desk, “please, no, don’t say you’re here to report our girls.” “No,” Mike chuckled, “I’m not.” He stopped at Robert’s door. Robert gestured to a chair. “Good. Sit.” “Thanks, but I can’t. I’ve only got a minute.” He leaned against the door. “So, you know our girls are going to tonight’s dance?” Robert nodded. “And that Jenny’s going with Jacob McCord?” Robert sighed a little but nodded again. “Well, Susan says they’ve been practicing for the dance.” Robert grimaced. “It’s all we talk about. My God, I hope they win.” “Yes, and anyway, they’ve been practicing at Don’s farm.” Robert raised his eyebrows. “And Susan told me this week they saw two workers burn a duf昀氀e bag of perfectly good clothes behind Don’s garage.” Robert shook his head. “Mike, strange, I swear, but who knows what goes on out there?” Mike gazed out the station windows. “Yes, strange. I thought so, too.” Robert held up his hand. “Strange yes, but Mike, burning clothes isn’t—” “Hold on,” Mike interrupted, pushed away from the door, and pointed out the window. “Speak of the devil. There’s Don’s kid.” Robert stood and joined Mike at the window. Together, they watched Liam walk back and forth in front of the post of昀椀ce and bus stop building. At each pass past the front door, he stopped momentarily, wagged his head, and gestured as if in a state of discussion. Finally, he dropped his hands and entered the building. “Jacob’s straight, but that boy’s slow, Robert,” Mike said. Robert spoke over his shoulder. “Betsy, have you gotten today’s mail?” “No,” she said, “I haven’t.” “Okay then, I’ll walk over.” He slapped Mike’s arm with his sheriff’s hat. “Mike, you all come for dinner.” Robert crossed the street, entered the post of昀椀ce, stopped in front of their rented box, and collected the PLAINS PARADOX ■ 6