Longarm 245: Longarm and the Vanishing Virgin Read Free Page B

you to take an assignment that’s technically out of our jurisdiction.”
    The answer didn’t particularly surprise Longarm, and he knew Vail meant it. Billy was just as human as the next fella, and when a couple of gents as rich and powerful as Bryce Canady and Senator Jonas Palmer came to him asking for his assistance, his first impulse would be to help them. But Billy Vail was a lawman, first and foremost, and he wasn’t going to force anybody else to bend the rules, not even for a good cause. Longarm knew that he could turn down this job if that was what he wanted.
    On the other hand, he sort of felt sorry for Canady and Palmer. He was curious too about a gal who would take off for the tall and uncut less than twenty-four hours before she was supposed to marry the most eligible bachelor in the state. Longarm shifted in his chair, tugged on his earlobe a couple of times, frowned in thought, and finally cleared his throat before saying, “I reckon I could look into it a mite, see what I can turn up.”
    Bryce Canady’s rugged face split in a grateful grin. “Thank you, Marshal,” he said as he stuck out his hand. “I can’t tell you how much we appreciate this. I’m sure you’ll be able to find Nora. Marshal Vail says that you’re the best man on his staff.”
    â€œHe does, does he?” asked Longarm as he shook hands with Canady. He shot a sly grin at the uncomfortable-looking Vail.
    Palmer shook hands again with Longarm too, and said, “You’ll keep us apprised of your progress, won’t you, Marshal?”
    â€œIf I find out anything, I’ll let you know as soon as I can.” Longarm looked at Canady. “I’ll have to come to your house and poke around a little.”
    Canady frowned. “Is that absolutely necessary?”
    â€œMight be something in Miss Nora’s room that’d put us on the right trail,” Longarm said. “I reckon you’ve probably searched it already, but sometimes a fresh set of eyes sees something everybody else missed.”
    â€œVery well. Can you come this evening? After dark?”
    Longarm shrugged. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”
    â€œI think it might be best. Less chance of someone from the newspapers seeing you that way.”
    â€œWon’t the reporters know that the two of you came here to the Federal Building this morning?”
    â€œYes, but that’s easily explained,” said Palmer. “As a senator, it’s nothing unusual for me to come here.”
    â€œAnd the same is true for me,” said Canady. “I often have to visit various offices here in connection with my business.”
    â€œAll right. I’ll come by your place about eight tonight, Mr. Canady.”
    Canady stood up. “We’ll be waiting anxiously. And please, Marshal Long, remember ... discretion.”
    There were handshakes all around again, and then Canady and Palmer left the office. When Longarm and Vail heard the outer door close behind them, Vail said, “Thanks, Custis. I know this is sort of irregular, but ...”
    â€œBut I’m the best man you got,” Longarm finished with a grin.
    Vail flushed. “Don’t let that go to your head. It just so happens all my real deputies are out on actual cases right now.”
    â€œWhatever you say, Billy,” Longarm said, still grinning as he reached for a cheroot.
    â€œOne more thing, Custis ... be careful. I’ve got sort of a bad feeling about this job.”
    Longarm bit down on the cheroot and nodded. “I know what you mean. Like something about it’s not quite right.” He flicked a lucifer into life with his thumbnail and held the flame to the tip of the cheroot, puffing until it was glowing red. “But don’t you worry. If anybody can find that gal, I’ll do it.”

Chapter 3
    Henry was the only other person who knew that Canady and Palmer had come to see Vail