Under the Wire

I should have noticed the pen of chickens. They were a dead give-away but I missed it. I thought I was so smart but ... I suppose I really should start at the beginning.

Years ago I was a solicitor for a livestock auction. “Field representative” was my official title. Door to door salesman was more like my job description. On Monday morning I would climb into my pickup and head out visiting ranchers and farmers who might have cattle to sell. My boss’s instructions were always the same. Promise them everything but give them nothing. I had to be home by Thursday morning so I could try to carry o...