Excerpt

A Law of Her Own

            “Ruby, it’s not like me and the boys sat on that jury yesterday when they sentenced Turner. We’re just following the law,” said the sheriff.

            “Elijah, you should be ashamed of yourself. You were Turner’s daddy’s best friend. If you were a true friend, you’d be gettin’ this boy out of here until the real killer could be caught.”

            “Aunt Ruby, leave him alone. He’s just doing his job. Come here now and let me kiss your cheek one last time.”

            Elijah stepped between them. “Can’t let you do that, Turner.”

            “Why the hell not?”

            “You know why, she could pass you something, a weapon.”

            “Hell, she just passed me a whole pie”

            Elijah had the grace to look embarrassed. “We sliced it for you to make sure there wasn’t anything planted inside.” He cleared his throat. “We didn’t want to search Ruby.”

            Turner hid his smile at the expression of outrage on his aunt’s face. She poked Elijah in the chest with one of her bony fingers. It hurt. He aughta know because she’d done it to him enough times.

“It’s a good thing too, young man. I’m not a helpless old woman and can still take a plug outta your hide.”

“Yes, Ma’am, I know.” He put his arms around her shoulders and turned her toward the door. “Now it’s getting dark out, visitation is over. You can see Turner in the morning.”

            She wailed, “Yeah, hanging by a rope.”