Where Mercy Is Shown, Mercy Is Given - Duane Dog Chapman [114]
By then, I had the cops with me searching a nearby field. I knew there was no one hiding in the area we were in, but I had to go through the motions or we were going to go to jail for breaking and entering. Just as I started to tell the sheriff, “It doesn’t look like he’s out here,” Leland radioed me. It was the first time he’d ever used the radio on a hunt.
“Dad, Dad, come in,” he called.
“What is it, son? Do you have him?” I turned around and started running back toward the house. The cops also heard the call on the radio and hightailed it back as fast as they could.
“I got him, Dad. There’s a cave dug under the basement and there’s a bunch of dead animal carcasses in there. I think he’s hiding in the cave. Hurry, Dad, hurry!”
I got back to the house and saw the dead animal remains all over the basement. He must have been feeding the dogs with the meat. Leland and I locked arms and made our way into the darkness of the cave. It was so dark that I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. We began patting down the walls and every other surface, feeling mostly rocks and dirt, and then we felt a body. I immediately jumped on him and put him into a headlock.
“You son of a bitch. What’s your name?” I shouted.
“Max Valez.”
“Gotcha.”
I told Max to follow me out of the hole or I’d be back down to get him, and next time I wasn’t going to be as gentle. I pulled myself out of the hole so the cops would know I was coming out without Mad Max but he was in there. I wanted to watch the dramatic ending to this hunt myself.
I yelled down and said, “You coming or am I coming back for you?”
Max emerged bloody and a little tattered. The cops got most of the glory for the capture that day, but I’d gotten the man we were all looking for. Actually, check that. Leland had gotten our man that day. That’s my boy.
A film crew once asked three of my children what they thought my secret to success was. Duane Lee told the reporter that I have a way of just figuring things out. Baby Lyssa told him I have always been able to find who I am looking for. And finally, Leland answered, “I know it’s God.” I think all three had the right answer. Those kids sure do make their old man proud.
When I was a young boy, my mother used tell me she had eyes in the back of her head. She could see everything I did, so I’d better behave or else. I once looked at the back of her head while Mom was getting her hair done, to see if I could spot an extra set of eyes, but there wasn’t one. It took me years to figure out those eyes were just a mother’s intuition. And I suppose fathers have that special talent too.
Leland would follow me to the ends of the earth. In many ways, he always has. Our journey in Mexico to find Andrew Luster was as close to hell as I ever want to lead my pack. Whenever we find ourselves in some type of confrontation, Leland is right there with me, ready to pounce. He’s a trigger just waiting to go off. He’s not rash or uncontrolled. Quite the contrary. Leland assesses everything he sees and is ready for whatever comes his way. If Beth or I find ourselves being confronted by someone, Leland is already circling like a hawk waiting for its prey. He’s patient, smart, loyal, dedicated, and very cautious not to make a move until he absolutely has to.
While shooting an episode for our fifth season, I was surprised when one of the fugitives we caught slapped me right across the face. I hadn’t even bounced back from the shock, when Leland grabbed the punk’s hand and beat him down. I always tell people I never worry about not carrying a gun. When someone asks if I carry a weapon, I always respond by saying, “Yup. A double-barreled shotgun…and her name is Beth.” Beth’s better than any firearm, and Leland is a lethal weapon.
My youngest son, Gary Boy, is just like Leland. He’s got bloodhound running through his