Planet of the Leps: Beginnings Series Book 27

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Oh. Oh my.” Andrea quickly, shut off the healing agent that flowed into Elliott’s veins.

  <><><><>

  Johnny hadn’t changed his clothes. In fact all he had done was put on a surgical gown once Dean came in. He took that off when he left the OR. His clothes were still splattered with Elliott’s blood.

  He walked down the hall, listening for voices in the waiting room but it was quiet. To his surprise, only Hal and his grandfather waited.

  Hal peered over his folded hands and then stood. “Johnny.”

  “Uncle Hal, Pap.”

  “What’s happening?” Joe asked.

  “Elliott made it through the surgery.”

  Hal stumbled back, his tense body giving away in relief.

  “I don’t believe the hit to the head caused anything serious. The one bullet hit the lung, we got that without problems. The other was lodged close to the spine, so that is a wait and see if it did any damage.”

  “When will we know?” Hal asked. “When can I see him?”

  “You probably can see him after Dean Finishes. It’ll be a few days at least until he wakes up. He lost a lot of blood and I can’t see Dean not medically inducing a coma as a precaution.”

  “But you’re saying …. You’re saying he will live?” Hal asked.

  “Barring any unforeseen circumstances the prognosis is good.”

  Groaning out a sigh of joy, Hal grabbed on to Johnny and embraced him.

  Hal didn’t see it, the look on Johnny’s face when his Uncle hugged him, but Joe did.

  “Good job,” Joe leaned forward and kissed Johnny on the forehead. “Good Goddamn job.”

  It really was too much emotionally for Johnny to handle. His throat thickened and eyes welled. It was overwhelming. His family had hated him and even if it was short lived, he felt that family bond again.

  “Um … I am gonna go, see how things are. I’ll be back.” He looked at Joe then Hal once more, nodded and left the waiting room.

  Hal laid his hand on his own chest and wheezed out loudly. “Oh my God.”

  “This is good news. But there’s something we need to remember.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Once he is out of surgery, a trusted guard, preferably two men from Bowmen, round the clock on that door. It’s not over for Elliott,” Joe said. “He saw the shooter.”

  <><><><>

  “People please,” Frank yelled. “It’s a fucking crime scene. Watch where you step.” His men were searching the area in the dark, they weren’t used to investigating.

  “Hey, Frank,” Danny Hoi approached. “I went to storage got you the crime tape.”

  “Thank fuckin’ God.” Frank took it. “I can corner this off and the roof.”

  “I don’t think anyone is going on the roof.”

  “You never know. Besides the tape, what do you got?”

  “Hoibook is lit up. Everyone is worried. All entrances even the emergency routes are secure. No one has tried to leave. No runners,” Danny said.

  “That’s because it’s someone who lives here. I’m certain.”

  “We had some Bowman people in town … what is this?”

  “What?”

  Danny pointed to behind Frank.

  “What the fuck?”

  Jenny led a crowd his way, it seemed everyone in Beginnings.

  “Hey! Stop! This is a crime scene.”

  “We know.” Jenny said.

  “What are you doing about it Frank?” Someone yelled out.

  “Trying to find the fucking shooter and you people are walking through my crime scene.”

  “How did this happen?” Another shouted.

  “I don’t …”

  “Who would want to kill Elliott? Sweet Elliott?” Jenny asked.

  Upon her words everyone in the massive crowd shouted out the same sentiments.

  “Hey!” Frank blasted. “They didn’t try to kill Elliott. They missed, they had another target in mind.”

  “Who?” Jenny asked.

  “Um … Dean.” Frank said. “But he wasn’t there it was dark and they got confused.”

  “Oh. Okay,” Jenny said. “We’ll just move along and do our thing.”

  “Wait. Where are you going? You can’t go anywhere but back home.”

  “We are having a peaceful assembly and vigil for Elliott.”

  “You can’t … You…” Frank pointed. “He’s new.” He looked at Danny. “Your priest friend from the past. Jenny, why is Fr. Mike out of Containment.”

