Chapter 1
1
Early summer
Southwestern New Mexico
With the late afternoon sun just a smidge off smack in his eyes, Trek barely saw the sign. Alamo Junction, Next Two Exits.A quick glance told him the Fury’s gas gauge sat on the edge of the red. Luckily, traffic was light. He whipped over a lane and took the off ramp a little faster than the recommended speed. When he hit the brake hard for the octagonal red sign at the bottom, Commando gave a grumble of protest.
“Sorry, dude. Sometimes Daddy isn’t the best driver.”
From his sprawled comfort in the hammock-extended back seat, the dog nudged Trek’s elbow and then settled back with a second muffled grunt. Trek followed the arrow and turned right, now keeping the prescribed speed. He knew these small towns were notorious for hidden cops with radar guns, waiting to nab a careless visitor. Not that he couldn’t afford a ticket, but why risk it? A clean record kept his insurance reasonable even with a restored muscle car like the Fury.
Trek knew he should have changed the color. Red cars were ticket magnets, especially one with a speedy look and flashy fins. He just couldn’t bring himself to change it, though. This had been Gramps’ car when he went to Vietnam in sixty-eight, never to come home, at least alive. After that the old car sat for years in a barn on the Tennessee farm where Trek’s mother had grown up.
About the time he finished college, he decided to have it restored. Although the work hadn’t been cheap, he was happy with the result. He had a one-of-a-kind car that turned heads everywhere he drove it. About the only variance from authentic was the new 2010 hemi engine he used to replace the original 361 V8 when it threw a rod three years earlier. This one got better gas mileage and didn’t sacrifice on power.
He pulled in to a Spee-Dee Stop that advertised American gas. Although not a real fanatic about buying US products, he figured he’d rather not support the Middle Eastern oil sheiks when he had a choice.
Commando sat up and watched while Trek got out, unlocked the gas cap, and put it with keys still inserted on the rear deck. The damned pump didn’t like his card. After three tries, he stalked inside to get the stupid sucker turned on.
The blonde clerk snapped her gum and batted her lashes. He wasn’t impressed, so complimented her nails, long and well decorated. It was something most men would not do, would not even notice. Did she get the idea? Hard to tell. He wasn’t playing gay eye for a straight guy, anyway. He had just handed her the card when a familiar sound spun him around. That hemi should not be running, but it was. As he watched in shock, the Fury ran right out onto the street and roared away.
“Damn it. The idiot won’t get far on the gas in the tank, but the bastard’s got Commando! That fucker just stole my dog!”
He jerked his phone out of a pocket and punched 911.
“I need to report a stolen dog,” he said, as soon as the dispatcher came on line. “At the Spee-Dee Stop, east side of town. Get a cop down here ASAP.”
* * * *
Dan Winstead eased his unit down a bumpy alley, looking for a kid on a stolen bicycle. He didn’t find the little punk. Oh well, just another exciting P.M. shift in Alamo Junction. His radio crackled.
“P-5, can you take a call at the Spee-Dee Stop? Man reported a stolen dog. He sounded mighty upset. The clerk called too, and she said a car was also taken.”
“Ten-four. Headed that way.”
Dan didn’t go code three. For a stolen dog it hardly seemed necessary. Maybe not even a stolen car. Well, whatever. When he pulled into the parking lot he saw the man pacing beside the gas pumps, clearly not a local and obviously agitated to near hysteria.
Even before he stepped out of the patrol car, the guy began to demand action. “The dirty bastard stole my dog. I went inside when my card wouldn’t work, and the next thing I know, he’s taken off with Commando.”
“Where was your dog? Did you tie him up and go in to get a soda or something?”
“He’s in the fucking car. I left the keys in the gas cap, right on the rear deck, and when my card wouldn’t read, I went inside so the clerk could turn the pump on.”
Dan shook his head. Dumb California or Texas city boy, thinking Alamo was too sleepy and slow for any danger. “What kind of car? You know the license number?” He expected it might be a rental. The answer jolted him.