inside.