  “Because we need spiritual leadership in times of crisis,” Jenny said. “Plus, we’re allowed, Joe said. Just like he said it was ok to get Fr. Mike out of Containment.”

  “My father said?”

  “He said.” Jenny whipped out her phone. “See, I sent a text. He said K.”

  “He did say, K,” Added Danny.

  “I hate the fuckin response of K. Fine… move along. But peacefully it’s four in the morning.”

  “Thank you, Frank. Let’s go everyone,” Jenny led the way. “And no stepping on the crime scene.”

  Frank grunted as they passed. “Hey, Danny, do me a favor. Go with them and see whose missing. See which residents didn’t show up for this vigil.”

  “I’m on it. Can I post pictures on Hoibook?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What kind of vigil do you think they’re having?”

  “I don’t fucking know and I don’t fucking care, as long as they’re out of my crime scene.”

  It was going to be a long rest of the night and even longer day, but at least Frank had his crime tape and since most people were holding a peaceful vigil, he didn’t have to worry about people walking on his evidence.

  <><><><><>

  Joe gave a double tap of his hand to Hal’s leg and stood up. “I’m gonna go check in with Frank. I’ll be back. I want to check on Elliott as well.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Do you need anything?”

  “No, I’m good,” said Hal.

  When Joe stepped outside of the waiting room, his immediate reaction was panic. Was there a fire in Beginnings? It would all be par for the course the way things had been. An amber glow lit up the hallway. A glow that could only mean one thing. A fire.

  Joe flew to the main doors but stopped, when it realized it wasn’t a fire. But rather the insane people of Beginnings.

  At the bottom of the clinic steps Jenny held a candle as she stood before a massive crowd, all of them holding candles. In fact, there were candles on the steps.

  Joe pushed open the door.

  “Joe!” Jenny blasted. “Don’t knock over our shrine.”

  “Shrine?” He spun around to see Elliott’s name on a board surrounded by candles. “For who?”

  “Elliott.”

  “Jesus Christ, Jenny, the man is not dead.”

  “Joe!” Jenny scolded. “Watch your language we have a Catholic priest present.”

  Joe saw Fr. Mike. “What the hell is he doing out of Containment and it’s four thirty in the morning, what are all you people doing here?”

  “You said,”

  “I said?”

  “You said.” Jenny whipped out the phone. “I asked if we could gather and if I could get Fr. Michael from Containment and you said…”

  Joe grumbled. “K.”

  “Yes. And Frank said it was fine.”

  “Frank said it was okay?”

  “Once he heard that you did.” Jenny said.

  “Why are you gathering?”

  “It’s a vigil,” Jenny defended. “Justice for Elliott.”

  “Oh dear God. He’s gonna be okay,” Joe said.

  Jenny spun around. “Did you hear that everyone. He’s gonna be okay!”

  The crowd cheered.

  Joe winced. “So whatever you did, it worked. Go home.”

  “Oh, no, Joe,” Jenny argued. “We have to stay. We have to keep going. We will heal him. We will not back down, stand down or stop until J
ustice for Elliott is served.”

  “You’re ridiculous.” Joe grumbled and saw Danny off to the side smirking. He stepped to him. “You think this is funny?”

  “Actually, yeah.”

  “Why are you joining and not dispersing?” Joe asked.

  “Because I am seeing who shows up and who doesn’t. Trying to lock in on our shooter.” Danny lifted his phone. “Taking all kinds of pictures so we can so who was here, he watched. Every adult in town is out here.”

  “Good thinking.”

  “It was Frank’s idea.”

  “Figures,” Joe said. “Okay, I’m gonna go back in. I was gonna check with Frank, but I’ll pass. He’s probably miserable. Do me a favor, I know they said they’ll not going. Just don’t let them get too loud.”

  “I’m on it,” Danny gave a thumbs up.

  Joe walked back up the stairs, ignoring the calls of ‘watch our shrine!’ Just as he grabbed the door handle, he heard Jenny call out.

