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Chapter Forty Three
 
 
 

The sound of footsteps brought Bobie out of a restless sleep.  Turning on the cot, she blinked several times before Deputy Carmine came into her vision.  The man smiled as he held a plate of food and said,  "Best you eat something, Bobie. You look pretty ragged."

Getting to her feet she walked to the cell door, glanced at the plate of food then raised her attention to the man that stood, looking very uncomfortable.  "I won’t bite."

He looked hurt and replied,  "Gosh no, Miss Bobie, I know you wouldn’t.  Just feels a little uncomfortable seeing you like this."

Placing her hands on the cell bars, Bobie tried her best to calm the man,  "We have both locked up perps, we have done exactly what you are doing now.  I understand your feelings.  But please take the food back, I’m not hungry."

"You got to eat something.  Going to waste away if you don’t.  Is there something I can get for you?  Anything you need?"

Bobie’s eyes shone as she answered,  "Yes.  Tell me how Skylar Richmond is?  Let me see her?"

He stepped back, gazed down at the plate of food before muttering,  "Can’t  Sheriff has made it really clear.  I can tell you that Miss Richmond is just fine.  She is making phone calls, talking to her lawyers, her people.  She seems fine."

"She . . . she hasn’t asked about me?"

"Not sure of that, I am not the only one here.  Could have asked the Sheriff or one of the other deputies.  Try to take it easy, we all know this has been a big mistake.  Sheriff gets on his ‘high horse’ sometimes but when he cools, he will see that you have not done anything wrong."

Shaking the cell bars to no avail, Bobie turned and walked to the sink before turning to gaze at this man she had worked beside for so long.  "You know me.  I am not a criminal.  The sheriff is punishing us for something he has no right to do.  Please Carmine, let me see Skylar."

He bit at his lower lip before he whispered,  "Tonight, when everyone has gone home, I will be on duty.  First chance I get, I will take you to her but you have to promise me when I say it is time to go, you go quietly."

Rushing toward the cell door, Bobie exclaimed, "Yes!  Oh yes!  I promise."

"Sure you don’t want at least the cool coffee now?"

"Sure, slide it through."  She watched the man walk away and when the door closed behind him, she walked to the table, set the cup of coffee down and did a high jump into the air, clicking her heels together on the way down.
 
 

Skylar Richmond had just finished talking to one of her attorneys on the phone.  Bret Daniels was good and could get just about anyone out of situations that some might think, impossible.  She felt he would do a good job for her too.  Walking back to her cell, she asked the deputy,   "Where are they keeping Bobie Parker?"

"Don’t know.  This is a big place and she could be anywhere."

Stopping she turned to gaze at the man, who instinctively placed his fingers on the handle of the gun he wore at his hip.  "Don’t look so frazzled, deputy.  I’m really  not as bad as the Sheriff makes me out to be.  Just curious and I know that nothing goes on in this place that you deputies don’t know about.  So tell me.  I’m a prisoner, you have me chained up like some sort of serial killer, and I couldn’t touch you even if I wished.  I’m just a woman, nothing more."

He swallowed, began to choke on this and tried to clear his passage way before uttering, "A woman, yes, unlike no other though.  I have kept up on your exploits and not just in Springfield.  Chains have a way of dropping away.  Sides, the two of you are never going to see one another again, so why torment yourself with, where she is."

"Is that why the Sheriff decided to wait days before he has me tell her what he wanted?"

He looked around before whispering,  "Sheriff saw the state you were in, red eyes and all and knew the second Bobie took a look at you, she would know whatever you said was a lie.  So he felt you needed to rest, then when the time is right do it.  He wishes you had never laid eyes on this town."

Screwing up her mouth Sky spouted,  "He is not the only one.  If I could take it back, I would, everything but Bobie Parker.  No matter what your sheriff wants me to say, it will make no difference because the connection we share is too great."

He pointed to the cell.  "Inside.  Guess the sheriff will see and soon."

"When my lawyer gets through with this town . . ."

"Yeah, Yeah, your lawyer hasn’t tackled the likes of Sheriff Burgess before."  As the man removed the restraints from the woman, he gazed into her emerald eyes.  "What the sheriff says and does, is not necessarily what all of us thinks is right.  So I would suggest you just sit back and relax, things have a way of working out."

