Barrett had no intention of resisting arrest, but he wasn't going to run out and leave the Spencers to face the Hudsons, either.
After he talked to Logan, he called Uncle Del. The Car was ready, so he took the car back and picked up the Car. On the way back to camp, he stopped and purchased some ice cream. It would taste good tomorrow and, hopefully, Mary Jo wouldn't protest.
When Mary Jo and Billy Ray got home early, Ma wanted to know what the police wanted with Monroe. Billy Ray immediately answered.
"They wanted him to fill out a form."
Ma frowned and looked at Mary Jo. "What form?"
"Oh, apparently he didn't fill out an accident form. He said his uncle Del filled it out, but they said he had to fill one out too."
Billy Ray nodded. "The policeman said he could take it, but Mr. Monroe said he would go to town. He said I could go with him next time."
Ma looked from him to Mary Jo. "Lan' sakes. You shore got him talkin'."
Mary Jo rolled her eyes. "There was a little bit in between all that."
Ma looked at Billy Ray. "You go worsh up and I'll fix some vittles."
Billy Ray took off for the wash room and Ma turned back to Mary Jo. "Now, tell me what happened."
Mary Jo told her every detail she could remember. "I didn't like that older officer. How come he knew that Mr. Monroe told Lester he was trespassing?"
Ma turned to the counter, where she was mixing flour in a bowl. "I reckon Lester told him." She mixed in milk and butter and began stirring, her expression far away.
"Ma?"
Ma looked up and sighed. "They come up here sayin' they heard Mr. Monroe was a visiting us. They claimed they wanted to ask some questions about the accident report. I didn't think there was no reason to hide it, so I told them where he was. They never said nothin' about no trespassin' or I woulda told um different."
Mary Jo shrugged. "He wasn't in no trouble, Ma. They ain't no reason to feel bad."
Ma stopped stirring and looked at Mary Jo as if she thought there was something she should have known. "I was jist wonderin'…." She began stirring again, slowly, as if it took all her concentration to think of what she was going to say. "They went out there and asked him about trespassin' an' then told him he had to file that there report within five days - when they knew this was the fifth day. For shore they don't come out and tell everyone they's late on a report. Then they leave and Monroe goes into town…to file the report."