When I finished talking, the kitchen was quiet, Grandma standing off by the sink, Murphy silent across the table, all of us waiting for what Sheriff Bearden would say.

After what seemed like forever, Sheriff Bearden sighed.

“That is one hell of a story,” he said. “I’ve heard some tales in my time, but that damn near tops them all.”

“You don’t believe us,” said Murphy.

“On the contrary,” he said. “I believe every goddamn word of your story. Who in the hell would make up something like that? Besides, I did a little checking in on that stepdad of yours. Did you know he is currently being investigated for evidence tampering? For physical abuse and intimidation of suspects? Rumors abound concerning this fellow. To my mind he’s a disgrace to the uniform.”

I could have kissed the man, gross as he was. Somebody believed us. We weren’t alone in the world. And now they were going to catch Horace. We didn’t have to be afraid anymore.

“We got evidence too,” said Murphy.

“Well, I’m sure we’ve got enough already to bring him in,” said Sheriff Bearden. “I’ll call up the chain of command, see who I can get on the horn. You ask me, though, your man’s gone. Took off. Headed southwest, probably to Mexico. Flown the coop, as it were. That is, if he’s got any sense in him.”

I looked at Murphy, and Murphy looked back at me.

“I highly doubt that, Sheriff,” I said.

“Well, we’ll keep a lookout anyhow. Put a couple of cars on patrol, have some people at your gate, if that’s okay with you, Mrs. Sanford.”

“I’d rather you didn’t,” she said. “No need to waste the manpower.”

“It’s not a waste,” he said. “Protecting and serving is our job, lest you forget.”

“It’s appreciated, Sheriff,” I said.

“Yeah,” said Murphy. “Thanks for believing us.”

“I find the truth comes most purely from the mouths of the youth,” he said. “Isn’t that in the Bible? Shakespeare, maybe? Something about innocence and all that. Hell, isn’t everything either from the Bible or Shakespeare?” He picked up his hat and plopped it on his head, tipping the brim at us. “Farewell, ladies and gentleman. It has been a pleasure.”

“Thanks again, Sheriff,” I said. “You don’t know how good it feels to be believed.”

“I reckon, young fella, that maybe I do,” he said. Sheriff Bearden stood up to go. “Thank you, ma’am. Those pancakes were divine.”

“I’ll walk you to the door,” said Grandma.

“Don’t bother,” he said. “I know the way. Y’all take care, now.”

We heard his boots clomp down the hallway, slow and unhurried, the front door swinging shut behind him.

“Now,” said Grandma, smiling, “shall we get to work?”

The rest of the day was much the same as the one before. Grandma had me tending to the garden while Murphy trimmed tree limbs with these giant elongated pruners that stretched out four feet in front of her. They were kind of badass looking, like some weird medieval weapon dug up from a battlefield somewhere.