Chapter 23
Bobie and Sarah kept up with the women but it was obvious the two were extremely tired. Not far from the area where Burgess and Trenton were held hostage, Barbara stopped then turned to gaze at the women. "Not sure if the State Police are here yet, if they are . . ."
Belle quickly added, "If they are, we may be a bit of trouble."
Cocking her head to the side, Bobie asked, "Why on earth would you be in trouble. The two of you found this place, you took it down, you rescued us, and if anything they should pin a metal on you."
Belle and Barbara exchanged quick glances it was obvious they both agreed with what Bobie said. However, Belle said, "Some men don't like women getting into their field."
Barbara lightly poked her in the side adding, "We shouldn't be messing where we are. If we are lucky they will not be here yet and the way they have been doing things
lady luck may be on our side."
Bobie looked perplexed as she said, "I have worked with men, and they all seem to know what they are doing and actually look forward to my help.
Grinning, Barbara replied, "Sweetheart, get yourself out of those dingy ragged clothes. A bath, new clothes and I can't think of a guy that would not follow you anywhere."
"Ah, now you are placating me, Barbara. I am sure you two have mirrors as well, so don't go give me that 'follow you anywhere' stuff."
Belle shook her head stepped forward and said, "This is getting us nowhere, come on, times is wasting. Once this is over and we are back in civilization, plenty of time to
chew the fat."
Barbara took in a deep breath of air, and then said, "Belle and I will go ahead, you two stay back here, we will return soon. In case there are more of Trenton's people out there."
Bobie stepped forward suggesting, "We should go too, in case."
"No, you should stay here, both of you are malnourished, doubt you could swat a fly and keep it down. So please just do this. If we do not return, then do what you feel is needed."
Bobie and Sarah heard Barbara Johnson's words but the glances they exchanged were not the stay put kind. Several times, Belle would pop back just to check and make sure the women were still in the same place. They were so she quickly hurried to where Barbara Johnson was surveying the corridor.
Hearing footsteps coming up fast, Barbara turned gun ready and came face to face with Belle Gardner who stopped so fast, she thought skid marks were burnt into the floor. "Belle, as I live and breathe, you just scared eight lives out of me."
Belle reached out, moved the barrel of the gun to the side, and said, "Well I think I just may have lost a few lives too. Don't you ever look before drawing a bead?"
"Yes. Guess I am a little on nerve, not only is this place creepy but the people that are in it are too. So it would not surprise me to see a new Trenton adversary appear."
"Thank goodness before long we can all get back to our normal lives."
"I doubt any of our lives is going to be normal again. Too much has happened. But to be away from all this terror, will be a good thing."
"I'm with you. Tell me Barbara, you know people pretty well, what do you think of the close tie that Bobie and this Sarah seem to have?"
"Hadn't given it much thought but like you, they do seem to be bonded at the hip. As Bobie said, Sarah saved her life and has been with her every since. When someone does that and spends days and nights on the run, the only other person to depend on is your mate, I can see it. Take you and me, if the same thing happened . . ."
Belle looked skeptical adding, "But it hasn't."
"But if it did, we would be close, much closer than we are now."
"If you say so Barbara Johnson, just seems odd to see Bobie so close to another woman."
"Ah, I see, you are trying to step in for Skylar, don't. We both know that Sky has taken off after Tara Coltrane. Not much sense in stirring the pot here when the one there is running over with hot water."
"Gotcha. Chalk it to not a lot of air in this place or claustrophobia."
When the two were sure no one new was around, Barbara and Belle headed back to the other two. Only to be surprised to find neither woman where they had left them.
Barbara scratched her head, turned to Belle, and mumbled, "What in blazes?"
Belle chewed at her lower lip and said, "Gone. They are gone."
"I know that, it is obvious. Never had an inkling. Let's think, where do you suppose they went?"
"Perhaps the ventilation shafts. (She pointed to a grate that was lopsided.) This grate, looks like it has been removed."
The two dropped to their knees and began to check it out. Sure enough, someone had recently gone through and snagged a piece of clothing. holding up the ragged piece, Belle said, "I think we know how they vanished, question is why and where?"
