asset when working as a reporter. Not only did it open otherwise-closed doors, it allowed me to move about freely in situations other reporters were barred from.

"How would you describe it, then?" McCutcheon asked, examining the badge I held in my hand. "Hmm, deputy U.S. marshal… very impressive… you—"

I cut off McCutcheon in midsentence and, in my most facetious tone, said, "I was leading a federal posse in pursuit of your Mr. Bledsoe and several of his associates for stealing U.S. government horses in Kansas."

"I see," McCutcheon said. "Did you catch them?"

"We did not. We tracked them to New Mexico, but as far as we could tell, they lit out for Texas or Mexico."

"So there was no gunplay, no violent con...

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