Border Line

“Border Line – A Novel”, brings the reality of the inherent dangers of Customs & Border Protection law enforcement to the reader in graphic detail. Here is a small sample of what the author has put into words. Powers and Childers are U.S. Border Patrol Agents, running into trouble in the Sonoran Desert… Childers grabbed one of the shotguns. Powers accelerated and in a few seconds they spotted the van, kicking up dust and sand, about three hundred yards ahead. The Jeep neared the van from the starboard side, away from the driver’s line of sight. Rusty knew that he would have to maneuver alongside and then quickly cross in front of the van to get it to stop. It was a somewhat dangerous move, given the unknown passengers and possible cargo in the vehicle. It might not stop, but instead swerve out of the way, or smash into the Jeep straight on. The driver then caught sight of the Jeep and accelerated, kicking up huge billows of sand, stones and dust. The van started an array of zigzagging movements. Rusty then made his move, stepping on the gas pedal and weaving his way toward the front of the van. Suddenly, from the passenger-side front seat, a rifle appeared. The Jeep was now slightly ahead of the van, as Rusty continued his efforts to get in front of the van. Two shots were fired before Childers could raise his pistol to defend himself and his partner. But neither shot hit its intended target. Rusty succeeded in getting the Jeep in front of the van, which was beginning to slow down. He put his hand on the Beretta and yelled. “U.S. Border Patrol; bring your vehicle to a stop! Two more shots rang out, one a glancing blow across the driver-side door. The other shot missed its mark entirely. Again, Rusty yelled out, “Border Patrol; stop your vehicle immediately!” He then quickly switched to Spanish and repeated the warning. Two more rifle shots ensued, while the van continued to move, albeit slowly. Both shots somehow missed Rusty, who was directly in the shooter’s line of fire. “I’m hit!” Childers yelled in pain, as he lifted his left arm to his chest. Blood began spurting out of the entry wound. Rusty accelerated and moved the Jeep away from the front of the van. It’s driver then pulled the vehicle to a complete stop. Childers slumped down, still clutching his chest, just above the heart. Rusty knew his own life was on the line, and that the life of his wounded partner hung in the balance. He drew his Beretta and took aim at the individual shooting at them, firing three rounds in succession. The first two shots slammed into the passenger side door of the van, just below the window. Then, a man’s low-pitched, shrieking sound signaled to Rusty that the third shot must have done some physical damage. …. From there, the dangers and personal tragedies multiply. “Border Line – A Novel”, will take you there in graphic and believable detail.