Page 24 of Nomad

Brant waited patiently.

“Seems we’re lookin’ for one of your boys,” Russell said.

“Oh?”

“Yeah.”

“Well. I’m guessin’ it’s not for a speedin’ ticket, since that’s outside the purview of Ranger business.”

“Now, Brant. You know perfectly well that Ranger business is whatever we decide to make it.”

“State your business, Russ. I have a telenovela to watch with my wife.”

Russell chuckled softly. “I’d almost like to see that. I really would. But tonight I’m lookin’ for an SSMC member, wanted for kidnapping. For starters.”

Brant shook his head. “Kidnapping,” he said drily. “Now, Russ. You know good and well that none of my boys are gonna be kidnappin’ anybody. That’s not just ridiculous. It’s ludicrous. And you know it.”

“I’m finding it kind of interesting that you’re not askin’ who it is we’re lookin’ for.”

“I know who you’re lookin’ for, Russ. We have a TV.”

“Well, sure.” Russ smiled. “That explains that.”

“I also know that Cannon Johns is not a kidnapper. I strongly suspect you know that, too.”

“Maybe I do. Thing is,” he paused to make a face that looked more like a wince than anything, “girl’s pop is one of us.”

“Like I said. Got a TV out there. Big one, too.”

Russell nodded while clearly assessing Brant for truth telling. “Course you’d tell me if you’d seen him.”

“You’d be the first one I’d call.”

“Yeah. That’s what I thought.” Russell smiled. “Could we maybe have a look at your internal camera feed? Just in case he came in and out without you noticin’?”

“Well, sure. Let’s go on out here. We’ll all watch it together. Maybe make popcorn.”

“That’s very nice of you, Brant. I hurried over here without dinner.”

Back in the main room, Brant said, “Rally? Ranger Russell here would like to see our video for the last couple of days.”

Rally shook his head. “Sorry, boss. We’ve been down since Tuesday.”

“Oh? I didn’t know that,” Brand said. Turning to Russell, he said, “Sorry about that. I didn’t know.”

Russell nodded. “Shame about the popcorn.”

“Yep. There’s a cantina over in Dripping Springs.”

“Yeah. I know it. You mind if I ask the rest of these folks if they’ve seen our man?”

“Be my guest,” Brant said.

“For the record,” Russell addressed the entire room, “have any of you seen Cannon Johns recently?”

Everybody shook their head no except for Brash, who said, “Not except on TV.”

Russ looked Brash over. “This one yours?”