Dog Gone Lies (Pacheco & Chino Mysteries Book 1) (37 page)

Ray stood back and examined the outside of the cabin. It was an impressive structure—two-story, with an elegant design. The quality was obvious, even after being neglected all of this time. He was impressed.

He walked the length of the porch trying to look in through the windows, but they were all boarded up from the inside. The last person to leave this place wasn’t expecting to come back any time soon. Although he still felt like he was likely wasting his time, he was also intrigued by the mystery of the place. Not sure what he wanted to do next, he made some detailed notes and a new map of the location of the road, gate, and cabin.

The time had slipped by and it was now almost noon. Ray had spent several hours poking around and making his notes and diagram. Deciding that his next priority of the day was a nap, he settled on heading home. Walking back down the road everything was quiet, but he had an eerie feeling that he was being watched. He made up his mind that it was just the result of being out in a remote place and brushed it off. Normally when his instincts raised a red flag he heeded them, but who would be watching him up here?

He headed back home. The trip had been uneventful, and once home he enjoyed a long nap—a habit that had been his Saturday afternoon secret for some years now. He awoke at the sound of his phone. Slightly embarrassed that someone had caught him napping, he took his time picking up so he wouldn’t sound sleepy when he answered.

“Ray Pacheco, is that you?”

Ray hadn’t even said hello before the person started talking. “Yeah, this is Ray Pacheco. Who is this?”

“Pacheco, nobody wants you sticking your fucking nose in Sierra County business—if you’re smart you’ll find another place to retire. It could be real dangerous, got it asshole?”

“Max, is that you?”

Click.

What the hell was that about? Ray was used to some strange calls but seldom at home. His number was unlisted. Of course other law enforcement people and agencies had it, so maybe it was more available than he realized, but why tell him to stay out of Sierra County? It was strange, but Ray had thought it sounded like Max Johnson. It was his father’s old cabin—why would Max threaten him? No question it was time to consider retiring—maybe it should be somewhere that no one knew him.

Praise for The Bootlegger’s Legacy:

“superb character development ... vivid backdrops, brisk pacing, and meticulously researched ...” —
Kirkus Reviews

“A rollicking good time.” —
Self-Publishing Review

“... interesting characters, true-to-life situations, and intriguing twists ...” —
Stanley Nelson, Senior Staff Writer, Chickasaw Press

Available from
Amazon.com
at:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014TFC9AK

Available from
Barnes&Noble
at:
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bootleggers-legacy-ted-clifton/1122600076

Available on
iTunes
at:
itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1039073183

Available from
Kobo Books
at:
store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/the-bootlegger-s-legacy

Ted Clifton has been a CPA, investment banker, artist, financial writer, business entrepreneur and a sometimes philosopher. He lives in Denver, Colorado, after many years in the New Mexico desert, with his wife and grandson. Learn more about Ted and his latest books at
www.tedclifton.com
or email him at
[email protected]
.

Meet Ray Pacheco, pre-retirement, in this prequel to the
Pacheco & Chino Mysteries
.

When an old-time bootlegger dies and leaves his son Mike a cryptic letter hinting at
millions in hidden cash, Mike and his friend Joe embark on a journey that takes them
through three states and 50 years of history. What they find goes beyond money and
transforms them both.

An action-packed adventure story taking place in the early 1950s and late 1980s.
It all starts with a key, embossed with the letters CB, and a cryptic reference
to Deep Deuce, a neighborhood once filled with hot jazz and gangs of bootleggers.
Out of those threads is woven a tapestry of history, romance, drama, and mystery;
connecting two generations and two families in the adventure of a lifetime.

“superb character development ... vivid backdrops, brisk pacing, and meticulously researched ...” —
Kirkus Reviews

“A rollicking good time.” —
Self-Publishing Review

“... interesting characters, true-to-life situations, and intriguing twists ...” —
Stanley Nelson, Senior Staff Writer, Chickasaw Press

Available from
Amazon.com
at:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014TFC9AK

Available from
Barnes&Noble
at:
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bootleggers-legacy-ted-clifton/1122600076

Available on
iTunes
at:
itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1039073183

Available from
Kobo Books
at:
store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/the-bootlegger-s-legacy

Sheriff Ray Pacheco returns from his introduction in
The Bootegger’s Legacy
to start a new chapter as a private investigator, along with his partners: Tyee Chino,
often-drunk apache fishing guide, and Big Jack, bait shop owner and philosopher.

Lincoln County, New Mexico was best known as the site of The Lincoln County Wars, featuring the likes of Billy the Kid. Martin Marino, the acting sheriff, is also short in stature, just like The Kid—and no doubt also like The Kid, Marino is crazy. Lincoln County survived Billy the Kid, but Martin Marino might be a different matter.

Ray Pacheco and Tyee Chino have been asked by the state Attorney General to find out what the hell is going on in the Lincoln County Sheriff’s department. Ray is sure there’s some big trouble waiting for them and his gut is right: murder, lust, madness and greed are visiting the high country.

Coming in early 2016.

Navajos, Apaches, militias, good sheriffs, and bad sheriffs are all drawn to a small town by millions in stolen money and a small army’s worth of stolen military equipment. Is this the start of a Four Corners War? Nothing is as it should be as Ray Pacheco and Tyee Chino try to untangle the mix of greedy businessmen, corrupt politicians and a slightly unhinged sheriff—along with the usual dead bodies.

Farmington, New Mexico’s unique mix of cultures is the backdrop for Ray and Tyee’s most dangerous assignment to date from the bombastic Governor of New Mexico.

Coming in late 2016.