anything. He didn't seem the sort to ride with an outlaw gang. Still, he might know someone who did. Or just as likely, he might even know who owned the horse with the broken right shoe, and might even decide that he could use his information for a share of the train's bounty.
Yes, sir, Longarm thought, Ned Rowe had the cunning look of a person who would have no qualms about playing both sides against the middle in order to gain a windfall. The man would definitely bear watching and another visit.
The other blacksmith was far more cooperative. His name was Jimmie Jeter and he was a short, balding man considerably past his prime for this hard and dangerous work. In addition to being a blacksmith, he ran a livery stable.
'Sure, Deputy, I'll watch for a horse like that. And how much did you say the reward might be?'
'I didn't say,' Longarm told the man. 'But it could be a considerable amount of money.'
'Have you already visited Ned Rowe?'
'I have.'
'Too bad.'
'Why?'
Jimmy shrugged. With one worn boot heel hooked over a bottom fence rail and his arms hooked over the top fence rail, he was as relaxed as Ned Rowe had been angry.
'Well, Deputy Long, it might interest you to know that Ned's brother was hanged for horse thieving about two years ago. His father was a cattle rustler and hanged about three years before that. He's got a younger sister who's a whore in Rock Springs, and his mother shot herself last winter.'
'Sounds like a sorry family.'
'The Rowes are trash and always have been. Ned is as crooked as a dog's hind leg.'
'I see.' Longarm hooked his own heel over the rail and gazed off toward the distant mountains. 'Jimmie, are you suggesting that Ned might be mixed up with the train robberies?'
'Oh,' Jimmie drawled, 'I'm not suggesting anything. He's mean and drinks too damn much. He's awful with horses and not much of a shoer, but I sure wouldn't want to see him get into trouble.'
'Ned says that his business isn't very good.'
''Course it isn't! Word gets around. He'll whip a horse with his shoeing file. He's lamed a few by cutting them to the quick because he gets angry and impatient. I'm not just saying that because he's my only competitor, Deputy.'
'I'm sure you're not.'
'The truth of the matter is,' Jimmie said, chewing on a stem of alfalfa, 'Ned has a wild streak. Sometimes he just closes his shop, saddles a horse, and rides off for a few days at a time.'
'Any idea where he might go?'
'Nope. I'm told that Ned rides over to Cheyenne and gets drunk. My wife thinks that Ned has a whore over there that he's fond of dallying with.'
'What do you think Ned does?'
'I think he's foolin' around with more than whiskey and bad women,' Jimmie said.
Longarm waited for a further explanation. When it became obvious that it would not be forthcoming, he said, 'Why do you think he's up to something illegal?'
'Because Ned always returns with more money than he leaves with.'
'Maybe he goes to Cheyenne and shoes a few horses.'
Jimmie chuckled softly. 'Hell, Deputy! You've got a fine sense of humor, don't you?'
Longarm hadn't meant for his remark to be humorous. 'Watch for that horse with the broken shoe, Jimmie. If it shows up, get word to me right away at the hotel or track me down here in town.'
'What about the sheriff? You going to be working with him on this?'
'I've never met the man.'
'He's new,' Jimmie said. 'I don't trust him any more than I do Ned Rowe.'
Longarm frowned. 'Jimmie, despite your easygoing ways, I'm beginning to wonder if you're just naturally a suspicious kind of fella.'
Jimmie laughed outright. 'Deputy, if you think I'm suspicious, just you trot on over to pay your respects to Sheriff Cotton. He'll make you suspicious too, and he's the sheriff!'
'I will pay him a visit.'
'Do yourself a favor.'
'What's that?'
The smile died on Jimmie's wrinkled face. 'Let's just keep the broken horseshoe thing to ourselves for a few days. Never mind the fool sheriff. If the horse comes to town and its owner knows anything about my reputation, he'll bring the animal here.'
'And if he brings the horse to Ned?'
'Then I'd say you have two of the train robbers caught dead to rights.'
