The judge looked up from his bench, and when he saw Longarm he smiled with relief. 'I was beginning to wonder what happened to you, Marshal.'
'Well,' Longarm said, 'I had some problems.'
'I'm listening.'
Longarm told the judge about how he'd arrested Hal Brodie for the murder of Lucy's husband. 'Of course, he strenuously objected and even threatened me, saying that it was just his word against that of the Mexican girl.'
'I'm sure he'll be convicted and sentenced,' the judge said, 'But where is the man?'
Longarm told Benton about the surprise attack on the muddy and slippery road leading down from Prescott to Wickenburg and how Brodie had plunged to his death.
'But I was lucky enough to kill Padilla and Lopez. Juan Ortega, Don Luis's brother, escaped, but I should be able to find him on my way back through Prescott.'
'I'm afraid,' the judge said, 'that you're still going to have to take our female prisoners to Colorado.'
Longarm almost burst a blood vessel. 'Judge, haven't I got enough trouble without having to nursemaid a bunch of women back to Colorado!'
'Yes,' Benton said sympathetically, 'you most certainly have. But these prisoners have to be transported to Denver by a federal marshal.'
'But Judge, I-'
'I'm going to reduce the number of prisoners from one dozen to ten, and I'll assign you two excellent Arizona prison guards to help you. I promise, the task will not be difficult or dangerous.'
'Any time you have custody of women, things get complicated,' Longarm said angrily. 'And don't forget, I'll need to find and arrest Ortega.'
'Yes,' the judge said, 'and I know you'll do that without great difficulty. But before you leave Yuma, you must take custody of the ten women prisoners and deliver them to Denver. I've been in touch with your Denver office. A Marshal William Vail. We've exchanged several telegrams and he has assured me that you are the ideal candidate for this job.'
'Excuse my French,' Longarm growled, 'but that's just pure horseshit.'
Benton's eyebrows knitted. 'Marshal,' he said sternly, 'you've been ordered to perform an important job and you will do it. Perhaps not very cheerfully, but you will do it.'
'Yes, sir.'
The judge relaxed. 'When would you like to depart with the prison wagon and your charges?'
'Early tomorrow.'
'That can be arranged.'
Longarm turned to go. He was steamed about this, but there seemed nothing to do but follow orders. Besides, once back in Denver, he'd have three glorious weeks of paid vacation coming and have a wonderful time.
'Marshal Long?'
Longarm stopped at the door and turned. 'Yes?'
'I'm going to write a commendation for you and send it to the Governor of Colorado. What you've done for us down here in Arizona is truly remarkable.'
'You don't need to do that.'
'Of course I don't,' Benton said, 'but I'm going to anyway. You're a credit to your profession, and that brings me to the sad fact that Marshal Haggerty is probably a discredit to his profession.'
Longarm didn't say anything. He didn't like the idea of criticizing a fellow law officer, even one that appeared to be corrupt.
The judge leaned forward, his face very intent as he studied Longarm. 'Is the marshal in Prescott a discredit to your profession?'
'I don't know,' Longarm said truthfully. 'I guess, if I can take Juan Ortega alive, I'll make him answer that question.'
'If Haggerty was in on this killing, or even if he was just aware of it and failed to carry out justice in the hope of monetary reward, then he needs to be removed from office at once.'
'Yes, sir.'
'Good luck, Marshal!'
'I'll need it.'
'I don't think so,' the judge said. 'Men like you don't rely on luck. You're just too good.'
Despite his anger, Longarm found himself warmed by the flattery. He bade the judge good-bye, and went to find Lucy and tell her that she was no longer a suspect in the murder of her husband.
Longarm found Lucy shopping in one of Yuma's better mercantile stores, and when she saw him she let out a squeal of delight and rushed into his arms.
'Custis! Whatever took you so long to return!'
'Come outside and I'll tell you all about it,' he said, not wanting to speak about his adventures and neardemise in front of the other customers, who were straining to overhear without being too obvious with their curiosity.
