Post by sandymarek on Mar 17, 2012 20:51:27 GMT -4
Part 419
As it begins thinning out they skirt around what appears to be another strip of buildings on each side of the street. Moving along they could feel the bright sun coming onto their faces as they gaze upwards and see the white clouds drifting eastward.
Proceeding up the road they still don’t see any sign of Jim or Johnny but continue to eye any of the local citizens that they see either talking or going about their business.
Spotting the back road way of Bush, Jim goes down it and while looking for the Chinese Theatre catches sight of several wooden-framed houses.
Reaching the final row of buildings Jim comes up to the back alleyway leading him to the Chinese Theatre that is on the corner of Bush and Leavenworth. Johnny meanwhile is still on his every move as he remains hidden behind the shadows.
As Jim is holding onto the duffle bag and looks for the next note which he manages to find between the building and the statue that is in front of the building. Reading it out loud so that Johnny nearby could hear him says, “Hey Baby, it’s me again, Captain So-real. You ain’t bad. You managed to find time to get to every place on time almost like a choo-choo train. How you feel? You must be tired out by now, but guess what, it’s time for you to start moving again. You got our money! Now you are to make your way to Larkin and Pacific. There you should see a bar and grill. Get over there. If you’re not there within 5 minutes we’ll cut up the lady. Better move!”
While he continues to catch his breath Jim resumes his instructions and going back out front grabs his horse and as he looks up and down the road he tries to decipher which way to go to find Larkin and Pacific.
Reaching the end of Bush Street Jim takes a right and goes up Larkin. As he continues on Larkin he comes to realize that he is sort of going around in circles or rather being led back in the direction he first originally came in.
He also notices the undergrowth that is now on the left side of him is becoming more dense and prolific. Just overlooking it he continues on his way searching for what is supposed to be a bar and grill.
Moving past California Street he sees another alleyway and as he starts to go between them Johnny nearby once again stays with him.
As Nick and Jarrod move down the road hear the sound of horses moving along, “Listen,” Jarrod says.
“I hear it,” Nick replies.
“The Chinese,” Jarrod informs him, “Don’t use horses.”
“They don’t?” Nick asks.
“They use them,” Jarrod notes, “For wagons they are riding in but they don’t use them in way of riding on them.”
“That’s very interesting,” Nick says, “So that means…”
“It could very well,” Jarrod states, “Come on,” and following the sound of the horses they continue on down Jackson passing by Powell followed by Mason Street along the way.
As Jim proceeds down the back alleyway of California and Larkin there are a number of back entrances to various buildings that come up as he is looking for the bar and grill.
Reaching what appears to be a stack of barrels he finds himself looking at two Chinese men having themselves a smoke. One of them says to the other, “Hey look!”
“Doesn’t he know where he is?” comes from the second man.
“Not if he is down this way he doesn’t,” comes from the first man.
“He must be gutsy,” comes from the second man.
“Or stupid,” the first man states.
“Whatever” comes from the second man “Let’s find out what he’s doing down this way and then see what he has in that bag there.”
“Good idea,” the first man replies.
As they go to meet him coming down their way, “May we help you,” the second man says to him.
From atop his horse, “Looking for a bar and grill,” Jim replies.
“What one?” the second man asks.
“Not sure,” Jim says, “It’s supposed to be on the corner of Larkin and Pacific.”
“Do you know where you are?” the first man asks.
“Not completely,” Jim answers.
“You’re in our territory,” the first man notes, “You don’t belong down here.”
“Maybe not,” Jim replies, “As soon as I finish with what I have to do here I will be gone.”
“What is it,” the second man asks, “You have to do here? And what do you have in that bag there?”
“Not now,” Jim says, “I’m in a hurry.”
As one moves closer to him grabbing hold of the reins, “We want to see what you have in that bag there,” says.
“Not now,” Jim tells him, “Now out of my way.”
As the second man comes up on the left side of him, “Out of my way,” he barks and as he moves towards him, Jim takes his left leg and kicks the second man out of his way and as the first man approaches him on the right he quickly grabs the duffle bag and using it as a weapon he manages to propel him backwards resulting in him losing his footing.
As Jim breaks away from them and continues moving out of the alleyway the two men quickly regain their footing with one saying to the other, “After him,” and immediately chasing after him.
Making his way out to the front of the street brings Jim back to Pacific Avenue; Johnny who is quickly there has his gun drawn telling the two men coming towards them “Don’t move!”
And as he quickly places himself between the two men and Jim trying to get away from them they immediately stop in their tracks and with their eyes mesmerized on the gun aimed at them they quickly surrender with their hands up in the air.
As Jim resumes heading away and moves in front of a Chinese Tea House/Theatre called Sun-ling, Heath who is coming down Hyde Street with Bill in tow catches sight of a shiny object from the nearby undergrowth to his right adjacent to the building and Jim and as his senses once again shriek a warning alert him to something and as he manages to see the rifle now being brought up he calls out, “Look out,” and doesn’t waste any time as he makes his way to Jim’s side at lightning speed.
Without hesitation or stopping Heath pulls his hand out of the sling and as the bullet is being discharged from the gun, Heath leaps up and onto Jim and both he and Jim as well as the discharged bullet all enter the glass window of the tea house.
As they come through the window a loud scream follows from the inside of the building.
Jarrod and Nick immediately coming up Jackson Street and Hyde catching sight of what is taking place both call out, “Heath! Jim!” and as Heath and Jim continue going through the glass window of the tea house, Nick who catches sight of the assailant to his left overseeing Vallejo Street quickly takes after him while Jarrod who quickly brings his horse to a complete stop jumps down as does Bill and they without hesitation run towards the entrance of the teahouse.
Johnny who has his gun still aimed at the two Chinese men standing before him is also startled by what is transpiring and turning his attention away from them they quickly seeing their opportunity jumps onto Johnny. As one of them proceed in grabbing for the gun, coming down Vallejo at lightning speed Jack and Vinnie catching sight of the two men quickly draw their guns with Vinnie yelling, “Uh, uh, uh,” as they move closer, “Don’t move,” coming from Jack. The two men once again become frozen in their tracks.
“Thanks fellas,” Johnny replies, “Watch them,” and without waiting for a response quickly gets back on his feet and moves to the front of the teahouse.
Nick quickly takes after the man who is moving away from the street and proceeds through the wooded stretch behind him and as the man continues to move away Nick stays right with him. Bringing his rifle up Nick aims and hits the running man in the back resulting in the man dropping onto the ground.
As Heath and Jim go through the window of the building they as well as the red drape behind them are propelled hard resulting in the glass shattering.
While Nick goes to check the fallen man on the ground Jarrod and Bill quickly enter the building and as they spot Heath and Jim both on their sides in a daze state at the moment find themselves dealing with a fire that is building from a fallen candle and while they tend to the fire they also don’t notice the woman in her late 30’s cradling another woman in her arms with blood seeping through her clothing calling out in Chinese, “Somebody help us” four small children gathered around them crying while a fifth runs out the door.
As Jarrod and Bill work together in putting out the fire, Johnny entering the building next quickly assists them as does Nick who follows suit.
Once the fire has been extinguished they each make their way to Heath and Jim’s side calling out to them as they approach. At first they don’t get any kind of response out of them but as they call out a couple more times and carefully move about the shattered glass they see all around them they slowly start to respond.
Placing his hand on Heath’s arm, “Heath,” Jarrod calls out again, “You alright?”
Nodding his head, “Think so,” Heath responds.
“Jim,” Johnny calls out.
“I’m alright,” Jim answers.