Barbara was on her hands looking into the shaft. After a few minutes, she sat on the floor and said, "Do you recall the schematic we saw on the computer screen?"
Sitting beside her, Belle muttered, "Barely. Why?"
"Because these shafts connect in some way and they go all over the building. If we can recall this particular area, maybe we can remember where this particular shaft leads."
Stretching her legs out full length Belle reached out to massage the right one. "If you think I am going into that thing, you are wrong. You probably could, but me no. I could be stuck and if not stuck, I would be too closed in. Sure wish I had taken that course in memory reflex."
"Then lets take it here, we will both recall what we can and see if anything comes back in so far as this shaft."
"Guess it's worth a try. Because I am not going off chasing those two willy- nilly here and there. They are both grown women and free."
"I agree, but neither of them is in a good mind at this time. All they have been through, has also confused them some, thinking could get blurred."
Belle Gardner looked as if she digesting what Barbara said. Took a few minutes before she replied, "Never have known Bobie Parker not be alert and right on. Now the other one, I don't know anything about her."
"I know Bobie some, and like you have seen and know her to be bright, ready for anything she is a true friend too. And it seems Sarah and her have become just that."
Suddenly Belle turned to gaze into Barbara's eyes and spouted, Oh my God, do you think--Trenton?"
Barbara was on her feet saying, "Yes! Talk about slow minds. Of course they both went after Trenton and Burgess." She reached down to grasp Belle's right hand adding, "Let's go."
When they approached the main room, both were shocked to see two empty chairs greeting them. Mary Trenton and Deanna Burgess were nowhere to be seen, neither were Bobie and Sarah.
Barbara walked around the room followed by Belle, the ties were still there but it was obvious someone had released them. Someone that knew how to work locks, and rope. "We had them trussed up good, now where do you think they are?"
Belle walked toward the water cooler and soon had a cup of water in her hand, she offered it to Barbara who shook her head so she drank it then replied, "They know the State Police are on the way, so the front door is out, if it were me, I would go out the escape route."
"Then you don't think they are in here any longer?"
"Doubtful. Unless they are back where we found Bobie and Sarah."
"Why would they go there?"
"Perhaps give them some of the treatment they got."
Barbara shut her eyes as if in deep thought, finally she said, "Guess it all depends on who has the drop on who. We could separate, you go one way I'll go the other or we could go together."
"I chose together, in this place the sooner I am out the better. Toss a coin. heads we go to the cell, tails we take the escape route."
Barbara grinned, "Might as well let fate pave the way. (She reached into a pocket and brought out a shiny new quarter) Been saving this, California State good keep sake as well as a good luck piece."
Belle watched the toss, eyes wide with anticipation as the quarter hit the floor and bounced around coming to a spin and a stop. Both rushed to see how it landed. Both exclaimed, "Tails!"
Barbara picked it up, dusted it off and put it back into the pocket. She turned to Belle and said, "Be ready, anything could happen now.
Belle swallowed, and said, "Do you think Trenton and Burgess are loose?"
"Don't know, only know they are not in the chairs we left them in and the restraints were loose. So it is obvious Bobie and Sarah did this. Are they still prisoners, I have no idea."
"Well l doubt Bobie and Sarah let them go; after all it is their fault so much badness has happened to them."
"I agree, still we both know how treacherous those two can be, course Bobie does too. I do not think she would just let them go free. Now have some sort of plan to get even, yes."
"But Bobie is in law enforcement."
"Nope, not anymore. She has free will. But the Bobie I know would not do any harm to them, at least not much."
"If she did, they would deserve it. We had better get moving, the State Police will be here soon and the prisoners are no where to be seen, they will once again chalk this up to a woman's imagination."
"You are right Belle; we really need to find them and quick. They may even arrest us for false reporting."
The two began their trek back to where they entered; the long climb up the ladder was harder than going down for Belle, who vowed to begin some sort of exercise program after this.
Reaching the top, it was much easier to open the cover and peer out. It was when they opened it further; the four women came into view. Trenton and Burgess were tied with their hands in front. Bobie and Sarah were holding guns and talking to the women in loud voices. Belle glanced down and said, "Barb, we just hit pay dirt."
