THE WILL 20

tubbs was about to fold, tobey hadnt even touched him yet. but a wet place had appeared on the crotch of the fat mans wranglers. "nick hadly, nick told me. "tubbs blubbered. "how the hell would he know anything? whats it to him?"tobey asked. "him and that hay farmer jacobs wanted your uncles business. they couldnt sell their hay as good as blake could."the fat man was done. tobey turned and walke back to the deputy whom then turned around and looked as tubbs retreated to his truck a definate wet spot in his crotch "how hard did you have to hit him to do that to him?"the deputy was trying not to laugh. "never touched him, but i got a name. nick hadley?"tobey was almost laughing himself.

THE WILL 19

when the deputy got out of his car he had his official face on tobey walked up and stood in front of him. " i just got a complaint from a real estate agent that you acosted him for being on your property, is that so?" partley but i never laid a hand on him i did caress his necck tie and asked him some questions you might be intrested in the answeres to"tobey confessed. he then told the deputy about people knowing about the shooting of roberto before the deputys had a chance to even write their report. through all of it the deputy listened close and when tobey ws through he looked at him"are you acusing tubbs od the shootings?" " all ime saying is he needs looking into he knows to much before any one else does." tobey stated. " but you didnt hit the real estate man?" the deputy asked " no, just showed him what i would use if i did hit him." tobey almost started laughing " well since i didnt see any marks on him and there was no witnesses ill just have to take your word for it. and il talk to my boss about bringing in tubbs for questioning. that is a curious thing about the word getting out so quick. in the mean time stay out of trouble ok"the deputy asked. tobey nodded and turned toward the open gate.when the deputy drove away he shut the gate and went in the house. roberto was asleep on the couch. tobey got a serape and covered him up.then went into the kitchen and poured a drink.later at the livestock auction tobey was talking to the deputy out in the parking lot. they both saw tubs drive in and park and start to go to the auction barn. the deputy looked at tobey with a knowing eye " dont lay a hand on him i wont see a thing." he turned his back to the parking lot and leaned on his car. tobey struck out to intercept tubbs. when tubbs saw tobey comming he tried to duck betwen two trucks. but found himself blocked on the other side. tobey caught him. : i want to talk to you." tobey demanded. "we have nothing to talk about, leave me alone." the little fat man whined. " how did you know about roberto getting shot before the cops had even written a report?" tobey bore in. "i heard it around, thats all." tubbs was evasive " yeah who had it around to tell?"tobey wasnt going to let it go. " i dont remember, its to bad the mexican got killed but i dont know anything about it." tubbs kept dodging and avoiding answeres. tobey lookd over his shoulder, the deputy was still looking the oother way."look bub, that deputy isnt going to see a thing, and if i start working on you by the time he does see it will to late. now who told you?" tubbs turned white, he started wringing his hands." i i i cant remember" he stammered. tobey balled up a ham sized fist" maybe i will shake your memory a little see what spills out" tubs wilted and fell against the truck behind him. a bareley audible whine came from him.