Longarm and the Dime Novelist by Tabor Evans Read Free Book Online

idea,” Longarm countered. “Real bad.”
    â€œShe wants stories.”
    â€œThat’s right, she does. But we want justice and the two are not the same.”
    â€œI see your point.” Billy stuck out his hand. “Good luck, Custis.”
    â€œHey,” Schilling called, hurrying up to Longarm. “You going to Nevada on that murder case?”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œI’d like to go along.”
    â€œSorry. Maybe next time.”
    Schilling’s face darkened. “I don’t know why you get all the best assignments.”
    â€œI know why,” Longarm said, “because I deliver and don’t screw up.”
    Schilling’s face reddened. “Maybe this time you’ll meet your match and your maker. When that happens, I’ll get to travel and build my own reputation.”
    â€œBuilding a reputation is the last thing a lawman wants or needs. But you wouldn’t understand that, Pete, because you’re not only arrogant but inept and stupid.”
    Before Schilling could reply, Longarm brushed past the man and headed out of the office. When he’d arrived less than an hour ago, he’d felt jaded but now with a mission in mind, he felt suddenly rejuvenated. John and Agnes Pierce had been a fine couple. And their daughter was the love of their lives. Now, the family had been destroyed along with their hopes and dreams.
    Longarm stepped out of the Federal Building and pulled his hat down low. A cold wind was blowing out of the northwest and storm clouds were piling up over the Rocky Mountains. Reno would probably also be cold with snow . . . but perhaps not as much and he knew that down in Mexico, the days would be warm and sunny.
    But he hoped he would not have to go that far because a pretty girl like Emily could disappear down there and never be seen or heard from again.

Chapter 6
    â€œGoing somewhere?” the voice in the hallway asked.
    Longarm turned to see Delia standing by the door that he had forgotten to close. “Hello.”
    She stepped inside, eyes on his traveling bag stuffed with a change of clothes and a box of ammunition. “I would hate to think that you were running out on me after last night.”
    â€œI have to catch the four o’clock train up to Cheyenne.”
    She folded her arms across her chest. “Do you mind telling me why?”
    Longarm finished stuffing his bag and then he said, “Come on in and close the door.”
    â€œFrom the expression on your face and the fact that you’re preparing to leave town tells me that you aren’t interested in making love right now.”
    â€œNo, I’m afraid that I’m not,” he admitted.
    â€œYou were just going to run out on me without a word of explanation after what we did most of last night?”
    â€œI didn’t have time to track you down,” he said, knowing it sounded lame. “I would have sent you a telegram in a few days.”
    â€œI don’t think so.” She frowned and tried to hide her disappointment. “You’re going out on an assignment. Are you going tell me about it?”
    Longarm didn’t think that Delia was hurt . . . but he wasn’t certain. So far she seemed so matter-of-fact about their relationship and lovemaking. Passionate and energetic but not by any stretch of the imagination was she in love with him and feeling heartbroken.
    â€œA lawman friend of mine and his wife were shot to death in an ambush on their way from Reno to Carson City. Apparently Marshal Pierce had come into a sizable inheritance. Maybe he had a friend or someone he trusted and wanted the man to invest his money in Carson City. I just don’t know. But the couple was killed and their daughter abducted.”
    Delia’s blue eyes widened. “I suppose I can understand the ambush if your marshal friend and his wife were carrying money . . . but I don’t at all