In alarm, “Thank goodness,” comes from each of them with Nick stating, “You scared the living daylights out of me.”
“Sorry Nick,” Heath says.
Jarrod then says, “I thought you were both dead. When I saw you go through that window…”
“We’re not dead,” Jim assures them.
Immediately looking about, “No,” Nick then says, “But you’re both bleeding” noting the blood seeping from their arms and hands.
“A mere scratch,” Jim notes.
“It’s nothing,” Heath tells him.
“Yes it is Heath,” Nick says.
“It’s more than that,” Jarrod states and as Heath begins sitting up he takes a closer look at the arm.
Nick then says “Here,” moving closer to him, “Let’s get you away from here,” as he is about to reach for him.
Hearing the woman crying and noticing the other woman being cradled in her arms, “See to her,” Heath insists, “I’ll be alright.”
“Let’s get you up first,” Nick says.
“I’ll see to her” Bill mentions and while Jarrod and Nick assist Heath and Johnny assists Jim with carefully getting them off the floor and away from the broken glass fragments, Bill crosses the room to the woman’s side “Could you help us?” comes from one of the young girls 8 years of age.
“I’ll try,” Bill replies.
As Bill is about to crouch down to get a better view of the woman’s condition, “Out of the way,” a Chinese man in his mid 30’s coming in the doorway quickly says as he shoves Bill out of the way.
“Listen,” Bill brings up, “I am here to help.”
As the Chinese man gets down on his knees, “Haven’t you done enough already?” comes from a second Chinese man who is there with the fifth child that ran out.
A third Chinese man in his fifties says “My-lin, My-lin!”
“Papa,” talking in Chinese, “Grandpa,” comes from the 2nd girl, “She’s hurt,” as the 1st man begins looking her over.
“Papa,” comes from the 1st boy, “She’s bleeding.”
Glancing about, the three men observe Jarrod and Nick assisting Heath away from the shattered glass with Johnny helping Jim over to an empty chair while at the same time noticing the black rug from what is left of the now extinguished fire.
“Help?” asks the 2nd man.
“Chin,” comes from the first woman cradling the second woman, “My-lin’s been shot,” telling the man in their language.
“What is all this?” The crouching Chinese sobbing man asks.
“We need to get her to a doctor,” Bill mentions as he is looking over seeing the blood oozing from her dress.
“Grandpa,” comes from the youngest boy, “Do something.”
As Heath quickly moves to Bill’s side, “We’re sorry,” he tells the man with the two women.
“Sorry?” comes from the second man.
“This was an accident,” Jarrod joins in as he brings himself between Heath and the man talking.
“Accident?” the 1st one asks, “What happened? How was she shot?”
“Accident?” comes from the second man, “Who are you? What are you doing here? You don’t belong here.”
“That is true,” Jarrod admits.
“Listen,” Bill says, “If you don’t do something quickly, you could lose her. She needs a doctor.”
Glancing down at her, “I’m afraid he’s right,” comes from the grandfather.
The woman cradling the injured woman, “How we going to get her to one,” she asks.
“We could help,” Jarrod points out.
“How?” comes from the second man.
“We could take her to the doctor’s,” Jarrod says, “And get her the care she needs.”
“How do we know we could trust you?” the grandfather asks.
“Right now” Jarrod says “I don’t think you’re in a position to decide otherwise, my name is Jarrod Barkley and even though you probably don’t know who I am, I give you my word you could trust us.”
“Listen,” Nick joins in with “Either you trust us or your daughter is as good as dead.”
“Grandpa,” comes from one of the three girls, “I don’t want her to die,” crying.
Studying Nick’s stern position “How we going to get her there” the grandfather asks.
“We have horses out front,” Jarrod points out.
“Vinnie and Jack are also in back,” Johnny mentions, “If need be.”
“Right now” Jarrod says “We’re in a hurry. Bill, you know the way to the doctor’s” glancing over at him “You take her and them, and we will be there as soon as we finish here.”
Pondering his decision, “I don’t know who you are,” the grandfather replies, “But right now seeing we are in a hurry and don’t have much time; I will follow your advice and decision.”
“We could go into who we are” Jarrod suggests “And how we came to be here later.”
The grandfather replies “Agreed” thinking it over, “Very well.”
“You trust them?” comes from the 2nd Chinese Man.
“I don’t know why” the grandfather answers “And we don’t have time to go into it, but yes, I do and” looking at each of the Barkleys and Bill “We will go with you.”
“I’ll take her,” comes from the first man.
“We will be along shortly,” Jarrod informs Bill.
As Bill goes with the three Chinese men, one of which is carrying the injured woman, the second woman follows right behind as does the five children.
Part 420
Bill helps the man with the injured woman up in the saddle and then after assisting the grandfather and the other woman onto the second horse while the third man assists placing the two smallest children on the third horse and mounts up behind them, Bill does the same with the three other children and after mounting up he quickly leads them out of there.
Meanwhile remaining behind Heath and Jim are instructed to take a seat at the table that is there. While doing so, Jarrod, Nick and Johnny work together in finding two buckets and after filling them with water they look about for clean linens they could use.
Once they have them both, Heath and Jim are then instructed in removing their shirts in which they reluctantly comply. Upon removing his shirt, Heath grunts slightly.
Overhearing “You okay” Nick inquires.
“Yeah,” Heath answers.
“Of course you are,” Nick retorts.
As Johnny gets a first look at Heath’s back and does a double-take, Jim following his gaze also noticing does the same and upon turning their attention to Nick he quickly shakes his head and realizing that is an answer to let it go they heed his advice and keep their thoughts and questions to themselves.
As Nick kneels down, “I’ll be right back,” Jarrod informs him.
“Where you going?” Nick wanted to know.
“We don’t have enough horses for all of us,” Jarrod mentions, “And I think they will do much better if we had a wagon.”
“Good thinking,” Nick tells him, “Hurry back.”
“I will,” Jarrod answers as he quickly goes out the door.
Catching sight of Jack and Vinnie still guarding the two men, “What do you want us to do with them?” Vinnie asks.
“Just hold them here” Jarrod tells them “For now” and while they continue to keep the two men there Jarrod goes down the road in search of a wagon.
Nick, in the meantime is busy cleaning the blood from Heath’s left arm with Johnny doing the same with Jim’s right arm.
In between Jim asks, “What happened to…”
“He’s finished,” Nick answers.
“What about delivering of the ransom?” Johnny wanted to know, “And your mother?”
“You don’t have to continue with it,” Nick notes, “That is why we came out here, she’s been found and she’s back home safe and sound.”
“Oh,” Johnny says, “Thank goodness.”
“Yes” Jim replies “And Heath” glancing over at him “Why didn’t you just call out?”
“I did,” Heath mentions, “But everything happened so quickly…wasn’t time.”
“Well,” Jim says, “I want to thank you for what you did, sorry about all this,” referring to the shattered glass and them bleeding.
“That’s alright,” Heath answers, “I am too.”
As Heath begins averting his eyes, “Is something wrong Heath?” Nick wanted to know.
“Sort of,” Heath admits.
“Talk to me,” Nick tells him.
“They’re not what I expected” Heath says “I don’t know much about this place but I came here several years back and from what I was told to always be careful of this area and yet they as well as others I saw as I passed by are not what I expected at all.”
“Jarrod,” Nick replies, “Warned me of them too and you’re right, they aren’t what I expected either. It’s possible that maybe some of the stories could be right and
yet, maybe not all of what we hear is true.”
“That’s possible,” Heath says, “I just hope she will be alright.”
“Same here,” Nick admits.
