Every Tuesday, I will host special interviews with characters from my books. Today, we are joined by Sheriff Stephen Dawson, coming from 1871, to answer some questions. So we can get to know him a little more in-depth. Sheriff Stephen Dawson is the main character in my books and is currently featured in two. Guilty Deceptions and Dark Jealousy. So, without further ado, let us get started. Me: What is your name?
Sheriff Dawson: Stephen Michael Dawson
Me: How old are you?
Sheriff Dawson: I am 32 years old.
Me: Where were you born?
Sheriff Dawson: I was born in Saint John, NB. Me: What did your parents do for a living? Sheriff Dawson: Well, my father was a baker. My mother was one of the few women allowed to work. She was a schoolteacher. Me: Was your family well off? Middle class? Impoverished? Sheriff Dawson: I think you would consider us Middle Classed. Me: Do you have siblings? If so, what are their names and ages? Sheriff Dawson: I have one sister. Her name is Annie, and she is 34 years old. Me: Where do you fall in birth order? Oldest? Youngest? Middle? Sheriff Dawson: I am the youngest. Me: Which one of you are your Mothers favourite? Sheriff Dawson: Well, if you ask my sister, she would say I was the favourite. But, I think she was, to be perfectly honest. Me: Why? Sheriff Dawson: My sister is the favourite because she and my mother spent time together. They were always together no matter what was going on. However, my sister would say I was the favourite because my mother let me do dangerous things. Me: How did you feel about that? Sheriff Dawson: I was closer to my father, so it never bothered me that my sister was so close to my mother. At the same time, I am grateful she let me do dangerous things. It is how I ended up joining the force. Me: When you were a child, what was one thing you could always be sure of? Sheriff Dawson: I believe that would be my father. He was always there for me whenever I needed him. Sure, he was a little strict. Sure, he attempted to hold me back from becoming an officer. But he did so out of love, and I think that is what mattered most. Me: What was something you were never sure of? Sheriff Dawson: That would be me and my own abilities. I have always had low self-esteem, and I am unsure why. Me: Where did you grow up? Is it a place you would go back to now? Or avoid? Sheriff Dawson: We grew up in a little house over on Charlotte Street. It was a happy place, and I often visit. Me: Do you still have friends there? Or Family? Sheriff Dawson: Growing up, I never had many friends. My sister still lives in the house. Me: How did you do in school? Sheriff Dawson: I think I did okay. I was not a model student or anything. However, I passed that must account for something. Me: What was your favourite subject? Sheriff Dawson: I really enjoyed English, as reading is one of my hobbies. I will read anything. I preferred Edgar Allan Poe. Have you heard of him? Me: What was your talent? Sheriff Dawson: I always had a knack for solving mysteries. Me: What can you not do? Sheriff Dawson (laughs). I can not dance to save my soul. Me: What is your life like at the moment? Sheriff Dawson (sighs) Busy. There is an ongoing investigation right now! Me: Are you married? Single? Or in a relationship? Sheriff Dawson: I am married. Me: What is her name and occupation? Sheriff Dawson: Becky Dawson, and she is a housewife. Me: How are things going with her? Sheriff Dawson: Well, we had a rough patch for a while, but lately, things are going well. Me: Where do you live now? Sheriff Dawson: We live in a humble home at the foot of King Street East. Me: What are your physical surroundings like? Are they Comfortable? Safe? Dangerous? Sheriff Dawson: I believe they are comfortable and safe. Me: How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to or repelled by in this place? Sheriff Dawson: Why, it feels like home. I guess you could say I am attached to my study. I spend most of my time there, and it is where my book collection is. Me: Who lives with you? Sheriff Dawson: Just my wife, Becky. Me: How do you get along with them? If you do not get along with them, what is the source of the conflict? Sheriff Dawson: I think we get along just fine. We have our ups and downs, but so do all couples. Me: Do you have children? Sheriff Dawson: Sadly, no. Me: What about the rest of your family? Are you close to them now or distant? Sheriff Dawson: Well, mother and father are gone now. But I am still close to Annie. As far as any other family, I never really met them.
