artifacts.”
“Why? Seems to me that they could get away with that and not be caught.”
“If they try to sell artifacts to legitimate museums or historical societies, they’ll be red-flagged. It’s against the law to loot Indian graves. No,” Billy said, “I think that the Anasazi artifacts are probably flowing to San Francisco and New York, then being sold overseas to rich collectors. That means that the looters are far more organized and entrenched than just a few grave robbers skulking around deserted Indian ruins.”
“Okay, Billy, I get the point. But what..
“I won’t be satisfied if all you do is nab a few grave diggers, Custis. I want you to infiltrate the entire gang and arrest the leaders of this organization. Clean it out from the top on down. We want to send a message to everyone out there that this practice might be lucrative, but it’s also illegal as hell and will not be tolerated!”
Keeping a straight face, Longarm said, “Then it sounds like I’ll probably have to follow a trail all the way to Europe or Singapore or some such place. I could do that.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! This department hasn’t got that kind of money to be sending deputy marshals all over the world. And if it did, my boss would insist that he be the one that went to Europe or Asia, not YOU.”
“Your boss couldn’t find a mouse in a cheese factory,” Longarm snorted with derision. “And I’m starting to think that you’ve also lost your sense.”
“I don’t know why I put up with you,” Billy said, looking pained.
“You put up with me because I’m the best man on your payroll. But I won’t be much longer if I don’t start getting some recreation.”
“Recreation? Hell,” Billy replied without a trace of sympathy, “the last time we gave you a couple of weeks off, we got a telegram begging for money and help to get you out of a New Orleans jail! If we hadn’t intervened on your behalf, you’d still be behind bars.”
“I was framed.”
Billy waved his hand in dismissal. “I’ve heard that story about a dozen times and it always changes. The thing of it is, you owe me and your department a few favors.”
“I’ve repaid you over and over,” Longarm replied, his smile slipping. “And I’ll do it again this time, but dammit, I want a signed letter stating that I will have a month’s paid vacation starting the minute I return to Denver after clearing up this Anasazi business.”
“All right, if you don’t trust me.”
“When it comes to time off, I don’t trust you,” Longarm told him.
“Suit yourself. I’ll draft a letter and have it typed by Henry this morning. You’ll get it when you pick up your travel money.”
“How much this time?” Longarm asked. “Or were you thinking of giving me the usual damned dollar-a-day pittance?”
“No, no,” Billy said. “Since it’s nearing the end of the fiscal year and we have a surplus, I think we can give you … say, two dollars a day.”
“And a train ticket to Pueblo, a stage ticket from Pueblo to Cortez, and enough extra money to outfit myself with a horse, pack animal, and supplies.”
“Christ,” Billy swore, “you really want to go in style, don’t you?”
“I don’t mean to ride no damned burro after this gang, or be laughed at or thought a bum, that’s for certain.”
“I can advance you … a hundred dollars.”
“I won’t do it for less than a hundred and fifty plus the tickets,” Longarm said stubbornly. “Last two times I’ve had to wire for money.”
“And we sent it.”
“Yeah, but it was a huge bother and it exposed me both times. I mean, when you’re supposed to be someone other than a federal lawman, why would you telegraph the federal government for additional expense money?”
“Okay! One hundred and fifty dollars and tickets.”
“Even that probably won’t be enough,” Longarm groused. “Not if this gang is as professional and ruthless as you seem to think they are.”
Billy wasn’t listening. He drew out his brass pocket watch and consulted it, then said, “If you hurried, you could still catch the afternoon train to Pueblo.”
“Are you crazy! It leaves in two hours.”
“You could hail a carriage and-“
“Forget it,” Longarm snapped. “You really have your gall, Billy. I just got back from Montana, half dead and down twenty pounds, and you drag me in here on my first day off and want to send me off to Cortez in less than two hours. Well, dammit, I won’t do it.”
“All right. Calm down. You can catch the train tomorrow afternoon. And you can take the rest of the day off and rest, then get a good sleep tonight and be fresh tomorrow morning when you come in for your travel funds and tickets. How does that sound?”
“Like hell,” Longarm snapped. “You forgot about the letter promising me a month’s paid vacation when I return.”
“Well, sure. I guess I can do that.”
Longarm came to his feet. The meeting was over. “Billy,” he warned, “I want that letter, and if it’s not ready
