Longarm and "Kid" Bodie (9781101622001) by Tabor Evans Page A

mother or her husband.”
    Bodie nodded with understanding. “You’re expecting someone to try to kill me again, aren’t you.”
    It wasn’t a question.
    â€œI’m afraid that is a real possibility,” Longarm admitted. “And that’s why I thought it was so important to buy you a reliable pistol and that you have a little time to practice shooting it.”
    â€œIf someone wanted to kill me, they’d have to kill Homer first.”
    â€œHomer wouldn’t even know who fired the bullet,” Longarm said, his tone grave. “I’m not saying that your dog isn’t going to be helpful if we’re attacked. I’m just telling you that neither I nor Homer can stop a well-aimed ambusher’s bullet.”
    â€œI understand.”
    Longarm pulled out his watch and noted the time. “It’s four. We’ll get a hotel room, have a nice dinner, and then get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow I’ll take care of whatever business I’m supposed to do so that I can be here officially. I’ll also get us paid up for a ride to Virginia City the following morning.”
    â€œI could use sleeping in a bed,” Bodie admitted. “I like traveling on a train, but it’s hard sleeping in a seat night after night.”
    â€œI know.” Longarm reached for his bag. “When we get off the train, keep your eyes open for trouble.”
    Bodie’s eyebrows rose in question. “Do you think that someone
knows
we’re coming into this town today and might try and kill us?”
    â€œIt’s entirely possible.”
    â€œBut how would they know?”
    â€œSame way I learned about the death of my friend. A telegraph is a whole lot faster than a train.”
    â€œSo what do we do when we get off?”
    â€œJust watch everyone on the loading platform. If you see a man watching only us, or reaching into his coat pocket, or maybe coming right at us, then give me a loud warning shout.”
    â€œWhat if there is
more
than one man?”
    Longarm stood up and started down the aisle. “In that case you had better remember how to shoot straight and fast, because that’s what I’ll be doing.”
    â€œI’ll remember,” Bodie promised as he untied Homer and followed Longarm off the car.

Chapter 14
    Longarm and Bodie stepped off the train and into the jam of passengers that were disembarking at Reno. They stood and studied everyone in sight, but no one stood out as an obvious and immediate threat. After a few minutes, Longarm started moving. He knew that any ambusher might well be hiding outside the train station, and when they were clear of it, Longarm took a long, careful look around.
    â€œSee anyone that looks like trouble?” Bodie asked, shifting his bag and keeping a tight hold on Homer.
    â€œNo. Let’s head for a hotel I like up near the Truckee River Bridge.”
    It wasn’t a very long walk, and once again Longarm was struck by how easy Reno was on the eye. Unlike the Nevada rail towns of Elko, Battle Mountain, and Winnemucca, Reno had a look of permanence and beauty. The downtown buildings were mostly constructed of red brick instead of the cheaper and fire-prone rough wooden planks so typical in Western towns. And there were trees and sidewalks, all giving Reno an air of unmistakable permanency. But the very nicest and most picturesque part of the town was the clear, cold, and sparkling Truckee River flowing year-round right through the center of Reno.
    â€œIt’s almost as handsome as Denver, I’d say,” Bodie offered. “But a lot smaller.”
    â€œIt’ll grow,” Longarm told the kid. “The Comstock Lode riches have helped Reno to prosper, but the railroad, ranching, and logging all add their share to the prosperity.”
    â€œI wouldn’t mind living here. Sure is a lot prettier than Bodie.”
    Longarm almost chuckled, because almost anywhere was