Longarm and "Kid" Bodie (9781101622001) (3 page)

Gloria's dark eyes widened with concern. “Custis, you have blood on your shirt!”

He looked down and saw that it was indeed badly stained. “Sorry.”

“What happened to your coat?”

“It's a sad story,” Longarm replied. “I need a couple of drinks before telling it. Can you close up a little early this afternoon?”

“Of course.”

“I'll just wait outside for you.”

“I won't be but a few minutes.” Gloria took his hands and squeezed them tightly. “There was a terrible shooting this afternoon just a few blocks away. Is that why you have bloodstains on your shirt?”

“Yeah.”

She kissed his cheek. “You need to clean up and get a fresh shirt on before we go out for dinner.”

“You're right.”

“I have a shirt that will fit, and I think you might like it better if I cooked us something to eat at my place.”

“You have any whiskey at home?”

“Only brandy and wine, I'm afraid.”

“While you're closing up, I'll get us some whiskey,” he said, wheeling around and leaving the shop.

Longarm had killed a lot of men in war and in the line of duty, but he'd never really gotten used to it. And there was something about the ragged boy and his dog that had touched him with sadness. Bodie and Homer were in trouble even before the shoot-out, and Longarm felt that he had to do something to help them or he'd never really forgive himself.

He just wasn't sure how or what he was going to do next, and there was that damned Sheriff Miller to contend with first thing tomorrow morning. But between then and now was Gloria and tonight, and he was hoping that might be enough to take his mind off all his troubles.

Chapter 3

Longarm bought a pint of excellent whiskey and met Gloria as she was closing up her shop. She took his hand and said, “I live just a short ways up the street. Did you get a bottle of good whiskey?”

“The best.”

“You sound like you need a few good stiff drinks and someone to talk to.”

He nodded. “I had to kill a man just a while ago.”

For a moment, her face reflected shock, but then she said, “I'm sure that you had no choice.”

“I didn't.”

They walked along in silence until they reached the house she rented rooms in. Once inside, Gloria unlocked her door and Longarm followed her inside. The place was much larger than his own, had nice furniture, and was clean. It was obvious at a glance that Gloria took a lot of pride in her surroundings. “Nice place.”

“Thank you. I've only lived here six months, so it's not yet the way I like it, but it's coming along.”

“Looks plenty fine to me.”

Gloria opened the whiskey, poured two glasses, and they sat down next to each other on a comfortable couch. She kicked off her shoes and stretched out, putting her feet on a table. She raised her glass in a silent toast, which he returned. “Make yourself comfortable, Custis.”

Longarm removed his boots, slumped down in the softness of the couch, and took a long swallow. He closed his eyes and felt the heat of the whiskey run right down into his belly. Old Oak Barrel was expensive Kentucky whiskey and well worth the price.

“So,” she said, “do you want to tell me exactly what happened in that shoot-out?”

“Only if you're curious.”

“I am.”

Longarm described the unfolding of the events and ended the account by saying, “That kid from Bodie isn't quite normal. He seems as hard as some of the men I've known in war but at a very young age. I'm sure that's because Bodie is used to nothing but betrayal and deprivation given his very grim childhood circumstances.”

“And what about his parents?” Gloria asked.

“Bodie says that his mother ran off with a gambler a few years ago. The stepfather that was shot dead today brought Bodie to Denver, probably to dump him off at his grandmother's. The way John Stock was dressed and looked, it was clear that the man was penniless, and it's my guess that he was going to try to squeeze some money out of Bodie's grandmother, Ida Clark, and also Aunt Rose. Afterward, I expect John Stock was planning to disappear.”

“So you're saying the stepfather didn't really care much about the boy?”

“I don't think so. And from the way that Bodie is taking this, the feeling was mutual.”

“So what happens to Bodie and Homer?”

“They're staying the night at Dr. Winslow's office. Tomorrow, I've been ordered to deliver the boy to Sheriff Miller's office. Miller isn't on my favorites list. He's tough, ambitious, corrupt, and a bully.”

“Yes,” Gloria said. “I've never heard a good word spoken about the man.”

“I think Sheriff Miller is looking for something dramatic to help him win reelection. Three men died today, and I'm sure he's going to call in the press and try to make himself look good and in control.”

“What do you think will happen to Bodie?”

“I'm afraid that Sheriff Miller might want to temporarily put him in jail and then find some judge who will force Bodie into a place he doesn't deserve to be held.”

