Skylar Richmond had not regained consciousness and the longer it was taking had him concerned. The man stopped pacing, gazed at the floor and smiled. The tracks that Tara
Coltrane had worn in the carpet were now matched by his own. He had just removed the watch from his pocket when he heard the back door of the clinic open. Immediately he put the watch back in the pocket and headed for the back of the clinic.
The man's eyes grew wide when he saw, Tara Coltrane carrying Deanna Burgess over her left shoulder as if the woman was a sack of potatoes. Quickly rushing to the woman
he exclaimed, "What in the world happened!"
"Need to lay her down."
He pointed to a room and said, "In here, lay her on one of the exam tables."
Once Tara had placed Deanna on the table she took a deep breath then asked, "Sky,
how is she?"
Gazing at Tara then Deanna he said, "The two of you left here looking fine, now look
at you. Did you encounter World War Three along the way?"
Looking for a chair, Tara spied a stool and sat. "Sort of. We had a difference of opinion
you might say."
His medical skills were put to work as he began to clean and work on the cut that was still seeping blood. "Your friend has not woken yet. Best you go sit with her while I take care
of this, then we need to talk." As Tara limped from the room, he shook his head and marveled she was even walking.
Tara stopped at the door before opening it and walking into the silent room. Sky had not moved. She could curse herself for taking Burgess for what almost was her last time on earth. Tara now knew she should have stayed with Sky. So many things running through
her head, the doctor's words, 'if she doesn't wake up soon, she could go into a coma.' The thought of losing Skylar Richmond was something she did not want to hear.
Stepping lightly toward the woman, Tara felt queasiness in her stomach; she barely made it to the small waste container before she heaved. Finding a box of tissue she wiped her mouth before leaning against the wall and sliding downward.
When Doc Taylor finished up with Deanna Burgess he knew she would sleep for a while which would give him time to talk to Tara Coltrane and find out what exactly happened. He was however not prepared for the stench when he walked into the examining room. As his eyes searched the area, they came to rest on the woman passed out near the waste container; he could only heave a heavy sigh and hurry to see if she was all right. This had certainly not been a usual day.
It was the smelling salts that Doc Taylor used that finally brought Tara around. At first she acted like a deer caught in the headlights but soon realized it was Doc Taylor. "Are you all right?"
Tara managed to sit up before she replied, "Better than I was, I guess. What happened?"
He shrugged then replied, "Your guess is as good as mine. From the smell I assume you
tossed your cookies."
Tara had a bewildered look on her face as she muttered, "Nothing to do with cookies.Doc."
He chuckled, "Just meant you threw up. After checking Sheriff Burgess, I can only assume you also have marks on you."
She nodded, "Should have been there Doc, it was quite the fight. Maybe the Sheriff would have respected the art of battle instead of use underhanded methods."
He sat crossed his legs then said, "Don't spend much time on the floor, prefer more comfortable seats. Now, back to you and your condition. What made you throw up?"
Tara started to laugh but thought better of it when a pain shot across her abdomen. "I'll be fine. Just need to sit with Sky for awhile."
He stood and said, "Not until you follow me to one of the exam rooms and let me check
you out."
Tara gazed up at the man. He had a determined look about him and she knew if she did not allow him to examine her, it would be a lot longer before she was with Sky. So she held out her right hand and said, "Help me up, I'll follow you."
He offered his hand and said, "Can't believe you are not going to fight me on this."
Standing, Tara gazed into the man's kindly eyes. "May as well have a check, have a lot of things to do and can't be hindered by any problems. So lead on Doc." As she walked from the room Tara glanced back toward Sky.
Doc Taylor had been writing in a file for what seemed an eternity. Tara was feeling apprehensive as she pulled her shirt on over her head. "Tell me Doc, am I going to live?"
He stopped what he was doing, turned to gaze at her. She was a striking woman, tall, well proportioned, even in the state she was in at that time; he couldn't help but marvel at her beauty. "If you take it easy, no more battles at least for awhile, I think you will be fine. The X-Rays turned up nothing. I do suggest you get an MRI though. You say that Sheriff Burgess laid a few blows to the area that is most bruised with a few kicks. I must say you are lucky, blows like that could kill if not seriously injure."
