Home of the Brave (Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries Book 9) Read Online Free PDF Page A

pale blue eyes looked magnified behind the glasses as she looked up at him.  “There was a body inside. They’re calling it homicide.” 

     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    H anover County, North Carolina, is one of those peaceful little Smoky Mountain communities that most people think exist only in the imaginations of screenwriters.  We’re two hours from the nearest mall, half an hour from the nearest big box store; right smack in the middle of some of the most spectacular scenery God ever put on this earth.  Roaring waterfalls drop hundreds of feet off of sheer mountain cliffs into deep rock gorges. Trout flicker like silver ribbons in clear, wide riverbeds. You can hike half a day without seeing another human being and suddenly break out of a forest glade to find yourself looking down at the clouds.  It is what many people call paradise, and I am one of them.
    That’s not to say, of course, that we are completely immune to the problems and vices of modern society.  A lot of those vices are brought here by people who come here looking to escape them.  According to Buck, ninety percent of the crimes in Hanover County are committed by outsiders against outsiders.  The other ten percent are what you’d expect in a small, undereducated and mostly under-employed mountain community—drug-related property crimes, domestic disputes, Internet porn, the occasional crime of passion or  impulse.  Still, according to Buck again, Hanover County has one of the lowest crime rates in the state, and an almost one hundred percent solve rate—mostly because it’s pretty hard to get away with anything when everyone knows you, your mama, your second cousin and who you spend your time with when you’re not at home.  For the most part, Hanover County is a quiet, peaceful place where few people bother to lock their doors and you wave at everyone you pass on the street.  It is not the kind of place where people set cars on fire with other people inside.
    I said quickly, “Anyone we know?”
    While Buck said at the same time, “Any ID?”  He gave me an annoyed look that was probably meant to remind me not to interfere as he stepped forward to take the message slip Annabelle held out. 
    “Nothing yet.  I think they were hoping you could help.  Here’s the investigator’s number.”
    I said, “Any missing person reports?”  Generally, I would know if there were, since Cisco and I would most likely be called in to track them down.  But not everyone who went missing was on foot, and not everyone who went missing was reported.
    Buck shook his head absently, not looking up from the message slip.  “Not lately. I guess I’d better get on this.”  He glanced around.  “Jo, will you …”
    She was front and center in a single stride, Deputy Nike a shadow at her side.  Her expression was stern and her posture rigid. “Sir, request permission to be assigned to this case.”
    Buck replied patiently, “There is no case, Deputy.  This is out of our jurisdiction.”
    She insisted, “Begging your pardon, sir, but the crime originated in our jurisdiction, and the prime suspect resides in this county …”
    “Prime suspect?”  I could not keep the amused incredulity out of my voice.  “Jessie Connor?”
    Even Buck’s lips twitched with amusement as he explained, “Jessie is eighty-four years old and uses a walker to cross the street.  The only reason he even keeps that car is so that his son can drive him back and forth to the doctor.  Don’t make assumptions.”
    I added, “Even if he could find somebody he wanted to kill, he wouldn’t have the strength to do it, much less lift the body into a car and set it on fire.”
    Her chin lifted stubbornly, ignoring me.  “Nonetheless, we should interview him.”
    “No we shouldn’t,” Buck corrected her.  “The state police should.  It’s their case.  I will send somebody out to talk to him about his car, though. Meanwhile, you can drive Miss Stockton