Pearl River Junction: The Sons of Daniel Shaye

20

The Shayes finished their beer at the Wagon Wheel and then left to walk over to the sheriff’s office. They stopped just outside.

“Some office, huh?” Thomas asked.

“I wonder what it would be like to come to work here every day?” James said.

“Let’s just get inside,” Shaye said gruffly. His sons gave him an odd look, then followed him into the office.

Sheriff Cotton was seated behind his desk, waiting for them.

“Come on in, gents. Did you have supper?”

“Yes,” Shaye said, “we went to the place you suggested.”

“Good, good,” Cotton said. “Just got back from having supper myself. Come on, have a seat. Can I get you some coffee?”

“No,” Shaye said, answering for the three of them. “We’re fine.”

Shaye sat in a chair opposite the lawman and Thomas and James remained standing.

“We’d like to know what Belinda said about seeing us,” Shaye said. “We know that she’s living with you and your wife.”

“Somebody talked, huh?”

“James saw you with her out behind your house,” Shaye said, deciding to play it straight. “And with the child.”

“Matthew,” Cotton said.

“What?” James asked.

“His name is Matthew,” Cotton said. “We call him Little Matt.”

Shaye exchanged glances with his sons.

“Yes, I know,” Cotton said. “Your other son’s name was Matthew.”

“Sheriff—”

“Okay, here it is,” Cotton said. “She’ll see you, Mr. Shaye, and only you, and the meeting will take place at my house.”

“Wait,” Thomas said, “why not us?”

“Maybe later,” Cotton said. “All three of you at once would be overwhelming.” He looked directly at Shaye. “Surely you can see that.”

Shaye hesitated, then said, “Yes, I can. All right, I agree.”

“Pa—”

“Don’t worry, Thomas,” Shaye said. “After all, it was to me she sent the letter.” He looked at Cotton. “What other conditions?”

“Either I or my wife also has to be present,” Cotton said. “But not the boy. Not yet.”

“I want to see the boy,” Shaye said. “I’ll be able to tell if he’s Matthew’s.”

Again, Cotton said, “Maybe later. Belinda wants to see you first, Mr. Shaye.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow, around noon.”

“Why not tonight?” James asked.

Cotton looked at James. “I’m doin’ this the way Belinda wants to do it, sir.”

“What’s her relation to you, Sheriff?” Thomas asked.

“None.”

“Then why does she live with you and your missus?”

“She needed help,” Cotton said. “And she had a child. My wife is not the sort of person who could ignore that.”

“She sounds like a fine woman,” Shaye said.

“Thank you for sayin’ that,” Cotton replied. “She is.”

“All right, Sheriff,” Shaye said, getting to his feet. “We’ll do this your way—the girl’s way.”

“Come by here tomorrow at eleven forty-five and I’ll walk you over to my house,” Cotton said.

“I’ll be here.”

“Meanwhile,” Cotton said, also standing, “I’d appreciate it if you and your boys could stay out of trouble while you’re in town.”

“We always do our best to avoid trouble, Sheriff,” Shaye said. “It’s just not always our choice.”

“Just your word on behalf of you and your boys that you’ll try is fine with me,” Cotton said.

“You have it.”

“Good enough. See you tomorrow, then.”

Shaye nodded and led his sons out on to the street.