Interview of Deputy Cande Hernandez of Dark Descent
Today I’m
sitting across from Deputy Cande Hernandez from the town of DryLake Texas.
So Cande, just
why’d you become a cop?
Uncle
Jack gets the credit for that. He and my
dad were close friends and was always around as I grew up. I remember listening as he told Dad some of
the things that happened on the job. Silly things like the time a rancher’s
cows got out and ended up in the middle of town grazing in the square. And
sometimes not so silly things like the time he found a dead body doing a
welfare check.
Naturally,
as a kid, I was fascinated by his handcuffs. He finally bought me a pair of my
own when I was seven or eight, after that it was a fingerprint kit. Then as I
got older, he’d let me ride along with him. He never let me anywhere near
danger but catching bad guys was exciting, and helping those in need felt good.
I never thought of doing anything else.
You work for
your Uncle Jack now. How does this affect your relationship on and off the job?
I
do. He’s the Marshal of DryLake, I’m one of three deputies. I think the job has brought us closer since
we spend a lot of time together. Off the
job, he understands when it’s been a bad day and I don’t have to explain it to
him but he’s there if I need to talk. On the job, he treats me like any other
deputy for the most part.
How did your
parents feel about your choice of career?
Dad died when I was fifteen, but he always
knew and encouraged me to do what made me happy. Mom hated it. She wanted me to
marry a nice cowboy, have about six kids and run the ranch. She’s still hoping
I change my mind.
Seems like just
about everyone in Texas has a ranch. Is yours the acre and a couple cows kind
or what most people think of as a ranch?
Two
Pines is almost 1,500 acres. We don’t have any cattle now but one day, I’d like
to get some Longhorns. Part of the ranch
is planted in timber and we grow all our own hay. Naturally, there are horses and lots of room
for riding. Gramps always had Quarter Horses but not long ago I sold the last
Quarter Horse and started breeding Arabians. This spring we had our first batch
of foals and I’m really excited about them.
Now, down to the
important questions. Chocolate, dark or
milk?
Definitely
milk. I know dark is supposed to be better for you, but I still don’t care for
it.
Okay…dog, cat or
both?
Dog
right now. We usually have a barn cat or two but right now it’s just Brinks.
He’s a Doberman Pinscher and has his Schutzhund III. He’s not a police dog but
it is nice having him with me on those long nights alone in the country.
Pie or cake?
Cake,
chocolate of course.
Coffee or tea?
Iced
tea. I never developed a taste for
coffee so in the winter it’s hot cocoa.
Shower or soak
in the tub?
Depends
on the day. Sometimes there’s nothing better than a long hot soak. Other times,
especially after a day in the barn, cutting firewood or other ranch chores, you
gotta take a shower to get all the dirt off.
Truck or sports
car?
Gee,
I’d love to drive a sports car but I’d have to give myself speeding tickets.
Plus, it’s not really practical for ranch work so I have a truck. My personal
vehicle is a Jeep Wrangler though.
Last question…
what one thing would you want the people you meet on a day to day basis to
know?
That
cops aren’t the bad guys, we’re not out to get you. We are just trying to do
our jobs, and that’s to keep everyone safe.
Links:
Website – www.jeanlauzier.com
Twitter - @JeanLauzier
Facebook – jeanlauzier2319
Email – jeanlauzier@gmail.com
Bio: Jean Lauzier has always been a writer though
life just recently settled enough so she can spend the time needed at the
keyboard with her characters. Jean
writes mystery and fantasy for the most part but enjoys playing with romance
and western genres ever so often. When
not writing, Jean spends her time trying to keep her Bonsai alive, learning
Spanish and training the cat.
Her short story collection, Six
Pack of Murder is available on Amazon.
She is president of the East Texas Writer’s Association.
During the tour, Jean will be
giving away at least three copies of Six Pack of Murder and three copies of the
soon to be released Dark Descent. Be sure to leave a comment along with your
email address to be entered in the drawing.
Comments
Madeline