School had been rough in the days after Roberta’s death. People were kind, but there were so many questions about how she died. Gossip ran rampant. One of the girls she sat near in history class told her that Roberta’s boyfriend was a notorious drug dealer. At least two boys in their school got their fixes from him.

Now the things Roberta had said started to make sense. And Michelle was learning even more about the networks and how they operated from Minette since she’d started working for the Jacobsville newspaper.

“It’s a vile thing, drug dealing,” Minette said harshly. “Kids overdose and die. The men supplying the drugs don’t even care. They only care about the profit.” She hesitated. “Well, maybe some of them have good intentions...”

“A drug dealer with good intentions?” Michelle laughed. “You have got to be kidding.”

“Actually, I’m not. You’ve heard of the man they call El Jefe?”

“Who hasn’t?” Michelle replied. “We heard that he helped save you and Sheriff Carson,” she added.

“He’s my father.”

Michelle gaped at her. “He’s...?”

“My father,” Minette repeated. “I didn’t know who my real father was until very recently. My life was in danger, even more than Hayes’s was when he was shot, because my father was in a turf war with a rival who was the most evil man I ever knew.”

“Your life is like a soap opera,” Michelle ventured.

Minette laughed. “Well, yes, it is.”

“I wish mine was more exciting. In a good way,” she clarified. She drew in a long breath. “Okay, what about this camera?” she asked. It had more dials and settings than a spaceship.

“I know, it’s a little intimidating. Let me show you how it works.”

She did. It took a little time, and when they finished, a phone call was waiting for Minette. She motioned to Michelle. “I have a new reporter. I’m going to let her take this down, if you don’t mind. Her name is Michelle... That’s right. It’s a deal. Thanks!” She put her hand over the receiver so that the caller wouldn’t hear. “This is Ben Simpson. He’s our Jacobs County representative in District 3 for the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board. He wants us to do a story on a local rancher who won Rancher of the Year for the Jacobs County Soil and Water Conservation District for his implementation of natural grasses and ponds. The award was made just before Christmas, but the rancher has been out of the country until now. I’m going to let you take down the details, and then I’ll send you out to his ranch to take a photo of him with the natural grasses in the background. Are you up to it?” she teased.

Michelle was almost shaking, but she bit her lip and nodded. “Yes, ma’am,” she said.