Barbara asked, "You see them?"
"Bingo, yup not too far away, maybe twenty feet."
Barbara grasped the ladder and tried to figure out how they could get out of the opening without the others seeing them. Finally, she said, "If we can make it to that big boulder to the right of this opening, they might not see us."
Belle glanced down once again and said, "Shoot on that stuff."
Barbara watched mouth aghast as Belle Gardner shot out of the opening, yelling, "What the heck do you two think you are doing?"
Quickly following the woman, she watched as Belle approached them. Bobie and Sarah both looked shocked to see Belle Gardner and Barbara Johnson come out of the escape opening. Trenton and Burgess seemed to care less, they took the opportunity to let their feet fly with fury catching Bobie and Sarah unprepared, once the two women were down, they began to approach Belle, the woman pulled out her twenty-two and said, "Hold it right there. I'll shoot if I have too."
Both women stopped and stared toward Belle but it was Deanna Burgess that threw back her head and laughed. "You really think you can do damage with that pea shooter!"
"I can and I will if you don't stand still." Belle cocked the pistol, never moving it from their direction.
"You may think hers will not, but I guarantee you mine will." Barbara Johnson drew her Glock from its holster putting a surprised look on their faces as they stepped back.
Belle kept an eye on the prisoners as she walked toward Bobie and Sarah who were just getting to their feet. "What is up with you two? We had them ready for the police, now they are out here. If we had not showed up they probably would have gotten away."
Bobie swiped at her clothes sending dirt flying. "Wanted to teach them a lesson."
"Woman, you know better than to let two hardened criminal go like that, I don't care if they are tied or not, you just saw what they can do. The State Police will be here any minute and the prisoners are not where they were supposed to be. Instead, they are out here. We have to get them back, and that will not be an easy thing to do." Barbara scowled toward the two women who were gazing at Belle, the prisoners and her.
Bobie looked a bit shaky but she stood defiant and asked, "Who made the two of you God?"
"No one, we saved your lives, we are just doing what we can. If you don't appreciate what we did, nothing I can do about that, but for now, these two go back and face punishment that is law enforced." Barbara pointed to the escape hatch. "Who goes down first?"
Belle stepped forward and said, "I will, then you can send the prisoners down. If Bobie and Sarah want to follow that is up to them."
As they neared the cover, Bobie went to help Belle move it, and it was at this time while Barbara watched off and on still keeping the Glock at ready it happened. A gun fired, as they all hit the ground. Belle, Barbara and Bobie, raised their head to see where the fire came from only to see Sarah Clemmens holding two guns, one automatic was still smoking.
Belle got to her feet followed by Bobie both women looked surprised. However, it was Barbara Johnson that said, "I guess all that captivity has scrambled your brains, Clemmens. Put the guns down."
Sarah glanced toward Bobie then kept her eyes on Barbara. "You drop your gun, before I shoot. You too Belle Gardner."
Bobie walked toward the woman, holding out her hand and in a soft voice said, "Sarah, what is wrong with you. Let me have the guns. You don't mean this."
Sarah didn't move, she did however say, "Stay back Bobie, would hate to have to shoot you." She walked toward the woman.
Barbara for the first time was befuddled, Belle Gardner too. Both knew if they started anything, someone would be hurt or killed; it was a standoff of sorts.
Bobie asked, "What has happened to you? I saved your life."
Sarah smiled toward her and replied, "And I saved yours, we are even."
"There was more than that between us Sarah, Why are you throwing it all away? Belle and Barbara are my friends, they want to help."
Barbara looked at the two women and said, "Can't you see, she doesn't want our help or yours it seems."
Sarah placed one of the guns against Bobie's rib cage and ordered, "Drop your guns, if you don't I will shoot her."
Belle dropped the twenty-two and Barbara followed placing the Glock on the ground. She stood, hands in the air and said, "What now, seems you have the upper hand."
"The two of you move away from the guns, keep your hands up and don't move. Sorry about this Bobie." The woman never even knew what hit her as darkness took over.
