title: A Death in Victory
author: Gregory Bean
description: Crossing the high desert country in the southern part of Wyoming, Sheriff Harry Starbranch of the small town of Victory keeps his eyes peeled for a wild horse that roams the area: "The sight of him running flat-out--long mane and tail flying, thick haunch muscles bunching, sharp hooves pounding the packed ground--is enough to take my breath away." The overlay of Western myth on modern murder mystery makes this book by former Wyoming journalist Gregory Bean (who now lives in New Jersey!) well worth our time. Starbranch is a flawed but tenacious lawman, on the track of whoever shot a San Francisco hustler and left his body to become a grizzly bear's lunch. Available in paperback are <i><a href="/exec/obidos/ISBN=0312962177/${0}">Long Shadows in Victory</a></i> and <i><a href="/exec/obidos/ISBN=0312958773/${0}">No Comfort in Victory</a></i>.
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  CHAPTER 3
  
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  Bean looked at his three children and it was only with effort that he
  concealed the depth of his grief and fear for them. He had known it was only a
  matter of time, and while he was relieved that Ender had finally woken out of
  his long pacifist slumber to end Sergeant's domination, he knew that they had
  only set the scene for conflict to come. What will happen when I'm gone?
  thought Bean.
  
  Petra, I have botched this completely, but I don't know how I could have done
  it better. They've had too much freedom, but I couldn't chase them through
  corridors where my body no longer fit.
  
  "Andrew," said Bean, "I appreciate your loyalty to me, and the fact that you
  repeated all conversations verbatim, including the incredibly stupid and
  dangerous things you said."  
    
  
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  Bean watched as Ender blushed a little -- not from embarrassment, but from
  anger. He also saw how Carlotta looked a little relieved, and 