Tolliver went directly to the sheriff’s office, and seconds after we sat down in the chairs in front of his desk, the sheriff came in, yanking his hat off and tossing it on a table behind him.“I hear you went to visit with Helen Hopkins yesterday,” Harvey Branscom said. He bent over and switched on the intercom. “Reba, send Hollis in,” he said. A squawk came back, and in a minute Hollis Boxleitner came in, carrying a mug of steaming coffee. I could smell it from my chair, but I didn’t ask for any, nor did I look him in the face. Beside me, Tolliver stiffened.“Mr. Lang, I want you to go with Deputy Boxleitner here. I’d like to talk to Miss, Ms. Connelly.”I turned to look at Tolliver, trying not to let my anxiety show on my face. He knew I would hate for him to say anything out loud. I like to keep my fears to myself. He gave me a very steady look, and I relaxed just a little. Without a word, he stood and left the room with Hollis.“How’d you make contact with Helen?”
