Melanie smiled. “How do we find out if a law has been broken or what has happened if we don’t ask questions?”

“Just to play it safe, I always explain, before I question a suspect, that he or she could be charged with a crime. Then I pull out the ‘Miranda Rights’ card and read the statement which gives the person plenty of opportunity to shut up. I ask if it was understood. If I believe I need some vital information right away—say someone’s life is in danger--I may ask the person if he or she wants to answer any questions. Remember, we’ve got to make sure that the suspect understands that he or she can’t be forced to say any anything, especially without a lawyer.”

“Yes, and the accused will be provided an attorney, if desired.”

“That’s right,” the sheriff said, “if the person can’t afford one. Most people want a better lawyer than the one the government will provide, especially the ones that are guilty as sin. I guess that’s understa . . .

Ron’s discourse was interrupted by his cell phone ringing. “Yes, this is the sheriff’s office,” he answered and listened for a while. “Yes Missus Calhoun. I remember you called before. They’re at it again, right?” There was a long pause “All right, I’ll check up on it. Thank you for calling. Bye.”

His young woman deputy showed her curiosity with raised eyebrows.

“That was Mildred Calhoun. The Calhouns own the place about a quarter of a mile south of Jed and Monica’s farm. She called to say there was a noisy disturbance over at the Ulber’s place—a lot of shouting and screaming. I’d guess Jed has come home plastered and is beating up on his wife again. I’d better get over there before he kills her.”

Melanie stood. “Can I come?”

The sheriff nodded. “Yeah, maybe I’ll need some help.”

Both hurried out the door and into the cruiser. “We may need to get her to the hospital,” he said, starting the car. “Last time she was really worked over—bumps and bruises, a black eye and one tooth knocked out. I don’t know why she puts up with him.”

“I heard somebody say she doesn’t have any choice,” the girl offered. “No other place she can go. Her folks disowned her when she married Jed.”

“I guess they knew what everyone else knew about Jed .” The sheriff shook his head. “It’s amazing how young girls figure they can change a man once they’re married to him.”

“I’ve got a couple of girlfriends in that category. One of them finally got a divorce.” Melanie released a sigh. “Now she’s taken up with the same kind of guy. You’d think she would have learned something. I hope I have better sense.”

Ron looked at the young woman at his side. “I probably should warn you. After you’ve been in this job for a while and seen what I’ve seen, you may never marry. You may come away with the attitude that men are no damn good.”

The deputy laughed. “You may be right.” She pointed through the windshield. “Isn’t that the Ulbers’s place up ahead on the left?”

“That’s it,” he said. “Somebody’s laying on the porch. Might be Monica. She must be hurt bad.” He pulled the cruiser into the driveway.

As they stepped of the car, Melanie took a close look. “That’s not Monica.”

“No, it’s not.” Ron climbed the stairs onto the porch. “It’s Jed .” He bent over the prone figure. “Jed, are you all right?”

A quavering moan came from the man as he rolled over on his back. His face was covered with blood.

“He’s got a bad gash in his scalp,” Ron told his deputy. “ We’d better do something to slow the bleeding.”

Jed made a pitiful sound and held up his right hand. The middle finger was bent backwards perpendicular to the hand. “She broke my finger,” he sobbed. “Look, it’s broke.”

“Appears so,” the sheriff agreed. “Melanie, go inside and check on Monica. See if she needs to see a doctor right away. If she’s not hurt too bad, see if you can find a clean dishtowel to tie around Jed ’s head.”

The injured man continued to regard his hand. “She broke my finger,” he cried.

The deputy reappeared shortly carrying a pair of towels. “Will these do?”

“Fine. How’s Monica?”

The young woman could barely hold a straight face. “She’s sitting in there holding a big piece of firewood and laughing like hell. ‘I beat the living shit out of him’, she told me.”

Ron was grinning as he used one of the towels to make a pad. This he placed over the wound and tied it in place with the other towel. “That will have to do until I can get him to the doctor. Help me put him in the car.” The two managed to half drag/half carry the whimpering man to the cruiser and place him on the front seat. “You stay here with Monica,” he told his deputy, taking her aside. “Remember what we were talking about earlier. This situation is a perfect example. Go in there and tell Missus Ulbers that she could be charged with assault and battery. Then lay the Miranda spiel on her. You have your card, don’t you?”

The young woman nodded

“Make sure she knows it’s not a good idea to run off at the mouth until she’s got a lawyer to advise her. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

He climbed into the car and drove away.