The Golden Years

Retired, Widowed and Guilty

Agents Kirk and Delgado wrapped up their questioning of Eddie, as Riley entered the room, pausing and looking at them doubtfully.

"It's okay, Mrs. Nursewood, we're all done here. Mr. Banks can leave until our case gets presented. He will be a prosecution witness at some point - it's a big case, state wide, so for now, he's all yours."

The agents left and Riley came to the side of the bed.

"You brought me flowers!"

She waggled the small bouquet and blushed, setting it on his bed tray.

"I didn't think I could just come in empty-handed . . ."

"Riley, you could come in any way you like." He placed his hand on hers and squeezed lightly.

The blush expanded and she gave a small chuckle. "How are you? What did the doctor say?"

"The good news, nothing serious. The bad news, my gluteus medius will have a small groove where the bullet ploughed through. My modelling days of briefs are over." He grinned.

"Good thing you wear boxers." Her grin was wider.

"How good a thing is it you know that?" He laughed, then they both fell silent.

After a moment, Riley sat on the edge of the bed. "When the gun went off, Eddie - I thought . . ."

"What kind of finish would that have been? First week retired, meet a beautiful woman. Ride to her rescue and get knocked off?"

"Excuse me, Miss, I need to give Mr. Banks a check over before signing a release." The doctor paused while Riley got out of the way.

"So, he can leave?"

"Sooner the faster. The city doesn't want the bill to get any higher, and I'm sure Mr. Banks wouldn't want to give his insurance company apoplexy if they refused to pay."

"So my own hospital insurance isn't any good down here?"

"Nope. You could take that up with them at home, but down here it's cash on the barrel head."

"That the twenty-first century edition of the Hippocratic Oath?" Eddie joked.

"You're clear to leave, Mr. Banks. There's a script for pain if you need it. Don't get the area wet for a couple of days. Any problems, our hand is always out." The wry look told Eddie his remark hadn't gone unnoticed.

Riley began helping him gather his things, then stepped out while he dressed. Eddie met her in the corridor and looked quizzical.

"So . . ."

"You're coming home with me. I have to be there when the carpenter comes to fix the doors."

"I think I need to make arrangements to get back home, Riley."

"We can discuss that after you tell me about all this mess we've been through. Can you walk alright?"

"There's a bit of a hitch in my giddy up. You get the car, I'll wait here."

******

"Guess that's why you called me, eh? Your man couldn't get 'er done." The thin man with the baseball cap and coveralls nodded at Eddie laid up on the sofa.

"Something like that, Mr. Edison." Riley led him through the house to the side door. "This is what I need fixed."

"Looks like somebody was pretty mad, that why your fella's laid up?" He chuckled, pulling at the splintered door frame.

"Will it take long, for both of them?"

"Well, I'll take my measurements and see what I've got in the truck that will work, otherwise I'll hafta go to the yard and get the wood."