Which eccentric cowboy in Stockton County branded Evan Sting on Shotner Hill, murdering the young man? This is what private eye Joe Boxford asks himself when he's hired by Evan's father Benny to find the murderer. Joe needs some help, and enlists the services of Tal Linear, owner of The Linear Bar. But sparks begin to fly between the two. As romance heats up between them, they attempt to solve the branding crime. As the suspects start to pile up and weird relationships unfold in West Stockton, Joe and Tal begin to unravel a heinous crime. That is, until Tal vanishes and Joe thinks his sleuth buddy is going to be the killer's next victim. Does Joe have the skills needed to be a hero and save Tal from the killer's secret agenda and solve the crime? Or will Joe fall flat on his face and lose his reputation as a private investigator as well as his new lover, Tal Linear?

Stockton County Cowboys Book

I was familiar with the area because of my job. Three high rises, row houses, an abundance of litter, and underground gritty bars comprised the blocks. Cases always drew me to its decrepit confines, and not by choice. If one were to buy drugs, a hustler, or hire someone to commit a crime, Buckle Plateau was the place to carry out such bad business. Those who lived in Stockton County knew of the place, frowned, and claimed they would never go there. Tal and I were not of that category, again not by choice.


I parked my Ram 1500 on the corner of Lee and Custard, climbed out of the gas guzzler, and followed Tal down Custard. He made a left on Moon, entered a dilapidated brick building, walked up two flights of stairs that smelled like cow dung, and knocked on the door of apartment 2-C, where he claimed Max Martin lived with his mother and aunt.


Chapter 10