Longarm and the Deadly Flood by Tabor Evans

Author:Tabor Evans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2010-04-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Longarm was within twenty yards of the bridge now, but as long as he stayed out of the light from the lantern in the outlaw’s hand, he might as well have been a mile away. They couldn’t see him. Being careful to keep the rifle and the two pistols out of the mud, he dropped to hands and knees and crawled closer still.

“No tricks, Noah. I promise you, this is what I want to do. It’ll be better for everybody, all the way around.”

Galloway sounded like he was trying to reassure Hawley, but Longarm suddenly realized that the former outlaw was talking to him. Galloway wanted to trade his life for Jasper’s. He was telling Longarm not to interfere.

Unfortunately, Longarm didn’t have that option. After two years of Galloway being a federal fugitive, Longarm didn’t intend to let him just waltz off with a bunch of outlaws and get himself killed. If at all possible, Galloway would stand trial for his crimes. Whether or not the charges included Cullen Johnson’s murder could be hashed out later.

Besides, that gold belonged to the United States government, and Uncle Sam still wanted it back. And Ed Galloway happened to be the only one who knew where it was . . .

No, Longarm couldn’t just sit back and not interfere. But he wanted to make sure Jasper was safe before he made his move.

The bridge timbers let out a groan that was audible over the rumbling roar of the floodwaters. The bridge wasn’t going to make it through the night. Longarm had no doubt of that. He just hoped it wouldn’t wash away for a few more minutes. Jasper still stood in the center of it, looking frightened and forlorn with his wet hair plastered to his head.

Galloway reached the boy’s side. He paused and reached out with one hand to touch Jasper’s shoulder, holding the rifle in his other hand. Even though his voice was low when he spoke, Longarm was close enough to make out the words.

“You run back to my office now, Jasper. Your ma’s waiting there for you. Tell her I’m sure sorry I caused all this trouble.”

Jasper looked up at the man and shook his head. “You didn’t cause the trouble, Marshal. Those bad men did.”

“Maybe . . . I’m one of the bad men, too.”

Jasper’s headshaking became even more vehement. “No, sir! You came out in the rain to save me from them.”

“That’s enough palaver!” Hawley’s shout came from the far end of the bridge. “Get over here, Galloway.”

Jasper looked confused. “Why’s he keep callin’ you that name, Marshal?”

“Never you mind.” Galloway squeezed the youngster’s shoulder. “Run now, Jasper! Run to your ma!”

He gave Jasper a little push that started the boy toward the near end of the bridge. Jasper broke into an awkward run. The bridge suddenly swayed under him and Galloway.

Longarm’s breath caught in his throat as he saw the bridge’s movement and heard the timbers groan again. If it collapsed while Jasper was still on it, the boy wouldn’t have a chance.

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