Tabor Evans (33 page)

"That's what she meant for folks to think."

"Maybe she hasn't gotten clear," Gower said. "Two of my boys took out after her. Maybe they'll catch her."

"If they don't, all you've got to do is have somebody waiting at Younger's Bend. She'll likely show up there. You got to send somebody to her place there anyhow. There'll be an old fellow there, answers to the name of Yazoo. He knows the names of everybody Belle's been paying off, and he'll talk if you give him a choice of that or going to the pen."

Bobby stood up slowly. "What's going to happen to me?" Before Gower could speak, Longarm said, "You'll need this young fellow to testify against Belle, when you catch up with her. Think you could make things easy for him? Like a suspended sentence or a parole? I got a notion he won't be getting into any more trouble like this."

"No, sir!" Bobby said feelingly. "I've seen all I want of what it's like being an outlaw!"

Gower nodded. "I suppose something can be arranged, if you recommend it."

"Which I do," Longarm replied. He cocked his head at Gower. "Well?

You think I can go back to Denver now?"

"As far as I'm concerned you can. You've done a good job, Long. I'll tell Billy that when I wire him." Longarm nodded. Then he said, "You might tell him not to look for me too quick. I left an army horse at that town across the river from Fort Smith that I'll have to ride back to Fort Gibson."

"Well, that'll take you a day or two longer than if you rode the train all the way," Gower said thoughtfully. "I'll tell Billy to allow for that."

"Now don't tie me too tight to getting back," Longarm told Gower. He thought for a moment. "You see, I've got a little bit of personal business I might need to look after. You know the Cherokee Nation better than I do. How far's Fort Gibson from a little town up thataway called Talequah?"

The End