The sheriff turned sideways, sucked in his stomach and scrutinized his profile. “I wore it to Lester O’Connell’s funeral.”
“There wasn’t room for it in the coffin?”
“Do you intend to hurl insults at me throughout my daughter’s wedding day?”
“I’m focused on the suit right now.”
“Be polite. Today is a big day for me.”
“The biggest. Do you need anything?”
“Beatrice said she wasn’t hungry, so I didn’t cook, but that coffee, and toast sure smell good.”
Goodstead handed the wooden mug to T.W. and also a thick piece of butter-soaked toast, from which not one bite had been taken.
“Brought ’em up for you, though I had a sip of the coffee. I’ll go down and get some more.” The deputy paused in the doorway and added, “With Beatrice leaving, I suppose I’ll need to familiarize myself with the pa
