Chapter 24The next morning, as I had promised, Jeff and I rode into town.
I explained the circumstances to Sheriff Edwards. I had never asked again for the interview with the former deputy and witness to the shootout. I did not think this was the time to ask now. Deck Goad sat in the corner. I did not tell them what Preacher Lucas had told me, other than he had meant to either marry Nellie Wisler, or kill everyone in her family. I did not tell them the confessions Preacher Lucas had made to me, or of his notes I had burned. I had to keep some of my dignity. After hearing this, and with the promise that I would never print any future articles, and would never return to Carroll County, they decided that I had acted in self-defense, and all charges would be dropped.
On the way out of
