Read Online Longarm and "Kid" Bodie (9781101622001) by Tabor Evans - Free Book Online

my job and I’m going to go see Bodie.”
    â€œWhat if he won’t come with you?”
    Longarm’s brow furrowed. “I was thinking about that on the way over here from the Federal Building, and I have to say there’s a good chance Bodie isn’t going to cooperate.”
    â€œYou can’t just grab him by the collar and drag him away from that livery.”
    â€œI know. But I think I can persuade him that his life could get very unpleasant if Sheriff Miller or one of his deputies latches onto him.”
    â€œI could close up shop and come with you.”
    â€œNo,” Longarm told her. “I think I simply need to have a quiet talk with Bodie. Tell him the facts and then see how he reacts. The kid is smart, and the last thing he’ll want is for the sheriff to take him into custody and away from his dog.”
    â€œGood luck,” Gloria offered as a customer entered her shop.
    â€œThanks.”
    Longarm headed for the livery located on nearby Federal Street. He wondered how Bodie would react when they met and decided there was just no way to predict how the kid would take his sudden appearance.
    Ten minutes later, Longarm rounded a corner and saw the livery. He walked directly into the big barn, and there was Bodie sitting on a bale of straw drinking a cup of water, with Homer resting at his feet.
    â€œHello, Bodie.”
    The boy showed no reaction at all.
    â€œHow is your dog doing?”
    â€œHe’s on the mend,” Bodie replied.
    â€œWe need to talk.”
    â€œI expected you would be around sooner or later,” Bodie said. “But before you say anything, I’m not going anywhere with you and neither is Homer.”
    Longarm nodded with understanding. “Sheriff Miller and his deputies are searching high and low for you. If the sheriff gets you, he’ll put you into custody and you won’t be able to keep Homer.”
    â€œ
Nobody
is separating me from Homer,” Bodie said, face tightening. “And I’m doin’ just fine. All I want is to be left alone.”
    â€œI wish you could be left alone,” Longarm said, “but I’m afraid that isn’t possible. And I’ve got some things to tell you.”
    â€œAbout what?”
    â€œAbout John Stock . . . and your mother.”
    At the mention of his mother, Bodie jumped to his feet, eyes hardening. “What do you know about her?”
    â€œTake it easy,” Longarm said.
    â€œAny trouble here, Bodie?” a voice called out from the gloom in the back of the barn.
    â€œNo, sir! I’m talking to the law. Ain’t no trouble.”
    The old liveryman emerged from the shadows, took one look at Custis, and then turned around and disappeared out the big back door.
    â€œWhat about my mother?” Bodie asked. “Or are you just sayin’ something to trick me into doing what you want?”
    Longarm sat down on a nearby bale of straw and took a moment to compose his words. “John Stock had a letter that was found on his body. It was a letter from your mother, and she has remarried and is living in Virginia City on the Comstock. The letter was asking you to come live with her and her new husband, whose name is Mr. Burlington.”
    The half-filled cup of water spilled from Bodie’s hand, but he didn’t seem to notice. “My ma got married again?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Longarm answered. “The letter says that she found religion, fell in love, and married a pretty good and wealthy man. Both she and her new husband want you to come and live with them in Virginia City.”
    Bodie looked away for a moment, then turned back to Longarm and said, “I don’t believe you.”
    â€œIt’s true.”
    â€œShow me the letter.”
    â€œCould you read it if I did?”
    â€œNot much of it . . . but some. I’d recognize her handwriting in a second, though.”
    â€œThe letter