Longarm and the Yuma Prison by Tabor Evans Page A

Longarm, then slipped her arm through his and said, “Show me the way, Marshal Long.”
    Billy was poring over his reports and paperwork when Longarm knocked on his door and was bid entry. When Billy saw Jessica, he popped out of his chair like a puppet on a string. “Well, you must be Tom Ray’s daughter, Jessica!”
    â€œThat’s right. Nice to meet you.”
    â€œSit down. You, too, Custis.”
    â€œThanks,” Custis said, barely able to conceal his amusement.
    â€œCustis has told me a lot about you, Jessica.”
    â€œHopefully not everything.”
    Billy blushed deeply. “Uh . . . uh, he said that you were here for only a short while and that he was able to help you reclaim your house on Plum Street.”
    â€œThat’s right. I couldn’t have done it without his help. You have a wonderful deputy working for you, Mr. Vail.”
    â€œWell . . . well, sure. Custis is actually quite a legend. Sometimes, like this weekend at the Buffalo Saloon, he creates a lot of trouble . . . but he more than makes up for it in other ways. There is not a better man in the building.”
    â€œThanks, Boss.”
    Billy offered him a smile before he returned his attention to Jessica. “Now, what is this I hear about your father being sentenced to life in the Yuma penitentiary?”
    â€œSadly, it’s true.”
    â€œI knew your father and even though I’m sure he changed after your mother was killed in that horrible accident, he must still be a fine man.”
    â€œHe is,” Jessica agreed. “He defended himself in a Yuma saloon against two card cheats and when they drew their guns, he had no choice but to do the same. My father, as you may remember, was quite the shootist.”
    â€œYes, he had the reputation for being both fast and accurate, and I’m sure he still is even though he’s gotten a bit up in years.”
    â€œFather is only fifty-three,” Jessica said a bit defensively. “But as you are aware, a lawman in a penitentiary is not going to survive all that many years. That’s why I have to return to Yuma at once and now that I’ve sold my house here, I have some money to hire a good attorney to help clear his name and earn him his freedom.”
    â€œI understand.”
    â€œHowever,” Jessica added, “I believe that the local authorities in Yuma are corrupt and that they have a part in this sad affair. I have no doubt that they are stealing our mining claim and reaping huge profits.”
    â€œBut you’ve no proof.”
    â€œNone at all,” Jessica said quietly. “There were witnesses to the saloon shooting, but suddenly they turned mute. I think there were either bought off or scared off.”
    â€œI see.”
    â€œGood,” Jessica said, “then you can also understand why just having the money to hire a good Yuma attorney isn’t going to be enough to free my father and regain our profitable mining claim. What I need, Mr. Vail, is your best marshal, Custis Long.”
    Billy slumped back into his chair. “You’re asking a great deal. I also need Custis.”
    â€œCouldn’t you give me a time off without pay?” Longarm injected. “And I do have a few weeks of vacation time coming.”
    â€œWhich I doubt you’d like to spend in Yuma during the hot season.”
    Longarm shrugged his broad shoulders. “You actually knew Tom Ray, I just mostly knew
of
him. Don’t you think we owe him a chance? I can get to the bottom of whatever is going on in Yuma where neither Jessica or a local attorney could not. We both know I could be Tom Ray’s only chance.”
    Billy scowled and studied his desktop for a moment before he looked up at Jessica. “What happened to your family was tragic. I know that your father deeply loved your mother. A loss like that could turn any man into a hate-filled, angry person. Can you