Longarm and the Yuma Prison by Tabor Evans

had to do what that woman was doing to get the job when I was desperate without anywhere to go or anyone to turn to.”
    â€œWhat will become of you now?” Jessica asked as Cynthia finished cleaning out the desk.
    â€œBelieve it or not, I learned some legal skills in this office . . . enough to land me a job with another and this time ethical attorney. But right now, I need a little time to settle my thoughts and rid my mind of this filthiness.”
    â€œUntil then,” Jessica said, “I could sure use some help cleaning up my house on Plum Street.”
    Cynthia looked up and managed a smile. “Yes, it is such a nice place.”
    â€œYou’ve seen it?” Jessica asked with surprise.
    â€œSure. Lee took me over there once and we spent a few hours on the bed, the table, and the floor. I’m sorry.”
    â€œThen maybe you won’t mind helping me clean it all up,” Jessica told the receptionist.
    â€œI think that is the least I can do for you,” Cynthia told her as they all overheard Lee Monroe sobbing loudly through his office door. She looked to Longarm. “Marshal Long, did you hurt him pretty bad?”
    â€œI blackened his eyes, broke his nose, and maybe his right cheekbone,” Longarm told her. “He’s not going to want to go into a courtroom for quite a while.”
    â€œGood!”
    Longarm smiled at the two attractive women and they all left the office feeling as if it had been a very productive although brief and violent meeting.

Chapter 9
    Jessica showed up unexpectedly on Friday at the Federal Building and when she walked into Longarm’s office, everyone stared. “Custis, could we talk for a few minutes?”
    He came out of his desk chair to take her arm and lead her into a hallway. “What’s going on?”
    â€œThat nice fella that you recommended has already found a buyer for my house,” Jessica told him. “The people want to move in this weekend and Cynthia and I have it all cleaned up. I’d have liked to have it repainted, but the couple said they’d take care of that and they seem eager to move in because the wife is expecting a baby.”
    â€œThat’s good news,” Longarm said. “Cynthia was a big help.”
    â€œI couldn’t have done it without her. She’s going to start looking for a job with another attorney and expects to have no trouble.”
    â€œI doubt that Monroe is going to give her much of a recommendation.”
    â€œCynthia says all the other attorneys in Denver know he is an embarrassment to their profession so whatever dirt he may dish at her won’t be harmful.”
    â€œWell,” Longarm said, “that about does it, I guess.”
    â€œDoes it?” Jessica asked. “I’ll have the money from the sale on Monday and I plan to get on a train and head back to Arizona that same afternoon. My father is counting on me to come to his aid. But . . . but I’m not too sure that I can handle the claim jumpers and see everything through successfully.”
    Longarm knew what was coming and he’d already put a lot of thought into his answer.
    â€œSo,” Jessica continued, “I was wondering if . . . if you could take some time off and come with me to Yuma.”
    Her eyes were pleading, and although Longarm knew the June temperatures in southern Arizona would already be scorching, he just didn’t have the heart to refuse this brave young woman.
    â€œI’d like you to meet my boss, Billy Vail.”
    Jessica blinked. “Why?”
    â€œBecause he knew your father and mother. Billy remembers what a credit your father was to our profession and to this federal office. I think, if you were to meet him and ask him if he would give me some time off to help you in Yuma, he’d be hard-pressed to refuse.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYeah.”
    Jessica lifted up on her toes and kissed