"She died when I was—When I was just a child." He spoke quietly. His mother had died so long ago that all pangs were gone.
"I see. What were you doing when these—uh—when these Whitneys shot your pop?"
"I was in Ackerton." Dan named the nearest city.
Again Jeff was surprised. "What were you doing there?"
"Pop sent me to Jackson School there. Said he was a hill man but he didn't want me to be one. He said there were better things."
"Hm-m. How did you get here?"
"Walked," Dan answered matter-of-factly.
"Didn't anyone try to stop you?"
"A policeman did before I was out of Ackerton. I got away, and after that I walked at night."
"Do you have any relatives?"