“Y’all know what I’m talking about,” Taggart said. “You heard all about the Watchmen Society and their plans for the state? Twirling those red bandannas every time Vardaman farts. Those people sure do love his style. You can scowl all you want at me, Deputy, but your black ass is gonna be back in the field picking cotton if these folks get their way. And you, Sheriff? Shit. They had plans for you since the start of the year. This crazy asshole wins the election and them state folks are going to be wiping their asses with the law book. Turn back time. You heard that shit? Tick-motherfucking-tock.”

“I’ve been dealing with y’all since I became sheriff,” Quinn said. “And my uncle before that. Johnny Stagg. Bobby Campo. Buster White and Fannie Hathcock. Never really thought of any of them having some kind of political agenda. This all sounds like a tall tale to save your narrow ass.”

Wes Taggart howled with laughter, rolling back in the office chair. Quinn looked up at Reggie, who was still close enough to reach out and choke the ever-living shit out of that wiry shitbird. A tattoo of a little cartoon devil decorated Taggart’s left arm and read MADE IN HELL. Taggart noticed Quinn staring. “Hot Stuff,” he said. “You recall that little son of a bitch? Or are you too damn young?”

“You got to give me something,” Quinn said.

“Hell of a storm brewing outside,” Taggart said, looking up at the ceiling. “I heard a tornado si-rene before y’all got me out of the cell. What we used to call a dang belly washer down in McComb.”

“Come on, Reggie,” Quinn said. “Supper’s getting cold.”

“I’m your only damn hope, Ranger,” Taggart said. “I wouldn’t say jack shit to the nasty woman who trucked my ass up here. Miss Virgil. But I’ll tell you what. I don’t just know where the bodies are buried. I sure as shit know who put them there.”

*   *   *

“What the hell’s that?” Bentley asked.

“Tornado alert,” Caddy said, reaching for her iPhone on the bedside table, light shining hard into her eyes. She and Bentley had fallen asleep an hour or so ago, after watching a movie and heading on back to the bedroom. His hand fallen over her bare stomach as she dozed off. “Looks like one touched down in Lee County.”