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

prettier than the rough, raw Bodie. “Here we are.”
    â€œNice hotel. Are they going to let Homer in?”
    â€œI hope so. If not, we’ll just have to find another hotel, and there are plenty to choose from.”
    The hotel desk clerk was a short, heavyset man in his thirties with wire-rimmed spectacles that were perched on a hooked nose. “Well Marshal Long! It’s been a while since we had the pleasure of your company.”
    â€œThanks, Arthur. I need a room and my friend and his dog need a second room of their own. Can you help us?”
    Arthur stared at the wolf dog. “I’m afraid that the owners won’t allow a dog in our rooms.”
    â€œWell then,” Longarm said, “I guess we’ll have to find some place else.”
    â€œI’m very sorry,” Arthur said with regret. “But I have to follow the rules or I’ll lose my job.”
    â€œI don’t want that to happen. Do you have any suggestions where else we can stay a couple of nights?”
    â€œThe Mapes Hotel might take you. They have downstairs rooms with private entrances and little enclosed patios.”
    â€œThat would work. Thanks, Arthur.”
    The Mapes Hotel was just a block away and right beside the river. Longarm and Bodie had no trouble booking adjoining rooms and the price was reasonable. “We have a fine restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” the desk clerk informed them.
    â€œWe’ll keep that in mind,” Longarm promised.
    After they’d settled in their rooms, Longarm felt like taking a nap, but it was early in the afternoon, so he freshened up and then told Bodie, “I’m going to pay a visit to the local sheriff’s office. I’ll be back in an hour or two and we can go get something to eat. You should stay here in your room and keep the door to the hallway as well as the one to the patio locked until I return.”
    â€œWhat happens when me or Homer needs to take a leak or crap?”
    â€œWell, in that case, sure. But carry your gun and watch out for trouble.”
    * * * 
    Fifteen minutes later Longarm strode into Sheriff Newt Bolden’s office and caught the man snoozing with his feet up on his desk.
    â€œAnother rough day maintaining law and order in Reno, huh?” Longarm asked, giving the man a nudge and waking him with a start.
    â€œWhy if it isn’t Marshal Custis Long! How are you doin’?”
    â€œI’m fine.”
    â€œLike a cup of strong, cold coffee?”
    Over the years Newt’s cold coffee had almost become a standing joke between them. “How could I resist such an offer?”
    â€œI’ll pour us both a cup. I suppose you’re here about the murder of United States Marshal Hugh Parker.”
    â€œTo tell you the truth, there are so many things going on that my boss, Marshal Vail, didn’t even give me the deceased’s name.”
    â€œHuh!” Bolden shook his head. “Marshal Parker’s gun and money were missing, and when he was found behind a saloon, he was unconscious. We hoped he’d wake up and be able to tell us something, but he passed away early this morning.”
    Longarm took a sip of the sheriff’s coffee and tried not to grimace. “Good as always, Newt.”
    â€œYeah, I do like it strong.” Newt plopped down in his chair and threw his boots back up on his desk. “Did you know Federal Officer Hugh Parker?”
    â€œNo. We had never met.”
    â€œNo, him being from the San Francisco office and you being from Denver, I don’t suppose you would have met.”
    â€œWhat was he like?” Longarm asked.
    â€œMarshal Parker was hard to read. He kept his own counsel and didn’t tell me much, but I knew he was investigating that murder up in Virginia City.”
    â€œWhat murder?”
    â€œThe one where a wealthy couple was murdered and burned up in their mansion.”
    Longarm almost