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

vanished, and that’s a fact. We may find him and we may not.
    â€œErik had some weird experiences. He has told me of them. He has met at least one very beautiful woman from the Other Side—”
    â€œAre you kidding?”
    â€œI am serious. And a warning, Officer. If you meet her, leave her alone or you will die.”
    â€œShe is a Poison Woman,” Kawasi said. “I believe there are six now.”
    â€œA Poison Woman?”
    â€œThe story seems to be that such women are impregnated with poison to which they are immune, but which will kill any man who touches them. Sexually, I mean. I’ve heard such stories in the Middle East and India.”
    â€œKind of takes the fun out of things, doesn’t it?” Gallagher glanced at Kawasi. “Do you believe that?”
    â€œI do.”
    He shook his head. “Well, you’ve got her convinced, anyway.”
    â€œI told him,” Kawasi said. “I warned him as I warn you. She belongs to The Hand.”
    â€œThe ‘Hand’?”
    â€œHe who rules is called The Hand.”
    Gallagher stared at her. “I don’t know what to believe. I started out buying part of this, anyway, but now…well, I don’t know.”
    â€œIt is true,” Kawasi said.
    â€œYou believe in this Third World?” Gallagher asked skeptically. “You really believe in it?”
    She was very cool, and very beautiful. “I believe in it. I have to believe in it. I have lived there all my life until now.”
    Chapter 9
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    G ALLAGHER STARED AT her for a moment. Then his attention shifted to Raglan. “I’d better deal with something I’m fitted for.
    â€œThat man, now? The one who came into your condo? You got anything more than his height and weight? And that he was a ‘professional’—whatever that means?”
    â€œYou’re a professional, Gallagher, in your way. He was a professional, too. As to description: He had a scar, maybe two inches long, on his right jawbone. His ears were flat and close-set, not much in the way of lobes. His hairline was low—if it wasn’t a hairpiece, and I doubt it was. His skin color was a little darker than Kawasi’s and his eyes were smaller—a strong-boned, rather hard face, fleshy over the cheekbones.”
    â€œYou’re pretty good,” Gallagher said. He made some notes, then glanced up at Raglan. “If you figure on going out to that mesa where Hokart was building, be careful. When you turn off the highway you’ll be on your own.”
    He turned to Kawasi. “I’m not buyin’ what you say, meaning no disrespect. It’s pretty far-out, you’ve got to admit that, but let’s suppose what you say is true. What’s it like over there?”
    â€œLike here, but different. The sun is…is not the same. It is like sun shining through mist. There are many green fields, many meadows, all watered by ditches.”
    Gallagher got up. “You going down there? To where Hokart was building?”
    â€œI think so.”
    â€œWhere else?”
    â€œI’ll be there, here, at Tamarron, or en route, but I’m not looking for trouble. I do want to find him and get him out of any trouble he might be in.”
    â€œBe careful.” Gallagher started away. “Poison Woman? Boy, that’s a new one!”
    â€œVery old, actually. The story was that if a king wanted to get rid of a rival he just made him a present of such a girl. After that, no trouble.”
    Gallagher shrugged. “Well, if you got to go…”
    When he was gone, Kawasi looked at Mike. “Who he is?”
    â€œThe law. He’s an officer. Investigates crimes, things like the fire. Don’t underrate him. I think he’s a very smart, very cagey young man.”
    â€œHe is good?”
    â€œI think so. And capable.”
    â€œHe did not believe me.”
    Raglan waved his hand around. “None of them