Russell closed the tailgate of the pickup and they drove to the dock.

It was a c old day, and it was raining. They transferred the barrel into the back of Russel l s 25-foot fishing boat. The boat was named Staci, although it had first been named "Kathy," and then Beverly, after Russell s first two wives. Russell steered the boa t into the gulf. An hour later, after some slipping and grunting and lifting, th ey managed to dump the barrel overboard. George told Russell that it had become a three case job. Russell chuckled and said no problem. Russell stopped at a supermarket on the way home, and they put three cases of co ld Bud into the bed of the pickup. Russell opened a case and pulled out two cans , and they drank them on the way back to the house in the warmth of the cab. George called Staci a few days later, because he wanted to borrow some money fro m her. Russell said that Staci was gone. What do you mean, gone ? George asked. Russell said that Staci had left him for anoth er man, and she had moved out of the city. George thought that was very odd; but because Russell was a policeman, George believed him. He asked Russell if he co uld borrow $300 so that he could spend the weekend in Las Vegas. Russell said no problem. Before leaving, George called his mom to tell her about Staci. When he returned from Vegas, George saw his sister s face on the local TV news. Under her picture w as the word Missing. The TV reporter said that Kathy, Russell s first wife, had been accidentally shot to death while turkey hunting with Russell six years ago. Bev erly, Russell s second wife, had accidentally drowned in her bathtub three years a go. George, now suspicious, put down his beer. He called the police. The officer asked if she could put him on hold for a second. George said no problem