I saw the flash of her white teeth as she raised her arm to her head. I couldn’t hear her laughter or what she was saying to Hank as she was backing away. I hadn’t even heard the shrill chirp of the radio.
She was back beside me in the next couple of minutes, and gave me a waved okay that she had reported to Hank. She lighted four six-inch tapers and stuck them in the mud and peat mixture. She laid four spare candles beside me and two emergency flares and a Ziploc baggie holding matches.
I handed her back the two flares, shaking my head negatively.
“We don’t dare use these. These woods are too dry. They would light up like a tinderbox from an errant spark.”
She packed them back in my backpack and leaned close.
“Anything else you need? I should be heading back. The EMTs will be here soon.”
“Nothing. Take care.” She turned to release Gulliver and Ramona.
“Jasmine!” I yelled. Her head swiveled in my direction.
“If you have an emergency, fire three shots with your thirty-eight. I’ll find you!”
She flashed a grin and waved. I knew what she was picturing in her mind. The sight of me galloping along the trail with a candle in each fist, rushing headlong to her rescue.
What if it rained? A sobering thought. The forecast had been for a sixty-percent chance of scattered showers this afternoon and tonight. Rain could still appear, and if it did, I would have to manage. My back needed a tree to lean against but there wasn’t one close enough. I wanted Miz Beulah to feel my touch and know someone was near.
I edged around until I could prop Jasmine’s backpack behind me and eased my right shoulder on its bulk. I tried to ignore the throbbing in my head, Miz Beulah’s primal screams, and the stinging blisters on my feet. The weak candles were drawing moths, which circled and dove in their suicide flights to self-destruction. I automatically blew out of the corners of my lips to keep the gnats, mosquitoes, and other assorted stinging insects from gnawing on my face. Because of my preoccupation with my assorted aches and pains, it was a good ten minutes before I remembered that the need to protect the dogs’ noses from aromatic odors was past. I quickly dug into Jasmine’s pack and pulled out the Off. I liberally sprayed Miz Beulah’s hands and my own, then rubbed more Off onto our faces. At least one aggravation was eliminated.
I removed my snake protectors and my wet shoes and placed moleskin pads over my blisters. I donned dry socks but knew that the minute I put my shoes back on, they would get wet and clingy. I sat on another thin thermal plastic sheet and let my feet get the air and remain dry as long as possible.
I sat, hurt and worried about Jasmine with two dogs and no working radio, Miz Beulah’s injuries, and what I was going to do to stop Jimmy Joe’s onslaught on my compound. A person shouldn’t have to deal with more than one stalker in a lifetime. Bubba had filled my quota of sleepless nights. His threats were gone, with only the nightmares of my shooting him remaining. Searching the dark, eerie space surrounding me, I worried about many things.
18
“The Rescue”
August 27, Tuesday, 10:00 P.M.
In the still night with virtually no wind, I could hear the EMTs long before I could see their lights. Miz Beulah’s seemingly eternal lament didn’t sound as strident as when she had first begun. Either she was tiring, or the repetition had lulled me into a cocoon of forbearance, or the aspirins were working. Whatever the reason, I was grateful for the result.
Jasmine had guided the EMTs in without Ramona. It was basically only three turns, and she knew them well from trudging them twice, once in and once out. Coming back in must have seemed a snap without a thirty-two-pound backpack and a large dog straining against a lead and threatening to dislocate her shoulder. The medics were carrying two-way radios, medical supplies, and a collapsible stretcher. All she would have was her .38 special in a holster, a water bottle clipped on her belt, a flashlight with fresh batteries, and another one in her pocket for me.
It was nice to know that the dogs had been watered and fed and were now taking a well-deserved nap in their cages. When we returned, regardless of the hour, Wayne and Donnie Ray would carefully check them for ticks, give them a dry-shampoo brushing, and bed them down in their kennel. I liked to think that they were dreaming about the cheeseburger treat they always received on the way home from a search but I wasn’t sure. The only thing I was positive of was the fact that when we pulled into the well-lighted area that produced such succulent smells, they would be excited and salivating.
