CHAPTER NINE
The sheriffs huge dog bounded into the front seat next to Deputy Harper when he opened the door.
"Go on, boy... get out'a here!" he insisted, but Baron had clearly made up his mind to stay, and Al Harper was none too certain just how far he could push the mammoth German Shepherd without drawing back a stump.
"Aw, all right, you mangy mutt," Harper grumbled as he got in behind the wheel. "You can ride with me... but behave yo'self, boy!" It was still dark, but the sky was slowly lightening and the gray light of dawn was beginning to filter through the pine trees though morning was at least an hour away.
Laurie and Ann were huddled together in the back seat, their hands tightly enmeshed as the deputy started the car and began the drive along lonely county roads to the rest a
