Adrift: The Complete Novel Read Online Free Page B

serve them. She was scared. I try to calm him down, but he’s pissed. That’s when you stepped in.”
    I felt my blood rising as he continued the story.
    “You tell Johnny to leave her alone. He doesn’t like that one bit. Walks over and stands right in your face. You don’t move. The whole place is watching Johnny stare you down, screaming at you. You’re like a statue, looked right back in his eyes. Then you say, I’ll never forget this, “Are you finished?” It was like you put a red hot poker in his backside. He loses it, shoving his head right into yours, pushing you back over the bar. I grab the phone, ready to call the cops, but don’t get there. You push him back and jackhammer him with your forehead. I see his nose squash, and Johnny goes straight down to the floor.”
    “And his cousin?” I asked.
    “He comes over to try and help. You were calm as Sunday. He swings, you somehow grab his arm, twist, and pop that thing out of socket. He screamed like a little girl.”
    No wonder the Laneys were after me. I’d invaded their turf, disturbed their chokehold.
    “Was there any damage, anything I can pay for?”
    By the look on the owner’s face, I could tell there hadn’t been, but he was trying to decide whether to pretend that there had. Finally, he shook his head. “No. No damage, just some spilled beer.”
    I pulled out my dwindling stash and peeled off two one hundred dollar bills. He looked at them expectantly, probably salivating. “One last thing. What happened to her eye?” I asked, pointing at the waitress.
    The owner hesitated. Telling a story was one thing. Getting involved was another. He looked at the money in my upraised hand. “It was Johnny. He stopped by earlier.”
     

    Chapter 7
     
    Johnny slammed his palm on the steering wheel. He hadn’t found the stranger at the grocery store or the gas station. There weren’t many places he could go. Johnny figured the guy probably wasn’t out for a casual dinner. The only other place they had in common was Pappy’s. Johnny made an illegal U-turn and headed that way.
     
    +++
     
    I tried to talk with the waitress before leaving, but she did her best to ignore me. In the end, I ordered a soda, took a sip, and left a hundred dollar tip, hoping the owner would be smart enough to leave it for the girl.
    It was time to move on. I’d already made enough of a mess in Defuniak Springs. I stood up from the bar stool and headed for the door.
     
    +++
     
    Johnny smiled as he pulled into Pappy’s parking lot, instantly recognizing Hollie’s old truck. “I’ve got him now.”
     
    +++
     
    I was always careful, especially in unfamiliar places. It was the only reason the swinging bat narrowly missed my head as I exited the building, falling to the side to avoid the blow. My assailant cursed and moved to follow my roll. Looking up, I saw that it was Johnny Laney. I was in no mood for a fight.
    “I thought we’d made our peace,” I said, crouched and ready to dodge again.
    Johnny’s nostrils flared. “The only peace you’re gonna have is when I dump your ass in the swamp.”
    Another swing, another dodge. He wasn’t stupid and had apparently learned his lesson, careful to stay out of arms reach, instead using the length of the bat to keep me moving.
    “I don’t want any more trouble. I’m leaving…”
    Just then the loud BLIP of a police siren, followed by its flashing lights stopped us both.
    “Put the bat down, Johnny,” came the call over the loudspeaker.
    Johnny stood breathing hard, ignoring the order.
    I heard car doors opening, and saw two policemen meandering over, guns still holstered.
    “Come on, Johnny. I said, put the bat down.”
    By the sound of the cop’s voice, it was obvious that he’d made the command because of his job, not because he actually wanted the bat lowered. Are all these guys related?
    “This is none of your concern, Mitch,” said Johnny, still focused on me.
    “The hell if it ain’t. You know I