While Nick continues cleaning Heath’s arm, Jarrod goes down the street quickly and stops in at the nearest livery and upon paying and borrowing a wagon he immediately returns to the teahouse.
Going inside and catching sight of Nick bandaging Heath’s arm and Johnny bandaging Jim’s using the clean linens they managed to find Jarrod proceeds onto cleaning up the glass fragments and placing them into one of the two empty buckets he has before him.
Once they’ve finished and Heath and Jim are putting their shirts back on, “We ready?” Jarrod wanted to know.
Helping Heath with placing his arm back in the sling, “Just about,” Nick says, “Now we are. Come on.”
Getting up and exiting the building Heath and Jim are directed into the back of the wagon which they once again comply.
As Nick moves into the driver’s box, Jarrod and Johnny mount up on the two free horses and upon turning to Vinnie and Jack “Now” Jarrod says “You could let them go” and while keeping their guns on them, Jack and Vinnie mount their horses and after they begin moving out they let them go and proceed in following alongside of Jarrod and Johnny who are both following alongside of the wagon as it departs from the teahouse. Going down the street, Nick leaves the area and is now headed to the doctor’s.
Doctor’s Office
Inside the back treatment room while the doctor is working on removing the bullet from the Chinese woman lying on the table, his wife Vanessa is assisting him as well as his 22 year old son, Randy who is on the other side of them monitoring the brother who is about to transfuse blood into the woman.
Reading the vitals, “Pulse is 72,” Randy mentions, “Respiration is normal.”
Probing for the bullet, “Better put a clamp on that bleeding vessel,” Doctor Sheldon tells his wife Vanessa.
Doing as instructed, “Only some minor bleeding,” she brings up.
Replying “Thank goodness,” Doctor Sheldon resumes looking for the bullet.
Front Room
Just then walking in and seeing Bill, “Any word?” Jarrod asks of him.
“Not yet,” Bill replies.
Noticing the crying woman on one of the empty seats with her head buried in the grandfather’s arms with the children all huddled together, with the smallest sitting in the other man’s lap, Jarrod quickly crosses to them, “Ma’am,” he says, “Sir, I want to tell you how sorry we are.”
Standing behind Jarrod “I’m sorry too,” Heath joins in with.
Showing a little smile, “Thank you” the grandfather replies.
Leaving them alone, Nick, Johnny, Jack and Vinnie, Jarrod, and Bill stand around while Heath and Jim are instructed to take the two available empty seats in which they once again reluctantly comply as they wait news on the woman’s condition.
Inside the back office as the doctor begins getting frustrated “It’s no good” he mumbles “I can’t reach the bullet. It’s trapped between a nerve cluster and blood vessel.”
“Easy Sheldon,” Vanessa replies, “Easy. Try making a second incision 3 inches below the first; try getting at the bullet from below the entry point.”
“Thank you,” Sheldon tells her.
As the transfusion continues, “Fascinating,” Randy comments watching the blood flow from the brother to the sister, “It seems to be working.”
As the brother is squeezing onto the piece of wood he has in his hand the woman suddenly stops breathing.
“Sheldon,” Vanessa calls out in alarm, “I can’t get a pulse.”
“The anesthesia must’ve affected her heart,” he mentions and as Randy begins punching the heart with his right hand, “Vanessa,” the doctor orders, “There is a stimulant on the shelf. Get it for me quickly!”
While Randy continues working on getting the heart moving, Vanessa doing as instructed retrieves the small bottle from the shelf behind her. Taking it the doctor immediately pours a little into the woman’s mouth. Seconds later, “I’m getting a pulse,” Randy calls out and as they observe the woman’s heart beginning to rise and fall again, “Thank you,” Sheldon calls out as he continues on with the operation.
Just then finding the bullet, “There,” the doctor calls out, “There it is,” extracting it, “The bullet,” showing it to his wife and Randy, “Got it,” and places it into a small container next to the table.
“Thank goodness,” she says.
Relieved, “Come on,” he then replies, “Let’s close up.”
“That’s it,” Randy then says to the brother lying there, “How you doing?”
“I am fine,” he responds, “How’s my sister?”
“The bullet is out” Vanessa says “And that is always a good sign. But it’s too early to tell yet, stay here and I’ll be right back” walking away she goes out the door.
Upon exiting the back office, “How is she?” the husband asks of her.
“It’s too early to say yet” she mentions, “However the bullet has been removed and the doctor is now closing up the wound.”
“How’s my son doing?” the grandfather wanted to know.
“He is doing well,” she informs him, “And the transfer was a success. He will be out as soon as he is up to it.”
“Thank you,” both the grandfather and the husband reply.
“Excuse me,” Vanessa then moves onto Heath and Jim, “How you both doing,” she asks as she looks at them.
“Fine,” comes from Heath.
“They could both use,” Nick brings up, “Some looking at as well.”
“I will inform the doctor,” the doctor’s wife says, “And as soon as he finishes with My-lin he will take a look at them.”
“Thank you” Nick replies.
Walking away she goes inside the kitchen and seconds later she returns to the treatment room carrying a glass of orange juice and a basket of biscuits that she brings to the brother who is now sitting up.
While he gratefully accepts them and begins eating them slowly Vanessa informs her husband, “You have two more patients out there.”
“What a morning this has been,” Sheldon mumbles, “Stay with them.”
While Sheldon exits the back treatment room Vanessa and Randy remain to monitor the siblings’ conditions.
As he comes out of the treatment room, “Well?” comes from the husband.
“She should have an uneventful recovery,” the doctor mentions, “She’s not awake yet but if you like you may go in there.”
“Thank you,” the grandfather replies.
“I’ll be along shortly,” and while the family gets up, the doctor turns his attention to Heath and Jim, “I see you are the two patients I have to see.”
“Yes,” Nick replies, “They ran into a little bit of trouble.”
“I see that” The doctor asks of Heath, “How you doing?”
“Fine,” Heath answers.
“I was hoping you would return,” he mentions, “Are these the two men you went out looking for?”
Nodding his head, “They were,” Heath admits.
“Glad you found them,” Sheldon replies.
“Same here,” Heath says.
“So are we,” Nick joins in with.
The doctor then suggests, “How about if you both come with me?”
Getting up they proceed to follow him into a second treatment room that he has on the other side of the first one that he came out of.
While the Chinese family is gathered around the siblings of My-lin and Kam, Vanessa asks the children if they are hungry. Upon telling her they are she immediately exits the room once again leaving Randy monitoring the siblings’ condition while she goes to get the children some breakfast.
Meanwhile in the second treatment room the doctor instructs both Heath and Jim to climb up on the examination table and after asking, “Could you tell me what happened,” as Jim is elected first to be checked out.
“We went through the window of the family’s home that is in there,” Jim notes, “And got tangled up in the glass that shattered.”
“Mmm, hmmm,” The doctor says as he removes the bandages to Jim’s arm and begins examining it.
“How’s it look?” Jarrod inquires.
Doctor responds “Nothing serious. With the exception of just some very bad cuts, no sign of any glass penetrating” as he gently touches the areas Jim flinches “No sign of infection or anything broken, to whoever cleaned and bandaged your arm did a remarkable job.”
“That would have to go to Johnny out there,” Jim notes, “He did all the handi-work.”
“Well” the doctor responds “He did good.”
In the first back room while the children are all busy enjoying the biscuits and milk that they were given My-lin begins to open her eyes. The second woman noticing squeals in delight and informs the rest of the family who quickly turn their attention to her.
As she places her hand to her head, “What happened?” My-lin asks.