Me: What do you do for a living? Sheriff Dawson: I am the Sheriff of Saint John, I solve crimes for a living. Some crimes are murders. Me: How long have you done this job? Sheriff Dawson: Several years officially. Unofficially, I have been solving crimes since I was 18 years old. Me: Is this what you always planned to do? Or did you fall into it? Sheriff Dawson: Both. I knew from a young age I wanted to solve mysteries. It was not until the Mispec Massacre took place in Saint John when I was 18 that I realized I wanted to be a police officer. Me: How do you feel about it? Sheriff Dawson: I love it, even when the job is dull. I know I am making a difference here. Me: Would you rather be doing something else? Sheriff Dawson: No, there is not. I would solve crimes. Me: What is your religious belief currently? Sheriff Dawson: Well, I believe in God, I go to church every Sunday. That is as far as it goes. I am not exactly what you would call a devout or anything. Me: Do you still practice the religion of your youth, or have you left it behind. Sheriff Dawson: Well, I still go to the same church if that is what you mean. Me: Do you have the answers, or are you still searching? Sheriff Dawson: I am still searching. Me: If you are still searching, where and how are you looking? Sheriff Dawson: I think I am looking to the word of God. Trying to live by the code accordingly. Me: How do you deal with stress? Sheriff Dawson (laughs). I pace, and I smoke. Having a smoke releases built-up stress for me. Me: If you use drugs or alcohol, how do you feel about it? Do you brag about it? Try to hide it? Try to give it up and fail? Have no problem with it? Sheriff Dawson: Well, aside from cigarettes, I do not do drugs. I do have a drink now and again. Usually Whisky. I do not feel I have any problem with drinking. Me: What do you do to entertain yourself? Sheriff Dawson: I read, go to the theatre, play poker sometimes. I used to fish, but now I am terrified of water.
Me: (nods) What is your idea of a fun time?
Sheriff Dawson: Me, a few of the guys, a few drinks, and a game of poker works for me.
Me: What do you consider to be your most admirable personal quality?
Sheriff Dawson: I am Sincere.
Me: What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
Sheriff Dawson: (frowns) Not solving a case correctly.
Me: Do you think others see it that way, or would they say something different about your strengths and weaknesses?
Sheriff Dawson: I am sure anyone who knows me would say something different. They are always defending my abilities, but I know my failures. I know I have made grave mistakes. I am human, after all.
Me: How do you handle conflict with someone else? Do you avoid fights? Are you aggressive? Or are you passive-aggressive and only give the appearance of cooperation?
Sheriff Dawson: I think I handle conflict well enough. I avoid a fight when I can, but I am known to be passive-aggressive at times.
Me: What are your politics?
Sheriff Dawson: I never really had much interest in politics.
Me: What is your sexual orientation? Are you comfortable with it?
Sheriff Dawson: I am straight, and yes. I am very comfortable.
Me: Do you have love in your life right now?
Sheriff Dawson: Well, I am married, but it was a marriage of convenience. I love her, but I am not in love with her. At least not the type of love you find in novels.
Me: Is there someone you once loved but no longer do?
Sheriff Dawson: Yes, we all have our secrets, right?
Me: If so, what happened to make that love go away?
Sheriff Dawson: She was forced by her parents to marry another.
Me: What kind of problems do you face because of it?
Sheriff Dawson: I think about her every day. It is part of the reason I smoke so much.
Me: Are your parents still living?
Sheriff Dawson: No, they are both passed on.
Me: If your parents were critical of you, what choices have you made to displease them? Was it your job? Education? Marriage? Life partner or political views?
Sheriff Dawson: I displeased my father when I became a police officer, but he soon forgot about it. On the other hand, my mother was unhappy with my marriage to Becky. She thought I could do much better than her.
Me: Did their displeasure influence your choice?
Sheriff Dawson: Obviously not, I am the Sheriff. I am married to Becky.
