he had just finished his adjustments to his equipment belt and holster when he heard the remarks the sheriff was making to himself as he prepared to leave.-true , the sheriff was mumbling to himself , but deputy keenan had heard enough to be quite concerned about the integrity of the sheriff , his office and whomever he had been talking to on the phone.-his statement about protecting the smuggling ring , reporting the snitches , and all the other stuff had him worrieda lot.- deputy keenan took off his broad-brimmed hat and scratched his sandy fuzz-covered head .