“Or,” Billy was saying, “I could send Slim Behan. He doesn’t seem to have much to do right now.”
“Slim wouldn’t stand a chance,” Longarm replied. “And he hates the desert. He’d get down there and maybe ask a few questions. Then he’d dive into a saloon and spend all his expense money and have to wire you for more. In the end, you’d have to recall Slim and send me after I return from vacation.”
“Yeah,” Billy agreed, “you’re probably right. So why don’t you accept my offer and save us all a lot of time, money, and grief? I know that you could use the travel and expense money.”
“Sure I could, but..
“I’ll wire the marshal in Prescott and give him-” Billy stopped in mid-sentence, causing Longarm to blink and say, “What?”
“Oh, I just forgot that the marshal in Prescott was one of the ones that Hank Bass gunned down.”
“Aw, shit,” Longarm growled. “What about Wickenburg?”
“I don’t know,” Billy said, looking doubtful. “It’s got such a raw reputation that I doubt they’ve got a lawman there anymore either.”
Longarm expelled a deep breath. “All right,” he said, pulling out his Ingersol pocket watch and consulting the time. “I’ve got a lot of packing and some details to follow up on this evening before I head out of town. How soon can you have the money?”
“Tomorrow afternoon?”
“Too late. You know as well as I do that the train leaves at noon.”
“Sorry,” Billy said, shrugging as if it made no difference. “I guess that leaves you only two choices. Wait for a couple of days until the next train leaves, or go on your own dime and allow me to wire your money to the bank at Prescott.”
Longarm didn’t like the choices. He much preferred to have government travel and expense money in hand, but he did not wish to wait a few more extra days. After a few moments of deliberation, he reluctantly nodded his agreement.
“But my expense money had better be waiting in Prescott or I’m not giving this Hank Bass a second thought,” he warned. “My priority is to find and help my old friend, Jimmy Cox.”
“And maybe gain his enduring gratitude and a part of his Spanish treasure?”
Longarm scowled. “That’s not the reason I’m skipping New Orleans and you know it.”
“Yeah, I do,” Billy said, looking contrite. “And I apologize for making the suggestion. It was unfair and I’m ashamed of myself.”
“You ought to be,” Longarm said, coming to his feet. “All right then, I’ll wire you back from Prescott when I’ve gotten the money and your man.”
“Be careful of Hank Bass and watch out for trouble.”
“I will,” Longarm promised.
Longarm shook Billy’s hand and headed for the door. Stopping, he turned to add, “Government expenses should include all rail and stage travel as well as the rental of a good horse for at least three weeks, plus food and lodging. Right?”
“Sure!”
“A hundred dollars will get me started,” Longarm decided. “So that’s what I’ll be expecting when I get to Prescott.”
“Consider it already in their bank,” Billy told him with a broad, genial smile. “And good luck! I can hardly wait to meet Hank Bass and see him stand before a judge and jury, then be sentenced to the gallows.”
“For government mail theft?”
“And for murder, rape, and who knows what else.”
“Okay,” Longarm said. “You know that I’ll try my best to bring him back alive. But I won’t pussyfoot around and I’ll kill him if he attempts to kill me first or escape.”
“He will,” Billy promised. “But, if you do that, at least hire a decent photographer to take a picture of his corpse. I’ll need one for my files and to satisfy my superiors.”
“Sure thing,” Longarm called, heading down the now empty federal building hallway.
Chapter 3
Longarm went back to his room and packed for his trip, then hurried over to see a voluptuous young woman by the name of Dolly St. Claire that he wanted to take to dinner and then to bed.
“You’re early!” Dolly cried, opening the door and throwing her arms around Longarm’s neck while still dressed in only her bra and underpants. “My gawd, you’re really early!”
Dolly was very strong and she could almost crack a man’s neck when she became too exuberant. Longarm had to pry her off and then he stepped back, saying, “I thought we might go somewhere special this evening.”
“Sure.” Dolly’s pretty blue eyes clouded and her full lips formed a childish pout. “On account of your goin on vacation and not wanting to take me along.”
“I’d like to take you,” Longarm said, not wanting to go over this same contentious ground. “But, as it turns out, I’m not going to New Orleans after all.”
“You’re not?!”
“No,” Longarm said, shutting and locking the door as his eyes dropped to Dolly’s wondrous and bullying breasts.
