Longarm and the Wyoming Woman Read Free

and take a statement about the robbery and my gunfight.”
    â€œDo you know who those two thieves were?”
    â€œNo. And it’s very possible we may never learn their true identities. Those types aren’t likely to carry identification. They could be drifters.”
    She opened her purse and peered inside. Longarm followed her glance, and he saw a thick roll of greenbacks.
    â€œI’m sure it’s all here,” the woman said with a huge sigh of relief. “Every last dollar.”
    â€œThey darned sure didn’t have a chance to spend any of it,” Longarm answered.
    â€œNo, they didn’t.”
    Longarm held out his arm. “Miss, can I escort you to the police station?”
    â€œThank you.”
    A well-dressed stranger came up to Longarm and handed him his Stetson. “I saw it blow off your head and then sail into the sky for a few minutes before coming back down on the street. I thought it was the least I could do for someone as brave as you, Marshal.”
    Longarm thanked the man and reset his hat firmly. “Does anyone know what happened to the older woman that the mugger tried to use as a shield until she fainted?” he asked, looking up the street.
    â€œShe recovered and then was helped off to see a doctor,” someone told Longarm. “Needless to say, she was very upset.”
    â€œI’m just glad she wasn’t hurt.”
    â€œMarshal,” a woman told him. “I hope you receive a commendation from the city for your bravery.”
    â€œThanks, but that’s not too likely,” Longarm told her, not a bit interested in a commendation. “I was just doing my job.”
    He turned to the woman who’d been assaulted and robbed. “Miss, if you’re ready, I’ll escort you to the police station. It’s only two blocks away, if you feel up to it. If not, we’ll find a cab driver and—”
    â€œNo,” she said. “My knees are scraped up, but I’m more than grateful for your kindness and the way this turned out. I just wish that those two men hadn’t been shot to death.”
    â€œIt was their own choice,” Longarm told her. “I gave both of ’em every chance to surrender. They were mean and ruthless, miss. You shouldn’t waste much time mourning their loss.”
    â€œI suppose not,” she agreed, forcing a smile that caused her to wince with pain. “I do know you’re right and they’ve probably hurt many others besides myself and that dear old woman.”
    â€œBet on it,” Longarm reassured her.
    â€œMy name is Adeline Hudson. Miss Adeline Hudson. But you certainly have bravely earned the right to just call me Addie.”
    â€œCustis Long,” he said, bowing slightly. “The pleasure is mine.”
    â€œNo,” she said sweetly, “the pleasure is most certainly all mine.”
    It was amazing, Longarm thought, how a beautiful young woman who had only moments earlier nearly been strangled and raped could now appear so joyful and unaffected.
    â€œHave you had breakfast yet, Marshal?”
    Longarm shook his head. “No.”
    â€œThen let me buy you a nice breakfast. It’s the least that I can do to show my appreciation.”
    â€œWe should report in to the local police station first,” he told her. “After all, there are two bodies to be recovered by the undertaker and paperwork to fill out. All that takes time, I’m afraid.”
    She looked up at him. “I imagine you know from similar past experiences.”
    Longarm nodded, not in the least bit proud of all the men he had killed despite the fact that every last one of the late sonofabitches had earned a well-deserved and swift journey to the nearest cemetery. “I’m afraid you’re correct,” he admitted.
    Addie suddenly faltered.
    â€œAre you all right?” Longarm asked with concern.
    â€œI suddenly feel rather faint,” she told