Let Sleeping Dogs Lie by John R. Erickson

Author:John R. Erickson
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: cowdog, Hank the Cowdog, John R. Erickson, John Erickson, ranching, Texas, dog, adventure, mystery, Hank, Drover, Pete, Sally May
Publisher: Maverick Books, Inc.
Published: 2015-05-12T21:25:25+00:00

Chapter Seven: A Brilliant Interrogation of a Difficult Suspect

As you might have suspected, that caught him completely by surprise, which was no accident. I use stealth and cunning whenever possible, brute force only as a last resort.

He licked his chops and looked at me with those big sad eyes, which were even bigger and sadder now that I had confronted him with his bloody deeds.

“How come I’m under arrest?”

I stood up and worked a kink out of my back. Then I began pacing. I think better on my feet, don’t you see, but on this occasion thinking on my feet turned out to be no ball of wax. I had taken a nasty fall, and the simple act of pacing required effort.

“My suspicions were aroused by the first words you said to me, something about ‘tender juicy chicken.’”

“I think you said that.”

“Don’t interrupt. The next clue emerged when I realized where we’d met. You’re a con, Clyde, a jailhouse dog with a record as long as a piece of string.”

“Yeah, but . . .”

“We’ve had two murders on the ranch, you see. Then a con with a crinimal record suddenly shows up. Interesting coincidence, wouldn’t you say?”

“Never thought about it.”

“The next tip-off came when, through clever interrogation, I learned that you had changed your name and were operating under a false identity.”

“I already told you . . .”

“It was a smart trick, Clyde, and it took me a couple of minutes to pick it up. It would have worked on most dogs, but it was your bad luck to go up against one of the best in the business.”

Clyde swept his eyes to the left and right. “Where is he?”

“That’s very funny, Clyde, but I’m afraid it won’t get you out of this one. You’re in this thing up to your ears and . . . do you ever step on those ears when you walk?”

“Oh, every now and then. Sure makes a guy feel awkward.”

“Umm, yes. Tell me, Clyde,” I closed my eyes and paced away from him, “do these feelings of insecuriority bother you a lot, a little, or you may have a third choice?”

“Only when I step on my ears. Makes me feel awkward.”

“I understand. Now listen carefully and give me complete answers. When you’re in the grip of these moods, do you find yourself dreaming of, shall we say, outrageous things or reckless deeds?”

“Nope.”

“Of course you do.”

“Oh. Well, let me think.” He eased himself down into the grass, crossed his paws in front of him, and rested his chin on them. I observed every movement, every gesture out of the corner of my eye. “Sometimes I wish I was a bird.”

“What kind of bird?”

“A duck.”

“Hmmm. Why do you wish you were a duck?”

“Well, a duck can fly in the air and swim in the water and walk on dry land. And they don’t have big ears. Always thought that sounded like a pretty good deal.”

“I see. We’re getting very close, Clyde, and I must have your complete cooperation on this next question.

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