Belle took two steps and stopped, "You hit her--how could you?"
Sarah glanced down at the limp body of Bobie Parker then back toward Belle Gardner and replied, "Gun butt to the back of the head, she will have a headache but she will still be alive. Come over here and tie her hands behind." She tossed a link of rope toward Belle.
While Belle was doing this, she made her way to the dropped guns and managed to pick them up, quickly making her way to Mary Trenton and Deanna Burgess. It took her a matter of seconds to cut through the ties and release the two. Handing each one a gun she said, "Police will be here soon, we have to get."
Deanna turned to gaze toward the three women and asked, "What about them? Leaving them alive is not a good idea."
"I promised I would do this, if no one was hurt. I have kept my end of the bargain, now you need to keep yours. We can tie them all up and leave, by the time the State Police find them we will be long gone."
Deanna Burgess looked at the three women; Bobie Parker would be out for sometime, the other two she had plans for them and it didn't include just tying them up. Approaching Sarah Clemmens she said, "You did good, but it is our turn now, best you be getting, we'll be along soon."
Sarah glanced toward Mary Trenton and said, "You never said anyone was going to die. I will not go along with this there is no reason. We can go now."
"Sorry child, but that is not how we play the game." Mary Trenton's face was twisting up in such a way she reminded Sarah of the Devil.
Barbara spoke in such a way they turned to look at her. "Should never believe a word that comes out of either woman's mouth Sarah Clemmens, seems to me you and Bobie have become close, it will devastate her when she wakes to find out you have done."
Deanna Burgess muttered, "If she wakes."
Sarah heard the woman, even if she was not supposed to and stepped up to Deanna saying, "Over my dead body."
"That can be arranged. Now give me your guns."
Sarah stepped back and said, "No. I will not let you kill Bobie."
"You don't care what we do to these two?" She pointed toward Belle and Barbara.
Sarah replied, "I don't want anyone dead." She implored Mary Trenton once more, "Aunt Mary, please stop this now and just go."
Belle and Barbara gazed at one another after hearing Sarah's words. Seemed she did care for Bobie Parker but she was also conspiring with Trenton and Burgess. In addition, it was obvious the two women wanted to kill them.
Barbara stepped forward and approached Deanna Burgess, reached out and lightly slapped her face and said, "I challenge you to a duel." It startled and surprised Deanna so much she never even got a shot off instead she stared blankly at the woman that had just dared challenge her. "This is not the 18th century; people don't go around challenging others for duels. We have the upper hand; there is no reason to do it."
"From, all I hear you appear superior think you are better than anyone else, so prove it. Accept my challenge."
Mary Trenton looked astounded, while Deanna Burgess rubbed her cheek and began to pace.
Sarah was surprised at the turn of events; she did not know what to do and looked to Mary Trenton to come up with a solution. Instead, the woman approached Deanna and whispered to her. They were in conversation for a few minutes when Deanna turned and walked toward Barbara. She reached out and slapped her only her slap was much harder as she snarled, "I accept. Guns are out, we could go fisticuffs but I have a better idea." She walked toward the boulder Barbara had wanted them to hide behind and came back with a slim long black leather case. Did not take long to open it and withdraw a shiny sword. She held it, ran the palm of her hand over the flat of the blade and said, "Swords, to the death."
Barbara admired the blade, it looked to be made of fine metal, the hilt was impressive as well, several jewels were imbedded in it also what looked like gold scribing. "Nice. I take it you are proficient with the blade?"
Grasping the hilt Deanna cut through the air with ease and replied, "I can cut you into pieces if that is what you mean."
Belle approached Barbara and said, "Ever hear the saying, open mouth put in foot, well you just did."
Barbara ignored Belle but said, "What type of duel is it, where you are the only one with the weapon?"
Deanna sucked in her cheeks then said, "I see a hilt peeking out of your back pack, remove the pack, and take the hilt out."
The second Barbara did, Deanna Burgess doubled over laughing hysterically so did Mary Trenton. Sarah just looked on in surprise at the whole thing.
Belle gave Barbara the look and Barbara winked toward her saying, "Piece of cake. We'll be out of here soon."
