Read Renewal 5 - an Untimely Fall for Free Online Page A

worry, and half hysterical with relief. She’s down there checking the credentials of anyone who comes close, like a mother bear.”
    Bill chuckled and said, “Good for her. Somebody has to watch out for the babies.”
    “Anyway, a bit more business before I get out of your hair. We’ve got a team of investigators from my office working on the Grand Dragon, Darrel Johnson of Columbia, by the way, and he’s trying to trade information for his life. He has no idea who you are. He figures you are a state employee, like a SWAT team or something.”
    “Good. Let’s leave it that way. Last thing I need is Grand Dragons running around Coffee County looking for people with dark skin, not to mention me. I may feel the need to visit Columbia at some point though. I also want to know about the ones that got away on the yacht. I’ve got a promise to keep.”
    “Now, Bill. How about you let me try to keep it for you? It’s the least that I owe you, and the same seventeen police officers want a piece as well. You can see how that might be a good thing, right.”
    “Yes. Keep me posted please.”
    “Will do. Now, for your original problem. Everybody volunteered to go down to Coffee with you to pick up Jerry Doan Jenkins. I have a little fantasy that involves the Judge dangling from a rope next to the Grand Poobah.”
    Bill smiled. “I like that image. It makes me feel complete.” Charlie and Terry both laughed at Bill’s wry delivery. “Pick ten men for the trip. It’s more than we need for the Judge, but I fully expect his family to make trouble when they figure out where he is. I should be ready to go by tomorrow.”
    “You’re ready when the doctor says you’re ready, Bill. Figure on two days.”
    “No way am I staying in this bed for two days. Screw that! I’ve got work to do.”
    “There you go with that leadership talk again. I’ll have to see what we can do.”
     
    Chapter 5 – 7
    Two days later, Bill was hurting, frustrated, and feeling foolish. He was still confined to his hospital bed, mostly because of his brief escape attempt the night before, when he had managed two steps before his left leg refused to cooperate, and sent Bill to the floor with a burning white pain for his trouble. A nurse, who would have been beautiful under any other circumstances, made it her night’s work to keep Bill practically chained to the bed, and not in a fun way. She sent him disapproving glances in between harder than normal needle jabs, and threatened to shave embarrassing parts of his body if he refused to cooperate. In the morning, she had turned over the watch to a new nurse, who Bill was sure they pulled out of the prison infirmary just for him. Just a glance from this new nurse -- Bill secretly named her Belle the Ballbreaker -- was enough to keep him quiet and still. He hoped if he feigned sleep, she might leave him alone. She was savvy to his tricks.
    His only relief came in the form of Charlie’s wife, Judith. She was pushing a wheelchair that held a figure almost completely covered in white gauze. Their son, Michael, was awake and just as anxious to get out of the hospital as Bill. Michael’s face was uncovered, thankfully, but he had a turban-sized wrap around his skull, a sling around his right arm, and a vast collection of bandages, some seeping with spots of blood.
    “Hi, Judith. Did you come to spring me from this joint?” Bill asked, appearing serious.
    “I don’t think so, Bill Carter. I heard about your mischief last night.” Judith replied with a stern expression on her face.
    Bill figured Judith was at least five years younger, but she had her mother look polished to perfection, and Bill gave up on his play for her sympathy. “Is this Michael?”
    Judith stepped to the side of the wheelchair and said, “Bill Carter, this is my ornery son, Michael. Michael, this is the man who pulled you out of the mess you got yourself into. Meet Mr. Carter.”
    “Call me Bill, Michael. It’s an honor to meet