?

Love Conquers Murder

by

?

?

?

Chapter 1

“Are you sure you don’t mind darling?”? “Steve Sloan if you ask me once more if I mind you going on holiday with Jesse, I’ll murder you and that will settle the matter,” hissed Ellen as Steve for at least the hundredth time asked the same question “I’ve told you it will do you good to have a break and I can get on and concentrate on arrangements for the wedding without any little distractions.” “Like this, you mean?” grinned Steve pulling her into his arms and smothering her with kisses. A good while later he grabbed the bag he had been packing and added more items. “Precisely like that,” murmured Ellen as she got up from the bed and went into the bathroom to tidy up, “at this rate we’ll be lucky to be married before we retire,” she continued with mock annoyance. “Now go and I’ll see you in 10 days time OK.” Steve’s response was to reach out and grab Ellen and start the kissing all over again. “After all,” he grinned, as they came up for air, “I’ve got 10 days supply to store up before I go.”

A couple of hours later Steve finally gave Ellen a last kiss and throwing his things in the truck and shouting a goodbye to his father drove off to Jesse’s house where his friend was waiting for him with ill concealed impatience. “ Sorry Jess I got a little distracted, and my packing took longer than usual” Steve apologised as he grabbed Jesse’s things and tossed them into the truck. “Thought she wouldn’t let you go,” chuckled Jesse as he climbed up into the truck. “No I just had a few extras things I needed to do before I left,” grinned Steve, “now come on or it’ll be dark before we get there.” and they set off to drive to the cabin near Big Bear that they had rented for the holiday.

After a good two and a half hours driving Steve pulled up in Big Bear to get a few extra supplies before driving on up to the cabin. There, Steve set about getting the fire going while Jesse cooked the meal.

As they were sat relaxing after their meal, having decided to do nothing more strenuous than a game of scrabble before bed, Steve said, “Now Jess we must take it in turns with the cooking, I insist.” Jesse shuddered at the thought of some of Steve’s cooking, but rapidly thinking, he merely pointed out that all he had done was cooked one simple meal so it was still his turn for another day and that gives me 24 hours to think of something else he thought.

Next morning after a hearty breakfast, cooked by Jesse and carrying a snack for midday, also prepared by Jesse they set off, for what Steve called a short hike and Jesse a long one, to the lake where they spent 4 or 5 hours fishing, eating and chatting, before setting off back to the cabin with enough fish for supper. As the walked back Jesse said, “Have you thought what we are doing tomorrow?” Well” Steve deliberated, “It depends on the weather, but I think a decent hike, rather than the stroll we had today, is in order.” “OK by me” answered Jess while groaning inwardly at the thought of a longer hike than they had done that day.

As they set off next morning, after what had been, for Steve, a reasonable attempt at breakfast, the sun was shining and both men felt fairly good but after about four hours walking the sun went in and within a short time it began to pour with rain.

?“Jess let’s stop here where we’re reasonably sheltered and eat our snack before the weather gets any worse, then we’ll start back”

Steve suggested, an idea with which Jesse rapidly concurred. After a soggy meal, which Steve seemed to love, but which to Jesse’s taste buds left a lot to be desired, they set off back the way they had come, through the worsening weather.

?

?

?

?As they walked Steve said “Jess there’s a place down the track to the right, about 10 miles further along, where we could get a drink and a takeaway meal, it’ll add a couple of miles to our journey but its up to you.” Jess wasn’t interested in the drink, but the thought of a good meal, when they were home and dry, was very tempting and in the end his taste buds won the battle with his feet and he agreed with the suggestion.

So, some time later, he and Steve found themselves inside a pleasant café/bar where they ordered a meal each to take away and set down with a beer to wait for their food.

