Phoebe regards Tyree with revulsion and fear, then breaks from him and runs off.
Cobb moves up next to Paden.
SHERIFF COBB
Give it up.
Paden glances at him, then throws more water on. But now the bucket line slows to a halt. The townspeople fade back a little to watch the inevitable.
SHERIFF COBB
I hate to see this kind of thing in my town.
Paden glares at Cobb, who is watching the fire.
SHERIFF COBB
I’m going to have to look into this.
PADEN
Yeah, maybe I will too.
SHERIFF COBB
(looks at him)
I thought we talked about that.
PADEN
We didn’t talk about this.
(a beat, indignant)
They took the little boy, Cobb.
Paden moves off toward a nearby hitching post, where he has left his gunbelt and hat. Cobb looks after him a moment,
then follows. They are now a short distance from the onlookers. Paden straps on his gunbelt, but his eyes are on
Cobb as he approaches, silhouetted against the flames.
SHERIFF COBB
You’re still worried about the dog, aren’t you?
Paden ties his holster to his thigh.