“That would be terrible!” Gloria thought a moment. “But wouldn't his grandmother Ida be his closest known relative and have something to say about that?”

“I'd hope so,” Longarm replied. “But I don't know. I don't get the feeling that Bodie has ever even seen his grandmother or aunt, and he certainly hasn't established any kind of relationship.”

Gloria tossed down her drink. “Before you take the boy to see the sheriff, don't you think we should go find Ida Clark and see if she will help and protect Bodie?”

“That might be the best thing to do,” Longarm conceded.

“Well,” Gloria said, “before we do that, you need to get a fresh shirt and coat. We don't want you to shock Ida and Rose or make a bad first impression.”

Longarm had to admit that she was right. “You have a shirt and coat you say might fit me?”

“As a matter of fact I do. It belonged to my late husband, who was as tall as you.” Gloria put her empty glass down and stood up. “Take off your shirt and I'll go get one from the closet.”

Longarm finished his drink and poured another. “You sure are all business.”

“A boy's entire future is at stake, Custis. My motto is business before pleasure.”

“Humph!” Longarm snorted. “Not sure if I agree. And after we find and see if the grandma and the aunt are interested in helping Bodie, when do we get around to the pleasure?”

“In good time,” she said, helping him out of the bloodstained shirt. “All in good time.”

* * * 

Longarm had cleaned himself up, and he supposed he should have gone back to his own place for a clean shirt and coat, but he was in a hurry to settle this matter. Besides, Gloria's late husband had had good taste in clothing.

“This must be their house,” Gloria said, stopping before a large, yellow two-story building with a beautiful rose garden and a white picket fence. The impressive and well-cared-for home was in one of Denver's most prestigious neighborhoods, lined with tall elms.

“Grandma Ida must have gotten some money somewhere,” Longarm said.

“Yes, talk is she was married to a Chicago banker who contracted consumption and came here for the drier climate. He died and Ida sent for Rose, and they've been living here together for quite a few years.”

“All right,” Longarm said, “let's see what they have to say about Bodie.”

When they knocked on the door, an attractive woman in her late forties, with red hair and still a hint of freckles appeared at the door. “Can I help you?”

Longarm removed his hat and introduced himself and Gloria.

“We have something we need to discuss with you and Mrs. Clark,” Longarm said, believing as he did in coming right to the point. “Is Mrs. Clark home?”

“Is something wrong?”

“Well, yes and no,” Longarm replied. “But I'd rather wait and explain it to you both.”

“Oh, dear! This sounds quite serious. Step inside. I'll go get Ida. She's resting upstairs, but I'm sure she'll want to hear what brings you both to our home. Come on in.”

The interior of the big house was lavishly furnished with expensive oil paintings, a winding marble staircase, and then a library filled with books. “Please make yourselves comfortable. I'll be right back with Ida.”

Rose excused herself and returned a few minutes later leading a tall, slender and stately elderly woman by the arm. Ida's long hair was braided silver, her face practically unlined. Longarm had the feeling that Ida Clark had lived a very good and refined life.

“And so, Marshal Long,” Ida said, after more introductions and when they were all seated, “why don't you tell us what brings you and Miss Harmon to our door at this rather late hour of the day.”

Once again, Longarm explained what had happened and why a boy and his dog were now in trouble, with nowhere to turn for help.

Ida and Rose exchanged solemn glances several times during Longarm's account, and when he was finished, Ida said, “So you have found and defended my grandson.”

“Then you know the boy?” Gloria asked, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice.

“No, I do not. But his mother is my daughter, and if the boy has her wild streak, then he's not going to amount to anything and will probably wind up in prison or on a gallows.”

Even Longarm was taken aback. “Mrs. Clark, Bodie is only . . .”

“Marshal, I
know
how old the boy is,” she snapped. “When my daughter was with child, I began sending Ruby money. I sent quite a lot of money to mining and boom towns all over Nevada and California. I sent a large sum of money when Bodie was born and begged my daughter to bring him to Chicago to live with me and my late husband. But Ruby always did have a stubborn and rebellious streak. I don't know what I ever did to deserve such a wild child who would, over the span of many years, break my heart over and over again.”

“Was she your only child?” Longarm asked.

“No, I had a son. Sweet Elmer died when he was eight, of diphtheria.”

“I'm so very sorry.”

Rose Atkinson patted Ida's soft and blue-veined hand. “Marshal Long, as you can see and I'm sure understand, Ida and I have both suffered a great deal from the pain caused by the boy's mother. And while we hope that Bodie will turn out to be a good person, we very much have our doubts. Blood, you see, always wins out in the end.”

