The Professor (McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers #1)(104)

MUSSO: “A Fighting Dog”



“First time I’ve ever been quoted on a monument.”

Tom turned at the sound of the familiar voice. Bocephus Haynes approached and put his huge hand on Tom’s shoulder.

“You want to tell me about it?” he said, his voice low.

Tom nodded, feeling the emotion in his chest as he thought back to the day when the world went white. “The day after my last treatment, when Rick came out here and asked me to try the Wilcox case with him–” Tom paused, wiping his eyes “–I refused at first. Didn’t think I could do it. Too old. Too sick. I went for a long walk to think about it, and didn’t bring a gun. This farm is pretty tame, but it’s not without its wild animals. Remember hearing that bobcat squeal?”

“Yeah, dog. You said they were harmless.”

“They normally are,” Tom said, squinting at him. “Unless they’re rabid...”

Bo’s eyes widened.

“Took Musso with me,” Tom continued. “It was too long a walk for him, and when I stopped at the creek, I thought I might have to carry him back. Musso was so old.” Tom’s lip quivered but he continued. “He started limping halfway to the creek, but I wouldn’t stop. Anyway, after he’d fallen asleep, I heard something behind me. It was that same high-pitched squeal that you heard, and I knew immediately it had to be a bobcat. I turned and, sure enough, it was a yellow and black bobcat. Had to be at least fifty pounds, which is big for them.” Tom paused. “When I saw the foam on its mouth, I knew I was screwed.”

“Aw, shit,” Bo whispered.

“I barely had time to move,” Tom said. “The sonofabitch lunged for me and I tripped over an uneven rock. Must have hit the back of my head on something, cause I was out cold for a while.”

Tom stopped, wiping his eyes and gazing down at the small headstone.

“Then what happened?” Bo asked.

“Well, damnedest thing. I woke up and, other than the back of my head hurting, I was fine. The damn thing hadn’t touched me.” Tom paused. “Which was impossible. He was coming right for me, and he was rabid. I looked around, and didn’t see the bobcat. Then I noticed that Musso was gone too.” Tom’s heart hurt as he talked, but he continued. “I walked around a little bit, and saw them about thirty yards away, nestled against an oak tree.”

“Them?” Bo raised an eyebrow.

“At first, I wasn’t sure what I was looking at. I could tell the bobcat was dead, cause I saw its tail underneath the red thing on top of him. When I got closer, I saw that... that the red thing was Musso. He was so scratched up, his white coat was almost solid red.”

“But... but how ...” Bo tried to ask, but Tom interrupted.

“Musso had the bobcat’s neck in his mouth and his eyes were shut. He had clamped down and held on.”

Bo let out a low whistle. “Damn.”

“He was thirteen years old and knocking on death’s door, and he killed a fifty-pound rabid bobcat.”

“Was he still... I mean when you found him...”

Tom felt the tears again but forced them back. “I spoke to him. I said, ‘Musso, it’s me. It’s me...’ and... he opened his eyes and let out the lowest, most ornery, growl I’ve ever heard in my life. Then he finally let go. He had been holding on that whole time. Hours... He sank to the side of the bobcat, but he didn’t move. I put my hand down to his mouth, and he licked it. Then...” Tom put his hand over his face, and let the tears flow.

“He waited until he knew you were safe before he let himself die.”

Tom nodded. “He fought, Bo. Just like you said he would.”

“And so did you.”

“Just like you said I would.”

Bo smiled. “What can I say? I know a bulldog when I see one.”

They walked back to the house, and the talk turned to the future.

“So what’s the news from Tuscaloosa?” Tom asked. Since the trial, Tom had finally given in to Bo’s urging to strike back at the law school. Bo had written the Board of Directors a letter, stating that Tom’s retirement had been under duress and demanding that Tom be immediately reinstated to the faculty and that all of the “conditions” imposed by the Board on his return be removed.

“As a matter of fact,” Bo said, chuckling. “Rufus called me this morning. They’ve offered you your job back, Professor.”

Tom cocked his head towards Bo and raised his eyebrows.

“Yep,” Bo continued. “Evidence professor and trial team coach. They’re throwing in a $10,000 raise too.”

“Jesus, Bo. How did you do it so fast?”

“Wasn’t me,” Bo said. “You saw the papers after the trial. The press may be annoying, but they aren’t stupid. The school suspended you for your actions toward Rick Drake and Dawn Murphy, both of whom helped you try and win the Wilcox case. The Tuscaloosa News and the local television stations called the Board’s decision ‘fishy’ in light of Drake and Murphy’s obvious allegiance to you. Anyway, after all the negative press, one of your supporters on the Board was able to get a couple of the board members who had voted with Tyler to see the error of their ways.”

“Rufus,” Tom said, chuckling.