“Tossed in the dumpster,” he said. “Just like you said.”

“You think it was Bishop?”

“Don’t know what to think,” Midnight Man said. “Seen some hairs in that mess. Make me sick while I was cooking that barbecue today.”

“You think you can find those Nix boys?” Stagg said. “Bring them here?”

“What for?”

“Ain’t none of your concern, Midnight Man.”

“Don’t mess with those people, Mr. Stagg,” Midnight Man said. “Please. They busted in the head. Smell like damn goats.”

“Then have them meet me at the truck wash,” Stagg said.

“Those short boys?” Midnight Man said. “Come on, now.”

“Get ’em here,” he said. “I might have a little errand for them.”

Stagg picked up the phone, calling 411 for a listing in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

*   *   *

Quinn dropped Maggie and Halley back at the farm and doubled back to town, Hondo riding shotgun, as Quinn dialed up Sheriff Pollan over in Calhoun County. Pollan had offered Quinn assistance since he’d first become sheriff. A straight shooter and lifelong John Wayne fan, Pollan was always glad to ask about Hondo.

“How’s my favorite dog?” Pollan asked.

“Riding shotgun at the moment,” Quinn said.

“Damn fine dog.”

Quinn gave a quick rundown on Gina Byrd’s murder, although Pollan had already heard most of it. He didn’t stop Quinn until Quinn asked him about a potential witness who Pollan had locked up in his jail a time or two.

“Leon Doaks?” Pollan asked. “You got to be kidding me. Whatever he’s peddling, don’t buy it. He’d sell out his own sister for a pack of smokes.”

“Professional snitch?”

“He’s made a good living out of it,” he said. “Is he in your jail?”

“Parsham,” Quinn said.

“Hate to put down a brother sheriff, but Bruce Lovemaiden is a real shitbird,” Pollan said. “Don’t trust him. And damn sure don’t trust Leon Doaks. Lovemaiden’s used him before. Last time on a double homicide he couldn’t solve if his life depended on it. He got Doaks to say the suspect confessed the whole thing over a jailhouse supper. That ole boy is over at Parchman Farm right now ready to ride the hot needle.”

“Roger that.”

“And Quinn?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Watch your damn back,” Pollan said. “Lovemaiden’s a crook. He’s always been a crook. Some folks I know say he’s thrown in with Johnny Stagg after Stagg got out of the pen. They think he’s running some of his old commerce through Parsham since you came back on the job. It’s not as easy of a corridor, but it beats you folks making trouble.”

“Things have been slow since Stagg got back,” Quinn said. “He’s building an Old West village for the kids out back of the Rebel.”

“Where Vienna’s used to be?”

“Yep.”