"I'm riding up top with you," he said, climbing up to join the driver.
"You're going to miss out on some good food."
"It'll be worth it," Longarm said, "just to breath some clean air."
The driver nodded with understanding. "I didn't think you'd last very long down there with Agnes, but I figured we'd at least get out of Wickenburg before you come up from down below."
"Well," Longarm said, jamming a cheroot between his teeth, "you figured wrong. Now let's go!"
The driver snapped his whip and the stage rolled out of town. Longarm was still so riled that he chewed his cheroot right down to a nub before they'd gone a mile.
CHAPTER 18
When Longarm finally returned to Yuma, he went straight to see Judge Harvey Benton and found the man presiding over his court. Longarm cooled his heels in the hallway for almost an hour before the bailiff led a disreputable-looking man out wearing a pair of handcuffs.
"Yuma Prison for drunk and disorderly!" the prisoner wailed. "My God, what kind of justice is that!"
"It's the kind of justice that repeat offenders like you will get in his court," the bailiff said without a hint of sympathy. "What do you expect? This is the fifth time you've been hauled in here in the last two months."
"But... but I didn't get drunk for three days straight this time! And I didn't steal but five dollars and change."
"Well," the bailiff said as they marched down the hallway, "I guess you'll have plenty of time to sober up and change your ways. A year in prison might be the best thing that ever happened to you."
"It'll kill me is what it'll do!"
"No, it won't," the bailiff said. "People come out of there a whole hell of a lot healthier than when they come in. Lighter, sure, but also healthier."
"Oh, God!"
Longarm shook his head. He couldn't muster up much sympathy for the prisoner because a thief was a thief. Furthermore, Longarm had seen too damn many drunks go on rampages and kill innocent people. When honest men got drunk, they stayed honest, but a bad one always showed his true colors.
Longarm stepped into the judge's quarters. "Judge Benton?"
The judge looked up from his bench, and when he saw Longarm he smiled with relief. "I was beginning to wonder what happened to you, Marshal."
"Well," Longarm said, "I had some problems."
"I'm listening."
Longarm told the judge about how he'd arrested Hal Brodie for the murder of Lucy's husband. "Of course, he strenuously objected and even threatened me, saying that it was just his word against that of the Mexican girl."
"I'm sure he'll be convicted and sentenced," the judge said, "But where is the man?"
Longarm told Benton about the surprise attack on the muddy and slippery road leading down from Prescott to Wickenburg and how Brodie had plunged to his death.
"But I was lucky enough to kill Padilla and Lopez. Juan Ortega, Don Luis's brother, escaped, but I should be able to find him on my way back through Prescott."
"I'm afraid," the judge said, "that you're still going to have to take our female prisoners to Colorado."
Longarm almost burst a blood vessel. "Judge, haven't I got enough trouble without having to nursemaid a bunch of women back to Colorado!"
"Yes," Benton said sympathetically, "you most certainly have. But these prisoners have to be transported to Denver by a federal marshal."
"But Judge, I-"
"I'm going to reduce the number of prisoners from one dozen to ten, and I'll assign you two excellent Arizona prison guards to help you. I promise, the task will not be difficult or dangerous."
"Any time you have custody of women, things get complicated," Longarm said angrily. "And don't forget, I'll need to find and arrest Ortega."
"Yes," the judge said, "and I know you'll do that without great difficulty. But before you leave Yuma, you must take custody of the ten women prisoners and deliver them to Denver. I've been in touch with your Denver office. A Marshal William Vail. We've exchanged several telegrams and he has assured me that you are the ideal candidate for this job."
"Excuse my French," Longarm growled, "but that's just pure horseshit."
Benton's eyebrows knitted. "Marshal," he said sternly, "you've been ordered to perform an important job and you will do it. Perhaps not very cheerfully, but you will do it."
"Yes, sir."
The judge relaxed. "When would you like to depart with the prison wagon and your charges?"
"Early tomorrow."
"That can be arranged."
Longarm turned to go. He was steamed about this, but there seemed nothing to do but follow orders. Besides, once back in Denver, he'd have three glorious weeks of paid vacation coming and have a wonderful time.
"Marshal Long?"
Longarm stopped at the door and turned. "Yes?"
"I'm going to write a commendation for you and send it to the Governor of Colorado. What you've done for us down here in Arizona is truly remarkable."
"You don't need to do that."
"Of course I don't," Benton said, "but I'm going to anyway. You're a credit to your profession, and that brings me to the sad fact that Marshal Haggerty is probably a discredit to his profession."
Longarm didn't say anything. He didn't like the idea of criticizing a fellow law officer, even one that appeared to be corrupt.
The judge leaned forward, his face very intent as he studied Longarm. "Is the marshal in Prescott a discredit to your profession?"
"I don't know," Longarm said truthfully. "I guess, if I can take Juan Ortega alive, I'll make him answer that question."
"If Haggerty was in on this killing, or even if he was just aware of it and failed to carry out justice in the hope of monetary reward, then he needs to be removed from office at once."
"Yes, sir."
"Good luck, Marshal!"
"I'll need it."
"I don't think so," the judge said. "Men like you don't rely on luck. You're just too good."
Despite his anger, Longarm found himself warmed by the flattery. He bade the judge good-bye, and went to find Lucy and tell her that she was no longer a suspect in the murder of her husband.
Longarm found Lucy shopping in one of Yuma's better mercantile stores, and when she saw him she let out a squeal of delight and rushed into his arms.
"Custis! Whatever took you so long to return!"
"Come outside and I'll tell you all about it," he said, not wanting to speak about his adventures and neardemise in front of the other customers, who were straining to overhear without being too obvious with their curiosity.
Lucy quickly paid for a few items and they left to walk down the street. When no one could overhear them, Longarm quickly told Lucy about the death of Hal Brodie, Manuel Padilla, and Renaldo Lopez.
"Only Juan Ortega escaped, and I expect I'll find him in Prescott."
"Yes," Lucy agreed. "And I'm coming with you."
"That wouldn't be a good idea," Longarm said, telling her about the ten Yuma Prison female inmates. "I will have to stay with their prison wagon."
"Then I'll go ahead of you."
"No."
"Custis, my home is in Prescott! You can't order me not to return."
"Just... just stay here out of harm's way until I arrest or kill Ortega. You can return after that."
Lucy didn't look pleased, but Longarm knew that he was doing the right thing. "It will only be a few days at most," he added. "But to be on the safe side, give it a week."
"I'll give it five days," she decided. "And what about Maria Escobar? Can she return to Prescott?"
"Check with Judge Benton," Longarm said. "But I don't see any reason why she couldn't return with you. Especially since Juan Ortega is the only man who would have any reason for seeing her dead."
"All right," Lucy agreed. "Five days."
"You got any money?" Longarm asked. "I'm low on funds."
"Of course, and I'll buy you supper, after we have a little time together in my hotel room."
"Shameful woman," Longarm said, slipping his arm around Lucy's waist.
She pushed it away and said, "Later."
Longarm grinned because he knew that they would probably be in Lucy's bed within fifteen minutes.