Sky watched the man walk away and softly muttered,  "From your mouth to God’s ears deputy."   She turned and walked to the table, slammed her right fist onto it, sending it splintering into pieces on the floor.  "Be thankful I cannot get my hands on you this minute Sheriff!"
 
 

Bobie tried to lie and rest, she couldn’t, instead she walked and fumed and fumed and paced the cell.  Finally turning her attention to the formation of the cell.  Her eyes gazed up at the small window that held three bars.  As if a person could slip through something like that anyway, regardless of the metal.  She thought, her mind spinning many directions.  Ways to get out of her confinement were right at the top.  The back wall looked to be made out of grey brick, cemented together by concrete.  Pretty sturdy, no give.  Knowing her powerful legs could not kick an opening in this, she pulled the cot nearer to the wall, climbed on it and looked out the window.

There was not a lot of traffic on the main street, a few cars parked in the lot.  Seemed to be another quiet day in Springfield.  The sound of a door opening and footsteps brought her back to the cell as she hurriedly jumped to the floor and pulled the cot back where it had previously been.  Turning her attention to the sounds, she waited to see who was approaching.

When the deputy came into view, she wondered, what now? It wasn’t long before, Skylar Richmond appeared, even in chains the woman was magnificent.  Tall, regal, red hair, dancing on her shoulders as she walked.  She was dressed in prison khaki, even though the jumpsuit was too big, she was a woman of beauty and whatever she wore, faded in comparison.

When Skylar saw the joy in Bobie’s face, she felt the woman’s happiness, and it matched hers.  Even on this day, she was overjoyed to see her once more.  Smiling she gazed at the woman, though haggard looking Bobie still had fire in her eyes.  Love traveled to Sky in a look, in a smile, the woman’s body had lit up from within.

Sky was  followed by another deputy who stepped forward and said,  "Richmond will be cuffed to the bar, you two can visit for a while.  We will come back when the time is up."

The second they  stepped away, Bobie rushed to the cell door.  "Sky!  I have missed you so much!  Are you all right?"

Sky gazed down, her hands unable to reach out and touch the woman she loved more than ever.  "How are you?  I have been worried."

Bobie looked at the cuffs that were holding Sky to the cell bar and replied,  "Missing you.  Every breath I take, every step I have taken in this cell, is worry for you.  I have never felt this way about anyone.  Not being able to see you, hear your voice, feel your touch has been more than I can stand."

Sky felt the warmth of Bobie’s hand on hers and it was all she could do to stand.  Her touch was magic, it sent sensations throughout, wondrous sensations she never knew really existed until this amazing woman.  Smiling she gazed into the blue-green eyes of Bobie Parker and whispered,  "Life sometimes takes people on walks of life that are not all they seem to be.  I have missed you too."

"Wish I could throw my arms around you, hold you close, and feel your heart beat with mine.  These bars are keeping us apart but they cannot keep me from loving you."  Bobie’s eyes seemed to meld into Sky’s emerald greens.

"Sheriff has a way it seems.  I’m sorry I didn’t take your advice and just make a run for it."

"Talked to Belle and she said the roadblocks, the way he had this set up, we would not have gotten far.  You were right.  Still, Ben Burgess is wrong.  We are so close to solving this case as well as a few others.  Why now has he interfered?   Have you talked to your contacts?  Will we be out of here soon?"

Sky gently squeezed Bobie’s hand before saying,  "He doesn’t like the idea of the two of us that much is for sure.   I have talked to a few contacts.  In so far as our getting out . . ."

"Yes  . . . yes . . . "  Bobie’s eyes were wide and anxious as she held onto Sky tightly as if the woman would fade away.

Her insides were tearing apart as she gazed at the love on Bobie’s face the joy in her eyes when she took Skylar into them.  Swallowing and trying to get the courage to say things that would dim this light and turn the woman from her was something she had been fighting over and over.

"Sky?  What’s wrong?  I see it in your eyes, your body.  Tell me?"

"You may not want to hear what I have to say."

"I do.  I want there never to be any secret between us.  Our love can withstand anything.  You have taught me to trust, to open my heart."

