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. " i know where to find him, get in with me and lets go have lunch."the deputy grinned. tobey got in the deputys car and they headd back down town. they pulled into the sherriffs station and the deputy told tobey to wait while he ran in. when he came back he had a sheet of paper in his hand he handed it to tobey when he got in. " autopsy report on the old rancher that died in the hospital" he said. as they pulled away from the station tobey was reading . he turned to the deputy "is this for real? it wasnt his heart?" " thats what it says , smothered" the deputy had a grim look on his face when they pulled into the parking lot of a local cafe. " ill go with you this timeill ask the questions, be quiet until i que you in. this bird knows more than he will tell us. i think"the deputy was now all business. inside the cafe nick saw them comming. he slide his chair back to get up and go out the back door but the deputy reached him first. " we need to talk nick."the law man stated. nick had a sick look about him and wilted back into his chair. "how did you know about the shooting at the hay yard. ?" the deputy asked. " oh i heard it around town i guess. why?"nick answered. " well who around town told you? you had the word out before we had even made a report. who told you? i want to know now!"the deputy bored in. nick looked past the deputy at tobey standing there a grim look on his face. " well, lets go out back here and see if you cant remember just who told you." the deputy started to stand up. nick grabbed the table edge with both hands and clamped down" no! jacobs told me. his girl friend is the one behind all this. i swear!" nick had crumbled easier than the two men thought he would. "dont leave town until this mess is cleaned up" the deputy got up and turned to tobey " i know where jacobs farm is lets take a ride"

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.