Chapter 3 by Matt Wall
Ciri was still unconscious in her hospital room when Chief of Police, Tim Dean, came into her room. Van jumped up from his chair at her bedside. “Dad! Thanks for coming personally, instead of sending in those idiots that work for you.”
Tim wanted to scold Van for bad talking the force, but knew that this wasn’t the time. Ciri Jackson had always looked beautiful. Her blonde hair was always done and make-up was always perfect. But, at that moment, Tim wasn’t even sure if the women in the bed was Ciri. “Is she going to be okay?”
Van scoffed. “That’s what Bell said.”
“That’s promising. Billy wound’t lie or sugarcoat anything for you. She’s in good hands.”
“Promising isn’t good enough!” Van shouted. “I am going to kill the man that did this to her.”
Tim sighed. “I’ll pretend that I didn’t hear that, but do you know who did this to her?”
“I sure do. I got there right at the end. It was that bastard, Brody. Brody Mills!”
Meanwhile, Billy had been trying to get some rest on his office sofa, but that was interrupted by a knock on his door. “What now?” He was tired, cranky and heartbroken. He opened the door to see Irna Bell-Gold, smiling with her hair big and red, straight from the salon.
“How’s my baby boy?” she asked as she outstretched her arms for a hug.
He rolled his eyes. “Please don’t call me that. Not here.”
“That’s right. I’m sorry. You are Dr. Bell around these parts, and I will remember that.” She saluted him as if they were in the military.
“You say that every time.”
“And, I mean it every time.”
“What are you doing here?” He realized that sounded rude, immediately. “Sorry. Long day.”
“I just had lunch with your step-father.”
“And it keeps getting longer.”
“I don’t understand what your problem is with Edward. He is a very nice man.”
Billy chuckled in disbelief. “No he’s not! He was a bastard when he was just my boss, and now that he thinks he’s my dad, it’s a thousand times worse.”
Irna tried to hold back her disappointment. “He thinks the world of your talent and your abilities. I wish you would just give him the chance.”
Billy was confused as to why she couldn’t look him the eye. Then it clicked. “He put you up to this, didn’t he?”
“He just wants you two to get along.”
He leaned over the desk and whispered to her. “Then tell him to quit being such a dick.”
She shook her head and muttered. “Well, I never…”
“Just a head’s up, Bobby is on the hunt for a handout. He’s in rare form today.”
“Yes, I know. He left me a voicemail saying that he needed to speak with me and that it was urgent.” She headed back to the door. “Listen, Billy, I want us all to get along. This petty fighting is just that. I’ll take care of Bobby…”
“You always do.”
She was irritated at being interrupted and raised her voice. “I’ll take care of Bobby. You just work on being pleasant with Edward. Do you understand?”
“I hear you loud and clear, mother.”