"We will be getting out of here."

Bobie grinned as she asked with bated breath,  "When?  Tonight? I hope soon, can’t wait to feel your strong arms around me."

"Time to take a reality check Bobie."

Upon hearing the woman’s words, Bobie pulled her hands away and stepped further back into the cell.  She gazed at Skylar, facial expression changing as she asked, "What do you mean?  If this is not reality we have been living then what is it?"

"We met on a case, two people from different worlds.  Our worlds collided and in wonderful ways.  But the time has come to say goodbye."

Chills traveled Bobie’s body, every nerve crying out in an aching pain.  "No!  You don’t mean that!  Something has happened in here.  I will never say ‘goodby,’ Skylar Richmond.  And I don’t feel you want to say ‘goodby’ to me either.  What has the sheriff gone and done?  Why are you saying this?  I look at you, and you are the woman who quietly worked her way into my heart, into my dreams."

Sky was holding back tears, trying to stay tall, and be unyielding.  All she wanted to do was break through the bars and take Bobie Parker away from this place.  She could envision the two of them on  a ship that would carry them off to sea and to another life far away from here.  "You know that I come from another walk of life, that my life is filled with many things.  Knowing you, being in this town and getting to know the people has been an adventure."

Bobie was crimson, her voice quivering,  "Adventure!   You call our love an adventure?  What are you trying to say?  That Bernie Herbella was right when he told me, ‘I could never hold you?  That I was just an attraction’?"

 Skylar could see that Bobie was breaking down in front of her and all she could do was watch and make each moment harder for the woman.  With each breath she took, she hoped that under all of her hurtful words, Bobie would see through this.  "It has been.  Getting to know you, our travels, and our nights of passion.  But it is time for me to return to the real world, a world that has no place for a small town ex-deputy sheriff.   If you take anything away from our meeting, I hope that it is, while we were together, I made you happy.  And yes, Bern was right, I do have a tendency to see a woman  that is vulnerable and get what I want before I tire.   You though have touched my heart in a different way.  Just know that I did love you, deeply."

Tears falling like rain Bobie sputtered,  "How can you say those things to me?  I know you Skylar and that isn’t you.  Perhaps Bernie Herbella is jealous and why not?  You are a marvelous woman.  Still, I felt your love, I know your love and it is here."  She placed her hand over her heart.

Sky looked toward the hallway then replied,  "And you have touched my heart.  Forget me, Bobie Parker, have a good life.  If anything, take away fond memories."

"Damn you!  How can you do this to me?!  I opened my heart to you, how can you hurt me like this?"

"Better now than later.  You have time to get over me, get on with your life.  No hard feelings?"

The two deputies that brought Skylar were on their way back. When they approached the cell, both gazed at the women.  Unlocking Sky’s restraints from the cell bar, one remarked,  "From the looks of you two, I guess it wasn’t all honey and molasses in here.  Let’s go, Richmond."

Sky stopped to gaze back once, she felt weak in the knees as a pain she had never felt before cut through her like a knife.  The two deputies quickly reached out and kept her standing as they helped her out of the area.   Once Sky was led to her cell, one of the men replied,  "Sorry it had to go down like that.  Sheriff is true to his word, you will be out of here soon."

"And Bobie?"  Sky asked, tears falling down her face.

"Her too.  Only you will be gone by that time."

Sky paced the cell, her body racked with pain and sorrow for what she had just done.  "Damn you Burgess!   Damn you all!  Bobie!  I didn’t mean it!  God, somehow, someway, let her know I didn’t mean it!"  She grasped the cell bars and began to shake them yelling,  "Someone!  Get me out of here!"
 
 

That evening when Carmine brought her a plate full of heavenly smelling food, Bobie looked up at the man from her position on the floor.  "Don’t want any thing to eat."

"Sorry about not being able to bring you and Miss Richmond together.  Heard you did get to see her before she left."

"Left?  Skylar is gone?"

"Yep, left bout an hour ago.  I think she was scheduled to fly into the Los Angeles International Airport.  Seems like she has left this area in a big hurry."

"If she has, it is a good thing.  Give me time to cool down some."