  “Everyone, let’s join in voice and sing Elliott’s favorite song!”

  Another grumble and another, “Christ.” Joe walked back into the clinic.

  Hal did a double take and was shocked when his father walked back in the waiting room. “Dad? I thought you left.”

  “I tired. Seems the whole town is out there having a justice for Elliott vigil.”

  “Out front?”

  “Yep.” Joe nodded. “Complete with candles.”

  “That’s insane. Did you tell them to go home?’

  “I did, but apparently that ‘K’ I sent was my permission.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No.” Joe shook his head. “It’s fine” He slowly turned his head. “What the hell?”

  “Dad are they … are they singing?”

  “I believe they are.”

  “Is that …”

  “I believe it is. Would be that be Elliott’s favorite song?”

  “Good God, no.”

  “Didn’t think so,” Joe said.

  “What should we do?”

  “Give it another minute,” Joe said. “And Frank will clear the street.”

  <><><><>

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  Ellen looked down to her phone in her pocket for a split second, and finished adjusting the covers over Elliott. His coloring looked good and all his vital signs were strong.

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  Dean peered up at her. “I’m sorry. Who is texting you?”

  “It’s not text. It’s Hoibook alerts. I commented on the event and everyone is liking it.” She looked at her phone. “Four hundred likes so far.”

  “What was the event?” Dean asked.

  “Justice for Elliott vigil. I posted that we were working hard on him.”

  “And Joe is allowing this?”

  “Apparently Joe gave his permission and blessing.”

  “Odd.” Dean checked the line on the IV. “Okay, we’ll leave him here in recovery until tomorrow and then move him to a room.”

  “How long are we gonna keep him out.”

  “A couple days and then let him come to on his ….”

  A double knock on the door frame caused them to look up.

  “Robbie.” Ellen smiled.

  “Hey, El. How’s Sgt. Ryder.”

  “Good. He’s gonna live. We don’t know the extent of the injury yet. But we want him stable first.”

  “Do you think he’ll be a hundred percent” Robbie asked.

  Dean mumbled. “And some considering he had so much healing agent.”

  “What was that?” Robbie asked. “I didn’t hear you.”

  Dean shook his head. “How come you’re here and not Hal?”

  “Well, Hal was waiting on you guys to get him and I am here to stand guard.” Robbie nodded. “I’m on watch until afternoon. Is he staying here in recovery?”

  “For the night,” Ellen replied. “Can you go tell Hal, give us five more minutes and well come ….” Her eyes widened. “Is that singing?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Robbie said. “They started a little bit ago. Vigil thing. Huge crowd outside for Elliott.”

  “Aw,” Ellen said. “That’s so nice. How did we not hear them?”

  “We’ve been busy.” Dean listened. “Is that the original version or remake?”

  Ellen shook her head. “It’s hard to tell.”

  “Does it matter?” Robbie asked. “I mean, We are the World is We are the World no matter how you sing it.”

  “True,” Dean said. “How long will they sing?”

  Robbie laughed with a flutter to his lips. “Like I said, they’ve been at it for a while. I don’t see them keeping it up much longer.”

  Joe’s face stung and it stung even more when he slapped his hands against his cheeks. “Christ, how long is it now?”

  Hal looked at his watch. “Eighteen minutes and twenty-three seconds.”

  “Eighteen minutes! The song isn’t that long. And I thought Robbie told us Ellen said five minutes.”

  “We should just go back. Maybe we won’t hear the song back there?’

  “Somehow I doubt that,” Joe stood. “I mean … eighteen …”

  “Nineteen now.”

  “Nineteen minutes. Aren’t they tired of the song? Everyone is tired of the song.”

  Andrea’s singing voice could be heard getting closer. “We are the world.”

  Joe brought this hand to his face. “Christ.”

  “We are the children …” She entered the waiting room. “We are the ones who make …”

  “Andrea,” Joe snapped. “Stop.”

  “Oh, Joe, isn’t the song lovely.” She said. “Can’t you listen to it all day?”

  “No, Andrea, No I can’t. It’s been going on for too long.”