Tara walked toward him, her shirt untucked from her trousers as she said, "That was her intention, to kill me Doc. Woman is wacky."
He handed her a prescription. "Take these, they will ease your pain and help in the healing."
"Can't afford to be knocked out Doc, so if any of these are --"
"Will not cause you to sleep. Unless your body is tired and that is natural. What are you going to do with the Sheriff?"
"She is sleeping like a baby now, might as well let her. When this woman is awake, she
can be worse than a tornado on a slow day."
"I agree with you there, she should rest. But you can't keep her here indefinitely, the office will be looking for her and I don't want to get entangled with the law."
"I would like to wait a bit before making a decision, if that is all right with you. Not much can be done at this moment anyway."
He nodded. "Fine. Just don't forget she is here."
Lightly touching her chin with her left hand Tara replied, "Too many aches and pains for that to happen Doc. Promise, after a rest, I will see that she is taken care of. Don't look so skeptical, I meant the hospital."
He looked like a heavy weight had been taken off his shoulders. "Good idea."
"Doc, what caused the throwing up?"
"Do you feel like doing that now?"
No. But thought I would ask."
He removed his spectacles and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his right hand. "I think all that happened, Skylar, the encounter with Sheriff Burgess, all helped in your queasy stomach. Couldn't hurt to actually eat a meal or two though."
Tara eyed the prescription then turned her gaze on the man. "Is that your subtle way of telling me I am too thin?"
"No. But I would suggest you be a bit kinder to your stomach. I have a few things to wrap up before closing and going home. If your friend is not awake by the time I have
to close --"
"What?"
"Just she needs to be moved to the hospital. They can take better care of her there. Just like Sheriff Burgess. Wouldn't even hurt you to let me admit you at least for tonight."
"Nope. Skylar is not going to any hospital, I am not going to any hospital and neither is the sheriff at this moment. So if you are going home, we are staying. Don't worry Doc, we are trustworthy, at least Sky and I are, now your sheriff, well that is something else all together."
He walked from the room and replied, "Guess if you are determined to stay here, then so am I. People found out I left three sick or disabled patients in the clinic they would be upset and I could lose my license."
"Doubt that, you are the only doctor here that is worth anything. I am sure you have a faithful clientele Doc. If you will excuse me I want to go sit with Skylar."
He let out a sigh then said, "Go ahead. Might I suggest you take the exam table near her and try to rest as well."
Tara nodded and replied, "Will do. Thanks Doc."
He watched the woman walk away and it was evident she hurt a lot more than she let on. If they were going to stay, then he would too at least until he got caught up on reports and checking on the three of them.
Tara stood gazing down at Sky. She still could not believe how much things had changed from the morning. Neither of them would have believed Deanna Burgess could be so cold and ruthless, still after all that had happened she could not believe the woman was implicated in the disappearance of Bobie. Pulling up a stool she sat and watched Skylar
as if she was watching a movie in slow motion.
After what seemed like hours, Tara stood and walked toward the wall phone she had seen earlier. Took her a few tries before she got an outside line. When she heard Barbara Johnson's voice on the other end she swallowed hard knowing what she was going to say would not set well with the woman.
"Global Investigations, no job too small."
"Barbara, this is Tara Coltrane."
The silence on the other end was deafening and for a short time, Tara thought the woman had dropped the phone or walked away. "Barbara Johnson, I need to speak with you."
The fear was evident in the woman's voice as she queried, "Sky? Has something happened to Sky?"
"There's been an accident."
"Oh My God! What did you do to her?"
It was hard for Tara to make the call and even harder after she heard the woman's voice, it was evident Barbara Johnson was distraught. "I didn't, but she has been shot."
There was a loud thump and the hum of the line going dead as Tara kicked at the wall with her left foot. And before thinking batted the wall with her head a few times. Hanging up, she called Global again; this time when Barbara answered she seemed more
restrained. "Are you all right?" Tara asked, all the time knowing how she felt and this woman had been working with Sky much more closely, so the news had to be taking a big toll on her.
"Is she --"
"No. Sky is alive but at the moment she is out."
"Gods make sense; I am a bundle of nerves here."
"All right, sit down, take a deep breath and just listen to me."
