“A little worse for wear,” Noah said, opening his arms for Stella. “But I’m fine … thanks to your friend.”
“Think nothing of it,” Longarm said, “but I’m glad that you have both decided to leave after your wedding. I’m afraid that we both made some enemies tonight.”
“No loss considering the nature of that bunch,” Noah said.”
“Well,” Longarm answered, “I’m sure that you’re right but just be careful for a few days until things cool down. I’ll be taking up residence at the jail until we can get a judge, jury, and a trial over with. Or until I can find someone else to replace Marshal Walker.”
“Can you really stay that long?” Stella asked.
“I’ll have to,” Longarm said. “First thing in the morning I’ll get a telegram off to my boss in Denver telling him the situation. I’m sure he’ll understand. We’re Feds, but we still have an obligation to step in and preserve local law when there is no local authority left standing.”
Stella nodded and kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Custis. Thanks a lot! You couldn’t have given me a better wedding present than to keep Noah from being seriously hurt … or killed.”
“Just watch out for him, Stella. I saw a lot of hatred in that mob and I expect it to last a while. So be careful.”
“We will. You too!”
“Count on it,” Longarm said as he hauled the two fallen prisoners to their feet and prodded them back toward the jail.
Chapter 8
Longarm had a troubled night. Several times, members of the lynch mob came by the marshal’s office to curse and taunt him into stepping out into the street, but Longarm ignored them and kept the front door bolted shut. He drifted off to sleep just before morning, and didn’t awaken until nine ‘clock when there was a pounding at the door.
“Marshal Long! It’s Doc Davis. Open up!”
Longarm rolled off the bunk and hurried to the front door, which he unbolted. Dr. Davis looked very haggard, but he had a smile on his face.
“How is Marshal Walker?” Longarm asked as he let the man inside and quickly closed and bolted the door behind him.
“Pete is a fighter and I think he will pull through. My main concern is that he doesn’t contract a brain infection.”
“That’s fine news.”
“How are you and the prisoners holding up?” the doctor asked, looking toward the cells.
“As you can see, they’re still sleeping. They’re pretty badly shaken, but otherwise fine.”
“The merciful thing might just have been to let them swing,” the doctor told him. “I mean … I know you’re sworn to uphold the law, but given the circumstances, it wasn’t worth almost losing Pete Walker.”
“It’s a matter of principle,” Longarm told the physician. “When a good lawman takes an oath to uphold the law, he isn’t about to allow a lynch mob to have its way. Our oath of office means as much to Pete and me as your Hippocratic oath does to you.”
“Of course it does,” Dr. Davis said, “and I apologize for my thoughtless remarks. But I am very concerned about the talk I’m hearing this morning on the streets.”
“What are you hearing?”
“I’m hearing no regrets about the lynchings last night—only about the fact that you saved those last two.”
“We need to get a judge here right away,” Longarm said. “Where would he come from?”
“Sacramento. I have connections in the state capital. Would you like me to send out a few telegraphs informing the governor that we need a judge and some new local authority up here right away?”
“That would be a big help,” Longarm said. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to send for help and also keep an eye on these prisoners.”
“Consider it done,” the doctor said. “Do your prisoners need any medical attention?”
“No, but given the certainty of their fate, they could probably use some spiritual comforting.”
“Sorry, but that’s not my line. I could send someone over to speak to them if …”
“Don’t bother,” Longarm said. “I’ve seen a lot of men face death, and unless they ask for a man of God, they aren’t ready to listen. Just go send that telegram and let’s try to keep a tight lid on this town.”
“Miss Vacarro really wanted to come by and visit you this morning,” the doctor said, “but I told her that might not be such a good idea.”
“It wouldn’t be,” Longarm agreed. “She’s already the object of scorn by most of the so-called respectable citizens. Coming here would just give them more ammunition. Tell her that I am fine but that I might not be able to make it to her wedding on Saturday.”
“She’s postponed it,” the doctor said. “Given what happened last night, she told me to tell you that she and Noah have decided to wait another few weeks until things settle down.”
“They ought to just elope,” Longarm growled. “Stella will never be accepted in Auburn, and I suspect that poor Noah lost a good many friends last night.”
“He sure did,” Davis agreed. “But I admire him for standing up for what he believes. Although to be honest, I’m convinced that we’d have been better served if all five of the prisoners had been lynched.”
“You’d better get going,” Longarm said, taking a peek out the window. “After you send the telegrams, see if you can get some food sent over here, but make sure it hasn’t been poisoned.”
“I’ll do that.”
“And keep me posted about what is going on,” Longarm added. “Especially on Marshal Walker’s condition.”
“I’m more optimistic about that than anything else,” the doctor said as he opened the door and stepped outside. “You’re the one that I’m really worried about, Marshal.”
“Don’t waste your time worrying about me,” Longarm told the man. “Just take care of Walker and those telegrams. Speaking of which, I need to send one to my boss in Denver explaining my predicament and the fact that I will probably be late in returning to work.”
“Damned late, I expect.”
“Depends on how swift justice works in a California court,” Longarm said before he closed the door.
“Hey, Marshal!” one of the prisoners called. “What about some breakfast!”
Longarm went back to stand before the cell, where he studied the two men. They were both in their late twenties or early thirties, and he couldn’t help but think about how terrified they’d been the night before while they were groveling in the dirt and waiting for their turn to be hanged.
Longarm grabbed the bars and leaned forward until his face was almost up against the cell. “You know,” he said, “you boys have cost me a lot of trouble already. If I hear any complaints, any whatsoever, I may just toss you to the wolves.”
“No, you won’t,” the one who was doing all the talking said. “I overheard you telling Doc all that crap about taking an oath to uphold the law. And I remember what you said to the mob last night.” The train robber sneered. “Marshal, you couldn’t give us up even if you wanted.”
Longarm shrugged. “I guess you’re a real bright fella. Got me all figured out and everything.”
“You bet I have! And I’m going to escape too. Maybe not today, but I won’t be hanged.”
“What’s your name?” Longarm asked.
“Why you want to know?”
“Just thought you might appreciate me sending a note to tell Your family you went kicking your way into Hell at the end of a rope. That’s all.”
“You go to Hell!”
Longarm chuckled. “I guess that means that you got no family, huh? Probably just as well. What about your friend?”
“My name is William Pierce,” the quiet one said, coming to his feet. “And I’ll give you the names and address of my family and Jack’s family on the day we hang.”