Longarm 239: Longarm and the Grave Robbers

This November 1998 episode of Longarm os one of the most unusual of all I've read. The series has stood the test of time and still continues.Like the series,this tale also stands the test, and is as good a read now, as when it first appeared. Longarm has just returned home to Denver after a long ,hard time on the hunt and is looking forward to ,a long time promised, couple of weeks vacation. True to form,Vail has another assignment that can't wait or be handled by anyone else.To say that Longrm is put off would be an understatement; since he had great plans all arranged. He insists that he will take this assignment only if Vail will promise him a one month paid vacation when he returns;and in writing! Vail reluctently agrees and Longarm is on his way again. The case involves a bunch of crooks who are illegally removing artifacts from the Anasazi sites at Mesa Verde to sell to relic collectors. So off Longarm goes to Southwest Colorado with his new bride in toe,on a combined honeymoon and government assignment to stop and arrest the grave robbers. Yeah,Longarm got a new soulmate and even the wedding rings to go with it all. The story is well written,lots of descriptions of the towns in the area,Pueblo,Cortez,Marco and Durango as well as extensive descriptions of the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde. Longarm's wife comes in real handy when they have to spend an unexpected night exposed to the elements,waking in the morning under a foot of new fallen snow.Later she comes to his aid with her pistol blazing when it looks like has had it. The writer sticks with the story,but doesn't give us much in the way of memorable lines.He also stays away from too much mystery or detective work;and that is to his credit. We see ,not to our surprise,that our Hero wraps up the assignment.The only thing we get left to wonder is ;what are Longarm and his new wife going to do do with the month's vacation.A continuation with the honeymoon Longarm seems to enjoy so much; or is that sly old boss of his,Billy Vail going to pull another rabbit out of the bag?