"I am sorry Bobie, heard it was not a good meeting between the two of you."

"That what all you fine folk talk about behind my back?  Poor country girl, no knowledge of the big city life.  Well go and play a game of checkers, or better yet help some old lady cross the street.  Just don’t come in here gloating and telling me you are 'sorry' when it is plain to see every last one of you are happy."

"Not gloating, and not happy about what occurred.  Thought the two of you made a great pair.  Just wanted you to know I feel bad about this.  Hoped a nice meal would make you feel better."

"The condemned prisoner gets a good meal.  Forget it.  If I never eat again, I don’t care.  Take that away from here.  Food will not make me feel any better.  Where is the sheriff?  I want to talk to him."

"Gone.  He took several deputies and headed out to the Trenton place.  Think he had in his mind to arrest them all, including Mary.  Doubt they will be back until early morning.   Just me, manning the place for the night."

Bobie pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them as she lay her head on her arm.  "Leave me to my own devils.  Go on Carmine.  Go read a book or watch television or something, just get out of here."

He sighed, then replied,  "If you need anything . . . "

"Won’t."

He left the area, and the woman that was totally wrapped up in a hurt he could not even imagine.
 
 

It was approaching midnight when the town’s emergency siren let loose with a shrill that would have awoken the dead.  At the same time several loud explosions erupted near the bank, each one lightening up the sky.   Bobie had been laying in the fetal position, her mind totally racked by Sky’s words.  When the siren blared through the area, she quickly jumped to her feet.  The explosion and the loud sounds that followed were enough to unnerve anyone.  Feeling like a caged animal having no where to go, she pushed the cot up against the back wall.  Jumped onto the cot and peeked out.

The sky was lit up with red and yellow, as well as lots of smoke filling the air. As she tried to visualize an attack of some kind, she saw a pebble hit the window.  Looking down, Bobie could not believe her eyes.  There on a golden palomino, sat Belle Gardner, wearing jeans, boots, western shirt, a cowboy hat and in her right hand a lasso.  Belle quickly ran the rope around several of the bars, before she motioned for Bobie to get far away.  Even if they could not talk, it was obvious, this woman was out to break her out of jail.

Bobie knew that Carmine must have left the jail to see what was going on. And that Belle probably had something to do with this.  She had seen this done in many western movies but really didn’t think it would work.   Within moments several of the bars gave way and with one more attempt, Belle had taken enough down to allow Bobie to squeeze out.

She did not waste any time, the second the last bar gave, The window was broken and Bobie moved quickly to get out.  Thankful she had lost some weight, it was a tight fit but before long, she was sitting behind Belle Gardner and galloping from the area.

Belle stopped at the stable, quickly dismounted as Bobie’s followed.  "Belle do you know what you just did?"

Belle led the palomino into the barn.  She removed the bridle, and the saddle.  The blanket was damp so she hung it over several logs to dry.  Belle listened to Bobie prattle as she fed, and watered the animal.  When finished, Belle turned to gaze at the woman.  "Best I could do.  Yes I know, I just created a ruckus to divert attention so I could break you out of jail."

"You ever done anything like that before?  Woman you are good."   Bobie smiled as she watched Belle hand the palomino an apple.

"No, seen it done many times on television, didn’t look all that hard to me."

"Could have gotten yourself shot, lots different from on television.  Now I have gotten you in trouble too."

"Nope, sheriff will have no idea.  Besides the first person he will look at I think would be Skylar and her contacts."

"Maybe but doubtful since Sky is long gone."

Belle’s eyes widened as she tipped her head to the side and asked,  "Gone?"

"Yes, she left me in a sinking ship it seems."

"Come on girl, let’s take a ride in my pickup.  I want to talk to you and you need to talk to me."

Belle, we can’t just wander around.  The second they figure I am missing, an A.P.B. will be sent out over the wires.  I will be a sitting duck."

"Honey most ducks learn to fly."

Bobie ran after Belle asking,  "Ducks?  Fly?  What are you talking about Belle Gardner?"
 
 

Several hours later, Bobie sat in front of a large mirror and stared at the person that was staring back at her.  "Can’t believe my eyes."

