"The Insane Train"

Sheldon Russell's "The Insane Train" is another Hook Runyon mystery in the series I've been reading.  In this "chapter" of his life Hook finds himself in trouble with the railroad and up for a disciplinary hearing that might end his career as a "yard dog" -- or railroad detective.

However, before his hearing date arrives, Hook is sent to Barstow, California, to check out the Baldwin Insane Asylum.  They've just had a fire that killed a large number of their residents and the doctor who owns and heads up the asylum has decided he wants to move all the "residents" to a place he owns in Oklahoma.  Hook's job?  How to transport some of the most dangerous criminally insane in the country safely halfway across the country?

The benefits:  a pretty nurse named Andrea
The risks:  Someone seems out to kill the patients.

Before the journey starts Hook encounters some servicemen hanging out on railroad property.  They've returned from the war and seem at loose ends so Hook hires them to help him transport and guard the asylum inmates.  When he encounters a woman "hooking" on railroad property, he offers her the choice of jail or going along to assist, too.

The adventure begins and with it more deaths and some serious sleuthing on Hook's part.  When they finally arrive at their destination and the townsfolk don't want the new "business" in their town, Hook also has some negotiating to do to convince them why their town needs this.

Russell appears to be a writer with a high opinion of women -- case in point is the following quote from the beginning of Chapter 36:

"Soon Oatney slept, her head falling against Hook's shoulder, her hair brushing his ear.  He wondered at her strength and her softness, how they coexisted, how in her world she could still manage a smile and face the day.  She never railed against injustice or succumbed to the malice and hatred due her.  Had she been a man, her spirit would have long since flickered away like a spent candle."

Another great read from Sheldon Russell - pazt.