“Leon’s the dedicated type, all right,” said Longarm. “You threw quite a scare into him tonight. I don’t figure he’ll ever bother you again.” He urged Janice gently toward the door. “Now we’d better get back to your sister, so that you can put her mind at ease.”
Longarm led her back to the compartment where Julie was waiting. When Julie opened the door and saw her sister standing there, she threw her arms around Janice and hugged her tightly. “I thought something terrible must have happened to you! Don’t scare me that way again!”
“Oh, poo, it didn’t amount to anything,” Janice protested. “I simply had to fend off the amorous attentions of the senator’s assistant, Mr. Mercer.”
Julie leaned back and stared at Janice. “Mr. Mercer?” she repeated. “Are you sure?”
“He was kissing me passionately. I think I’m usually aware of who’s doing something like that.”
Julie laughed. “I might have expected such a thing from the senator himself … but Mr. Mercer?”
Longarm leaned against the compartment door, which he had closed behind him, and watched the two of them dissolve into a fit of giggles. After a moment he reminded them he was there by saying, “I sort of had in mind doing some passionate kissing of my own …”
Julie turned and came into his arms. “Of course you did.” She lifted her lips to his, and the kiss clung for a long moment that had his pulse racing faster than any thoroughbred. “Thank you for rescuing Janice from the clutches of Mr. Mercer.”
“Wait just a minute,” Janice protested. “Custis didn’t have to rescue me. I handled the situation myself.”
Longarm chuckled and told Julie, “She sure did. Had poor old Leon shaking in his spats.”
Janice gently edged Julie aside and gave Longarm a kiss too. “But you were right there to help me in case I needed it,” she whispered. “I appreciate that, Custis.” Her hand dropped to his groin. “And I like to show my appreciation in tangible ways.”
Over the next hour, both sisters showed their appreciation in ways so tangible that by the time they were through, Longarm felt as if he’d been turned inside out and drained of every bit of vitality. It was almost enough to distract him from the real reason he had gotten mixed up with these racing folks in the first place.
Almost …
After the night he’d spent, he had every right to feel groggy, but he woke up clearheaded and alert the next morning. He knew now what he had to do. This case was winding down at last, and he was more than ready for it to come to a successful conclusion.
The train reached Carson City around the middle of the day after that. Longarm had been to the capital city of Nevada many times, but he still enjoyed the clear, cool air and the majesty of the Sierra Nevada rising just to the east of town. The state capitol building with its white dome rising into the blue sky was an impressive structure as well, having been built some ten years earlier of native stone and massive wooden beams. Longarm could see the capitol from the train station. He could also see the racetrack on the eastern edge of town. As usual, it was the immediate destination of most of the people who disembarked from the train.
Longarm stuck with Senator Padgett and Leon Mercer, also as usual. Mercer hadn’t been able to meet Longarm’s eyes squarely ever since the night before last, but Padgett didn’t seem to notice his assistant’s embarrassment. Padgett wasn’t the type to be too observant of the people who worked for him, Longarm thought. As long as they did their jobs and kept things running smoothly, that was all the senator cared about.
While the horses were getting settled in, Longarm wandered around the racetrack, familiarizing himself with the layout of the stands and the adjacent buildings. By the time Padgett was ready to head for the hotel, Longarm knew where everything was. He was satisfied that he would be able to find his way around in the dark.
The hotel was not far from the capitol, and Padgett had been able to book a suite of rooms. As Longarm walked into the sitting room, carrying his war bag and Winchester, he said, “I’ll bunk out here on that big ol’ sofa in the corner, Senator. You and Leon can each have a room to yourself.”
“Why, thank you,” said Padgett, the words sounding more sarcastic than sincere.
Longarm didn’t care. Pretty soon, he wouldn’t have to worry any more about riding herd on this arrogant politician.
The race was scheduled for the following afternoon. Longarm snatched a moment before it started to find the Cassidy sisters in the crowd. He gave each of them a hug and kiss, then said, “I’ve got a good feeling about this race, ladies. My hunch is that when it’s over, you’re going to have yourselves a winner.”
“I hope so,” Julie said fervently. “Matador’s workouts yesterday afternoon and this morning were excellent. If he’s ever going to do it, it might as well be now.”
“Of course he’s going to do it,” Janice said. “You just wait and see!”
“I’ll be pulling for him,” Longarm promised. “Now I reckon I ought to get back to the senator.”
He hesitated a moment longer, looking at the beautiful, anxious, hopeful faces of Janice and Julie Cassidy. If there was any justice in the world, he thought, Matador would come through for them today.
He made his way back to Padgett’s box and found the senator fidgeting nervously with a cigar, waiting for the race to begin. “Where have you been?” Padgett snapped at Longarm.
“Just wishing Miss Julie and Miss Janice good luck today,” said Longarm. He noticed how quickly Leon Mercer averted his eyes at the mention of Janice.
“Wishing them luck?” said Padgett. “Don’t you think you ought to be hoping Caesar wins instead?”
Longarm took his seat in the box and suppressed the surge of irritation he felt. “Senator, I reckon you’ve forgotten … just because I’m following you around trying to make sure you stay alive, that doesn’t mean I’m working for you. The Justice Department still pays my wages.”
“Of course, of course,” Padgett grumbled. “I just thought that since you’re sitting in my box, you ought to root for my horse.”
“Well, I wish you luck too, Senator. I wish everybody in the race luck.” Longarm held up his hands, palms out. “Other than that, I’m impartial.”
