Then one morning, when Lana’s at school, Wylie wakes up hungover and finds Deputy Soakes sitting in his bedroom, watching him, eyes like a predator’s assessing prey. “Sorry to intrude,” Soakes says, “but I need to have your attention while you’re sober.” He offers Wylie a deal: If he will provide what Soakes wants, he can keep driving drunk, and Soakes will protect him. Otherwise, the next time Wylie’s caught, Soakes will arrest him, Wylie will draw a gun, and Soakes will have to kill him in self-defense.