"Sure will, hope your next life is better for you than this one has been, En- Guarde . . ." She took the stance; it was like looking at an instructor about to give a lesson.
Barbara's right hand was on the hilt of her sword; though it was small, she did not seem to be worried. Once again, Deanna Burgess went through all the motions finally saying, "What is wrong with you, surely you have to know that little thing you call a sword will soon be lying at your dead body. prepare to die,
wench."
Barbara thought
she is crazy now she is back in the days of pirates I am a wench. Never a wench my dear Burgess, much better a captain at sea. Her body posed for a fight, she stood, her legs spread, knees slightly bent and every muscle in her body flexing.
As Deanna Burgess was deciding her best strike, Barbara gazed up and then the sword in her hand was swirling through the air in lightning speed, soon to become a beautiful shiny full-length sword, a match for the one that was in Deanna Burgess's hand. She barely got it into full length when Deanna Burgess was upon her bringing her sword down with fury.
Barbara raised her sword and stopped Deanna's in midair, her grey-blue eyes shot toward Belle who had been trying to get close to Deanna. It was obvious she did not want the woman to get hurt. Turning in the hold she glared at Deanna and said, "What happened to EnGuarde?"
They walked a tight circle metal on metal each trying to get the advantage on the other. Deanna smirked and asked. "How did you turn that little thing into what you are holding now?"
"Secret, if I tell you I will have to kill you."
Deanna jumped back replying, "Will be me killing you Johnson. Then what will poor Sky do?'
Barbara's hand was moving the sword in a side-to-side motion, the whirring noise it made slicing through the air was chilling. "Sky can take care of herself, but she will not have too."
Deanna rushed her as Barbara leaped and somersaulted over the woman's head. Deanna ran a short distance and turned, her eyes narrow slits, like an
asp before it strikes. "Cute move, city girl, but I will win out."
At that time, a gunshot rang and both women looked to see where it came from. Mary Trenton stood holding a smoking gun but it was Belle Gardner who lay not moving. Sarah ran to see if she could help the woman as Barbara glared toward Mary Trenton and said, "Why did you do that?"
She looked toward Deanna and her and shrugged. "Woman was trying to get too close. Thought she could help you I guess. Anyway she isn't helping anyone now."
"Damn you people. All you seem to do is cause pain and suffering. Sarah--is she breathing?"
Sarah called back as she held pressure on the wound, "She is. Needs to get to a doctor soon."
Deanna had closed the space between them and was now striking out with fury, Sarah's eyes gave the woman away as they widened and the look on her face was of terror. Barbara barely caught herself in time to block the strike as steel and steel made contact repeatedly sending sparks flying into the air. Several times, Deanna's sword passed within an inch of Barbara but she had been able to move or block it with her own.
Now they were in a dance of sorts, metal on metal, both so close they could sense the breathing of the other. They circled, neither giving an inch, it was Deanna that struck out with her free hand sending a resounding punch to Barbara's face. It caused her head to snap back as she lost her balance and fell backwards. Didn't take but an instant for Deanna Burgess to cease the opportunity to raise her sword and bring it down with a death strike. Barbara rolled out of the way just in time. Jumping to her feet, she readied for the woman to make another move. "Sarah, how is Belle?" Her eyes did not leave Deanna for a second she was like a snake, the way she moved, and the way she struck.
Scowling, Deanna Burgess said, "We can end this now, just drop the sword and I may let your two friends live."
"After all you have done, I wouldn't take your word for gospel even if you were dying."
Deanna was now trying a new technique along with the sword strikes she had begun to kick at Barbara. This making it hard to concentrate on the woman's sword. She did her best to avoid the woman's boots while trying to keep the sword at bay. Both were tiring, but neither would give up. Barbara took the opportunity to parry with swiftness, Deanna fell back a step seeming unsure as to what the woman was going to do next.
