Longarm and the Lunatic by Tabor Evans

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

Chapter 19

“Evanston. Evanston, Wyoming Territory. Next stop, Evanston.” The conductor walked the length of car in a rolling, seafarer’s gait, seeming to hardly even notice the swaying and bumping of the passenger coach.

Longarm pulled out his Ingersol and checked the time. “Y’know something? I haven’t had a decent rest in days and we aren’t gonna get one on a Union Pacific train. I think we’ll get off here an’ spend the night in a proper hotel for a change. We can take the first eastbound tomorrow an’ let the government treat us to a good meal and a comfortable bed in the meantime. Any objections?”

“Certainly not from me,” Jones said. “I am in no great hurry now, and the thought of a good meal is enticing.”

“You, Ed?” Longarm asked.

“Oh, I will go along with whatever the two of you prefer.” A hesitant smile tickled the corners of his lips. “Whatever.”

“That settles it then.”

“What about our tickets?” Jones asked.

“You and I are traveling on my badge. It don’t matter a whit to us. An’ Ed’s ticket will allow a layover if he wants.”

“Then I say we should get off now.”

The brakes began to squeal and the train to clatter as the cars rattled together approaching the platform in Evanston. Longarm and Jones stood and retrieved their bags from the overhead rack. Ed Bowman had no luggage to worry about but was forced to stand also since he was handcuffed to Tomlin Jones’s right wrist.

Apparently Bowman had escaped from the asylum back in Utah with nothing but the clothing on his back. Longarm had not tried to press him for information about that. For one thing, it might have been painful to the man. For another, it was none of Custis Long’s damned business. All he was doing here was performing a favor for two people he cared about very much, and if they wanted Bowman brought to Denver, then brought to Denver he would be.

Three other people in the coach also stood and collected their things, bracing themselves against the movement of the train as they did so: a middle-aged couple who had been sitting on the other side of the car and a nicely dressed gentleman in the back. All were prepared by the time the train clanked and hissed to a stop.

“Evanston. All out for Evanston,” the conductor intoned as he made his way forward again. “All out for Evanston, Wyoming Territory.”

“All together now,” Longarm said and warned, “don’t try an’ run or I’ll cut the legs out from under one o’ you. I’ll leave it to you boys to think about which one I’ll put the bullet into.”

Not that he expected any such thing would happen. Not really. Jones could certainly outrun him . . . but not with Ed Bowman dangling off his arm like a fancy woman’s bangle. Longarm did not think he had to worry about any escape attempts and likely wouldn’t have to even if the men had not been handcuffed. Which did not mean he could abandon caution.

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