I knew why the EMTs were so vocal. This was the routine each time we guided them into this morass. It was the equivalent of whistling in the dark. I have seen grown men whimper when they discovered they were lost, in total darkness, within the confines of this vast primeval swamp. A person who wasn’t afraid and pumped full of adrenaline was stupid. There are too many pitfalls that can cause injury and incapacitation and too many critters that would scuttle away in the daylight but that will turn and charge in the night. After all, this is their territory and the night belongs to them.
I put on my shoes, folded the plastic I had been sitting on, and released Miz Beulah’s hand with a final pat. I got out of the way, because I knew when they saw their patient they would be consummate professionals and go to her immediately. I also knew that they would shine their bright lights straight into my eyes upon arrival and rob me of my night vision. It never fails. I turned my back and closed my eyes in anticipation.
Jasmine said, “Hi.” She stood quietly, near me.
“Any deterioration in her condition since you found her?” The first EMT voice was crisp and authoritative.
“None that I can see,” I answered pleasantly. “Could you please lower your lights?” I had raised my voice so they could hear me, but as yet hadn’t faced them.
“Oh, sorry.” Both lights were whipped to the ground and found Miz Beulah’s form.
The second voice yelled in wonder, “My God, how long has she been screaming like this? Did you scare her?”
I made the mistake of turning while I answered.
“She’s been screaming steadily for a little over an hour. OH SHIT!”
Second Voice had turned his five-cell brightness flush in my face. I guess he felt he needed to see my lips move to comprehend me. I had squeezed my eyes closed a nanosecond too late. Now all I could see was white circles of brightness and black dots swimming behind closed lids.
“Move your light!” Jasmine yelled.
I had thrown up both hands to help screen my vision, but I could still discern the light fading when I heard her sharply in-drawn breath and bleat of disgust. I peeked with one eye between my fingers and saw that her face was highlighted with the same bright exposure that had blinded me. I couldn’t help it; it had been a long afternoon. I brayed with laughter. It took several heartbeats before Jasmine joined in.
“Jeez!” the EMT muttered, sounding insulted. “What’s the big deal?”
He finally moved the light back to his patient.
“The big deal,” I explained between giggles, “is that a she bear who obviously has cubs nearby has dropped by once already to protest our proximity to her lair. You have just successfully destroyed our night vision, and as far as I know, we’re the only two with guns!”
The devil made me do it, it’s my only excuse, that and blistered feet, skin chafing in wet clothes, and a head still reverberating with Miz Beulah’s pitiful cries.
“Wha… where … which way did she go?” He was flashing his light madly in a circle, trying to see in all directions.
“Harve, for God’s sake, she’s putting you on!” First Voice yelled sharply. “Steady the light and help me!”
I sobered instantly. “I apologize. That was a rotten thing to do. Very unprofessional, and I’m sorry. Is there anything we can do to help?” I felt bad for kidding at a time like this.
“Just keep the she bear at bay, and we’ll handle the medical procedures,” First Voice pronounced crisp
ly.
He had effectively put me in my place without raising his voice.
After a few minutes, our night vision returned, at least enough for us to help. Jasmine picked up the flickering candles, snuffed them out in the mud, and packed them in the backpack. She handed me the extra flashlight from her hip pocket. I trained it toward their working forms, hovering over them to give them effective coverage.
They had a cervical collar on Miz Beulah and had eased her on a rigid backboard and were carefully sliding her onto the stretcher. Second Voice was spreading a soft wool blanket over her tiny form and I noticed that First Voice started to discard the thin insulated plastic sheet, but had second thoughts. He tucked it over the blanket and they strapped her snugly so she couldn’t move about. Her vocal protest never faltered.
First Voice was taping a small flashlight on the foot-long vertical pole that held the IV drip. They would be able to see that it was working on the trek back.
“Ready to travel if you are.”
“My name is Jo Beth,” I replied, holding out my hand.