Barbara attacked full force, the sword singing as it cut through the air; the clash of metal on metal was the only sound for miles and before long, her sword had hit its mark twice. Catching Deanna on her right side, sending a trickle of blood and soon leaving a mark on her left shoulder. The slice was not deep but deep enough to show red through the shirt, and also bring an astonished look on the woman's face. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Barbara stood ready, not answering the question just watching her like a hawk. Before long, Deanna made a straight run toward the woman, sword, aiming for her heart. "Jeez woman why don't you just stand still and fight, what is with all this running like an angry bull?"
Deanna actually looked like an angry bull as she thrust with might, only to hit air because Barbara had somersaulted away. She stood panting and cursed, "Damn you, why don't you just stand in one place?"
"Didn't like the ambiance."
"Maybe I made a mistake about this duel thing, I think I would just be easier if I just shot you."
Mary tossed a gun toward Deanna only to be met by Barbara's right booted foot as it struck out sending the weapon far away. "Naughty naughty you two." After she said this she made thee running leaps, another somersault coming down on to Deanna Burgess's shoulders sending the woman crashing to the ground. Meanwhile Mary was off trying to find the gun.
She had easily taken Deanna's cutlass and was standing over her. "I win, this means we go free and I will take you with me." She now had the tip of the sword pressed close to the woman's throat.
Deanna glowered at her but muttered, "You win."
Barbara pulled her to her feet and headed toward Sarah, the woman was still holding pressure on Belle's injury. She handed Barbara her gun and said, "I am sorry."
Barbara found some rope and tied Deanna up, then headed toward Mary Trenton who was on her knees trying to retrieve the gun that had wedged between two rocks. "Get up, party is over for you Trenton!"
The woman looked up to see Barbara Johnson aiming a gun at her and she said, "Don't hurt me, please."
Barbara pulled her to her feet and pushed her toward the others. "Should have thought about not hurting Bobie and others but you didn't and if it were up to me the two of you would be left out in the desert to die a long slow death. But it is not up to me, it is up to the law and I can't wait to see just what they plan on doing with you." She had just finished talking when the escape hatch opened and several State police officers climbed out.
"What happened here?" Brad Holden asked surveying the area.
Barbara replied with difficulty, "We need a Medivac chopper here. Belle Gardner has been shot and Bobie Parker is unconscious."
He glanced around and asked, "Bobie Parker? Are you serious, the woman is dead."
Barbara pointed to Bobie and said, "She may have had a hit on the head but she is definitely not dead."
"How--did this happen?"
"Take too long to fill you in now, all I want is to get out of this place and back to civilization. None of us are in good shape."
"Who else is hurt?"
"Well, Burgess has a few nicks, but she deserved every one. We are all tired, and would like to make a formal statement later." The fight had taken a lot more out of her than she wished to admit.
He pointed to Belle and then called out on his radio for additional help.
Barbara limped to Belle's side and dropped to her knees; she looked at the terrified face of Sarah Clemmens and wondered just what would cause a person to turn out as she did. Reaching out she said, "I'll hold pressure for awhile, you rest. If you had not done this, Belle would have bled out. Thanks for that."
Sarah left and walked toward Bobie Parker who now had several people trying to administer first aide. When she came too, she was coughing, and trying to get away from the smelling salts. The first face she saw was of a blond haired young man with blue eyes, good looking, almost had her thinking she was somehow dropped into her favorite soap opera. He sure did look like the young doctor on the show.
"Who--where am I?" She tried to move but his hand held her down as he said, "You are going to be fine, maybe have a lump on your head but better than the other woman."
Bobie's eyes grew wide; she grabbed his hand and pushed it away trying to see what was going on. "What other woman, please tell me what happened?"
He looked away and it was then she saw Sarah standing, arms folded across her chest and shaking. "Sarah? Is it you?"
Sarah walked up to her and replied, "It's me; guess by now you wish you had never met me."
"Who was injured, he said a woman was worse than me."
She dropped to her knees, tears rolled down her face. "I'm so sorry Bobie; I know you will never forgive me."
"Sarah who is the other woman?"
"Be--Bel--." She was trembling.
"Oh God, Belle Gardner? Where is she? How is she?"
"Yes, she was shot; she is being looked at now. I don't know."
"The blood on your hands, are you hurt too?"
