Page 30 of The River We Remember

Angie cocked her head and gave the sheriff a long, penetrating look. “What kind of job is it, Brody, where you find and dissect dead men?”

Brody said, “Dissecting is Doc Porter’s job.”

“You know what I mean. What you deal with, it just seems so hard. Why would anyone want a job like that?”

“Didn’t want to be a farmer and I had no education or training for anything else.”

It was true, in a way, but it was a flippant answer, and he could see on Angie’s face that it didn’t satisfy her. The real truth was that he’d hadn’t considered the question before. Maybe had even avoided it. But because Angie was waiting for an answer, he thought about it now.

“In the war, all I saw was senseless destruction, just total chaos. It seemed to me it was pretty much caused by people who paid no attention to laws. When Connie offered me the job as his deputy, I thought that maybe with a badge…” He hesitated because what he was thinking sounded grandiose.

“With a badge you could make a difference,” she finished for him.

“Sounds stupid, I know.”

“No, it sounds perfectly sensible. And admirable.”

She smiled, and because he felt suddenly embarrassed by his honesty and by her praise, he concentrated on drinking his coffee.

The diner door opened and Garnet Dern entered. She looked over the faces inside, all upturned at her entrance. She spotted Brody and beelined.

“Here you are. I’ve been looking for you.” She took the stool beside him and offered him a red-lipped smile. She nodded to Angie and Charlie. “Afternoon.”

“What brings you in, Garnet?” Angie asked. There was just a bit of frost in her voice. “We don’t often see you in the Wagon Wheel.”

“The truth is I need this man’s help.” She laid a hand gently on Brody’s arm and spoke to him directly. “The ladies of Saint Ignatius have put some food together for the Quinns, meals and such, so that Marta won’t have to worry about fixing anything for a while. I’m wondering if you’d mind going out with me to deliver it.”

“You need an official police escort?” Charlie said.

Garnet kept her response directed toward Brody. “It’s just that I could use a good strong pair of arms and someone who’s already made an appearance there. I don’t want to overwhelm them with a lot of needless folks milling around. Would you do that for me?”

Brody shrugged. “Sure.”

“I have everything in my car.”

“I was just about to have some lunch.”

“There’s potato salad out there, Brody. I’d hate to take a chance with it sitting too long unrefrigerated.”

“All right, then.”

Ida came from the kitchen. “Meat loaf will be out in two shakes, Brody. Afternoon, Garnet.”

“Hello, Ida. How are you?”

“Fine and dandy, thank you.”

Brody said, “Got to cancel that order, Ida.”

“Oh?”

“My help’s been requested.”

Garnet smiled. “We’re delivering some food to Marta Quinn on behalf of the ladies of our church. One less thing for Marta and those kids to worry about. You understand, Ida.”

“That’s mighty Christian of you,” Ida said.

“Garnet, why don’t you go on outside?” Brody suggested. “I’ll be there directly.”