“I’m Ron, and this is Harvey, or Harve.” I shook hands with both of them.
“Ron, I had morphine but I was afraid to give her any.”
“I gave her a mild sedative, but not enough to slow her down. I felt the same as you. Let’s get her out of here.”
Jasmine led the way and I brought up the rear. I put my light on the path so Ron could see and also tried to keep any vines from catching on the stretcher. Jasmine was doing the same for Harvey and herself. It took us a little more than thirty minutes on the trip back and in the last ten minutes of the trip Miz Beulah’s pitiful shrieks dwindled and finally stopped. She was snoring peacefully when they loaded her in the ambulance.
Mr. Hiram thanked Jasmine and me, but the sons and daughter were too busy closing up the house and deciding who Mr. Hiram was going to ride with to the hospital to pay any attention to us.
Hank leaned against the van as we wearily loaded up.
“Can I buy you ladies a late supper?”
“I can’t speak for Jasmine, but I’ve been wet for over two hours. All I want is a hot bath and dry clothes and maybe a slice or two of pizza.”
“I’ll skip the pizza. I’ll settle for a hot bath while sipping a glass of white wine, then bed. I have an early morning search,” Jasmine said.
“We have to stop and get Gulliver and Ramona a cheeseburger,” I said.
Hank looked into my eyes.
“I’ll pick up the pizza and have it on the table waiting for you when you finish your bath.”
Say no, you ninny. Say you’re too tired. Say you planned on staying up the rest of the night to keep an eye out for Jimmy Joe until the security gates are reinstalled. Say something.
“Don’t order any anchovies for me,” I replied weakly.
“Sure you don’t want any, Jasmine?”
She glanced at me and then looked at Hank.
“Thanks, but no thanks. All I want is sleep.”
Jasmine drove us home. I peeled out of my rescue suit and enjoyed the warm breeze blowing in the window. We stopped at a Hardee’s on Highway 301, as it was the only burger joint open after ten. I looked at my watch when we pulled up at the pick-up window. It was twenty minutes till midnight.
The dogs were ecstatic. They held the burgers in their jaws for the required five seconds to prove they remembered their training not to eat until they were told it was okay. The food disappeared like magic, in two chomps.
We were almost home before Jasmine spoke.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
I sighed. “It’s just a pizza.”
“Don’t give me that,” she said with a laugh. “I saw that look that passed between you two. It’s been over for months and I don’t want to see him hurt, again. You know that nothing would make me happier than to see you two together. This is still Tuesday for the next few minutes. Sunday you were furious and said you would never forgive him. Are you really, really sure?”
“No,” I said honestly. “But how can I be sure? How can anyone be absolutely sure? I’ve been thinking about him a lot lately …”
Jasmine groaned.
Wayne and Donnie Ray walked out to meet us when we pulled into the courtyard. Wayne unloaded Gulliver and Ramona and Donnie Ray took the van to the shed. I told Jasmine good night; Bobby Lee and Rudy were waiting for me on the back porch.
“Hi, guys, did you miss me?” I hugged Bobby Lee and Rudy allowed me to pick him up.
“God, you weigh a ton,” I whispered as I draped him over my shoulder and tickled his ribs.
I checked their water and food dishes. Wayne had fed them. Rudy tried to con me into believing that he was starving by mewing piteously.
“You’re not getting a second supper. You’re still three pounds overweight.”
I turned on the water in the tub and dumped in my best bubble bath. I rummaged in my save-for-best lingerie drawer and found my new ice blue gown and pulled the matching silk robe out of the closet. I threw my damp clothes into the washer and did a quick tick inspection under the bright lights. I massaged in shampoo and slid into the steaming water. I rested my head on a folded towel and let my thoughts drift.
A few minutes later, after a discreet knock, Hank cracked open the bathroom door.
“Ready for a cold one?”
“Sounds good.”
He entered and handed me one of the tall dark bottles of imported beer, put down the toilet lid, and sat beside me, companionably sipping from his.