“That's not true!” Gloria said, looking shocked and upset. “This boy has
nothing
. He doesn't know where his mother is or even if she is alive. Bodie told Custis that he never knew his real father, and I'm sure that he never will. Mrs. Clark, you and Rose are the only family this boy has on earth. Surely you can show some compassion.”

Ida's face crumpled and tears began to roll down her shrunken cheeks. Her hands fluttered to her chest. “I have a very bad heart, Mrs. Harmon. The doctor says that I am never to get myself upset or my heart might stop. I contribute to many charities here in Denver as does dear Rose. We are good and caring people. It's just that I cannot take any more heartache and disappointment from Ruby or her child.”

“But,” Longarm vigorously protested, “Bodie has never caused you any heartache.”

Ida stood up suddenly, her face tight with strain. “You just told us that this child named Bodie shot a man to death! Do you not think that in and of itself isn't a heartache to his grandmother?”

Longarm conceded the point with a solemn nod of his head. He came to his feet and turned to Gloria. “It appears that we have come here out of the mistaken belief that Bodie's grandmother and aunt would want to help a boy who has nothing but a badly wounded wolf dog. We had better start thinking of what we need to tell Sheriff Miller tomorrow morning in his office that will help Bodie.”

Rose spoke up. “What does Sheriff Miller have to do with anything?”

“He's looking for publicity. He needs some issue to help himself get reelected. I think he'll probably try his best to put both Bodie and me in a very bad light.”

“But you are a United States federal marshal,” Rose argued. “Sheriff Miller can't hurt you for firing on and killing a man in self-defense.”

“That's true,” Longarm admitted. “So he'll have to try to smear the boy. Put him in jail or send him to some reformatory or house for criminally insane children.”

Rose's hand flew to her mouth and she looked as if she might faint. Ida paled, let out a small gasp, and collapsed deeper into her sofa chair.

“Mrs. Clark,” Longarm said, suddenly filled with concern. “Are you going to be all right?”

“Yes,” she whispered, “but please go away!”

Longarm straightened and turned away from the two women. “Gloria, we need to go right now.”

Gloria looked at the two wealthy and very distressed women and nodded. Nothing more was said as she and Longarm walked stiffly down the polished floor and let themselves out. It was dark outside. The perfume of roses filled the air and crickets were chirping madly.

Gloria linked Custis to her with her arm, and they walked several blocks before either one could think of a word to say. Finally, Longarm stopped under a lamp on a street corner and turned to Gloria. “That went pretty bad, didn't it?”

“It was awful,” Gloria replied. “One part of me understands completely why Ida Clark turned such a cold face on her grandson. But another part of me simply cannot understand.”

“It doesn't matter if we understand what Ida and Rose feel,” Longarm said quietly. “We stated the case for Bodie and they made their decision. Now the boy's fate is in my hands.”

“
Our
hands,” Gloria corrected.

“But you haven't even met Bodie.”

“Doesn't matter. He's a boy, and all he has is that badly wounded dog. If Sheriff Miller plans to use Bodie for his personal and ambitious gains, then I'll fight him, and I can be a pretty formidable opponent when I know that I'm right.”

For the first time in a while, Longarm smiled. “Gloria,” he said, “I think you and I are going to make a damned good pair.”

She looked up, and in the lamplight her face was shining with tears. “You really think so?”

“I'm sure of it.”

“I hope so, Custis. Now, why don't we go back to my rooms, pour some more of that whiskey, and I'll make us both something delicious to eat while we figure out what we can do tomorrow morning to protect Bodie from the sheriff.”

“I was hoping we might do something to help us tonight.”

She laughed. “I think I can guess what you have in mind.”

“That right?”

“Yeah.”

“And?”

“Let's just have a few drinks, talk, and see where it all leads.”

“Hopefully to your bedroom.”

“Maybe so,” she said, managing a smile. “You're due for something good to happen, I'd say.”

“I say so too,” he agreed as they crossed the street and walked on.

* * * 

Twenty minutes later they were climbing into Gloria's large feather bed and then Longarm was kissing and touching all the right places. He found Gloria's pleasure spot, and when she began to squirm and moan, he mounted her and they made love with a passion that surprised them both. When it was over, Longarm rolled off the woman and stared up at her bedroom ceiling.

“How long has it been since you've had a man?” he asked quietly.

“Two years.”

“Since your husband.”