Chin, the husband brushing back her hair, “You were shot” he then inquires, “How you feel?”
“Not sure,” she then says, “Groggy, I think.”
“That must be the anesthesia,” Randy notes, “Hasn’t fully wore off yet. Just relax you’re going to be just fine” he informs My-lin.
While Chin sits alongside of her Sheldon in the second room is still finishing up on Jim’s arm, “Want some help?” Vanessa asks as she walks in.
As he is now treating each of the cuts with mercurochrome “If you’re free,” Sheldon replies.
“For the moment,” she brings up, “My-lin has just awoken.”
“That’s good news,” he mentions, “Here, how about you finish with him while I turn my attention to this young man here,” referring to Heath.
“Gladly,” she says and as she takes over she begins bandaging up the arm while the doctor turns his full attention to Heath.
Part 421
“Now,” the doctor says, “How about if I take a look at you,” without waiting for an answer he continues, “And we start off with helping you out of this,” referring to the sling his left arm is in.
Assisting him with removing the sling from around his shoulder, “Now,” the doctor encourages, “Just relax. You’re going to be just fine. Could you now take your shirt off for me?”
“I could,” Heath replies.
“I’ll give you a hand,” Nick says and quickly moving to his side he helps with getting his shirt removed.
“Thank you,” the doctor informs them both, “Now,” once it’s off, “Let’s see how your arm looks,” as he carefully takes hold of the arm and unwraps the bandages.
“Mmm, hmmm” examining each of the treated cuts ““I must say” glancing over at Nick “You did an excellent job” the doctor notes “With tending to him as quickly as you did” touching each of the areas gently Heath also flinches, “No sign of infection, no glass fragments penetrating, that is good, just a lot of cuts.”
“Just doing what I had to do,” Nick informs him.
Standing feet away Jarrod as well as Jim in between watch as the doctor is examining the arm thoroughly.
Then turning his attention to the previous wound “And you young man” the doctor says “You should be home resting not gallivanting around the city.”
“Sorry,” Heath responds, “But couldn’t be helped.”
“Well,” the doctor says, “I do hope you are now finished with whatever it is you had to do and once I finish with you here, you heed my advice and when you get back to your brother’s house you decide to start resting.”
“That you could definitely be sure of,” Jarrod informs him.
“Well” the doctor says “I hope so. If he” glancing at Jarrod, then at Nick and then at Heath “If you don’t stop running around you could be doing a lot more serious damage to your arm. It could start bleeding again and reopening and you certainly don’t want that.”
“Indeed no” Nick vows “And I assure you he will be resting, I could promise you that.”
“Good,” the doctor says, “And how about if I get you re-bandaged up so that you can go home,” glancing over at his wife, “Vanessa, do you think you could bring out two new shirts?”
“Certainly,” she replies and quickly leaves the room.
While Vanessa goes to retrieve two new shirts Doctor Sheldon starts rebandaging Heath’s arm with Nick’s assistance. Returning Vanessa hands one to Jim and one to Heath to which they both gratefully accept. While Heath is still being bandaged up Jim puts his on.
After Heath’s arm is bandaged Nick assists him with putting the shirt on as well as the sling. Once they’ve finished, “Okay,” the doctor announces, “You’re free to go.”
Thanking him and as he proceeds on walking them out, “Now young man,” the doctor says, “I do hope,” addressing Heath, “You do heed my advice and rest.”
“Don’t worry,” Nick vows, “He will.”
Piling out of the back room, “Don’t worry about the family in there,” the doctor says, “I want to monitor the girl’s condition for a little while longer. We will make sure they get back home. And I will stop by tomorrow to see how they are all coming along, that includes your cousin Jim and your brother Ed” looking at Bill.
“That’ll be fine Doctor,” Jarrod asks, “How much do we owe you? Including them in there?”
“Fifteen,” the doctor replies, “Will cover it.”
Taking out fifteen dollars Jarrod hands it to him, “Oh,” handing him a few more dollars, “Hand this to them in there. Tell them this is for their home.”
Taking it, “I’ll make sure they get it,” the doctor states.
Exiting the doctor’s office Heath says to Bill, “I want to apologize to you.”
“For what?” Bill asks.
“I was wrong about the Chinese people,” Heath mentions, “I thought…”
“Heath,” Bill says, “The Chinese people may not have been what you’ve expected but, it is always wiser to be aware of places were not from or sure of and I rather be on my guard than be attacked without warning. And you weren’t entirely wrong either.”
“What do you mean?” Heath asks.
“You knew about that guy” Bill says “Waiting to strike Jim there, that if you didn’t have your senses alerting us and giving you that eerily feeling, things could have gone worse, instead of nursing cuts from the glass Jim could’ve wound up with a bullet in him and he could be dead instead of having just mere cuts to be nursed.”
“And Heath” Nick overhearing joins in “You having that sixth sense is a godsend. I hope you never lose it. When there is danger I too rather be on my guard and be prepared than be attacked from behind without warning.”
“What about the girl?” Heath asks.
“As much as it was an accident,” Nick says, “It wasn’t your fault. The bullet just happened to go through that building and she just happened to be in its path. She’s going to be alright. And if it’s anyone’s fault, you could blame it on that man that was about to shoot Jim. If he didn’t come there in the first place or made Jim go there to deliver the ransom, we wouldn’t have been down that way in the first place.”
“Agreed,” Jarrod then overhearing joins in, “And Heath, you also managed to learn a valuable lesson.”
“What’s that?” Heath asks.
“You can’t always go by everything you hear,” Jarrod points out, “I do know of some of the stories that I heard and as much as many of them are true, not all are. These people aren’t any different than you or I; they just live in a different society.”
“What about the Tongue,” Heath inquires.
“They are bad,” Jarrod replies, “I will have to admit.”
“But,” Heath asks, “What are they?”
“Who is more like it,” Jarrod correcting him replies, “And they are a group of people or shall we say an organization. They are usually tied to criminal activity and can be very dangerous. But so far I haven’t encountered any of them, but that doesn’t mean we should stop being on our guard when we do go down that way. It’s just that not all Chinese are a part of the Tong organization and we shouldn’t have to fear all Chinese just because we’re in their territory. Most of them are not interested in any criminal activity. Most of them are just like us, wanting to live in peace and having a home to raise their families. Let’s just hope we never have to run into any of them and if and when we do go into the Chinese territory we just need to play it safe and just not venture there anytime on our own, alright?”
“Alright,” Heath replies.
“And Heath” Nick says “How about if we just forget about the Tong people for now, you get into the back of the wagon so we could get home and have some breakfast and then get some sleep? We could all use some sleep.”
“Agreed,” Jarrod replies, “And Nick’s right we could all use some sleep and I believe Mother hasn’t slept yet and won’t until we’ve returned safely.”
“Very well,” Heath says.
Doing as instructed, Heath followed by Jim climb into the back of the wagon with Nick getting into the driver’s box and everyone else mounting their horses.
Picking up the reins Nick leads the way back to Jarrod’s. Upon returning, Jack and Vinnie offer to take care of the wagon and the horses. While leaving them in their hands Jarrod followed by Nick, Heath and Bill all go inside the house.
As they walk in the front door Victoria followed by Audra is there waiting to greet them. After exchanging a few words of how happy they are to be back home and everyone is safe Victoria brings them into the kitchen and with Uncle Jim and Audra’s help serve them breakfast.
After they finish eating they with the exception of Audra and Uncle Jim all head upstairs and after doing a quick use of the bathroom to relieve themselves and do a quick wash-up they all head to their prospective beds and bedrooms and turn in bidding one another goodnight as they go.