Me: How did they raise you as a child? Were they strict or lenient? Did they pay attention to you, or were they interested in other things?
Sheriff Dawson: I was raised on a good cop bad cop dynamic. My father was strict, my mother lenient. Whereas my mother usually won. That is how I was able to work on that case in 1857 when I was only 18 years old.
Me: How did that affect your relationship with them then?
Sheriff Dawson: I had a good relationship with my parents.
Me: if one or more of your parents are deceased, when did they die?
Sheriff Dawson: My mother passed away about six years ago. My father passed away about four years ago.
Me: How did their death affect you?
Sheriff Dawson: I was devastated both times. But I was an adult, on my own with a job. Other than that, my life was not affected.
Me: Where are you in life right now? What are you most pleased with?
Sheriff Dawson: I am doing well for myself. I have had two incredible cases in the last few years. I am pleased to be a part of that, it will make history in this town.
Me: What keeps you awake at night?
Sheriff Dawson: I still suffer nightmares from that case in 1857. It usually has me getting up every day between 4:30 and 5am. Other times, it is my cases that keep me awake.
Me: What is the most pressing problem you have right now? Sheriff Dawson: I am trying to find a murderer currently. When I think I have solved it, something changes. It is frustrating. Me: Is there something you need or want? For yourself or someone important to you? Sheriff Dawson (nods) Yes. I want justice for Catherine Baker. Me: Why do you not have it? What is in the way? Sheriff Dawson: I am missing a few pieces of the puzzle. That is why there is no justice yet. I will the moment I find out those missing pieces. Me: What do you have to do to get it? Sheriff Dawson: I must investigate this case further and analyze the clues. Only then will I pinpoint the killer and solve this mystery? Me: What is stopping you from taking this step? Sheriff Dawson: Every time I think I solved it, something changes. Me: Is there something else that might happen first? For you to take this step? Sheriff Dawson: I need more clues and more evidence. Then, I should be able to solve this murder. Me: Is there someone else who wants or needs the same thing? Sheriff Dawson: Yes, my Deputy, Patrick Jackson. Me: Can they help you get it? Sheriff Dawson: They are working with me closely on this, and I think we are getting close to the truth. Me: Are they one of the things in the way? Sheriff Dawson: No. Me: What happens if you do not get it? What do you stand to lose? Sheriff Dawson: If I do not get justice. Then, a murderer walks. I will not have that on my shoulders. I must solve this case. Me: How will your life change if you solve this problem? Sheriff Dawson: I will have caught another murderer and put them where they should be. Me: Will someone else suffer if you succeed? Sheriff Dawson: Just the murderer. They will be sent to the Gallows. Me: Describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today? Sheriff Dawson: Well, my father was an influence in my life. So, is reading, especially anything by Edgar Allan Poe. The only other thing I can think of is the Mispec Massacre. Me: What do you consider the best event of your life? Sheriff Dawson: That would be the Mispec Massacre. It held much significance for me on so many levels. Because I was allowed to investigate that, it brought on my love for mysteries and this job. Me: Before we go, is there anything to tell our readers? Sheriff Dawson: Yes. For those of you who do not know me yet. I am a simple man following my dreams. I love my job. What I do for the community when I am solving crimes. It is my favourite thing to do. My best friend is my Deputy, Patrick Jackson. He is a little odd, but I overlook that. I would never admit it, but he carries the investigations. Without him, I am not sure what I would do. I am married to a woman named Becky. Who might seem sneaky and underhanded? Yet, she has a good heart and tries her best to do the right things. I do my best to solve these cases with the tools I was given in the 1800s. Sometimes, I wonder if it is enough. If you are looking for suspense and intrigue, you can usually find it in one of my investigations. So, join me in Guilty Deceptions and Dark Jealousy. Let us solve these murders together! There you have it, an interview with Sheriff Dawson himself. Join us next Tuesday when we interview his wife, Becky Dawson. Unravel the mystery around this character, and learn more about the character's past, present, and wishes for the future.
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