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

person. I buried his wife over ten years ago, so you may rest assured that the boy is being taken care of and not being abused or mistreated.”
    â€œI should have guessed that would be the only kind of place that Bodie would go to find work and to keep his dog.”
    â€œThe dog was in plain sight. I walked past the livery and it barked a time or two but didn’t act aggressive.”
    â€œThank you so much for telling me where to find Bodie,” Longarm said earnestly. “I’ve been searching everywhere for him and we were worried.”
    â€œI hope,” Swilling said, “that you don’t let our sadistic and cruel Sheriff Miller get his hands on that boy.”
    â€œNot a chance.” Longarm turned his attention back to the envelope in his hand. “Why would you say that Bodie might someday want to visit John Stock’s grave?”
    â€œWell, if for no other reason than to
piss
upon it.”
    Longarm’s jaw dropped, but before he could respond, Mortician Swilling was hurrying on down the street.
    * * * 
    Longarm found a nearby park bench and opened a small, clean, and white envelope which contained a bloodstained page of expensive stationery. Longarm took a deep breath and read these words:
    My dear son Bodie,
    I know that I have always been a terrible mother and for that I am most sorry. What you do not know is that after John took you away from me I went to the Comstock Lode where I changed my profession and found salvation. This changed my life and I soon met a Mr. Burlington. I told him about you and about my wicked, sinful past, but he loved and forgave me and we were married. Mr. Burlington is quite wealthy and I am hoping that this letter will find its way into your hands and that you will come quickly to Virginia City where I now live in a fine mansion. Mr. Burlington has agreed to take you in and he will be good to you. Please come as soon as possible.
    Your saved and repentant mother,
Mrs. Ruby Burlington
    Longarm stared at the letter and then at the bloodstains for a long, long time. He tipped the envelope up and the jewelry tumbled into his hands. Mortician Swilling had been right; the jewelry was both valuable and beautiful.
    Suddenly, Longarm had a million questions to ask, but the only man who could possibly answer them was John Stock, and he was resting in a cheap pine coffin and already rotting away in a freshly dug grave.

Chapter 7
    Longarm was only a block away from the Federal Building, and before he went to collect Bodie, he thought it a good idea to see what his boss, Billy Vail, would have to say about the mysterious and bloodstained letter from the kid’s mother.
    â€œCustis,” Billy said, looking up suddenly from some paperwork on his desk. “I just read your report and it is lacking in some pertinent details.”
    â€œI’ve got something very important for you to read,” Longarm said, taking a seat in front of the man’s desk.
    â€œHow important?”
    â€œThat’s what I want you to help me decide.”
    â€œI don’t like guessing games,” Billy said. “What is it you are talking about?”
    â€œThis,” Longarm said, producing the envelope with the letter and the jewelry. “The mortician, Mr. Dudley Swilling, found me on the street and gave me what he discovered on the body of John Stock.”
    Billy poured the jewelry out onto his desk and his eyes widened with surprise. He glanced up at Longarm and said, “I thought you told me that the boy’s father was ragged and undoubtedly dead broke.”
    â€œThat’s what I told you, but I obviously missed a few things,” Longarm replied. “Now before you ask me any more questions, I suggest you read the letter.”
    â€œMy gawd! The letter itself is badly stained with blood!” Billy frowned with confusion. “John Stock’s blood, I assume?”
    â€œI don’t think so,” Longarm