The end
To be continued in the Plan of Action
As it begins thinning out they skirt around what appears to be another strip of buildings on each side of the street. Moving along they could feel the bright sun coming onto their faces as they gaze upwards and see the white clouds drifting eastward.
Proceeding up the road they still don’t see any sign of Jim or Johnny but continue to eye any of the local citizens that they see either talking or going about their business.
Spotting the back road way of Bush, Jim goes down it and while looking for the Chinese Theatre catches sight of several wooden-framed houses.
Reaching the final row of buildings Jim comes up to the back alleyway leading him to the Chinese Theatre that is on the corner of Bush and Leavenworth. Johnny meanwhile is still on his every move as he remains hidden behind the shadows.
As Jim is holding onto the duffle bag and looks for the next note which he manages to find between the building and the statue that is in front of the building. Reading it out loud so that Johnny nearby could hear him says, “Hey Baby, it’s me again, Captain So-real. You ain’t bad. You managed to find time to get to every place on time almost like a choo-choo train. How you feel? You must be tired out by now, but guess what, it’s time for you to start moving again. You got our money! Now you are to make your way to Larkin and Pacific. There you should see a bar and grill. Get over there. If you’re not there within 5 minutes we’ll cut up the lady. Better move!”
While he continues to catch his breath Jim resumes his instructions and going back out front grabs his horse and as he looks up and down the road he tries to decipher which way to go to find Larkin and Pacific.
Reaching the end of Bush Street Jim takes a right and goes up Larkin. As he continues on Larkin he comes to realize that he is sort of going around in circles or rather being led back in the direction he first originally came in.
He also notices the undergrowth that is now on the left side of him is becoming more dense and prolific. Just overlooking it he continues on his way searching for what is supposed to be a bar and grill.
Moving past California Street he sees another alleyway and as he starts to go between them Johnny nearby once again stays with him.
As Nick and Jarrod move down the road hear the sound of horses moving along, “Listen,” Jarrod says.
“I hear it,” Nick replies.
“The Chinese,” Jarrod informs him, “Don’t use horses.”
“They don’t?” Nick asks.
“They use them,” Jarrod notes, “For wagons they are riding in but they don’t use them in way of riding on them.”
“That’s very interesting,” Nick says, “So that means…”
“It could very well,” Jarrod states, “Come on,” and following the sound of the horses they continue on down Jackson passing by Powell followed by Mason Street along the way.
As Jim proceeds down the back alleyway of California and Larkin there are a number of back entrances to various buildings that come up as he is looking for the bar and grill.
Reaching what appears to be a stack of barrels he finds himself looking at two Chinese men having themselves a smoke. One of them says to the other, “Hey look!”
“Doesn’t he know where he is?” comes from the second man.
“Not if he is down this way he doesn’t,” comes from the first man.
“He must be gutsy,” comes from the second man.
“Or stupid,” the first man states.
“Whatever” comes from the second man “Let’s find out what he’s doing down this way and then see what he has in that bag there.”
“Good idea,” the first man replies.
As they go to meet him coming down their way, “May we help you,” the second man says to him.
From atop his horse, “Looking for a bar and grill,” Jim replies.
“What one?” the second man asks.
“Not sure,” Jim says, “It’s supposed to be on the corner of Larkin and Pacific.”
“Do you know where you are?” the first man asks.
“Not completely,” Jim answers.
“You’re in our territory,” the first man notes, “You don’t belong down here.”
“Maybe not,” Jim replies, “As soon as I finish with what I have to do here I will be gone.”
“What is it,” the second man asks, “You have to do here? And what do you have in that bag there?”
“Not now,” Jim says, “I’m in a hurry.”
As one moves closer to him grabbing hold of the reins, “We want to see what you have in that bag there,” says.
“Not now,” Jim tells him, “Now out of my way.”
As the second man comes up on the left side of him, “Out of my way,” he barks and as he moves towards him, Jim takes his left leg and kicks the second man out of his way and as the first man approaches him on the right he quickly grabs the duffle bag and using it as a weapon he manages to propel him backwards resulting in him losing his footing.
As Jim breaks away from them and continues moving out of the alleyway the two men quickly regain their footing with one saying to the other, “After him,” and immediately chasing after him.
Making his way out to the front of the street brings Jim back to Pacific Avenue; Johnny who is quickly there has his gun drawn telling the two men coming towards them “Don’t move!”
And as he quickly places himself between the two men and Jim trying to get away from them they immediately stop in their tracks and with their eyes mesmerized on the gun aimed at them they quickly surrender with their hands up in the air.
As Jim resumes heading away and moves in front of a Chinese Tea House/Theatre called Sun-ling, Heath who is coming down Hyde Street with Bill in tow catches sight of a shiny object from the nearby undergrowth to his right adjacent to the building and Jim and as his senses once again shriek a warning alert him to something and as he manages to see the rifle now being brought up he calls out, “Look out,” and doesn’t waste any time as he makes his way to Jim’s side at lightning speed.
Without hesitation or stopping Heath pulls his hand out of the sling and as the bullet is being discharged from the gun, Heath leaps up and onto Jim and both he and Jim as well as the discharged bullet all enter the glass window of the tea house.
As they come through the window a loud scream follows from the inside of the building.
Jarrod and Nick immediately coming up Jackson Street and Hyde catching sight of what is taking place both call out, “Heath! Jim!” and as Heath and Jim continue going through the glass window of the tea house, Nick who catches sight of the assailant to his left overseeing Vallejo Street quickly takes after him while Jarrod who quickly brings his horse to a complete stop jumps down as does Bill and they without hesitation run towards the entrance of the teahouse.
Johnny who has his gun still aimed at the two Chinese men standing before him is also startled by what is transpiring and turning his attention away from them they quickly seeing their opportunity jumps onto Johnny. As one of them proceed in grabbing for the gun, coming down Vallejo at lightning speed Jack and Vinnie catching sight of the two men quickly draw their guns with Vinnie yelling, “Uh, uh, uh,” as they move closer, “Don’t move,” coming from Jack. The two men once again become frozen in their tracks.
“Thanks fellas,” Johnny replies, “Watch them,” and without waiting for a response quickly gets back on his feet and moves to the front of the teahouse.
Nick quickly takes after the man who is moving away from the street and proceeds through the wooded stretch behind him and as the man continues to move away Nick stays right with him. Bringing his rifle up Nick aims and hits the running man in the back resulting in the man dropping onto the ground.
As Heath and Jim go through the window of the building they as well as the red drape behind them are propelled hard resulting in the glass shattering.
While Nick goes to check the fallen man on the ground Jarrod and Bill quickly enter the building and as they spot Heath and Jim both on their sides in a daze state at the moment find themselves dealing with a fire that is building from a fallen candle and while they tend to the fire they also don’t notice the woman in her late 30’s cradling another woman in her arms with blood seeping through her clothing calling out in Chinese, “Somebody help us” four small children gathered around them crying while a fifth runs out the door.
As Jarrod and Bill work together in putting out the fire, Johnny entering the building next quickly assists them as does Nick who follows suit.
Once the fire has been extinguished they each make their way to Heath and Jim’s side calling out to them as they approach. At first they don’t get any kind of response out of them but as they call out a couple more times and carefully move about the shattered glass they see all around them they slowly start to respond.
Placing his hand on Heath’s arm, “Heath,” Jarrod calls out again, “You alright?”
Nodding his head, “Think so,” Heath responds.
“Jim,” Johnny calls out.
“I’m alright,” Jim answers.
In alarm, “Thank goodness,” comes from each of them with Nick stating, “You scared the living daylights out of me.”
