Dempster Road

Chapter 24

Barney scowled up from his hospital bed at the cluster of people around him bearing flowers and candies and cards. He felt it was all so undignified to be lying in front of his employees and friends in a skimpy gown, with tubes running in and out all over. The nurse gave him a warning glance as she fluffed his pillow and adjusted the IV on his arm.

"You just behave now, Sheriff Blackwell. These folks didn't have to give up their good time to come all this way to visit an old bear."

Barney humphed.

"You be nice or I'll jest have to get wintry with you." She gave his arm a pat, and turned a huge grin on the guests as she left.

Stella leaned down and gave his rough cheek a soft kiss. "I was so worried, Barney. When they told me what happened I just thought you'd be dead for sure. I don't think I could have taken another loss . . . particularly you . . ."

"Guess it'd take more than some scrapes and busted ribs to get rid of me, Stel."

She looked up and down his form under the thin sheet. "What all's wrong anyhow?"

"Two busted ribs. One managed to puncture somethin' inside, so they had to operate. A lot of cuts and scrapes that needed sterilizin' 'cause of infection from that crappy road, and a very slight concussion."

Fred leaned in mischievously. "Guess that's the least of your worries, Barney."

"Huh? What?"

"Concussion. With a head like yours the town will probably charge you for road repairs."

Barney smiled grimly. "You could be right, Fred, but bein' a good friend of the man that ended the killin' spree in Dempster, I reckon they'll give me a pass." Fred responded with a strong handshake, pecked Stella's cheek and left.

Tony stepped forward and handed Barney a card and then fumbled with a bouquet of cut flowers. "Guess I shoulda brought a glass or somethin' for these."

"Shoulda saved your money an--"

"Barney!" Stella took Tony's arm and led him to the door. "Ask one of the nurses at the desk and don't mind him, he's just an old grump when it comes to attention."

Liam got up from the chair in the corner and shuffled over to the bed. "Real sorry about your troubles, Sheriff. I brought you a book, but I don't know if you'll like it." He shuffled some more. "Anyway I'll leave it on the table for you."

Barney closed his eyes. "Listen, Liam. Thanks a lot for comin' all this way, I do appreciate it. It's a real fine gesture, son. And I'm really sorry about the Doc, he was tellin' me how you were getting' interested in his work."

"I am, real interested. I even found a course on the internet that I can take to get accreditation."

Accreditation? Where did Liam learn that one? "Sounds real good, Liam. Good luck with that; we're gonna need someone. And thanks for the book. I'll try and give it a look a little later."

"Sure. Good. Well you take care Sheriff, and we'll see you back in Dempster."

Barney gave him a weak wave out and sighed aloud as Stella came back to his side.

"Try and be the same with Tony when comes to say goodbye. These boys look up to you, Barney, and it was a long way to come – without pay I might add – to visit you here." He pulled a face and sighed again.

"They all gotta learn to stop callin' me Sheriff," his voice cracked. "Had to turn in my badge, Stel."

"I know. I know, Barney. It's nearly the right time anyway; the injuries just kind of settled the matter. I brought you a copy of the Dempster Voice; you might want to read Belinda's account of the whole story."

She changed the subject and pretended to fuss with the sheets and patted his pillow.

"Jesus, I can just imagine." He rolled his head on the pillow. "The story was the whole thing to her. Some people never change."

Stella gathered her things and gave him another peck on the cheek. "No . . . they don't." She caressed his rough cheek, blew him another kiss, waved goodbye, leaving Barney to stare at the ceiling.

When he heard some else approaching he figured his nurse was back, and he feigned sleep; she was too cheerful for him right now. The kiss that landed on his mouth brought him awake and alert. Belinda was standing beside the bed grinning down at him.

"Hi, Barney, feeling better?"

"What the hell was that?"

"It's called a kiss, Barney."

"I know what it's called, what was it for?"

"I saw DTS back in Dempster, and she said she couldn't get up at this time and asked me to give you her best."

He frowned and looked at her. "And that was her best?"

"Yup. But this is mine."

Before he could react she leaned down and crushed her mouth against his causing him to stir uncomfortably under the sheet. She stood again and waited.

"Jesus, Belinda."

"Not, wow that was nice, or more please?"

He stared, tongue-tied and she started to laugh. "That was a genuine thank you, Barney for the last few days. You actually treated me like someone other than the town doxy."

Barney blushed and stammered something intended as a denial then pointed at her face.

"Those hash marks a new fad?

"Yep, called Patrol Car Character." She smiled again, touching the still red scars.

"Huh, well I reckon you won't be doin' that again."

She closed her eyes a moment then looked up again. "I see you have a copy of the paper. Want me to read it to you? There's some very interesting twists in here." He gave a mental shrug, and nodded, and Belinda made herself comfortable next to him and began reading.

****

Barney's interest awakened as she read about her interview with one, Harry Sturm, a professional psychologist. He described his assessment of Adelaine Curtis, based on the information from others who met her, and his own brief encounter.