Free Dog Gone Lies (Pacheco & Chino Mysteries Book 1) by Ted Clifton

yesterday and today, but sometimes he’s not very reliable.” Mike had a pained expression on his face when as he talked about his oldest son.
    “Also Ray, if there’s any way you could help with this matter with Monica, it would be great. I know this isn’t your business and there’s no particular reason for you to do it, but I have nowhere else to turn. If you don’t push this, I think the sheriff will just let it drop.”
    “Mike, I think it’s good that you head back to Albuquerque. You’re just going to wear yourself out waiting around here for something to happen. I’m going to look into this for my own reasons. Not ready to be hired as a PI for many reasons, so let’s just say I’ll do this based on our new friendship.”
    Ray could see that his words had an emotional impact on Mike.
    “That’s wonderful Ray. I really appreciate it—you really don’t know how much.” He seemed on the verge of tears.
    Ray needed to change the subject before he broke down too. He said that Mike should get his stuff together and get on the road before the day got too old. They shook hands, and both men seem pleased to have found a new friend. After Mike packed and gave Happy a good rub, he headed toward his car.
    “If anything comes up, you have my contact information. I also left information on two of my sons who are living in Albuquerque, it’s on your kitchen table. If something does happen and you aren’t able to get ahold of me, please give them a call. Thanks again, Ray, for everything.”
    Mike got into his car and started the bumpy ride down the so-called road.
    Ray decided to head over to Big Jack’s with Happy and see if Tyee was around or if anything was going on in general. When he pulled up in front of the store, he was surprised to see a lot of cars. It was almost noon and this usually wasn’t a very busy time for Big Jack. Ray went into the store and could see several people milling about. He didn’t see Big Jack or Tyee. He looked out back and still didn’t see them. One of the people who’d been standing around came over.
    “Are you a local?”
    Ray was about to say no—when he realized he was. “Yes, sir. My name is Ray. Is there something I could help you with?”
    “Well, we’ve been here quite a while and nobody’s shown up to help us. Just wondering if maybe this is some sort of crazy honor system or something?”
    “Pretty sure Big Jack hasn’t implemented an honor system. Let me look in the back, maybe he got busy on something and just lost track of time. If I can’t find him I’ll come back and help you myself.” Although Ray wasn’t sure he knew how the antique cash register worked, he figured he needed to reassure the customer. He let Happy out onto the dock so he could find his favorite spot and begin his afternoon nap, then headed to the only place Big Jack and Tyee could be: the new computer room. Ray opened the door and saw them both, engrossed in something on the computer screen.
    “Big Jack, you’ve got a store full of customers who are threatening to clean the place out.”
    Big Jack looked up with a smile. “Doubt very much anyone could clean out that store, at least not anytime soon. Thanks Ray, guess I lost track of time. I’ll go out and see how I can help them.”
    “What was so interesting on the computer?”
    “Just confirmation of what we were saying about the numbers. There are almost three times the number of non-townspeople to townspeople. I think this gives Clayton a very good chance of winning. Also we were wondering if we could get enough invites out to have a barbeque on Sunday. What do you think—free food and beer on Sunday afternoon?”
    “That’s pretty quick. But free beer ought to have some appeal, so why not? I guess we’d need to invite 300 or so people to get a good number who actually show up. Have some ideas on a flyer or something we can hand out?”
    Tyee said he had worked up a simple flyer and thought they should concentrate