The Mountain Man's Badge

Book excerpt: Lehigh Carter never asked to be sheriff. And he sure never wanted to arrest his new father-in-law for murder. Mountain Man Lehigh Carter got talked into serving the unexpired term of disgraced long-time Mt. Hood County sheriff Buck Winters, hoping for a quiet nine months in office before the voters selected a new, permanent office-holder. But a few months into the job, poachers discover the body of Everett Downey, a sleazy local businessman, and the evidence points to Lehigh’s brand-new father-in-law, the once-powerful senator George McBride. To his chagrin and his new bride’s fury, Lehigh is forced to arrest George for the murder, and suddenly his happy marriage is on the rocks. Soon he’s living in a tent with only his two dogs for companionship. With dogged persistence, Lehigh chips away at the investigation, discovering facts that don’t add up…and leads him to suspect why some of those most intent on removing him from office have reasons far more sinister than Lehigh’s agenda of reform. Can Lehigh uncover the truth behind Everett Downey’s murder without becoming the killer’s next victim?