Bill's jaw tightened, and Clarice just crossed a line Bill was very defensive about.

Straightening up in his seat, he managed to rein in most of his temper, but there was still an edge to his voice when he responded.

"Look, I can see you're tryin' to be useful here, but I don't need anyone tellin' me how t'run my town. I know my job, I've been doin' it my full grown life, an' you better believe I can handle it."

Standing up, he grabs his chair and moves it back to its place across the room.

"The day I wake up on the side of the road with a blade stickin' out of me is the day you get t'tell me I'm not smart enough for what I'm doin'."

Snatching his cup up, he heads for the door.

"I'm gonna get some more coffee, don't go anywhere."