“Sorry Nick,” Heath says.
Jarrod then says, “I thought you were both dead. When I saw you go through that window…”
“We’re not dead,” Jim assures them.
Immediately looking about, “No,” Nick then says, “But you’re both bleeding” noting the blood seeping from their arms and hands.
“A mere scratch,” Jim notes.
“It’s nothing,” Heath tells him.
“Yes it is Heath,” Nick says.
“It’s more than that,” Jarrod states and as Heath begins sitting up he takes a closer look at the arm.
Nick then says “Here,” moving closer to him, “Let’s get you away from here,” as he is about to reach for him.
Hearing the woman crying and noticing the other woman being cradled in her arms, “See to her,” Heath insists, “I’ll be alright.”
“Let’s get you up first,” Nick says.
“I’ll see to her” Bill mentions and while Jarrod and Nick assist Heath and Johnny assists Jim with carefully getting them off the floor and away from the broken glass fragments, Bill crosses the room to the woman’s side “Could you help us?” comes from one of the young girls 8 years of age.
“I’ll try,” Bill replies.
As Bill is about to crouch down to get a better view of the woman’s condition, “Out of the way,” a Chinese man in his mid 30’s coming in the doorway quickly says as he shoves Bill out of the way.
“Listen,” Bill brings up, “I am here to help.”
As the Chinese man gets down on his knees, “Haven’t you done enough already?” comes from a second Chinese man who is there with the fifth child that ran out.
A third Chinese man in his fifties says “My-lin, My-lin!”
“Papa,” talking in Chinese, “Grandpa,” comes from the 2nd girl, “She’s hurt,” as the 1st man begins looking her over.
“Papa,” comes from the 1st boy, “She’s bleeding.”
Glancing about, the three men observe Jarrod and Nick assisting Heath away from the shattered glass with Johnny helping Jim over to an empty chair while at the same time noticing the black rug from what is left of the now extinguished fire.
“Help?” asks the 2nd man.
“Chin,” comes from the first woman cradling the second woman, “My-lin’s been shot,” telling the man in their language.
“What is all this?” The crouching Chinese sobbing man asks.
“We need to get her to a doctor,” Bill mentions as he is looking over seeing the blood oozing from her dress.
“Grandpa,” comes from the youngest boy, “Do something.”
As Heath quickly moves to Bill’s side, “We’re sorry,” he tells the man with the two women.
“Sorry?” comes from the second man.
“This was an accident,” Jarrod joins in as he brings himself between Heath and the man talking.
“Accident?” the 1st one asks, “What happened? How was she shot?”
“Accident?” comes from the second man, “Who are you? What are you doing here? You don’t belong here.”
“That is true,” Jarrod admits.
“Listen,” Bill says, “If you don’t do something quickly, you could lose her. She needs a doctor.”
Glancing down at her, “I’m afraid he’s right,” comes from the grandfather.
The woman cradling the injured woman, “How we going to get her to one,” she asks.
“We could help,” Jarrod points out.
“How?” comes from the second man.
“We could take her to the doctor’s,” Jarrod says, “And get her the care she needs.”
“How do we know we could trust you?” the grandfather asks.
“Right now” Jarrod says “I don’t think you’re in a position to decide otherwise, my name is Jarrod Barkley and even though you probably don’t know who I am, I give you my word you could trust us.”
“Listen,” Nick joins in with “Either you trust us or your daughter is as good as dead.”
“Grandpa,” comes from one of the three girls, “I don’t want her to die,” crying.
Studying Nick’s stern position “How we going to get her there” the grandfather asks.
“We have horses out front,” Jarrod points out.
“Vinnie and Jack are also in back,” Johnny mentions, “If need be.”
“Right now” Jarrod says “We’re in a hurry. Bill, you know the way to the doctor’s” glancing over at him “You take her and them, and we will be there as soon as we finish here.”
Pondering his decision, “I don’t know who you are,” the grandfather replies, “But right now seeing we are in a hurry and don’t have much time; I will follow your advice and decision.”
“We could go into who we are” Jarrod suggests “And how we came to be here later.”
The grandfather replies “Agreed” thinking it over, “Very well.”
“You trust them?” comes from the 2nd Chinese Man.
“I don’t know why” the grandfather answers “And we don’t have time to go into it, but yes, I do and” looking at each of the Barkleys and Bill “We will go with you.”
“I’ll take her,” comes from the first man.
“We will be along shortly,” Jarrod informs Bill.
As Bill goes with the three Chinese men, one of which is carrying the injured woman, the second woman follows right behind as does the five children.
Part 420
Bill helps the man with the injured woman up in the saddle and then after assisting the grandfather and the other woman onto the second horse while the third man assists placing the two smallest children on the third horse and mounts up behind them, Bill does the same with the three other children and after mounting up he quickly leads them out of there.
Meanwhile remaining behind Heath and Jim are instructed to take a seat at the table that is there. While doing so, Jarrod, Nick and Johnny work together in finding two buckets and after filling them with water they look about for clean linens they could use.
Once they have them both, Heath and Jim are then instructed in removing their shirts in which they reluctantly comply. Upon removing his shirt, Heath grunts slightly.
Overhearing “You okay” Nick inquires.
“Yeah,” Heath answers.
“Of course you are,” Nick retorts.
As Johnny gets a first look at Heath’s back and does a double-take, Jim following his gaze also noticing does the same and upon turning their attention to Nick he quickly shakes his head and realizing that is an answer to let it go they heed his advice and keep their thoughts and questions to themselves.
As Nick kneels down, “I’ll be right back,” Jarrod informs him.
“Where you going?” Nick wanted to know.
“We don’t have enough horses for all of us,” Jarrod mentions, “And I think they will do much better if we had a wagon.”
“Good thinking,” Nick tells him, “Hurry back.”
“I will,” Jarrod answers as he quickly goes out the door.
Catching sight of Jack and Vinnie still guarding the two men, “What do you want us to do with them?” Vinnie asks.
“Just hold them here” Jarrod tells them “For now” and while they continue to keep the two men there Jarrod goes down the road in search of a wagon.
Nick, in the meantime is busy cleaning the blood from Heath’s left arm with Johnny doing the same with Jim’s right arm.
In between Jim asks, “What happened to…”
“He’s finished,” Nick answers.
“What about delivering of the ransom?” Johnny wanted to know, “And your mother?”
“You don’t have to continue with it,” Nick notes, “That is why we came out here, she’s been found and she’s back home safe and sound.”
“Oh,” Johnny says, “Thank goodness.”
“Yes” Jim replies “And Heath” glancing over at him “Why didn’t you just call out?”
“I did,” Heath mentions, “But everything happened so quickly…wasn’t time.”
“Well,” Jim says, “I want to thank you for what you did, sorry about all this,” referring to the shattered glass and them bleeding.
“That’s alright,” Heath answers, “I am too.”
As Heath begins averting his eyes, “Is something wrong Heath?” Nick wanted to know.
“Sort of,” Heath admits.
“Talk to me,” Nick tells him.
“They’re not what I expected” Heath says “I don’t know much about this place but I came here several years back and from what I was told to always be careful of this area and yet they as well as others I saw as I passed by are not what I expected at all.”
“Jarrod,” Nick replies, “Warned me of them too and you’re right, they aren’t what I expected either. It’s possible that maybe some of the stories could be right and
yet, maybe not all of what we hear is true.”
“That’s possible,” Heath says, “I just hope she will be alright.”
“Same here,” Nick admits.
