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

his knees to look out the window. The buckshot tore off the hanging sign in front of the Boots and Saddle Shop and sent the owner scrambling for cover.
    â€œGood Jesus Christ!” the saddle maker hollered. “What’s the matter with that woman?”
    Marshal Tom Wright came running out of O’Malley’s General Store, and Alberta spotted him and swung the shotgun to bear.
    â€œNow you see here, lady!” Tom called from the edge of the boardwalk. “We’ll have none of that in this town. I won’t tolerate such nonsense. Now, you put down that shotgun and dismount that animal.”
    Alberta pulled the trigger. The shot whistled past Tom and blew out one of O’Malley’s storefront windows.
    â€œWhooo! Whoooo!” Tom did a pretty fair imitation of a train whistle and took off. For a fat man, he could move along very well. Smartly, as the British would say. Tom hauled his butt back into O’Malley’s. “You’re a menace, woman!” Tom shouted from the doorway.
    Alberta said a few very profane words to Tom, about where he could shove his remarks . . . sideways, and then turned her mule toward the barbershop.
    â€œIs that crazy female coming over here?” the barber asked.
    â€œLooks like it,” Frank told him.
    â€œWell, do something, Deputy!”
    â€œYou want me to shoot her?”
    â€œWell . . . no, not really. But can’t you talk to her?”
    â€œI’ll try.” Frank stood up. “Alberta. It’s me, Frank Morgan.”
    â€œLiar, liar, pants on fire!” Alberta shrieked. “You’re my Val, that’s who you are.”
    â€œI am not Val Dooley, Alberta,” Frank called. “And I can prove it.”
    â€œNever! Never! You’re my Val, and if I can’t have you, no one will.” Alberta put her heels to the mule’s side and loped away. She was out of sight a moment later.
    The people on Main Street who had taken cover when Alberta opened fire slowly made their way out of stores and alleys onto the boardwalk, shaken but unhurt.
    Marshal Wright stepped out of O’Malley’s and cautiously looked all around him, just as Frank and Lara came out of the barbershop. “Frank, do you know that woman?” Tom called.
    â€œHer brother is the sheriff over at Deweyville,” Frank called across the street. “Davis is his name.”
    Tom nodded his head. “That’s Val Dooley’s hometown.”
    Frank turned to Lara. “Are you all right?”
    â€œI’m fine,” she replied, brushing at her fashionable dress. Then she smiled. “That was quite an experience, Frank.”
    â€œDo you want me to see you home?”
    She shook her head. “I’ve changed my mind. I believe I’ll do some shopping. But thank you for saving my life. I’ll think of some way to repay you.”
    â€œNo need for that.”
    She touched his arm. “Oh, but I insist. I’ll give it some thought.”
    Frank walked her slowly sashay away. Quite a woman, he thought. He pulled his eyes from Lara’s retreating figure as Tom stepped up onto the boardwalk.
    â€œI’m going to get a posse together and try to catch that crazy woman, Frank. Take care of things here in town.”
    â€œAll right, Tom. Be careful. Alberta is . . . unbalanced.”
    â€œThat ain’t exactly the word I’d use, but I reckon it’ll do.” The marshal walked away, heading for the livery.
    Frank walked to the Blue Bird Café for a cup of coffee. The place was filled with locals and there was no place to sit. He strolled over to the jail, stoked up the stove, and made a pot. While the water was boiling, he checked on Little Ed.
    â€œWhat the hell was all that shooting?” Little Ed asked.
    â€œA crazy woman. You want a cup of coffee?”
    â€œI want to get out of here!”
    â€œI’ll cut you loose as soon as your father shows up and posts bail for