Serve the notice.”

Deputy Cole unclipped the top sheet on his board, took the document from Claire, and unfolded it.

“Let’s get inside, off the lawn, folks.”

We went into Claire’s small living room.

Deputy Cole sat down on the flowered sofa, spread the document across his knees, and took a penlight out of his shirt pocket to look over the signature line.

Gene stayed out on the porch, pacing back and forth past the front window, his heavy work boots thumping on the boards.