Belle grinned before saying,  "Denny White has just been born.   You look wonderful and so different.  No one would recognize you Bobie.  My good friend Ellen has done a bang up job.  She used to work as a make-up person in Hollywood and since retiring here sort a looked to see if she still has it and she does."

Bobie reached up and lightly brushed the moustache above her lip, the larger nose, the brown eyes, and the short dark hair.  The woman had changed her appearance drastically.  It was all she could do not to say, ‘let me out of this person.’  Stepping from the chair, she turned to gaze at Belle.   "Never knew you had all these devious methods.  Very glad you do.  Now that I have been transformed, what next?"

Belle smiled,  "Next you take a plane to Los Angeles."

"Oh no!  Case you have forgotten I am a wanted fugitive now.  Los Angeles is in another state."

"So?"

"So, more charges."

"Bobie do you really care at this point?  Sheriff seems to be able to charge you with whatever he wants.  So what is another?  They have to catch you first and believe me, looking like that, lowering your voice, no one would have the slightest idea you are really, Bobie Parker."

"Tell me once again, why am I doing this?"

"To find Skylar and ask her just what was really happening?"

"No.  Can’t do that again.  Hurt enough and just can’t take the pain of seeing the cold look in her eyes again."

"Bobie.  Listen to me.  She loves you.  I have never seen anyone care for another like she does for you and you for her.  The things she said were hurtful.  But still, you know her better than anyone and you find what she said unlike her."

"Maybe but I don’t know Skylar Richmond, the woman from Big Town Los Angeles, the woman that travels the world and jet sets with the rich and famous.  I am just a . . ."

"You are the light of the woman’s life.  Something just doesn’t smell right and when I get these feelings they are almost always on the line.  A trip, another place, getting away from this area, just might be the ticket you need."

"Did you forget something?  I am not a man.  I am not Denny White.  L. A. is a progressive place, and they will spot me in a heartbeat."

"Doubt it, and if they do, no biggie, lots of people dress as women, that are men, and vice versa.  You will just be one of the crowd.  Keep in touch.  Call me on this number, it is a payphone.  I will be near this area every night around ten p.m.  If you call, I will be there.  And by the way, Skylar wanted to get that blood analyzed, I think the results came in."

"What?"

"The analysis."   She walked to a table and brought back a manila envelope addressed to Skylar Richmond and marked, personal.

Bobie reached out to take it as Belle questioned,  "Should we look?"

"Why not?  Sky is not here, heaven knows where she is or what she is up to.  Let’s take a look and see just what the blood scraping showed."

Both women stared at the words, hybrid.   It was Belle that finally asked,  "Hybrid, isn’t there some sort of plant that is called that?"

"Plant, animal, yes.  But this is a human and a living cell of some sort.  The human is distinguished the other is not.  There are remarks as to what kind it might be but each one gives a person cause to wonder.  Sky would love to see this."

"Then take it to her."

"Belle, I don’t have expense accounts like Sky.  I don’t dare dip into my savings or checking for that matter.   I don’t know important people in L. A. I am just an 'ex-deputy sheriff' as I have been told."

Belle handed her a credit card.  "Here, you are doing some business for the tavern.  No one will question and anyone that does can talk to me."

"I can’t take this."

"Sure you can.  Think of it as a loan.  When you get the answers you want, pay me back when you can.  I just want to see you happy."

Bobie hugged the woman and gave her a kiss on the cheek.  "You are one in a million Belle Gardner.  Thank you.  And you will not be sorry."

Belle pointed to the door.  "Shall we be on our way?  You have a trip ahead and a meeting with Skylar Richmond. I wish I could be a fly on the wall to see what happens.  By the way, your moustache tickles."

Bobie slapped jokingly at the woman as they left the building.  "Tickle you anytime Gardner.  I’m ready to meet my public.
L. A. here I come."
 

Sitting on the plane, Bobie leaned back, closed her eyes.  Her mind filled with what had been happening, the hurt she was experiencing and a new found way to hunt up Skylar Richmond.  A confrontation she was not looking for but one she knew she had to make.  Whatever Sky said, however she felt, she knew they had to have one last stand.  Like Custer, she wanted to face this woman and deal with the consequences, head on.  No bars between them, ever.

Continued in Part 22