Dan Mesa knows men like him are a vanishing breed. Once upon a time, he was a rodeo cowboy. He served in Viet Nam and the first Gulf War. He believes a man should stand up for himself and what he believes in, which is why he's good at teaching high school. In the classroom, Dan expects nothing less than respect, and he will not back down. Just like the time he ran across a bank robbery . . . In his Arizona hometown, Dan witnesses a ranger get shot in the shoulder by one of the robbers fleeing the scene and he immediately runs to the aid of the fallen officer. Who knew just a few steps could change a man's life forever? The Arizona ranger deputizes Dan and tells him to prevent the criminals' escape. Having been in combat before, Dan doesn't hesitate, and thirty minutes later, he's a true Wild West hero. Turning in his teaching boots, Dan becomes an official member of the Arizona Rangers, where he can expect action, adventure, and some serious danger. The days of Wyatt Earp may be over, but that doesn't mean all the bad cowboys are gone. Dan is ready to track them down and face them, head-to-head. A teacher becomes a law man, and it only took a couple heroic steps to change the history of the Grand Canyon State forever.

Dan Mesa Arizona Ranger

By Dan Sears

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Dan Sears
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4620-3285-3

Chapter One

DAN MESA ARIZONA RANGER

Sometimes I wonder how my life would have turned out if I had chosen a different path. If I had not joined the air force and remained a teacher, would it have turned out differently, or was this my destiny all along? Having this pain inside and lying here in the hospital room gives me time to think on how I got to this point. It all began about a month ago.

Captain Johnson sends for me and says, "Dan, I want you to arrest one José Gutierrez-Jackson. He robbed a Wells Fargo Truck in El Paso last week and escaped with five hundred thousand dollars and killed two of the guards.

He is also wanted by the state of Texas for armed robbery and murder. Bring him in dead or alive but preferably alive."

"Sir, as you are aware, I know José quite well, and we were friends at one time. Are you sure you want me to go after him?"

"Dan, there are a lot of things said about you, some complimentary and some not so complimentary, but no one has ever said you were dishonest or lacking in integrity. I know that you will do the right thing so I'm not worried.}

"Okay, sir, I will get started. Do you have the warrant and necessary papers for me to arrest him?"

The captain gives me the warrant and other papers. "Sergeant, don't take any chances with José. He is not the same man he was when you were friends. He's changed, and he'll kill you just like he would any other person. He has gone bad."

The captain is right. I have followed Jackson since we did our thing down on the border. Something made him change and turn bad, and he has gone bad all the way. He is a tough customer and will not be taken easily. Killing those two guards wasn't necessary. That was just pure meanness. It is right that I am the one to go after him. The question is, can I kill a man who was once my friend? Yes, if necessary!

I have a feeling this is going to be a long and dangerous endeavor. Being prepared and ready is paramount. I need my sleeping bag and camping equipment, along with MREs—meals ready to eat. I'll need my .357 Magnum, hunting rifle, one hundred rounds of ammo for each one, my derringer, and my hunting knife. Oh yes, my first aid and survival kit. I'll need my oilcloth coat and liner just in case the weather changes. I will carry my bulletproof vest also, and water and coffee and some cigars. I'll also need matches. I'll use the Toyota for this trip; it is four-wheel drive and will go just about anyplace. I've had it for ten years and took it overseas to the Persian Gulf. It is a solid old truck, and I will probably keep it a bit longer, although that four-cylinder engine lacks power. I guess I have everything I will need.

"Captain, I'm ready to depart. Where do you want me to start looking for José?"

"You should probably start here in Nogales," he says.

"Sir, I believe he has a lady friend working at the Cow Palace in Amado, and I'd like to start there."

I have always liked Amado; it reminds me of days gone by. It was the favorite watering hole of many actors and actresses who frequented the area. The actor Stewart Granger once owned a ranch in the area of Nogales, near the golf course. John Wayne hung around the area making movies in the fifties and sixties. Even Clint Eastwood and Whoopie Goldberg visited the area. Amado has an interesting history. Amado and Nogales are neighboring towns with interesting histories. I also enjoy the drive. We are here.

I should probably ask if Sylvia is working. "Excuse me, ma'am; I'm Sergeant Dan Mesa of the Arizona Rangers. Can you tell me if Sylvia Animas is working this evening?"

"Ranger, I am Maria and you need to talk with Sonia,. She can tell you what you want to know. I will get her."

"Sonia, there is a Ranger out there in the bar looking for Sylvia." Sonia looks at Maria with surprise and says; "OK you stay here in the dining room and I'll talk with the Ranger."

"Martha, be serious. There aren't any Rangers left in Arizona. They only exist in Texas."

"Sonia, I don't know about Texas, but there is a real-life, honest-to-goodness Ranger standing in the bar and asking questions. See for yourself."

"Sir, may I help you? I am Sonia Perdenales, and I own the bar. I understand you are looking for Sylvia Animas. May I ask why?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm Ranger Dan Mesa from the Santa Cruz Company in Nogales. I'm looking for José Gutierrez-Jackson, an acquaintance of Miss Animas. José is wanted for armed robbery of a Wells Fargo armored truck and for killing two guards. He may decide to head this way."

"Okay, Ranger, I will get her for you she is on break. I know José, and he can be a dangerous person, so you should be careful also." She returns with Sylvia.

"Ranger, I understand you want to talk to me about José. I haven't seen him in over two months. José knows not to come around when he's in trouble with the law."

"Ma'am, if he does come to see you, tell him I was here asking about him, and he knows I am looking for him. If you tell him what I have said that will prevent you from having any trouble with him. I thank you for talking with me. Is it possible to get a table? I'd like to eat dinner since I am here."

Miss Perdenales returns and asks, "Ranger, would you like a drink? It's on the house."

"No, ma'am. I'm still on duty, but I would like to have dinner."

She seats me in the restaurant and a waiter comes by. I order a steak with rice, green beans, tomatoes, and iced tea. I notice an older gentleman watching very closely, and finally he speaks.

He says, "Excuse me, sir, but exactly what branch of law enforcement are you?"

"Sir, I am with the Arizona Rangers, Santa Cruz Company of Nogales."

"I didn't know you guys still existed! No one ever hears anything about you."

"Well, sir, we are still in existence and we still enforce the law. We primarily work from the governor's office on capital crimes. When you see us, someone has violated a federal or state law."

Then a lady says, "Sergeant, you are about the best-looking thing I have seen in pants in a very long time." Now, what do you say to a comment like that?. Miss Perdenales who witnessed this exchange is standing there and smiling at me. Suddenly it has gotten very warm in here.

The waiter returns and I order coffee. I really like this place. It reminds me of some other places I have been in over the years. He brings the bill, and I leave a tip and prepare to leave. As I depart, Miss Perdenales says, "Ranger, come back for a visit when you are not on duty, and have a drink. It'll still be on the house."

"Thank you, ma'am. I will do that. I like the atmosphere and the people here."

She shakes my hand, deposits a piece of paper in it, and smiles. I must admit that her smile makes me want to smile. It has been said that I don't smile enough and am unfriendly. I don't necessarily agree with that opinion of me. It is also said that I resemble George Jefferson, and I don't agree with that either.

Now, back to Nogales and to get ready for tomorrow. I have a feeling it is going to be an interesting day. I have gone over everything in my mind to make sure I am ready to challenge Jackson. One or both of us will be hurt before this is over. Jackson is a crack shot, and so am I. I hope it doesn't come down to him or me. I had to take a life before, and it did not sit well with me. Killing is easy, but living with what you have done is a...