Зима тревоги нашей

           Greatdecisions.Shouldpicklesandtomatoesgoonthesameshelf?Docannedapricotsquarrelwithpeaches?Youknowhowimportantcolorrelationsareonadress."

           "You’dmakeajokeaboutanything,"Marysaid."ButI’mglad.It’sbetterthangrumping.Somanymengrump."

           AndIwasearly.RedBakerwasn’toutyet.Youcansetyourwatchbythatdog,oranydog.He’dstarthisstatelytourinexactlyhalfanhour.AndJoeyMorphywouldn’t,didn’tshow.Thebankwouldn’tbeopenforbusinessbutthatdidn’tmeanJoeywouldn’tbethereworkingonthebooks.ThetownwasveryquietbutofcoursealotofpeoplehadgoneawayfortheEasterweekend.ThatandtheFourthofJulyandLaborDayarethebiggestholidays.Peoplegoawayevenwhentheydon’twantto.IbelieveeventhesparrowsonElmStreetwereaway.

           IdidseeStonewallJacksonSmithonduty.HewasjustcomingfromacupofcoffeeintheForemasterCoffeeShop.Hewassoleanandbrittlethathispistolsandhandcuffsseemedoutsize.Hewearshisofficer’scapatanangle,jaunty,andpickshisteethwithasharpenedgoosequill.

           "Bigbusiness,Stoney.Longharddaymakingmoney."

           "Huh?"hesaid."Nobody’sintown."Whathemeantwasthathewishedheweren’t.

           "Anymurders,Stoney,orothergrislydelights?"

           "It’sprettyquiet,"hesaid."Somekidswreckedacaratthebridge.But,hell,itwastheirowncar.Judge’llmake’empayforrepairingthebridge.YouheardaboutthebankjobatFloodhampton?"

           "No."