At the riverside, Cole’s body temperature had measured 95 degrees—a level the sheriff was sure had dulled the young man’s intellect. Cole’s account of the crash and attempted rescue sounded like the ramblings of a person in shock. His mumblings had been almost incoherent. Even after Coach Hickham—whose disposition hadn’t been much better—precisely corroborated Cole’s account, the sheriff still found the story impossible to swallow.

Cole’s story still hadn’t changed by the time Curtis made it to the hospital. His demeanor, however, had altered dramatically. He was completely lucid and wound up tight as a drum.

Curtis had tried to send Cole home, but the quarterback refused, insisting instead on being taken to the sheriff’s office to see how the authorities were following up on his testimony.

Curtis had finally agreed to bring both Cole and Hickham into his office for further discussion. It went against his better judgment, given what the men had been through, but he took a chance. Thirty-one years on the force had taught him that witness testimony usually proved most beneficial when taken as soon after an incident as possible.

It was just past dawn now. Curtis had finished taking the men’s deposition and was now occupied with trying to simmer Cole down. He had just told Cole for the third time to sit down when the door opened.

Savannah poked her head into the room.

“Answer my question, Curtis!” Cole scowled at the sheriff from his position against the far wall.

“I don’t have to answer a damn thing I don’t feel you need to know at this time.”

“That’s bullshit. Just tell me what you know!”

“Cole, for the last time, either sit down or I’m taking you to a cell to cool off.”

Cole turned away in a huff.

“Can I come in?”

Curtis turned to Savannah. Tension fell from his tight shoulders. “Of course, honey, please.” He seemed glad for the intrusion. Unshaven and glassy-eyed, the sheriff hardly resembled the man Savannah had hidden from in the woods the day before.

She shut the door behind her and raised the cardboard tray in her hands. “Thought maybe y’all could use some coffee.”

Curtis nodded. “That’s real good of you, thanks. I think we were just finishing up in here, anyway. Isn’t that right, Cole?”

Savannah set the coffee on the sheriff’s desk. No one made a move for it.