“Besides lacking a crooked peter,” Ray said, “just what does that mean?”

There was a long pause and what sounded like Vardaman crunching candy or a breath mint with his teeth. After a moment, Vardaman said, “Folks have asked that I do everything in my power to shut the place down. We can make sure that woman answers to the law, forcing her. But I figured it was honorable for me to call you first. Let her leave town without a whole lot of mess.”

Ray jangled the casino keys in his pocket. The sun heading down across the flat land looked like something out of an old biblical movie. Wide and dramatic, with insects sputtering and clicking deep into the cotton. Maybe Yul Brynner would appear at the far edge of his vision, a shadow before a big orange ball, head coated in a goddamn Egyptian headdress.

“Well, goddamn, Senator,” Ray said. “I didn’t know I was Fannie’s daddy. She’s a grown-ass woman. Talk to her.”

“I don’t speak to the hired help,” Vardaman said. “And I sure don’t really blame these people. They’re simple, churchgoing folk. Jericho isn’t Tunica. These people aren’t Delta folks. This is the twenty-first century in the hill country. You can’t operate some whorehouse on the edge of town like it’s Dodge City.”

“Have you considered Fannie Hathcock operates a hell of a lot more than just some highway titty bar?”

“That’s y’all’s business,” Vardaman said. “Not mine. I don’t really give a goddamn what that woman does for you and Buster White. I want her gone from north Mississippi. I plan on speaking about it at my rally in Jericho. A new day in Tibbehah County. Family, character, morals.”

“This isn’t about morals,” Ray said, fishing out the cigarettes from his jacket pocket. “Is it? This is about that old cretin in the cowboy hat. Skinner. Just why do you give two shits about some Bible-thumping hick who wants women back in poodle skirts and saddle oxford shoes? Come on, now, Jimmy. How long have we known each other? I know just what you like. And how you operate.”

“That was a long time back,” Vardaman said. “No more leases. Or underhanded deals. I want that woman gone from my district. She causes too much trouble. She’s dangerous as a copperhead snake.”

“You never seemed to have trouble with those women before,” Ray said. “I recall them being a great help to your dealmaking over the years.”

“It’s reckless as hell,” Vardaman said. “You hear me? The goddamn party is over.”