"No, I kept pressure on Belle's wound that is where the blood is from. Can you ever forgive me?"
Gazing into the woman's eyes, Bobie replied, "This is not the time to talk about this, a lot happened while I was unconscious. I need to find out what happened?"
The whirr of a chopper could be heard as the young police officer said, "That will have to wait, you and the others have a ride in the Medivac chopper now."
Barbara and Bobie were standing in the corridor each had come to see how Belle Gardner was doing. It had been touch and go for a while but the woman was strong willed she survived. The Doctor had told them one could go in to see her at a time, and that was why they were standing, discussing which one was going to go in first.
Barbara sighed and said, "I know you and Belle are friends, we are too. We have gotten close, I just what to make sure she is all right."
Bobie replied, "She pulled through this is wonderful. I will digress, you are the one that saved us all, you go in, I will go in the waiting room and when you come out, I will go in if she is still feels up to visitors. Barbara, Sky doesn't know how lucky she is to have you."
"She has you too Bobie."
"Not like she has you. And now, not sure we even have one another any longer, she thinks I am dead, I don't know where she is, seems Tara Coltrane may have swiped her heart while I was gone."
"As I have told you, from the moment you went missing, Sky was a basket case, she left no stone unturned. Work, nothing got in her way. She loves you, never have seen her smitten like that. This thing with Tara, well, I cannot describe it, only Sky can. I think we just need to give her space, let her find Tara, do what she feels is needed. I really can't say too much about that, only that she would have moved heaven and earth to find you."
"Thank you. It is nice to hear this. I never stopped thinking of her, of our love, it kept me going when my body was about to give out on me. This experience has left me shaken and not the person I was. Guess we all have to step back and take a look at things, go from there."
"Good idea. I know that Global has not been functioning as well as it should but have no doubt, it will be running like a well oiled engine once we get back."
"We?" Bobie looked skeptical.
"Yes, 'we' for now, me and you. And of course the regulars that work there."
"Barbara not sure I am going back."
"What do you mean, you and Sky are a team, you keep the company afloat."
"No, you and Sky are a team, I am an outsider. Global will do fine without me and I can honestly say I am not up to any more adventure at this time at least the kind that would take me out of the country."
"Come back, I know you will get back into things, and Sky will be back, she will be overjoyed to see you."
"Perhaps or she may come back with Tara on her arm, or she just may not come back at all. You really need to think about this. After all I am dead."
"Look very much alive to me. I hope you really think about this, Global needs you, Sky needs you."
"For what. From all I hear, you are an army all by yourself."
"Never believe all you hear and only half if even that much of what you see, hasn't anyone ever told you this?"
Bobie smiled and said, "Nurse is coming out, go on in. Tell Belle I will come in after you, if she is up to it."
Barbara watched the woman limp away; it saddened her to see Bobie Parker so confused. Course what she had been through was enough to put the brakes on in most cases. Sighing she wished,
Sky would come back or at least let her hear from her.
The room was quiet except for the hum of the monitor, the second she stepped into the room; Barbara was hit by the scent that wreaked in every hospital room. Some people have a hard time with the smell others find it a clean scent, knowing their loved one was in a sterile room. However, thinking about it,
with all the people traipsing in and out, just how sterile are they really.
"Bout time you came to see me Johnson."
Barbara was brought out of her thoughts by the voice of Belle Gardner, maybe not as peppy as she had come to know but a most welcome sound. Walking toward the hospital bed she smiled toward the woman that had sparkle in her crystal blue eyes. "Belle, it is so good to see you better. Gave us all a scare."
"Gave me one too. That was too close for comfort. I'll be happy when they take these IV's out." (She raised her left arm off the bed a little) Darn things hurt. How will I ever get my beauty back, way too many black and blue marks."
"You look good, and the bruises will fade so you will be back to your lovely self in no time."
"Do you think they can scrape that off the floor?"
"Scrape what?"
"All that malarkey you are spilling, might take a sweeper to actually get it all up."
"No 'malarkey' Belle, just me being serious. Surely by now you must know I care about you. You are a good and dear friend."
