Free Novel 1987 - The Haunted Mesa (v5.0) by Louis L’Amour

didn’t kill you,” Gallagher said.
    Raglan smiled. “I think I could have persuaded him not to,” he said mildly.
    Gallagher looked at him again. “You got a description?”
    â€œAbout five nine or ten, judging by his height against the bar, dark hair and eyes, swarthy skin. Very broad-shouldered. My feeling was that he was a very tough, dangerous man.”
    â€œWhat makes you think so?”
    â€œHe was under control. Not the least nervous. He took in the situation at a glance. He saw I wasn’t going to try to stop him and knew an attempt to kill me would stir up more trouble than it was worth. My feeling was that he was a professional, knew what he was doing at every step, and was not to be stampeded. He just turned and went out.”
    â€œAnd then?”
    â€œI went to the window and watched him cross the snow to the highway. He got into a white van. It pulled away toward Durango.”
    â€œYou called him a professional. What did you mean?”
    â€œJust what I said. I’ve known such men in a dozen countries. He was a CIA, FBI, KGB type. He knew exactly what he was doing and didn’t plan to do any more or any less.”
    â€œWhat did he weigh?”
    â€œAbout my weight. One-ninety, I’d say, but to most people he would look fifteen pounds lighter. Moved like a cat. He was nobody to play games with.”
    â€œThis Hokart—he ever work for the government? Secret stuff?”
    â€œNot lately—at least not that I know of. He’s done something of the sort in the past.”
    Nobody spoke for several minutes. The officer impressed him, so Raglan decided to take a chance. If he told the man what he believed he might be considered off his rocker, but he wanted to prepare Gallagher for what he might encounter. This was no time to let such a man go it blind.
    â€œI take it you’ve been around here for some time.”
    â€œMost of my adult years. Why?”
    Again Mike hesitated. “This used to be considered kind of spooky country. I don’t mean right here, but off there toward the river. When Hokart asked me to come out, I had the impression that whatever was worrying him was from around here.
    â€œYou may believe I’m nuts but I think we’re walking on the thin edge of something. I wouldn’t want a lot of people down there, disturbing things. If you decide to go down there, take somebody who can keep his mouth shut and somebody who knows this country.”
    Gallagher sat back and stared at Mike. Then he half-turned. “Marie? Bring me a cheeseburger. On rye. And bring us some more coffee.”
    He glanced out of the window, following Raglan’s eyes. “You expecting somebody?”
    â€œYes, and no. Nor was I last night when that man came into my condo. I am watching for a white van.”
    â€œThere’s been one around. I’ve seen one twice in the past couple of days.” Gallagher glanced back. “What made Hokart decide to build down there? Of all places?”
    â€œHe’d flown over this country going and coming, and fell in love with the beauty of it. He decided he wanted a home atop a mesa, some place where he could sit and think. He planned to build it himself, out of native rock. He was handy with tools, and he was in no hurry.”
    â€œThat’s the last place in the world I’d choose.”
    Their eyes were on Gallagher, waiting. “Used to be some Paiutes lived down there. All gone now. Nobody seems to know where. There were a couple of mining ventures, too, but they didn’t last long.” He looked directly at Raglan. “Kind of creepy, they said.”
    Gallagher nursed his cup in both hands. He was studying Raglan. “I’m beginning to place you now. You’re a writer, you say. Are you the Raglan who debunks mysteries? Haunted houses and the like?”
    â€œYes, but let’s just say that I investigate mysteries. I’m not debunking