“So is it true? Did Logan challenge the Badgers to some harebrained grudge match? ’Cause I can tell you right now it’ll happen over my dead body.”

She and Cole had anticipated such a reaction from the sheriff. That still didn’t make it any easier for Savannah to hear.

“All right . . .” he said. “Let’s have it, young lady. Where’d you find them?”

“You mean the Jackrabbits?”

“No, the Toledo Mud Hens. Yes, the Jackrabbits! Was this some kind of joke all along?”

“Joke? Sheriff, you don’t understand—”

“You’re damn right I don’t!” He took the matchstick from his mouth and jabbed it in her face. “I don’t understand how three frogmen could have seen that team at the bottom of the river, and then two nights later here they are wolfin’ down cheeseburgers.”

“Incredible, isn’t it?” Savannah said levelly, then quickly shifted the direction of the conversation. “What amazes me even more is that after all those boys have been through, they still want to play football. It’s a great thing, if you ask me.”

“Oh hell, not you, too—”

“After all, they’ve got so much to play for. School pride, solidarity—”

“Solidarity, my foot. It’s about revenge, plain and simple.”

“And is that such a bad thing?” she asked. “Don’t the Badgers have a little revenge coming their way?”

“Justice will be served, I can assure you. My way. May I remind you that you were the one who brought me that tape of Booker Flamont in the first place?”

“I know that, Sheriff.” It was a noble deed that Savannah had come to regret. It was certainly something that she dreaded telling Cole about. “So I take it you’ve put the tape to use?”

“Hell yes, I put it to use! I got every damn one of the Badgers in my custody. They fell like dominoes. But my point is that you’re the one that made it happen. I figured you’d be happier than anyone to see those Badgers kept under lock and key.”

Savannah quickly glanced around the corner. Cole still sat where she had left him, but he was scanning the crowd, looking worried. She came back and said, “Just let them play, Sheriff. Please.”

“Not a chance. Even if I wanted to, it’s not as simple as you’d think.”

“What’s complicated? Bus the Badgers to the field, let them play, and bus them back to jail. You could keep rifles trained on the field for all anyone would care, just let them out long enough to play the game.”

His eyes narrowed. “What’s it to you, anyway?”

“What do you mean?”

“I never saw you anywhere near that football team … your own father’s team. That’s no secret in this town, Savannah. Why the sudden interest now?”