Seeing Red

“What’s the skinny?”

“Leslie Doyle Duncan. New to us, but no stranger to the law in Oklahoma, where he’s from. He was stopped this afternoon for blazing through a school zone, and when his license was run, come to find out he was being sought for several parole violations, the worst of which is possession of a handgun. One was found under the driver’s seat of his pickup.”

“So far, just another day at the office.”

“Except that the pistol is a nine-millimeter, one bullet missing from the clip, which synced with the number that blew a hole in The Major’s lung.”

“Huh.”

“Feds are with him now, putting on the pressure. ‘We can’t help you if you don’t help us, Mr. Duncan. Talk to us.’ Meanwhile, the pistol’s on its way to have ballistics run.”

“What song is Duncan singing?”

“Denial. He never saw the pistol before the traffic cop pulled it out from under his seat.”

“Who’s it registered to?”

“Number’s been filed off.”

“What was he serving time for?”

“It’s been a revolving door, but his most recent stint was for armed robbery. He was also indicted for assault but made a plea bargain.”

“Where’s he say he was Sunday night?”

“Home in the trailer park with his old lady.”

“What’s his old lady say?”

“We’re trying to run her down. He said she went to Ardmore yesterday to visit her mama.”

“Where’s he work?”

“Nowhere. His last job was at one of the Choctaw casinos. But when it was discovered that he’d lied on his job application and was a parolee, they fired him. He crossed the Red and, lucky us, moved to Lodal.”

“How long ago?”

“Few months.”

“Why’d he choose Lodal?”

“He threw a dart at the map.”

“Why would he want to pop The Major?”

“According to him, he wouldn’t. Said he knew who The Major was because of the picture, and knew he’d been shot because it’s been all over everywhere.” Glenn took a breath. “That’s the latest. Agents are still grilling him.”

“He lawyer up?”

“Not yet.”

“I want a crack at him.”

Glenn laughed.

“You could deputize me.”

“I could also take a winter vacation to Siberia, but it ain’t gonna happen. I’m trying to keep the Rangers and feds from arresting you for making off with their material witness. Where’d you stash Kerra? Because I know she’s not at her condo in Dallas.”