The professor took the bag. “I’d be honored to help. I’ll do my best.”

“I have no doubt. If you’re free, I’d like you to ride with Pecos to the hospital. A live bomb went off over there. I could use another set of eyes.”

Benjamin glanced at the sheriff’s cruiser parked across the street. “Can I ride in the front seat?”

Pecos laughed. “You can drive, for all I care. OK with you, Captain Norton?”

“Sure. I’ll ask the sheriff to deputize him. Dr. Monroe is officially part of our team.”

As Ketch and Hank climbed back into the old Lincoln, Ketch said, “You made the professor’s day.”

“No,” Hank answered. “He made mine. We now have a few clues.”

Ketch laughed to himself. “I noticed something strange that has nothing to do with the bombs. The professor had the same clothes on today as he did yesterday. I probably wouldn’t have noticed, but I also had on a navy blue shirt and tan pants yesterday and worried that someone might notice that we were dressed alike.

“You’d think a man who noticed mud would change clothes. If he was in college I’d think his date lasted till dawn or he’d studied all night.”

“I can solve that mystery. The professor didn’t come home last night. Pecos said he went to his farm yesterday.”

Ketch leaned back in the seat. “Yeah, but you’d think the man would have a change of clothes there. He goes out there a few times a week.”

“Maybe they were all dirty?” Hank would bet a month’s pay that the professor was a good guy, but there was that moment he’d hesitated when Hank had asked if anyone wished him harm. Add the fact that a man who noticed a bit of mud would probably notice if his clothes were all dirty.

They pulled up at the hospital and forgot all about the doctor’s wardrobe. Sheriff LeRoy was out in front of what had been the hospital’s main entrance.

Hank knew he’d have to face the lawman at some point. He couldn’t just go through Colby for information and assistance. McBride might be a Texas Ranger, but Leroy was still the sheriff of this county. The ranger and Hank were both in his territory.

“Sheriff,” Hank said as he walked up.

“Captain Norton.” LeRoy said the name slowly and without smiling. “Damn, if I didn’t know you’d end up doing something dangerous. What I never guessed was you’d be on the right side of the law.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, Sheriff.”

“Does your father know?”

“Nope. He’d just worry.”