Question C

[Jonetta]

Cork lost his re-election as sheriff after a disagreement between local Indians and whites turned deadly. Do you think he's still perceived as the sheriff? Why do you think he was allowed to investigate the case as if he still was?

[Phrynne]

The only reason he got away with that was because people still thought of him as sheriff. One of those things that happens in books but probably not in real life! We hope not anyway:)

[Veronica]

This was something that I just had to accept as a necessary contrivance in order for the story to proceed because otherwise all those people would've just told Cork they didn't have to answer any questions from him. For the purposes of the story though I think, since it's a relatively small community, we're supposed to understand that Cork still carried some sort of unofficial authority. He and his judgement are still respected.

[Jonetta]

I think this is probably unique to small communities because this wouldn't happen in most cities and towns. And, no matter what happened in the election, the members of the town still saw him as the de facto sheriff.

[Veronica]

Even the current Sheriff would ask for his opinion. lol

[Mary Beth]

Yes I feel that he was very well respected and people looked up to him and thats why they still let him investigate. A couple of people would say that he wasnt sheriff anymore but they still answered his questions.

I thought the same way Veronica even the current sheriff would ask for his opionion.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

I figured if the Sheriff wanted his opinion on things it was okay, and also that he was sheriff before, and it is a small town.