The Catch A Joe Gunther Novel [Paperback]

Joe Gunther gets the call that every law enforcement person hates and every friend and family member of a policeman fears-a cop has been murdered in the line of duty. Deputy Sheriff Brian Sleuter has been shot to death during a routine traffic stop on a dark country road. From what can been seen on the cruisers tape recorder of the killers, it is believed that they are a couple of Boston-based drug runners who were stopped by the deputy on their way from Canada down to Boston.

That brings Gunther and his major crimes team into the investigation-and eventually to Alan Budney, the disaffected son of a Maine lobsterman, now a drug kingpin, who uses the closed, clannish lobster fishing community, and his extended family in particular, to move drugs along the New England coast.

Deputy Sheriff Brian Sleuter was looking for a better country/western station when the Toyota flew by, spraying a few roadside pebbles against the front bumper of his cruiser.

Jesus Christ, Bud, he said softly, turning on his headlights, putting the car into gear, and hitting his blue lights  all in a single, well practiced gesture  Why dont you flip me the bird, while youre at it?

He fishtailed into the road from his hiding place, his rear tires spinning before gaining purchase, and took off down Vermont Route 7 with a burst from the Impalas built-up engine, the Toyotas rear lights already fading fast into the late night summer darkness. This stretch of road  straight, isolated, and well-paved  was a magnet for speeders.

It was long after midnight, and Sleuter had been waiting patiently for just such an opportunity. In the split second that his well trained eye had glimpsed the interior of the car, illuminated only by its own dash lights, hed caught sight of two people, both young males. That, combined with the Toyota being older, dark-colored, and non-descript in appearance  and that it was headed south from the direction of Burlington and possibl­