When a cop and a newly released convict cross paths, few cons can expect anything positive. Struggling toward a home he knows no longer exists, Ike Hernandez meets a cop who seems different. He isn’t sure he can believe the kindness, but he wants to learn to trust again and regain his lost self-respect.<br><br>Perry Parker became a law enforcement officer to help people. He learned there wasn’t much he could do, but now and then he found someone he could help. Would the lost man with the little dog that he picked up one stormy night be one of them?<br><br>Pursuing tales about a new drug dealer, Perry starts to doubt the man he’s befriended, but something inside him still feels Ike is a decent person. When the real dealers take advantage of the convict’s past, Perry, his unofficial canine partner, and the little stray Ike adopted save the day. Can a cop, a con, and two dogs make an unorthodox family?

A Cop and a Con

“I thought you were on duty this evening?”


“I am. Just stopped by to tell you not to wait up. I may be late. I’m going to try to track down a new dealer in the area. Have you heard of a guy they’re calling El Feo?”


Ike seemed to go pale under his swarthy skin. “Not until an hour or so ago.” He told Perry about the disturbing encounter. “They—er—you aren’t thinking it’s me, are you?”


Moving away from the stove, he stepped closer until he was almost in Perry’s space. That was so uncharacteristic Perry recognized at once how troubled the other man was.


“Nobody thinks I’m dealing, do they? Oh, God, I hope not.”


Reaching out, Perry put his hands on the other man’s shoulders. “Lord, no, Ike. I sure don’t, and I don’t think anyone else does. You may have been in prison, but that doesn’t make you a hood, a thug. Much less a drug dealer.


Chapter 14