After explaining what had occurred, Tara assured the woman she would stay with Sky and make sure she was all right. Still, Barbara Johnson wanted to send a plane, a crew
and take Skylar back to Los Angeles. The woman finally gave in when Tara asked her to
give Sky a few more hours and if she did not wake up then the flight would be advisable.
Barbara did ask to talk to Doc Taylor and Tara was only too happy to connect the two.
She was feeling tired, her body ached in spots she never knew, before she tried to rest there was one more call she had to make. After several tries, the voice of Bernie Herbella finally came over the phone. "Bern its Tara and I need to talk to you. "
It seemed there was someone else Bernie Herbella was also talking to and he was paying more attention to this other person so she held waiting for him to finish. "Bern, Bern, hello. " When he did not reply but kept talking to someone called Jake, she began to tap on the wall with the fingers of her right hand.
Finally hanging up the phone, Tara said a few unkind words softly before she redialed his
number again.
"Shoot it's your nickel."
"Bern, it is not a nickel that has been shot. Now if you would please listen to me and not someone else I need to talk to you and it is important."
The man's cheery disposition changed as he replied, "I apologize, so much to do and not a great deal of time to get some things done. You have my undivided attention dear, what is the problem?"
Tara explained what had happened and when she finished, once again she heard silence on the other end of the line. Phones are nice, but sometimes being face to face with someone is so much better. The thoughts were running rampant in her mind when she mumbled something unrecognizable.
"Tara, sorry for the delay, but after hearing what you said, I needed to get the jet ready."
"What! No! There is nothing you can do here."
"Sky is seriously hurt, and yes there is something I can do. I will be there as soon as I can."
"Did you hear what I said about Sheriff Burgess?"
"Did. Woman does not scare me."
"Well she should. We both know not much gets to me, well this woman almost killed
me."
"Come now Tara, I have never known anything or anyone to take you down, not for long
anyway."
"Well, she is not just anyone I found out. Her bullet has Sky out like a light. Doc hopes there is no serious head trauma. I've already spend time in her jail. And this day she almost killed me. There I said it. Hate to admit it but it is true. Doc Taylor says I am one big walking bruise. Think he might have been joking some but I am pretty messed up."
"I am amazed. Surprised and really at lost for words."
"Me too. Now back to your coming out here. I already talked to Barbara Johnson
and she too has said she is sending a plane. Perhaps the two of you might talk about this.
I don't think a plane is necessary. I feel Sky will wake soon and the first thing she is going to want to do is go look for Bobie Parker."
"What Sky may want and what she gets are two different things. All right, I will call Barbara, we will talk about this. Let me know when Sky wakes? If it is not before the
morning, then Johnson and I will certainly find our way there. Thanks for taking care
of Skylar, there will be a bonus in your check."
"Oh, about the check Bern -- cancel it. This one is all on me."
"You got to be kidding, right?" Bernie was quite surprised by Tara's words.
"Not a situation I would kid about Bern. Doc says I need my rest and my body
does too, so ciao." After hanging up the phone, she made her way to the exam
table and soon was fast asleep.
Bobie Parker had been doing pushups, slowly getting her body back into shape. It was not the way it was but she could feel the infusion of strength and it made her work harder
at getting better. Whatever had caused most of the people in this place to take off, she was glad it happened. And each day she was even happier to see the smiling face of Sarah Clemens. The woman had become a lifesaver in a world that had become unbearable.
Her mind was clearer now and it was easier to think back, do her best to bring up the day,
and the man that caused her to be in the situation she was in now. The night before, and the morning of that day was beautiful, wonderful, words could not describe the happiness
she shared with Skylar Richmond. The trip was to be a short one, a good visit with an old
friend. A chance to ride the range again, renew acquaintances instead she ended up in this God forsaken place. Sky wanted to go, she was even going to give up an important business meeting for this but she had to talk the woman out of it. How she wished she had said yes, being with Sky would have made all the difference in the world.
Bobie was reliving her trip to the airport when the door to her room was opened. She felt her muscles twinge as thoughts vanished like the wind on a desert plain. She stood ready for the person that was going to come into the room. Hoping it was Sarah but afraid it
might not be. Her fear was justified for the person that stepped into the room was dressed in black, wearing a black hood and carrying manacles in one hand.
