you.”
“I know,” Longarm said. “It just sort of happened.”
“Well,” Billy groused, “I suggest that you make it unhappen!”
“Not a chance!” Diana shouted. “I’m going with him, or the deal is off!”
The rain began to pour down on them, so Longarm grabbed Diana’s arm and pushed her forward. “Can we argue about who’s going and who’s staying inside the coach?”
“That’s fine with me,” Diana said. “Is Governor Ganzel inside?”
“He is.”
“Then let’s go join him!” Diana said, bounding up the steps to the coach’s platform.
“The governor isn’t going to be pleased about having her in his coach,” Billy said, leaning close to Longarm’s ear. “He isn’t even happy about you using his coach.”
“Tough shit,” Longarm said, cold, wet, and feeling used. “He can call the whole thing off anytime and I won’t complain.”
“The governor and Commissioner Hall aren’t close friends, but they stick together, and that could cost me my job,” Billy said. “So, unless you want a new boss, you might just try to bury your sentiments.”
“All right,” Longarm said grudgingly, “I’ll behave.”
“Thanks.”
The inside of the special coach was plush, with lots of deep-blue velvet curtains and upholstery, brass, and mahogany. Longarm had been inside it only once, and then for just a moment as he’d delivered a message to the governor. But this was altogether different.
“Wow!” Diana squealed as she bounded inside and out of the rain. “What a place!”
The governor as well as three of his aides and Commissioner Hall were huddled together over drinks and conversation. Diana’s entry made them forget whatever they were plotting. The governor was a well-known womanizer in his own right, and now he sprang to his feet, staring at Diana, who managed to look appetizing despite the fact that her wet hair was plastered around her face and her eye makeup had run down her cheeks.
“Well … hello,” the governor said, reaching for a drink. “No one told me you were coming!”
“Life is full of surprises,” Diana said before she smiled and added, “And you are far more handsome than I had been led to believe, Governor.”
Governor Ganzel seemed to almost slump with relief, and he grinned stiffly. Commissioner Hall rolled his eyes upward, and Billy Vail looked as if he were going to be ill as Diana waltzed forward and took the governor’s hand, saying, “I’ve always been such an admirer. I feel as if we’ve known each other … somewhere, somehow.”
“Really?” Ganzel gulped. “I don’t think that’s possible. Unless we met on the street just in passing.”
“That must be it,” Diana said, gazing past the men to admire the plush interior of this special railroad coach. “And it’s going to be such a pleasure to ride up to Cheyenne in your personal coach, Governor.”
“Now, wait a minute!” Commissioner Hall said, coming to his feet. “This is a federal investigation, and we can’t allow civilians to be involved. It could be dangerous.”
“Oh,” Diana said, “I’m very much aware of that, Commissioner. But, you see, Nathan Cox was once an actor. I’m sure that your background search revealed that, didn’t it?”
“Uh … no,” the commissioner stuttered. “I wasn’t aware that he was an actor.”
“A very good one,” Diana assured them. “So, you can well expect that he will have dramatically changed his appearance. I believe you’d have an impossible time identifying Nathan without me. You see, he may change the way he looks, but he couldn’t change his voice or the way he moves. I’d notice those things instantly. That’s why I’m sure you understand why it’s imperative that I accompany Deputy Marshal Long to Cheyenne.”
Diana looked to the governor, who was pouring himself a stiff drink. “Don’t you agree, Governor?”
“Oh, yes!” Ganzel said, tossing whiskey down his gullet. “By all means, go to Cheyenne.”
“I shall,” Diana said. “And what about you, Governor? Are you coming to Cheyenne with us?”
“I can’t. Affairs of state, you understand.”
“Of course.”
“I should go,” Commissioner Hall said. “We’ve people in Cheyenne already and-“
“Malcomb,” the governor said, “I’m sure that we both have pressing matters to attend to right here in Denver, and our engineer says the locomotive has a head of steam and this train is ready to roll north.”
“But-“
“Malcomb,” the governor said, an edge creeping into his voice. “Why don’t we just let these people be on their way. I’m sure that Deputy Marshal Long has everything in control. Isn’t that right?”
“Sure,” Longarm said, totally baffled by what had happened between the governor and Diana Frank yet delighted that the brass was remaining in Cheyenne. “Everything is under control.”
“Excellent!” the governor said, tossing down his drink and rushing for the door.
Commissioner Hall was furious and Billy Vail was just as mystified as Longarm about what had transpired between the governor and the lady. The mystery, however, was solved the moment the train started to roll.
Longarm removed his dripping overcoat and headed for the bar. He was cold and confused.
