“Yes.” Then she gave a shrug of her own. “I suppose.”
“Irv says they’re half drunk half the time. Randy as goats. Lightning rods for trouble.”
“Maybe, but we need them.”
“What about that Hutton fella?”
“What about him?”
“How was it he brought Irv home from Lefty’s?”
“It’s a long story.” She didn’t want to mention the deputy’s badge.
“Irv thinks—”
“I know what Irv thinks.” Her brittle tone stopped him from taking that subject any further. Be careful you don’t dare me.
“Well,” Ernie said, “somebody found out where we’re at. If it’d been lawmen, they’d’ve poured out the hooch and busted up the stills.”
“Unless it was corrupt lawmen.”
“Could be. But…”
“But what, Ernie?”
“You don’t need this on top of Irv.”
“Don’t spare me bad news. I hate surprises. Recent ones have been calamities.”
“Well then, what I think? Whoever stole the ’shine was giving us a warnin’. It was somebody’s way of saying we know who you are and where you’re at, and you got off light with us just taking off ten crates instead of ten fingers and toes.”
“The Johnsons?”
“So long as we’re small timers, they’ll leave us be. But if we start horning in on their profit…”
Again he didn’t finish, but she got the message. “Maybe I shouldn’t involve Corrine after all. What if they come back?”
“I’ve got two rifles, a side-by-side shotgun, a six-shooter, and a trap.”
“A trap?”
“Jaw spring. Big enough to trap a bear. If some sorry sumbitch sticks his hand in that hidey-hole again, he’ll come up with a stump.”
Corrine reappeared. Both observed her as she walked toward them. When she got nearer to them, she stopped and put her hands on her hips. “Why are y’all lookin’ at me like that?”
“Can you shoot a rifle?” Ernie asked.
“Damn good. Back home, I helped keep food on the table.”
“You ain’t back home, and you got only one good eye.”
“Then I might have to use you for target practice.”
Looking at Laurel, he mumbled, “I’ll give her the shotgun. Tell Irv to take it easy and not worry about things. That mash needs stirrin’.” He skulked off.
Laurel and Corrine watched him go. Laurel said, “Are you comfortable with me leaving you here?”
“Sure.”