Free Longarm and "Kid" Bodie (9781101622001) by Tabor Evans

pressed.
    â€œWell, when John saw those two big men, he turned and I thought he was goin’ to run. But then he whirled back, and that’s when the one killed him and I picked up the derringer and finished the fight.”
    â€œSo,” Longarm mused, “John Stock
did
know those men.”
    â€œI kind of thought he did,” Bodie said. “I never saw a man go so pale as when those two rounded a corner and came face-to-face with us. Now, can I have that letter?”
    Billy nodded. “All right. Would you like me to read it out loud for you?”
    â€œI want to see it first. See if it looks like it was written by my ma.”
    Billy reached into his drawer, drew out the envelope, and then handed it to Bodie. When the kid extracted the letter and saw the bloodstains, his face turned pale. He stared at the letter and looked over the words for a long time and then whispered, “This was writ by my ma.”
    â€œBodie,” Longarm said, “it doesn’t mean for sure that your mother is dead.”
    â€œNo,” Bodie grated, “but it sure seems to be that way.”
    â€œThat’s why I have to go to Virginia City,” Longarm announced. He looked to Billy. “Bodie says he is also determined to go to Virginia City.”
    â€œThat would be very unwise.”
    â€œI know,” Longarm agreed. “But you’re going to have to put him behind bars or he’ll run away and eventually end up on the Comstock Lode. It’d be far better for Billy to accompany me than to go back on his own.”
    â€œIt’s a long way to Virginia City,” Bodie offered. “But one way or another, me and Homer would find a way to get there.”
    â€œYeah,” Billy Vail said, “I’m sure that you would . . . eventually. Now, let me read the letter out loud.”
    Billy read the letter while Custis studied the kid’s face for any clues as to his inner emotions. Despite his young age, Bodie remained stone-faced, barely breathing until the letter was finished and handed back to him.
    â€œWhere is Ma’s jewelry?” Bodie managed to ask, his voice barely louder than a whisper.
    Billy reached into his drawer and brought out the ring and necklace along with the small gold nuggets. “Did you ever hear of this Mr. Burlington?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen your mother must have met him after she left you. Did you even know that she had gone to Virginia City and gotten religion?”
    â€œNope. She disappeared like smoke in wind,” Bodie said. “But if she’s been killed, then I’m glad that she made her peace with God before it happened. And that she had some happiness and love right at the end.”
    Tears began to roll down Bodie’s dusty cheeks.
    â€œI think,” Longarm said, “I’ll take Bodie over to meet his grandmother Ida and aunt Rose. He’ll probably stay with them tonight.”
    â€œIf they’ll put up with my dog.”
    â€œYes, if they’ll do that. And in the morning I’ll buy two train tickets to Reno.”
    Billy’s expression was dark. “Bodie, you know that if there is something bad going on in Virginia City, you could be putting yourself into serious danger. It could even get you killed.”
    â€œWhy would anyone want to kill me?”
    â€œIf your mother married a wealthy man, then you might be a primary benefactor.”
    â€œSpeak plain English,” Bodie demanded.
    â€œWhat he meant to say,” Longarm added, “is that the reason those two big men suddenly showed up is that they were sent to kill John Stock and very possibly you as well. That way, if you had stood to inherit anything, you’d be permanently eliminated.”
    Bodie considered this for a moment. “I don’t expect anyone left me much money.”
    â€œWell,” Longarm countered, “you’d never have expected to be holding a diamond ring and