Chapter 3

“Somebody gave it to the former chief,” he continued. “He didn’t take Spots when he left, so I’ve been keeping the pup. Damn dog’s in that chewing stage, gnaws on everything, but now he’s all yours.” Seeing Grady’s frown, he backtracked fast. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll outgrow this quirk and be a great dog. Just needs some time and training, you know.”

He fumbled a heavy ring of keys off his belt and handed it to Ashcroft. “These go to just about everything here. The mobile in back of the station’s vacant—the last chief chose not to live in it, but you’re welcome to, at least for a while. Nothing fancy, but it’s livable. The rest are for the station and the vehicles, the lock on the fuel tank and gates to some ponds where we draft water at times. I’ll come back tomorrow and walk you through everything. I expect you need to get some chow and bedtime this evening.”