Longarm and the Grand Canyon Gang by Tabor Evans

Author:Tabor Evans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group

It was about nine o’clock in the evening when Billy finally got around to visiting the jail. Longarm was asleep on his thin cot, and Ollie was sawing logs at his desk.

“Custis,” Billy said, tiptoeing past the slumbering giant. “I’m getting you out of there first thing in the morning.”

“That’s great news.”

“Did you get a big steak dinner earlier this evening?”

“I did,” Longarm told his boss. “It was sure appreciated. But how’d you manage to get me out of this mess with Judge Potter and Todd Grover?”

“Long, complicated story,” Billy answered. He glanced over at Ollie. “That sure is a huge man, and he snores louder than a locomotive huffing at the station.”

“Billy,” Longarm said. “I lost all my travel money. I’m almost certain that it was stolen from me by a woman named Emerald Alexander, although that might not be her real name. She’s also the one who got me in the mess with Grover.”

“I brought you more travel money, but you’re going to have to make up the loss to the government.”

“All of it?”

“Some,” Billy hedged. “But if you’re successful in Arizona, we can maybe overlook the mess you’ve made of things so far.”

“Oh, I’ll take care of the trouble in Arizona,” Longarm vowed. “But there is one other thing I need to ask as a favor.”

“What?” Billy said, not looking too pleased.

Longarm then told his boss about Deputy Swenson and how he had always wanted to be a federal law officer. He also told Billy that Ollie could help him not only with the Grand Canyon Gang, but also in bringing Emerald to justice.

“He’s dumb as an ox but also every bit as strong as one,” Longarm said. “And he’s as accurate with a six-gun as anyone you’d ever meet. I’d like you to make him my assistant deputy, Billy.”

“Forget it!”

“I’ll even pay his wages until I’ve taken care of the trouble in Arizona.”

“Pay his wages? Lordy, Custis, how will you do that when you’re always getting your money stolen?”

“Billy,” Longarm said, “I have a feeling that Ollie Swenson could be a huge help to me.”

Billy stared through the bars at him. “Custis, you’ve never shown any fear or hesitation when given an assignment. Are you all right?”

“Of course I am! But sometimes a man can use a strong right arm. And to be honest, I sort of like that big Swede. So how about it?”

“I guess I could deputize him.”

“Only one problem.”

“What is that?” Billy asked suspiciously.

“Ollie will insist on a real federal marshal’s badge.”

Billy’s fingers absently moved to his chest where his own badge was pinned under his coat. “You aren’t suggesting . . .”

“I’ll bring it back to Denver when the job is over,” Longarm promised. “Either that, or I’ll pin my own badge on him and wear yours.”

“Mine says Marshal. Your badge says Deputy Marshal.”

“So what? After I clean up Arizona, I’ll deserve to be a full marshal.”

Billy swore and then reached inside his coat pocket to retrieve his badge. “You lose this,”

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