"Come sit beside me." (Belle patted the bed with her right hand) "I care about you too. Actually surprised me we got along, much less became good friends. But I am happy we are. Come sit by me, I want to hear all about what happened."
"I am sure you have heard people talk about what happened. The main and only thing right now is for you to get better. Took a bullet so close to your heart, it made it difficult for the medical staff to get the devil out. What in the world were you thinking when you tried to sneak up to Mary Trenton?" She sit on the bed facing the woman as her eyes met Belle's crystal Blues she added, "If anything had happened to you, I would never forgive myself."
Belle reached out and touched Barbara's left hand, looked up at the woman and said, "You would be fine. Nothing happened, well something did but I am still here and soon to be back at the tavern."
Shaking her head Barbara softly said, "No. It will take time to heal, you need to rest."
"Nothing keeps me down for long. I will be back on my feet before anyone
knows it."
Barbara admired the woman, she had come to care deeply for her and it tore her up to see Belle injured as she was. Fighting back tears she said, "I'm not very good at this but when the doctor gives you the ok to leave, I want you to come back to Los Angeles with me."
From the look on Belle's face, it was obvious she was about to say no, but Barbara's hand over her mouth stopped this, her eyes widened as she muttered something undistinguishable before Barbara removed her hand. "Belle, yes, no argument, you will need bed rest, plenty of rest, you will need around the clock care, best place for you would be with me."
Belle listened to Barbara, she felt honored the woman would want to do this but said, "I will call Jeanne."
Barbara bit at her lower lip, she looked away and said, "Looks like they have been taking good care of you, I see all sorts of --"
"Cut the bull, Johnson, what is going on?"
Holding Belle's hand, she gave it a light squeeze and said, "Don't hate me I am just the messenger."
"What! God no, don't tell me something has happened to Jeanne. I have to get out of this bed and go to her."
"No, it's not that, anyway not like you think. I already put in a call to Jeanne, thought she should know but was told that she is out of the country on some sort of mission and cannot be reached. I am sure she is fine. Woman always knows how to protect herself."
A lost look covered Belle's face as she pulled away from Barbara's hand. "I am tired, need to be alone."
"Barbara leaned over and kissed her on the cheek then said, "I will go, but I will be back, you will not get rid of me this easy Belle Gardner. Oh, Bobie is in the waiting room, shall I send her in?"
Tears were rolling down the woman's cheeks as she whispered, "Please tell her I am tired, I want to see her, just not now."
Standing she gave Belle's hand a warm squeeze and said, "Just so you know, I'll be back too." She turned and walked from the room, it was good Belle could not see the tears forming in her eyes.
The days passed quickly, and it surprised Belle Gardner to see the smiling face of Barbara Johnson on a daily basis. Bobie Parker had become a frequent visitor too. But it was Barbara who always came with some sort of gift. She was turning her visits into a relaxing time, sometimes comical in the way Barbara would act. She knew the woman was doing all she could to take away the frustration she was having being cooped in one place. There had been no word from Jeanne, it was as if she vanished. Belle and Barbara talked about Jeanne and the covert mission she was on, both knowing how dangerous this was, both hoping the woman was safe.
However, when it came to Sky Richmond and Tara Coltrane, all the feelers that had been put out brought nothing back. It was obvious Sky had gone to find Tara, but the two also vanished. Barbara Johnson and Bernie Tafoya vowed to keep looking for the two. But until Sky returned, Global was not going to be doing as much business as it had. Barbara was very happy Belle finally decided to go with her to Los Angeles when the Doctor gave her the ok.
Turned out that Sarah Clemmens was a plant, she was to gain Bobie Parker's friendship and all the knowledge she could get involving Global, and Sky Richmond and was to work to bring Sky, and Bobie together for one last time. Mary Trenton was out to pay them back for her brother and sending her to prison, while Deanna Burgess wanted to cash in on the money made from contraband, of course she also blamed the two women for the death of her uncle who was the sheriff before her. The State Police made a wide sweep and was able to arrest many of the ringleaders. However, one problem still needed to be solved and on Monday morning, Major Ted Hawkins was on his way to Willow Lake to do just that.
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Continued