Veronica barely recognized Longarm when he took his seat. 'What a difference two hours can make!' she exclaimed. 'How could you get so much done in such a short time?'
'The Chinese are amazing people,' Longarm explained. 'They can do miracles and are extremely quick and efficient.'
Veronica smiled. 'I have to admit that I didn't realize how handsome a man you are, Custis.'
'I hope that we have a chance to become better acquainted in Reno.'
'I doubt that will be possible.'
'Oh?'
'You told me that there was another train wreck at Donner Pass. I'm sure that every bit of your time and energy will be directed toward that terrible crime.'
'Well, it will,' he said quickly. 'But these things don't usually take forever to clear up. I was thinking about afterward.'
'Afterward what?'
Longarm took Veronica's hand. 'Afterward we might go for a long buggy ride and then have dinner.'
'That would be lovely... if it's all that you have in mind.'
He decided to act mildly offended. 'Why, Miss Greenwald! Whatever are you trying to say?'
'I'm trying to say that when you fell asleep this afternoon you had what appeared to be a very... stimulating dream.'
'I did?'
'Yes. Very! You were calling a woman by name.'
'I was?' Longarm could feel his cheeks warming.
'A Miss Martha Noble... at first.'
Longarm gulped. 'You mean there were others?'
'Oh, yes! Surely the name of a woman named Milly is enough to quicken your desire, eh, Mr. Long?'
Longarm sighed. There was really nothing he could say, so he excused himself and went for a short walk and to smoke a cheroot. Maybe by the time they arrived in Reno, Miss Greenwald would be inclined to forget about his amorous past.
CHAPTER 14
When the train finally pulled into Reno, a federal marshal was standing in the depot waiting for Longarm. His tone and manner were decidedly unfriendly. 'Custis Long?' he asked around a wad of chewing tobacco.
'That's my name.' Longarm said, noting the man's badge and the worn six-gun strapped low on his hip. Longarm stuck out his hand.
The marshal ignored the offered handshake. He was a big, heavy-set man with muttonchop whiskers and a potbelly. He had deep-set eyes and a fist-busted nose. Longarm pegged him for a one-time rounder.
Spitting a long stream of tobacco juice onto the depot floor, the marshal barked, 'Follow me.'
Longarm bristled, taking an instant dislike to this man. People who knew Longarm quickly learned that a smile and a request would work wonders, but that a command would have quite the opposite reaction. 'I'll be along soon enough.'
'You'll come now!'
Longarm smiled, but there was no warmth in his expression when he drawled, 'The hell you say.'
The marshal had been about to turn and lead them out of the throng of milling train passengers, their friends, and their families when Longarm's words pulled him up short.
'Listen to me,' the marshal said, swinging around and jabbing a finger at Longarm. 'You may be someone out in Colorado. I don't know and I don't care. But this is Nevada and you're going to be working for me and taking my orders. And the first order is get your skinny ass moving and follow me!'
Longarm glanced over at Veronica Greenwald, who was standing nearby and gave him a nervous smile. Longarm had promised to wait and make sure that there was someone to greet Veronica from the new school where she was supposed to work. Unfortunately, it didn't look like anyone had bothered to welcome her to the West and serve as her escort.
'What's your name, Marshal?' Longarm said, turning his attention back to the big man.
'Denton. Bill Denton. Now-'
Longarm cut the man off short. 'Well, Denton, you see this young schoolmarm waiting for someone to greet her?'
Denton scowled at Veronica. 'Yeah. What about her?'
'I'm going to help her find the school where she is starting a new teaching job.'
Denton exploded. 'Don't you understand English? I said you're coming with me right now!'
Longarm gave up on the big fool. He turned on his heel toward Veronica, but Denton grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around.
Longarm drove a powerful uppercut to Denton's protruding gut. The marshal was caught flat-footed with surprise. His mouth, twisted in anger, formed a big circle, and his eyes bugged as he sucked for air and tried to
