Longarm #431 Read Online Free

key to room number four and went upstairs to take a look at it, then back down to tend to some things while he waited on the boots.
    First up was a visit to a barbershop for a shave and a bath.
    â€œKnow a man name of Al Gray?” he asked the barber.
    â€œNo, sir. No one by that name that I can think of,” the barber said.
    Longarm described Gray but got no better result. He thoroughly enjoyed the bath and the shave, though, and felt considerably better when he walked out of the barbershop than he had when he walked in.
    From the barber’s he walked down the street to a fairly large mercantile where he bought a shirt, drawers, and socks. The ones he was wearing were becoming ripe. It seemed a shame that Nicole had not washed his things when she had them off.
    More importantly he bought himself a hat. The store did not have the snuff-brown model that he favored so he made do with a dove-gray Stetson with a stockman crease. The new hat felt a little strange on his head, but he knew he would soon enough get used to it.
    He carried his purchases back to the hotel and put them on, dropping his dirty clothes on the floor.
    â€œDo you do laundry?” he asked downstairs.
    â€œNo, but we got a girl comes in every afternoon to collect whatever we have going out, brings it back clean and folded the next morning. If you want something ironed that takes another day. You got something going out?”
    â€œYes, sir. Up in my room.”
    â€œMind if she goes in there to get it?”
    â€œNot at all. Just give her the key. It’s obvious what needs t’ be washed.”
    â€œIt will be ready for you tomorrow, probably late in the morning,” the hotel clerk said.
    â€œI thank you, sir. Now where can a man find a drink in this town?” Longarm asked.
    The gent gave him directions and Longarm, feeling much better than he had just a little while earlier, headed in that direction.

Chapter 11
    â€œRye,” Longarm said. “The best you have on the shelf there, if you please.”
    The barman nodded and collected Longarm’s quarter without returning any change. He poured a generous measure, though, and the whiskey was excellent. Smooth and pleasant and warm in the belly. Longarm downed the first drink in a hurry, then relaxed a bit and looked around.
    He was one of only three customers in the place. It was dark and smelled of spirits and cigar smoke. There was a billiards table in the back and two tables where a man might lay out a game of cards. A tall, narrow table off to the side suggested there might be someone dealing faro but not at this forenoon hour.
    One of the other early drinkers took a look, then a second. And then he laughed.
    â€œMister, if you aren’t the miserablest-looking fucker I seen this whole day long,” he said loudly.
    Longarm took a small sip of his whiskey and ignored the fellow.
    â€œMister, I’m talkin’ to you.”
    Another sip. “This is good whiskey,” he said to the bartender.
    â€œPay attention when I talk to you, mister,” the loudmouth at the bar insisted.
    Longarm finally looked at him. “When you have something t’ say that I want t’ hear mayhap I’ll give you that attention. For right now, I just want to enjoy my drink in peace.”
    â€œI’ll tell you something you ought to hear. I think you’re a pussy, that’s what I think. One of those girly boys that likes to suck cock and have it up your ass, coming in here wearing slippers and smelling like a French whore.”
    That, Longarm realized, was about the concoction the barber smeared on him after his shave. It did smell a little high. Not bad. But there was a lot of smell to it.
    Longarm took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He could continue to ignore the son of a bitch. Or he could kill him.
    He knew which of those he would prefer. But someone might actually miss him.
    Instead Longarm smiled and nodded for the bartender to