  “It’s healing Elliott,” she defended.

  “No, Dean is healing Elliott.”

  Andrea gasped. “Joe.”

  “And why hasn’t Frank stopped this?” Joe barked. “He’s in the middle of collecting evidence, I would think he wants peace and quiet.”

  Hal replied. “Maybe he tried. Look at the bright side. At least no one has broken into the singing and tried to imitate Bruce Springsteen’s ending.”

  “True.” Joe bobbed his head then stop. No sooner did Hal say that, the baritone raspy voice, in an attempted mimic of Bruce’s gravel of 1984 blasted out in adlibs. Joe looked up. ‘No. It can’t be.”

  Andrea placed her hand on her chest. “Amazing. Didn’t that just give you chills?”

  “No.” Joe bolted from the waiting room, down the hall and to the glass doors. He didn’t need to go out to see who the loud addition to the song was.

  “Well, Father, that answers your question as to why Frank hasn’t stopped them.”

  Joe groaned. There center of the crowd was Frank, he swayed back and forth, clapping and singing with the group.

  “Good God, there’s something wrong with him,” Hal said. “He’s not even clapping in time.”

  “Yeah, there’s something wrong with him, all right. There’s something wrong with everyone here. I can’t take it. I can’t.” Joe said with irritation. “Someone shoot me.”

  “Be careful what you wish for. Remember what happened the last time you said that,” Hal whispered. “This is Beginnings. At this point, anything is possible.”

  Joe hated to admit it, but Hal had a point. Candles burning, Justice for Elliott, a Catholic priest playing guitar at five in the morning while the whole adult population of Beginnings, the ones not on shift, sang along to We are the World. Looking back out, Joe stopped. He realized he didn’t need Danny Hoi’s pictures. The whole adult population wasn’t out there. One person was missing and Joe knew exactly who that was.

  THREE

  Joe was able to get back home and get a few hours’ sleep. It put his day behind some, but he had to rest. It was going to be a long day, especially since he was starting it off with a meeting.

  What he really wanted was a latte, but since
he knew the crowd was still in front of the clinic, Joe wanted to avoid town and took the long way. Hating to do so, he sent a text to Frank, asking him to get him a latte from the bakery, then because he knew his son, Joe called Gemma and told her what he wanted when Frank came in. Joe was certain Frank would mess it up.

  He settled into his desk, had a quick call with George and pulled out a tablet for note taking at the meeting.

  Surprising him, Frank walked right in.

  “You’re here?” Frank asked and closed the door.

  “Uh, yeah, Frank our meeting is in a few minutes. Why didn’t you knock?”

  “I didn’t think you’d be here. You said you were gonna be late.” Frank handed him a cup. “I stopped by the bakery. Gemma said to give this to you.”

  “Ah, thanks.” Joe took it. “I never said I was going to be late.”

  “Yes, you did. You sent a text. See.” Frank held up the phone. “Can you go to the bakery? I need a latte.”

  “What? No.”

  “Yeah, so I went to the bakery, no fucking clue why and Gemma hands me that.”

  “It’s what I wanted.”

  “Wow, she’s good.”

  “No, you ass, I asked for one. I sent you a text about it.”

  “You said nothing about a coffee. Just you wanted a late.”

  “I never said anything about being late.”

  “A huh.” Frank showed him the phone. “I need a late.”

  “Not late. Latte.”

  “I’m polite. I wasn’t pointing out your typos.”

  Joe restrained. “That’s very nice of you Frank. I changed my mind.”

  “About what?”

  “Being late.”

  “Obviously,” Frank said. “You should have taken a late.”

  “Frank.”

  “You’re old. Been up all night and …”

  “Frank!”

  “What!”

  “Sit.”

  “Fine.” Frank pulled out a chair. “Yell at me, why don’t you. So why am I sitting.”

  “We’re waiting for your brothers to start the meeting.”

  “You don’t want to hear what I have?”

  “Yes, but instead of hearing it twice, I’ll wait until they get here.”