Free The Drifter by William W. Johnstone Page A

as soon as I find out where she lives."
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    It was the grandest house in the town, naturally, with a sturdy iron rail fence around it. The gate was locked. A cord was hanging out of a gap in the fence, and Frank pulled on it.
    A man dressed in some sort of uniform came out and stood on the porch. “Yes? What do you want?"
    â€œI'm Marshal Frank Morgan. Here to see Mrs. Browning on a matter of great urgency."
    â€œI'll tell her, sir."
    â€œGot to be one of the servants, I guess,” Frank said to Hal and Jimmy.
    â€œMust be nice,” Hal said.
    â€œI reckon,” Frank replied.
    â€œI never been in a house this grand,” Jimmy said. “Y'all stomp your boots a couple of times to get any horseshit off of ‘em."
    Frank smiled. “Good idea. We don't want to leave tracks on the carpet."
    Conrad came out onto the porch and down the walkway to the gate, and he took his time doing it. As he was unlocking the chain he said, “I do hope this is important, Marshal. We were in the middle of dinner."
    â€œHell, it's eight o'clock,” Hal said. “Y'all hadn't et yet?"
    â€œEight o'clock is when most civilized people sit down for dinner,” Conrad told him.
    â€œPardon the hell outta me,” Hal muttered.
    The interior of the home was elaborately furnished. There were paintings on the walls, and vases and various types and sizes of sculptures on itsy-bitsy tables and pedestals.
    â€œLa dee da,” Jimmy muttered, looking around him as they were led into the dining room.
    â€œDon't knock nothin’ over, you clumsy ox,” Hal told his partner. “And don't touch nothin', neither."
    â€œSpeak for yourself, you jumpy moose,” Jimmy responded.
    Vivian rose from the longest table Frank had ever seen outside of a banquet hall. The chandelier over the table must have cost a fortune. Its glow made the room as bright as day. Vivian smiled and said, “Marshal Morgan."
    â€œEvening, ma'am,” Frank said, taking off his hat. “We're sorry to disturb you, but something came up I thought you ought to know about. This is Hal and Jimmy."
    â€œHow do you do, gentlemen?"
    â€œFair to middlin', ma'am,” Hal said.
    â€œOK, I reckon, ma'am,” Jimmy told her. “Shore is a nice place you got here."
    â€œThank you. Would you gentlemen like something to eat, or some coffee?"
    â€œCoffee would hit the spot,” Hal said, ignoring the dirty look he was getting from Frank.
    Viv picked up a little silver bell from the table and shook it. A servant appeared almost instantly. “Coffee for the gentlemen, please, Marion."
    â€œYes, mum."
    â€œSit down, please,” Viv said. “Do make yourselves comfortable.” She looked at Frank. “What is the matter of great urgency, Fra”—she caught herself—“Marshal?"
    â€œYes,” Conrad said, entering the dining room and sitting down. “Do enlighten us."
    Frank resisted an impulse to slap the snot out of Conrad. “Jimmy and Hal here are going to be your bodyguards for as long as you stay in this area, Vi”—Damn, but it was catching—“Mrs. Browning."
    â€œOh?” Vivian said, staring at Frank. “Don't you think I should have something to say about that? And what makes you think I want or need bodyguards?"
    â€œYes. And I must say I quite resent your coming in here and giving orders. I am perfectly capable of looking after my mother,” Conrad said haughtily.
    â€œShut up, boy!” Frank told him. “You couldn't look after a lost calf."
    Conrad's mouth dropped open, and he started sputtering and stuttering.
    â€œClose your mouth,” Frank said, “before you swallow a fly.” He turned his gaze to Vivian. “I just shot three men tonight, Mrs. Browning. Killed one, and wounded the other two. They were planning to kidnap you."
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    Nine
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    Terms of employment were quickly agreed to,