Frontier Marshal: A Coogan Mystery by Michael Cardwell

Author:Michael Cardwell [Cardwell, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Danny went back to his room for his coat and sidearm. He figured that, given the weather and recent history, he’d need both.

Thinking ahead, Molly had brought him a thin, insulated vest and his old, weathered, well-worn canvas ranch coat. He pulled on the vest and his coat and then started filling pockets. It had four outside and two inside. He stored his phone and wallet in the inside pockets. In the lower outside pockets, he shoved a glove in each. In the upper left, he slipped two ammunition magazines for the Sig; in the upper right, he stashed a small notebook and pen.

He opened the nightstand drawer beside the bed and withdrew his Sig. Old habits die hard, and his habits came from a time when living and dying depended on your weapon. He pulled it from its holster, dropped the magazine, and pulled the slide back to eject the round. He completed the functions check on the unloaded pistol. Satisfied, he reloaded the Sig, ensured the safety was engaged, slipped it back in its black leather holster, and clipped it on his belt.

He grabbed the doorknob, and wondered: Was he doing the right thing working on the investigation, or should he stay with Ruth? Then he remembered who was by his wife’s side now. He decided Ruth was better protected than the president with her father here.

Danny opened his door and headed down the hall to Ruth’s room. Her door was closed, but he found Bringloe sprawled in a chair in the hallway just beside her door. The tribal officer was leaning back, eyes closed, feet on a table full of magazines, and asleep for all appearances.

As Danny started to slap the bottom of his right foot, the man mumbled, “You know your mother-in-law got a pistol in her purse?”

He raised his head and gave Danny a good-morning nod.

“I thought you were asleep.”

“Just resting my eyes, long night,” said Bringloe. He pulled his feet off the magazine table, stood, and stretched.

“Did you say Margery’s got a gun in her purse?”

“Yep,” replied Bringloe. “It’s a cute little thing. It looks like a Colt .45 that got left in the dryer too long. By the way, Ben just wandered in before you got here.”

“I don’t hear yelling,” said Danny. He moved to listen by the door. “Has Mike settled down any?”

“By the look your father-in-law gave Ben and me when I opened the door, no,” said Bringloe. He put his thumbs through his pant belt loops. “I think it's best you light out to the territories until he settles down.”

“I don’t have that kinda time,” replied Danny. “Heard any news from the Rez?”

“Janine said three marshals showed up, along with a shit-ton of those CSI boys and girls,” said Bringloe. He brought his hand to his mouth and yawned, then continued, “She’s going to try to make it in later to visit Ruth.”

“You need to get home and sleep,” Danny said. “Ruth will be safe with Mike and Margery and their small arsenal.

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