“What the blazes are you doing here?” At the sound of the voice Steve and Jess turned to face it’s owner and Steve said with a chuckle “I could ask you the same question Chuck.” “I’m here to recharge my batteries while Barbara’s at summer camp.” Chuck replied. “She hates it out here.” “Barbara” muttered Steve, “Yes and God help you if you forget and call her Barbie,” answered her father, “so I practise all the time, it’s safer.” Steve and Jesse took hasty drinks to try and hide their amusement at Chuck’s expression as he talked about his daughter. “Say why don’t you two stay and have a meal with me it’s ages since we had a chat without interruptions?” continued Chuck. “Thanks but we’ve ordered to go,” Steve replied “and we’re both wet and longing for a shower, so we’ll take a rain check if that’s OK with you.” “Well how about I give you a lift back to your cabin, then I’ll go and get myself sorted and come and pick you up again in about an hour.” “Great idea,” Jesse leapt in to answer, before Steve could say anything, “but I’m looking forward to nothing but a quick meal? and my bed.” “How about you Steve?” queried Chuck. “Well said Steve hesitantly, “if Jess doesn’t mind my leaving him alone.” Steve always remembered the awful feeling when, after Jess had been kidnapped, on their first trip like this, Jess had accused him of going off and leaving him. “Don’t worry I’ll be fine.” Jess grinned at Steve, as he added, “besides lightening doesn’t strike twice in the same place, you go on buddy I’ll be Ok.”

?

?

Chapter 2

So a couple of hours later Steve and Chuck were walking back into the same bar, chatting nineteen to the dozen as they went. As they walked in a pretty young woman, who was sat with two companions, looked across at them anxiously, Steve smiled one of his famous lopsided smiles at her, and then did a double take. “What is it Steve,” asked Chuck, “Do you know her?” “Thought I did,” answered Steve, “but she’s too young. Must be all this reminiscing,” he continued, “making me think of the past.” “Why who did you think she was,” laughed Chuck.

?“Someone from another time and place before Nam, Indicar racing, or the police, someone from when I was Barbie, whoops Barbara’s age,” replied Steve, with a grin. “And?” queried Chuck. “If you must know,” said Steve, in mock indignation, “I met her in summer camp and she was the first girl I ever kissed. It was around here too,” he continued at a place called Camp Chamekomee.” “Thanks mate, that’s way too much detail for me,” grinned Chuck, “besides that girl is far too young for that. “Oh come on Chuck as if I’d be thinking of that, with my wedding in less than 3 months,” protested Steve and the conversation reverted to reminiscing about their current situation and, inevitably, their time in Nam. As Chuck went up to the bar to refill their glasses the girl came shyly across to their table and asked in a quiet and hesitant voice if they would mind giving her some advice. “I couldn’t help overhearing you talking about Viet Nam,” she explained, when, after answering in the affirmative, Steve had found her a seat and she was sat next to them with a soft drink supplied by Chuck in her hand. “Its my father,” she went on shyly, “he has always had a temper, ever since he returned from Nam.” “And did he have one before?” interrupted Steve, “Not according to my mother, I was actually born while he was serving in Nam,” the young lady, whose name they had established was Mary, replied.

“The thing is his temper is getting worse and I’m afraid he is going to kill Mom or me over some imagined wrong or other,” She continued sadly.

?“Its unhappily true that many Vets have never fully recovered from the experience” said Chuck, “perhaps Steve and I could come to your place and try to chat to him.” “NO,” Mary shouted. “The last time Mom tried that, he beat her senseless for talking about him to someone outside the family,” she explained tearfully, as the two men stared at her. “Don’t panic,” said Steve, smiling to reassure her, “we won’t do anything you don’t want. Now is there anyway we can meet him somewhere without his knowing you have spoken. Do you know where he is likely to be in the next couple of days?” “I heard him arranging to meet a friend to do a bit of business at this place later tonight actually,” answered Mary. “Great, now you move away and when he comes in you can identify him and then get off home, OK, said Steve. Within about ten minutes the man in question walked in to the room and there was no problem in identifying him, as the first thing he did was to walk up to Mary and scream at her to get home before he gave her something to think about. Steve’s hands clenched as he saw Mary, with her head down and tears in her eyes, dash out of the bar. As she went she nearly bumped into another man who was just coming in. He immediately went across to Mary’s dad and they held a hasty and whispered conversation, in which the only words Steve and Chuck caught were goods, hidden and Camp Chamekomee. The two men then left. “ Come on,” Steve urged Chuck, “this sounds illegal. Lets get to your car and follow them.” “On the way,” Chuck responded grabbing his coat and following Steve out of the bar.

