The Helpful Deputy, by Ann-Louise Truschel

Jimmie found that gun we was lookin’ for. Told him we didn’t have no case without it.

Think it’s the gun that killed Charlie?

I’m sure it is.

You’re lucky to have Jimmie, especially since he was such good friends with Charlie and his wife. Where’d he find the gun?

In the living room AC vent.

Didn’t we look in the vents?

Yup.

How’d we miss it?

We didn’t. We found it the day of the murder and printed it. None on the gun, but a good thumb print on two of bullets in the revolver.

Whose thumb print?

Jimmie’s.