"Time to get back to the routine Parker. You know the drill, don't do anything stupid, face the wall, hands above your head." The voice was low, gruff and for some reason, Bobie thought of the many times she had heard the coil of a rattler. Sensations stampeded through her body like a bolt of lightning, suddenly she felt weak, sick to her stomach as she did her best to fight the fear that was now trying to overwhelm her.
"Do it! Face the wall!"
Slowly, Bobie turned and did what the person asked, chills ran-up and down her spine as she said, "Guess it will not do any good to ask you where you have been?"
The person laughed and snapped back, "None of your business. Now I haven't got all day, so you be a good girl while I shackle you."
The person reached for Bobie's left hand and pulled it back behind her as she felt the coolness of the manacle. Closing her eyes, Bobie said a prayer for she knew she was going to turn on this person and hoped she could succeed. It was at this time she heard a
clunk and a moan, the person had released the hold on her hand as she turned to see what was going on.
Sarah Clemens was standing over the figure holding a wooden club. The woman almost looked like a statue, for she was not moving. Bobie looked at her and said, "Sarah, thank you."
Sarah looked at Bobie and nodded, "I couldn't let them do it."
"There are not enough words to say thank you but I hope you know I am very happy to see you. Now, let's get this person tied up and get out of here if we can. Tell me are they all back?"
She shook her head. "No, not all of them but I heard one talking about beginning treatment on you again and I had to do something."
Bobie took the manacles and put them on the person, and then she reached down and pulled the hood off. It was a man, he was large and stout, and perhaps in his younger days he may have even been good-looking. His hair was brown, cut close to the head. His face pot marked decorated by a moustache setting under the tip of his nose, it actually looked like a caterpillar had crawled there and found a place to stay. But he was someone she didn't know and neither did Sarah. Finally going through the man's pockets she found a magnetic card and took it. Then she relieved him of his revolver.
Sarah was still not doing much; she seemed to be in shock of some sort. But when Bobie stood, placed her hands on the woman's shoulders and looked her in the eyes she did respond. "Sarah! Listen to me. We have to get out of here and now. You know the area, so I will trust you to lead us out."
"But, once we reach the door leading out, we do not have a key."
Bobie took a deep breath and said, "I think the card is the key. If it is not, we will find another way. They will come looking for him within ten minutes or sooner so we had better move and quick."
Sarah gazed down at Bobie's feet and said, "You won't get far like that."
"I'll get further than you think. Let's go, you lead, I'll follow."
Once they were out of the room, the two continued down a long corridor dodging in and out of stairwells when they heard a sound. The two had just missed one of the guards making rounds and were leaning up against the wall.
Sarah reached up and wiped the perspiration from her brow and whispered, "This is tricky."
Feeling the coolness of the wall against her back, Bobie replied, "Sure is. I'm glad you
know the way."
"Knowing and doing are two different things. Sometimes my legs just don't seem to want to work."
Bobie patted her on the right arm. "You are doing great. I am proud of you Sarah."
The woman smiled and said, "Thank you. I don't hear anything now, shall we go?"
"Yes, the sooner we are out of here the better."
After several curves and dodges the two found themselves in what looked like a cloak room.
Bobie asked, "Where are we now?"
"In one of their storage rooms. I think there are some clothes in here somewhere."
Bobie looked around the area then said, "We don't have a lot of time. What do you need?"
Sarah had already found a knapsack and was beginning to put a few supplies in it. She pointed to a box, marked clothes and said, "Might look in there for some shoes. I am almost finished here."
Taking the woman's words to heart, Bobie headed for the box and opened it. She stared at the clothes and began to rifle through them looking for a certain size. Finally coming to several pair of sneakers she found a pair that would fit. After donning a pair of blue jeans, a white tank top, socks and the shoes she was ready to leave. Sarah handed a knapsack to her and said, "Filled one up for you too." Didn't take long for the two of them to leave the room far behind.
Once they were standing at what Sarah said was the way out, Bobie looked for a slot, upon seeing one she hoped this was the right thing to do. Taking out the card, she slid it
into the slot and crossed her fingers. At this time a blaring alarm was heard and the two knew any minute guards would show up. Their escape had been discovered.
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Continued