Free Imposter by William W. Johnstone

both of you.”
    Little Ed cussed him. “You’re a dead man, Morgan. I’m gonna spit on your grave. My pa will kill you for this.”
    â€œI’ll ask again. Do you want a cup of coffee?”
    â€œHell with you!”
    â€œSuit yourself.”
    Frank walked out and closed the door. He had a cup of coffee and a smoke, and then stood by the window and watched as Marshal Wright rode out with the hastily formed posse. He doubted they would find Alberta, for the area around the town was hilly and thickly wooded. Her behavior notwithstanding, Alberta was no fool . . . except when it came to Val Dooley, that is. And Frank didn’t know what in the world he was going to do about that mix-up.
    Frank loafed around the office for an hour, looking at old wanted dodgers, studying the town’s list of fines for various offenses, straightening up the place, and drinking coffee.
    Then Frank walked over to Doc Evans to check on Big Ed. Doc Evans waved him in and said, “I’ve got Ed up and walking. He’s all yours, if you want him.”
    â€œI’ll walk him over to the jail and he can pay his fine and get out of this town.”
    â€œYou’ve made a really bad enemy, Frank. I hope you know that.”
    â€œI’ve got more enemies than I have friends, Doc. Don’t worry about it.”
    â€œI watched that shotgun-toting crazy woman on the mule.” He smiled. “Friend of yours, Frank?”
    Frank returned the smile. “Not hardly. She thinks I’m Val Dooley and she’s in love with him.”
    The doctor frowned. “I can’t imagine why. If there ever was a man who needed hanging, it’s Val.”
    â€œSo I’m told. He’s done some despicable things, the way I hear it.”
    â€œWell . . . raping, looting, killing. Genghis Khan didn’t have a thing on Val.”
    â€œI’ve read about that Khan fellow. He was a bad one for a fact.”
    Doc Evans looked surprised. “You’ve read about the Mongol conqueror? That’s very interesting, Frank. You like to read?”
    â€œOh, yes. I always carry books with me.”
    â€œInteresting,” the doctor replied, looking at Frank. “Certainly changes my perception of you, Frank.”
    â€œOh?”
    The doctor waved a hand. “It isn’t important.” He pushed back his swivel office chair. “You ready for Big Ed?”
    â€œLet’s do it.”
    Big Ed was sitting on the side of the bed. He glared at Frank but kept his mouth shut . . . at least for the moment.
    Frank waved him to his feet. “Let’s go, Ed. You can pay your fine and the one for your boy and be on your way.”
    â€œI ain’t paying no damn fine, Morgan.”
    â€œThen you can post a bond and still be on your way. When the judge gets here, you can settle up with him.”
    â€œAll right. I can do that.” Big Ed got slowly to his feet. “You banged me up pretty good, Morgan. I won’t forget it.”
    â€œThat’s up to you.”
    â€œWe’ll even up matters, you can count on that.”
    â€œKeep running that mouth, Ed. You’re talking yourself right into a jail cell.”
    Big Ed opened his mouth to speak, and Doc Evans shushed him. “You’re only making matters worse, Ed. So shut up, will you?”
    Ed gave the doctor a dirty look, but closed his mouth.
    â€œLet’s go, Ed,” Frank told him.
    Ed nodded his head and opened the door, stepping out onto the boardwalk, Frank right behind him.
    â€œHow is my boy, Morgan?”
    â€œJust like you, Ed.”
    â€œHuh? What’d you mean by that?”
    â€œHe’s got a big mouth and thinks he’s tough.”
    Ed cussed Frank
    â€œMove!” Frank said.
    Frank let Little Ed out of his cell and handed him a mop and a broom. “What the hell’s that for?” Little Ed asked.
    â€œFor you to clean up the mess you made of your