Read Online Imposter by William W. Johnstone - Free Book Online

to get the home militia set up.”
    â€œI’ll be around,” Frank said.
    Little Ed Simpson had thrown his breakfast all over his cell and out into the corridor. He sat on his bunk and stared defiantly at Frank.
    â€œClean it up,” Frank told him.
    â€œGo to hell!”
    Frank shrugged that off. “Then it can stay there and rot and stink. I don’t care.”
    â€œFine with me,” Little Ed replied. “My pa’s gonna kill you anyways.”
    â€œDoubtful, boy. Real doubtful.”
    â€œNobody shoves my pa around and gets away with it.”
    â€œI didn’t shove him around, boy. I knocked him around.”
    â€œYou say!” Little Ed sneered.
    Frank turned away and walked out of the cell block.
    â€œYou’re a dead man, Morgan!” Little Ed shouted. “I’ll spit on your grave!”
    Frank closed the door behind him and stepped out onto the boardwalk, looking up and down the street. Foot traffic was picking up in the town, men going to work, women going shopping, kids playing. A peaceful scene in a nice town.
    â€œMorning, Deputy Morgan.” The voice came from Frank’s left.
    He turned to gaze into the blue eyes of Lara Whittier. “Morning, ma’am.” Frank took off his hat and stared at her. A vison of loveliness, for sure.
    â€œIt’s a beautiful morning, isn’t it, Deputy?”
    â€œIt sure is, ma’am. And would you please call me Frank?”
    â€œOnly if you call me Lara.”
    â€œThat would be my pleasure, Ma’ ... ah, Lara.”
    â€œThank you, Frank.”
    â€œHow’s that boy of yours?”
    â€œWhich one?” she asked, her eyes clouding somewhat.
    â€œBeg pardon?”
    The clouds drifted away and she smiled. “Forgive me. But sometimes my husband behaves like a little boy.” The clouds blew back in, darkening the blue. “A mean, spiteful little boy.”
    â€œI’m . . . sorry to hear that.”
    She lifted a dainty, gloved hand. Unusual gloves, Frank noticed. The fingers were exposed. Dumb gloves, Frank thought. What the hell good are they?
    â€œOh, I shouldn’t burden you with my problems,” she said.
    â€œI don’t mind a bit, Lara.”
    She locked her cool blue eyes onto his pale gray eyes. “You’re entirely too easy to talk to, Frank.”
    Frank smiled. “Big Ed Simpson might not agree with you about that.”
    She returned his smile. “That man is a pig. I despise him. And his wife is so foul-mouthed, few women in town will have anything to do with her.”
    â€œSo I heard.”
    Lara arched an eyebrow. “Oh?”
    â€œTom told me.”
    â€œTom is a fine man. He’s a good marshal. People didn’t think so until the day he stood up to Ed Simpson. Feelings changed after that.”
    â€œI heard he backed him down.”
    â€œHe sure did! It was a pleasure to see.”
    â€œYou saw it?”
    â€œYes. Much of the town did. It was a sight to behold, and that is a fact. Big Ed facing Marshal Tom with a shotgun in his hands. Ed swore he’d kill him for that. But obviously, that didn’t happen.”
    Frank wondered why Lara Whitter was out walking about so early in the day. And dressed to the nines as well.
    Lara swirled her little parasol and looked at Frank. “My husband says you are a vicious killer, Frank. Is he correct in that assumption?”
    â€œI certainly don’t think so.”
    â€œBut you have killed men?”
    â€œYes. Of course. But they were trying to kill me.”
    â€œUmm. Well . . . you were defending yourself then?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWere you ever married, Frank?”
    â€œOnce. My wife is dead.”
    â€œYes. I read about that in some magazine. Tragic. And you have a son.”
    â€œWho doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
    â€œI read that as well. That’s so sad.”
    Frank shrugged that off. “I don’t