Chapter 2 Summary

Ozzie Walls is the sheriff of Ford County, his birthplace, He was elected by a white majority and is proud of it because he is the only black sheriff in Mississippi. He is beloved and respected by the citizenry in general. Now he is investigating the Hailey rape case, and Billy Ray Cobb, with his mean streak, is his prime suspect. Ozzie sends his deputies out to find but not arrest Cobb. Walls and Deputy Hastings travel together to the hospital where Tonya Hailey is in surgery. Carl Lee and Gwen are in shock and non-responsive, so Gwen's brother explains that Tonya has been repeatedly raped. She has broken bones and a concussion. Gwen's brother suggests that the sheriff place the culprits, when apprehended, in a jail in another town, for their own safety.

Ozzie goes to one of his best informants, Bobby...