While Nick continues cleaning Heath’s arm, Jarrod goes down the street quickly and stops in at the nearest livery and upon paying and borrowing a wagon he immediately returns to the teahouse.
Going inside and catching sight of Nick bandaging Heath’s arm and Johnny bandaging Jim’s using the clean linens they managed to find Jarrod proceeds onto cleaning up the glass fragments and placing them into one of the two empty buckets he has before him.
Once they’ve finished and Heath and Jim are putting their shirts back on, “We ready?” Jarrod wanted to know.
Helping Heath with placing his arm back in the sling, “Just about,” Nick says, “Now we are. Come on.”
Getting up and exiting the building Heath and Jim are directed into the back of the wagon which they once again comply.
As Nick moves into the driver’s box, Jarrod and Johnny mount up on the two free horses and upon turning to Vinnie and Jack “Now” Jarrod says “You could let them go” and while keeping their guns on them, Jack and Vinnie mount their horses and after they begin moving out they let them go and proceed in following alongside of Jarrod and Johnny who are both following alongside of the wagon as it departs from the teahouse. Going down the street, Nick leaves the area and is now headed to the doctor’s.
Doctor’s Office
Inside the back treatment room while the doctor is working on removing the bullet from the Chinese woman lying on the table, his wife Vanessa is assisting him as well as his 22 year old son, Randy who is on the other side of them monitoring the brother who is about to transfuse blood into the woman.
Reading the vitals, “Pulse is 72,” Randy mentions, “Respiration is normal.”
Probing for the bullet, “Better put a clamp on that bleeding vessel,” Doctor Sheldon tells his wife Vanessa.
Doing as instructed, “Only some minor bleeding,” she brings up.
Replying “Thank goodness,” Doctor Sheldon resumes looking for the bullet.
Front Room
Just then walking in and seeing Bill, “Any word?” Jarrod asks of him.
“Not yet,” Bill replies.
Noticing the crying woman on one of the empty seats with her head buried in the grandfather’s arms with the children all huddled together, with the smallest sitting in the other man’s lap, Jarrod quickly crosses to them, “Ma’am,” he says, “Sir, I want to tell you how sorry we are.”
Standing behind Jarrod “I’m sorry too,” Heath joins in with.
Showing a little smile, “Thank you” the grandfather replies.
Leaving them alone, Nick, Johnny, Jack and Vinnie, Jarrod, and Bill stand around while Heath and Jim are instructed to take the two available empty seats in which they once again reluctantly comply as they wait news on the woman’s condition.
Inside the back office as the doctor begins getting frustrated “It’s no good” he mumbles “I can’t reach the bullet. It’s trapped between a nerve cluster and blood vessel.”
“Easy Sheldon,” Vanessa replies, “Easy. Try making a second incision 3 inches below the first; try getting at the bullet from below the entry point.”
“Thank you,” Sheldon tells her.
As the transfusion continues, “Fascinating,” Randy comments watching the blood flow from the brother to the sister, “It seems to be working.”
As the brother is squeezing onto the piece of wood he has in his hand the woman suddenly stops breathing.
“Sheldon,” Vanessa calls out in alarm, “I can’t get a pulse.”
“The anesthesia must’ve affected her heart,” he mentions and as Randy begins punching the heart with his right hand, “Vanessa,” the doctor orders, “There is a stimulant on the shelf. Get it for me quickly!”
While Randy continues working on getting the heart moving, Vanessa doing as instructed retrieves the small bottle from the shelf behind her. Taking it the doctor immediately pours a little into the woman’s mouth. Seconds later, “I’m getting a pulse,” Randy calls out and as they observe the woman’s heart beginning to rise and fall again, “Thank you,” Sheldon calls out as he continues on with the operation.
Just then finding the bullet, “There,” the doctor calls out, “There it is,” extracting it, “The bullet,” showing it to his wife and Randy, “Got it,” and places it into a small container next to the table.
“Thank goodness,” she says.
Relieved, “Come on,” he then replies, “Let’s close up.”
“That’s it,” Randy then says to the brother lying there, “How you doing?”
“I am fine,” he responds, “How’s my sister?”
“The bullet is out” Vanessa says “And that is always a good sign. But it’s too early to tell yet, stay here and I’ll be right back” walking away she goes out the door.
Upon exiting the back office, “How is she?” the husband asks of her.
“It’s too early to say yet” she mentions, “However the bullet has been removed and the doctor is now closing up the wound.”
“How’s my son doing?” the grandfather wanted to know.
“He is doing well,” she informs him, “And the transfer was a success. He will be out as soon as he is up to it.”
“Thank you,” both the grandfather and the husband reply.
“Excuse me,” Vanessa then moves onto Heath and Jim, “How you both doing,” she asks as she looks at them.
“Fine,” comes from Heath.
“They could both use,” Nick brings up, “Some looking at as well.”
“I will inform the doctor,” the doctor’s wife says, “And as soon as he finishes with My-lin he will take a look at them.”
“Thank you” Nick replies.
Walking away she goes inside the kitchen and seconds later she returns to the treatment room carrying a glass of orange juice and a basket of biscuits that she brings to the brother who is now sitting up.
While he gratefully accepts them and begins eating them slowly Vanessa informs her husband, “You have two more patients out there.”
“What a morning this has been,” Sheldon mumbles, “Stay with them.”
While Sheldon exits the back treatment room Vanessa and Randy remain to monitor the siblings’ conditions.
As he comes out of the treatment room, “Well?” comes from the husband.
“She should have an uneventful recovery,” the doctor mentions, “She’s not awake yet but if you like you may go in there.”
“Thank you,” the grandfather replies.
“I’ll be along shortly,” and while the family gets up, the doctor turns his attention to Heath and Jim, “I see you are the two patients I have to see.”
“Yes,” Nick replies, “They ran into a little bit of trouble.”
“I see that” The doctor asks of Heath, “How you doing?”
“Fine,” Heath answers.
“I was hoping you would return,” he mentions, “Are these the two men you went out looking for?”
Nodding his head, “They were,” Heath admits.
“Glad you found them,” Sheldon replies.
“Same here,” Heath says.
“So are we,” Nick joins in with.
The doctor then suggests, “How about if you both come with me?”
Getting up they proceed to follow him into a second treatment room that he has on the other side of the first one that he came out of.
While the Chinese family is gathered around the siblings of My-lin and Kam, Vanessa asks the children if they are hungry. Upon telling her they are she immediately exits the room once again leaving Randy monitoring the siblings’ condition while she goes to get the children some breakfast.
Meanwhile in the second treatment room the doctor instructs both Heath and Jim to climb up on the examination table and after asking, “Could you tell me what happened,” as Jim is elected first to be checked out.
“We went through the window of the family’s home that is in there,” Jim notes, “And got tangled up in the glass that shattered.”
“Mmm, hmmm,” The doctor says as he removes the bandages to Jim’s arm and begins examining it.
“How’s it look?” Jarrod inquires.
Doctor responds “Nothing serious. With the exception of just some very bad cuts, no sign of any glass penetrating” as he gently touches the areas Jim flinches “No sign of infection or anything broken, to whoever cleaned and bandaged your arm did a remarkable job.”
“That would have to go to Johnny out there,” Jim notes, “He did all the handi-work.”
“Well” the doctor responds “He did good.”
In the first back room while the children are all busy enjoying the biscuits and milk that they were given My-lin begins to open her eyes. The second woman noticing squeals in delight and informs the rest of the family who quickly turn their attention to her.
As she places her hand to her head, “What happened?” My-lin asks.
Chin, the husband brushing back her hair, “You were shot” he then inquires, “How you feel?”
