Read Online The Hanging of Samuel Ash by Sheldon Russell - Free Book Online

Even if we did find out, it wouldn’t make a damn bit of difference to that fellow. He’s as dead as he’s ever going to be and knowing the reasons why won’t change a damn thing for him.”
    The bell on the front door signaled, and Dr. Broomfield looked at his watch.
    Hook rubbed at the back of his neck. Riding that road-rail had taken its toll on his spine.
    â€œWhat happens to the body?” he asked.
    â€œIt’s been released to the funeral home. He’ll be given a Christian burial in the pauper’s cemetery at county expense.”
    â€œCan I keep this star for the time being?”
    â€œI don’t see why not. I’ll put it in the record.”
    â€œYou may be right about all this, Dr. Broomfield, but there is that name, Samuel Ash? I don’t see how it can be ignored. I’d like a chance to track it down before you put this man into a pauper’s grave. If he’s got family, they deserve to know.”
    Dr. Broomfield rose and checked his hair in the mirror on the back of the door.
    â€œAs long as it doesn’t cost the county. I’ll ask the funeral home to delay internment.”
    â€œI’d appreciate that,” Hook said. “And I’ll let you know what I find out one way or the other.”
    Broomfield reached for the doorknob. “I’ve a patient waiting.” He paused. “You understand that there’s a limit as to how long this can be postponed? A matter of a few days at most.”
    â€œI understand,” Hook said.
    *   *   *
    Hook herded the road-rail back to the depot. Unable to find a parking space large enough to accommodate it, he parked under a tree nearly a block away and walked in.
    Clyde, the new operator, stood up. “I locked that door to baggage like you said.”
    â€œThat’s good,” Hook said. “Passengers got a right to have their belongings secured. All and all it’s a deceitful world, Clyde; besides, some slacker might slip in on company time and take a nap behind the water heater.”
    â€œOh, no sir,” he said. “There’s none of that going on around here.”
    â€œI figure you as a stickler for the rules,” Hook said.
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œWell, that’s good. Now, I need to use your phone to call Division.”
    â€œRight over there.”
    Hook pulled up a chair. “In the meantime, maybe you could write up a clearance order for my road-rail to Clovis.”
    â€œWell, I don’t know,” he said. “The company don’t like putting road-rails on the line unless it’s necessary. They don’t hold up so well against an oncoming.”
    Hook took the receiver off the phone and hung it over his shoulder. “I understand that, Clyde, but this here is a security matter. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to stand in the way of the law.”
    â€œNo, sir. I’ll work it up right away.”
    Hook dialed Eddie and waited.
    â€œSecurity,” Eddie said.
    â€œEddie, this is Hook.”
    â€œWhere the hell are you now, Runyon?”
    â€œCarlsbad, checking in with the coroner on that wigwag deal like you asked.”
    â€œSo, what did he say?”
    â€œHe said that fellow died by hanging. Course, I had an idea that might be the case when I cut him down from the wigwag.”
    â€œGet it off the books, Runyon. I smell a lawsuit here, and you know how the railroad hates a lawsuit. On top of that, we got strike problems cropping up everywhere.”
    â€œHe had a Bronze Star around his neck, Eddie.”
    â€œA Bronze Star?”
    â€œYou know, like for heroism in combat.”
    â€œI know what it’s for, Runyon.”
    â€œThere was a name on the back of it.”
    â€œOn the back of what?”
    â€œThe Bronze Star. Jesus, Eddie, am I going too fast?”
    â€œWhat name?”
    â€œSamuel Ash.”
    â€œWho’s Samuel Ash?”
    â€œI don’t know,