Longarm and the Widow's Spite by Tabor Evans

Author:Tabor Evans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2010-03-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

They’d left Carl Appleby to be buried by the homesteader’s husband, and they’d pushed on back to Denver not saying much of anything. Longarm was bone tired and he knew that Billy felt the same way, only even worse because he’d been responsible for Carl Appleby’s near escape and murder rampage.

“Billy,” Longarm said, deep into the night when they pulled into the Denver livery where they’d rented the horses and surrey, “quit beating yourself up about what happened.”

“I almost got you and those poor people killed!”

“But you didn’t. And when Appleby jumped out of that Cheyenne hotel window, you were down there to arrest him.”

“He landed so hard he was hurt. I didn’t do much of anything.”

“You were a big help,” Longarm said. “I couldn’t have done the job alone.”

“Bullshit!” Billy said, sounding dejected. “I was a millstone around your neck. I’m not fit to be called a marshal.”

Longarm clamped his hand on the man’s shoulder. “There are all kinds of lawmen,” he said. “And what you do is important.”

“No it isn’t,” Billy countered. “I’m cheating the American taxpayers who foot my salary.”

Longarm was too tired to argue any more. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the office. We’ll talk about what to do next.”

“Sure,” Billy said. “See you tomorrow.”

Longarm let him go. Billy was feeling awful and there was nothing that could be done this night to change that fact. But tomorrow was a new day and maybe his friend would see things in a better light. After all, he’d tried hard and driven the surrey most all the way up and back from Cheyenne.

When he reached his apartment and unlocked the door, Polly was standing inside with a gun clenched in her shaking hands. Longarm froze, then said, “It’s me. Don’t shoot. I’ve had enough trouble already.”

Polly dropped the gun and Longarm thanked his stars that it didn’t blow a hole in one of them or even the floor. He took the girl in his arms and held her close for a few moments, and then said, “I thought you were staying with the Vail family.”

“I did, but then I decided to come over here.”

“That’s good, but I’ve got to get some food and some sleep.”

“I’ll fix you something to eat and draw a bath.” She touched his head and felt the matted blood in his hair. “Dr. Carter told me that you shouldn’t even be alive, much less going after Appleby. Custis, you look terrible but I’m so glad you’re back and alive.”

“Half alive ... maybe,” he corrected. “Start the bath water and then the food. I’m going to lie down until they’re ready.”

He went over to his bed and stretched out. Next thing Longarm knew, the sun was streaming through his windows. Polly had gone off to work but there was warm water just heated for his bath and a clean set of clothes set out for him along with a note that read, Dear Custis, I love you and will see you either at the office or tonight here at your apartment.

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