“Not sure,” she then says, “Groggy, I think.”
“That must be the anesthesia,” Randy notes, “Hasn’t fully wore off yet. Just relax you’re going to be just fine” he informs My-lin.
While Chin sits alongside of her Sheldon in the second room is still finishing up on Jim’s arm, “Want some help?” Vanessa asks as she walks in.
As he is now treating each of the cuts with mercurochrome “If you’re free,” Sheldon replies.
“For the moment,” she brings up, “My-lin has just awoken.”
“That’s good news,” he mentions, “Here, how about you finish with him while I turn my attention to this young man here,” referring to Heath.
“Gladly,” she says and as she takes over she begins bandaging up the arm while the doctor turns his full attention to Heath.
Part 421
“Now,” the doctor says, “How about if I take a look at you,” without waiting for an answer he continues, “And we start off with helping you out of this,” referring to the sling his left arm is in.
Assisting him with removing the sling from around his shoulder, “Now,” the doctor encourages, “Just relax. You’re going to be just fine. Could you now take your shirt off for me?”
“I could,” Heath replies.
“I’ll give you a hand,” Nick says and quickly moving to his side he helps with getting his shirt removed.
“Thank you,” the doctor informs them both, “Now,” once it’s off, “Let’s see how your arm looks,” as he carefully takes hold of the arm and unwraps the bandages.
“Mmm, hmmm” examining each of the treated cuts ““I must say” glancing over at Nick “You did an excellent job” the doctor notes “With tending to him as quickly as you did” touching each of the areas gently Heath also flinches, “No sign of infection, no glass fragments penetrating, that is good, just a lot of cuts.”
“Just doing what I had to do,” Nick informs him.
Standing feet away Jarrod as well as Jim in between watch as the doctor is examining the arm thoroughly.
Then turning his attention to the previous wound “And you young man” the doctor says “You should be home resting not gallivanting around the city.”
“Sorry,” Heath responds, “But couldn’t be helped.”
“Well,” the doctor says, “I do hope you are now finished with whatever it is you had to do and once I finish with you here, you heed my advice and when you get back to your brother’s house you decide to start resting.”
“That you could definitely be sure of,” Jarrod informs him.
“Well” the doctor says “I hope so. If he” glancing at Jarrod, then at Nick and then at Heath “If you don’t stop running around you could be doing a lot more serious damage to your arm. It could start bleeding again and reopening and you certainly don’t want that.”
“Indeed no” Nick vows “And I assure you he will be resting, I could promise you that.”
“Good,” the doctor says, “And how about if I get you re-bandaged up so that you can go home,” glancing over at his wife, “Vanessa, do you think you could bring out two new shirts?”
“Certainly,” she replies and quickly leaves the room.
While Vanessa goes to retrieve two new shirts Doctor Sheldon starts rebandaging Heath’s arm with Nick’s assistance. Returning Vanessa hands one to Jim and one to Heath to which they both gratefully accept. While Heath is still being bandaged up Jim puts his on.
After Heath’s arm is bandaged Nick assists him with putting the shirt on as well as the sling. Once they’ve finished, “Okay,” the doctor announces, “You’re free to go.”
Thanking him and as he proceeds on walking them out, “Now young man,” the doctor says, “I do hope,” addressing Heath, “You do heed my advice and rest.”
“Don’t worry,” Nick vows, “He will.”
Piling out of the back room, “Don’t worry about the family in there,” the doctor says, “I want to monitor the girl’s condition for a little while longer. We will make sure they get back home. And I will stop by tomorrow to see how they are all coming along, that includes your cousin Jim and your brother Ed” looking at Bill.
“That’ll be fine Doctor,” Jarrod asks, “How much do we owe you? Including them in there?”
“Fifteen,” the doctor replies, “Will cover it.”
Taking out fifteen dollars Jarrod hands it to him, “Oh,” handing him a few more dollars, “Hand this to them in there. Tell them this is for their home.”
Taking it, “I’ll make sure they get it,” the doctor states.
Exiting the doctor’s office Heath says to Bill, “I want to apologize to you.”
“For what?” Bill asks.
“I was wrong about the Chinese people,” Heath mentions, “I thought…”
“Heath,” Bill says, “The Chinese people may not have been what you’ve expected but, it is always wiser to be aware of places were not from or sure of and I rather be on my guard than be attacked without warning. And you weren’t entirely wrong either.”
“What do you mean?” Heath asks.
“You knew about that guy” Bill says “Waiting to strike Jim there, that if you didn’t have your senses alerting us and giving you that eerily feeling, things could have gone worse, instead of nursing cuts from the glass Jim could’ve wound up with a bullet in him and he could be dead instead of having just mere cuts to be nursed.”
“And Heath” Nick overhearing joins in “You having that sixth sense is a godsend. I hope you never lose it. When there is danger I too rather be on my guard and be prepared than be attacked from behind without warning.”
“What about the girl?” Heath asks.
“As much as it was an accident,” Nick says, “It wasn’t your fault. The bullet just happened to go through that building and she just happened to be in its path. She’s going to be alright. And if it’s anyone’s fault, you could blame it on that man that was about to shoot Jim. If he didn’t come there in the first place or made Jim go there to deliver the ransom, we wouldn’t have been down that way in the first place.”
“Agreed,” Jarrod then overhearing joins in, “And Heath, you also managed to learn a valuable lesson.”
“What’s that?” Heath asks.
“You can’t always go by everything you hear,” Jarrod points out, “I do know of some of the stories that I heard and as much as many of them are true, not all are. These people aren’t any different than you or I; they just live in a different society.”
“What about the Tongue,” Heath inquires.
“They are bad,” Jarrod replies, “I will have to admit.”
“But,” Heath asks, “What are they?”
“Who is more like it,” Jarrod correcting him replies, “And they are a group of people or shall we say an organization. They are usually tied to criminal activity and can be very dangerous. But so far I haven’t encountered any of them, but that doesn’t mean we should stop being on our guard when we do go down that way. It’s just that not all Chinese are a part of the Tong organization and we shouldn’t have to fear all Chinese just because we’re in their territory. Most of them are not interested in any criminal activity. Most of them are just like us, wanting to live in peace and having a home to raise their families. Let’s just hope we never have to run into any of them and if and when we do go into the Chinese territory we just need to play it safe and just not venture there anytime on our own, alright?”
“Alright,” Heath replies.
“And Heath” Nick says “How about if we just forget about the Tong people for now, you get into the back of the wagon so we could get home and have some breakfast and then get some sleep? We could all use some sleep.”
“Agreed,” Jarrod replies, “And Nick’s right we could all use some sleep and I believe Mother hasn’t slept yet and won’t until we’ve returned safely.”
“Very well,” Heath says.
Doing as instructed, Heath followed by Jim climb into the back of the wagon with Nick getting into the driver’s box and everyone else mounting their horses.
Picking up the reins Nick leads the way back to Jarrod’s. Upon returning, Jack and Vinnie offer to take care of the wagon and the horses. While leaving them in their hands Jarrod followed by Nick, Heath and Bill all go inside the house.
As they walk in the front door Victoria followed by Audra is there waiting to greet them. After exchanging a few words of how happy they are to be back home and everyone is safe Victoria brings them into the kitchen and with Uncle Jim and Audra’s help serve them breakfast.
After they finish eating they with the exception of Audra and Uncle Jim all head upstairs and after doing a quick use of the bathroom to relieve themselves and do a quick wash-up they all head to their prospective beds and bedrooms and turn in bidding one another goodnight as they go.
The end
To be continued in the Plan of Action
