Half Past Dead Read Free Page A

anyway.”
    Cooter shuffled off. Justin knew plenty of people, not just Cooter, would share this attitude. At least he had a year to prove himself before he would have to run for sheriff.
    He shouldered his way through the brush and gave a low whistle. No sign of the red dog. He whistled, then called, “Here, boy. Here, Reddy.”
    A twig cracked and a black nose poked out. A head emerged just far enough so the dog could see Justin. The animal was as alert as a wolf. On guard. Set to hightail it.
    â€œReddy, remember me?” Justin squatted down so he was eye level with the dog, a trick he’d learned from the K-9 dog handlers in New Orleans. “It’s okay, boy. It’s okay.”
    The animal watched Justin but made no move to come closer. Justin noticed the dog’s rib cage showing through his fur. There was game in the brush, mostly squirrels, rabbits, and nutria, but a dog raised as a pet wouldn’t be much of a hunter.
    â€œCome here, boy.” Justin sat down on the carpet of pine needles. His cell phone vibrated in his pocket.
    â€œRadner,” he answered.
    â€œYou’re in,” Peebles told him. “Only Buck Mason didn’t vote for you.”
    â€œWhy am I not surprised?” He watched the dog creep forward a fraction of an inch. “When do you want me to start?”
    â€œTomorrow.”
    â€œI’ll need a few days to clean up things in New Orleans and to find a place here.”
    â€œMake it fast. Kids hunting squirrels found a body in the unincorporated area. Dougherty says its been in the woods for some time, but you know he isn’t up to a murder investigation.”
    Tom Dougherty had been a deputy sheriff for as long as Justin could remember. He was a nice guy, but he was about as bright as Alaska in winter.
    â€œAny idea who the victim is?” Justin asked, kicking himself for the rush he felt. Someone was dead. He shouldn’t be excited, but he was. He’d assumed returning to Twin Oaks would mean nothing but routine police work, and it would be hard to prove himself. If he solved this crime, he would certainly be elected sheriff.
    â€œNo. Dougherty says there aren’t any missing person reports.”
    â€œHe should check neighboring jurisdictions.”
    â€œFrom what Doughtery says we could have our first homicide in…what?…eleven years. Since what’s-his-name shot his partner during an argument over their hogs.”
    â€œMaybe I’d better take a look before they contaminate the crime scene.”
    â€œGood idea. I’ll call Dougherty and let him know you’re coming.”
    Justin hung up, noticing Redd’s curiosity had prompted him to slither forward a little more. The dog was peering at him, his head bowed slightly, his tail between his legs as if he expected to be kicked.
    Justin wished he had food, but he didn’t. He stuck out his hand. “Here, Reddy.”
    The dog ventured nearer, obviously responding to the sound of his name.
    â€œGood boy. Good, Redd.”
    The dog slunk closer, and Justin patted his head. “Good boy. Looks like you’ve fallen on hard times.”
    Redd’s tail swished just a little. Justin wouldn’t call it a wag, but it was a start. The dog, a mix of golden retriever and coon hound, once had a silky coat the color of a new penny. It was matted and full of burrs. A tick bloated with blood hung below one eye.
    â€œYou could use a trip to the vet and a day at one of those fancy dog spas.”
    He stroked his head and fondled his ears. Redd licked his hand. Just his luck. The only one in town genuinely glad to see him was a dog.

CHAPTER TWO
    â€œO UCH ,” K AT MUTTERED under her breath. She’d nicked her knuckle with the carrot peeler for the third time. The dull blade could barely handle a carrot, but she was expected to peel beets from the prison garden with it.
    â€œHurry up,” yelled the crew chief, a lifer from