“I save the imported for special occasions.”
“If this doesn’t qualify, I’ll replenish your supply.”
I closed my eyes when I finished the bottle and lay back to relax.
“Sit up and I’ll dry your hair.” His voice was husky.
I straightened and he began toweling my hair. Eventually I reached down and released the drain switch and stood. He wrapped me in a large bath towel, picked me up and maneuvered us out of the bathroom without cracking a knee or elbow, and headed across the hall.
“My gown,” I protested.
“You put it on and I take it off. What’s the future in that? Do you still want pizza?”
I didn’t answer and he decided that meant no. We ate cold pizza at three A.M. and went back to bed.
19
“The Day After”
August 28, Wednesday, 8:00 A.M.
Hank was gone when I awoke. I stretched and assessed my physical condition. Some residual soreness lingered in my muscles. The soles of my feet were tender, but with the proper pads I should have no difficulty walking. After stumbling around in the darkness of the swamp for hours, I felt surprisingly well. I smiled and wondered how much Hank’s visit last night contributed to my well-being.
I jumped up and hit the shower to keep from thinking about all the problems our renewed relationship could bring. I fed Bobby Lee and Rudy and myself, and had just poured my third cup of coffee when Jasmine walked in.
“How did the search go?” I asked as she headed toward the coffeepot.
“Four hand-rolled joints and two rocks of crack tied in a handkerchief. I’m terrified of that conveyor maw at the lumber mill. Have you been there when they’re feeding whole trees into those blades?”
“Yes, I have. I had a nightmare about three years ago, when I first started searching there. I could see a dog, excited over smelling drugs, breaking free and getting hung up by its leash and being pulled into those jaws, with me still hanging on. We give the machinery a wide berth now, but why take chances? Let’s cut out searching that area entirely. Tell the foreman our insurance forbids us to go within fifty feet of those blades. If the men are stupid enough to use drugs and run that saw at the same time, they should be the only ones at risk.”
“Thank you! I find myself gripping the lead so hard my fingers cramp.”
“No more.”
She smiled. “Changing the subject… how did it go last night?”
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“Don’t tell me you didn’t peek to see if Hank’s unit was parked by my back door early this morning?”
“I fell asleep in the tub last night, I was so tired. If he stayed, he was gone before my alarm went off this morning at five.”
I gave her a smug grin. “The cold pizza was superb.”
She laughed. “I’m so happy for you both!”
“Whoa, this is not a match made in heaven. I’m just cautiously optimistic.”
“As you should be,” she agreed. “Have you called Susan yet?”
“Oh Lord, I haven’t. She’ll skin me alive if she isn’t the first to know. I’ve got to call her right now.”
“I’m training in the north field for the next two hours if you need me.” She rinsed out her coffee cup and waved as she left. I punched in Susan’s number.
“Browse and Bargains, Susan speaking.”
“Good morning, how goes the day?”
“Great, so far. And how’s yours?”
“I slept in this morning. Had a search and rescue last night I wanted to tell you about—”
“Let me interrupt. I got up very early this morning, did ten laps around the cinder track at the high school, and had a disgustingly cholesterol-loaded fattening breakfast at Sam’s Place with our favorite sheriff.”
“Hank?” I said, surprised.
“Duh, how many favorite sheriffs do we have in common?”
I bit my lip. “What did he tell you?”
“All about your successful rescue, getting dunked, your blisters, et cetera, et cetera. I didn’t want you to think that I didn’t have all the facts. This way, you don’t have to tell me all the details. How are the blisters?”
“Not bad.” I was about to rain on her parade. She thought she had all the facts? “Guess who stayed over last night.”
She took a quick indrawn breath. “What’s his name?
Baldy?”
“Who?” God, I was acting thick-headed and half asleep. She meant Leland Kirkland, Leon’s elder brother, who I had bragged about meeting Monday morning. “No, no. To tell you the truth, he had slipped from my thoughts completely.”
A Bloodhound to Die for Page 12