“Do you think we ought to phone the police and let them know what is happening,” queried Chuck as they set off to drive to Camp Chamekomee. “No, lets find out a little more first, we don’t want to look like idiots, if we’ve got the wrong impression,” replied Steve, “after all we didn’t hear much, we could have it all wrong. But,” he continued after a short pause “we need to ring Jesse and tell him what is happening, or he’ll wonder where on earth we are. Use my phone Chuck, its preset, you only have to press 1 and it’ll ring Jess’ mobile.”

?

?

Chuck took Steve’s mobile from his pocket and proceeded to phone Jesse, but nothing happened so he tried again with his own phone, but to no avail. Then he tried a couple of other numbers, but he could get no response. “Must be in a dead spot,” he muttered, “we’ll have to try again later.”

Within about ten minutes, thanks to Steve’s skilful driving, Chuck having suggested he drive, as he knew where the camp was, they were approaching the outskirts of the deserted camp. “Better go on foot from here,” Steve stated, “we don’t want to give them advanced warning of our presence.”? They crept up to the dancehall, and looked, then went in, but there was no one there, so they set off for the nearest hut. As they crept nearer Chuck’s foot caught on a wire, and the most almighty row erupted. “What the” he shouted. “I think you just lost us the element of surprise, tripping that device,” hissed Steve, as two figures, with guns, emerged from the hut. Steve and Chuck were quickly overpowered and taken into the hut, where they were roughly tied to chairs. “No need to gag them,” laughed the bigger of the two men, “no one to hear them round here. Now lets finish our business, give them a little tap on the head to discourage them from following too fast, and then get out of here. ”What if they come after us?” queried the other man. “They don’t know us from Adam, and we’ve not got a record, as long as we get away from here we’re home and dry,” responded the first, “and I don’t believe in killing unnecessarily, got it.”?

As the men were working, sorting out the proceeds of what looked like robberies, Steve kept staring at Mary’s father. He felt sure he knew him from somewhere, but where. Perhaps he’d seen a photo of him at work, but he didn’t think that was it. It was like an elusive butterfly hovering in his brain, but refusing to be caught.

“Ok,” said the first man who had spoken. “I’ll go fetch the van, you give our nosey friends a tap, and follow me.

?

?

?

?As Mary’s father approached them Steve was still staring. Suddenly the man, who had been staring back at Steve, gave a start and, to Chuck’s horror brought up his gun and shot Steve in the head, he slumped in the chair blood oozing from his head and Chuck braced himself to die, but, to his astonishment, the man reversed the gun, strode over to him and hit him. As he lapsed into unconsciousness Chuck’s last thought was why the hell kill Steve and not me.

After a few minutes, hours, days, Chuck had no way of knowing how long, he came to, and his first thought was of Steve. Looking across he could see Steve’s body with blood still trickling from the head wound. As he stared something stirred in the back of his mind, dead people don’t bleed. He began to struggle against the ropes tying him to the chair and, within about 5 minutes, his wrists were bleeding, but he had managed to free himself and stagger across to where Steve was sat. Gently he felt for his pulse in his neck. Yes there it was, weak and thready, but present.

Grabbing Steve’s mobile. He rang Jesse and rapidly told him what had happened. “Ok” shouted Jess, “I’ll be there ASAP. Now listen I want you to dial 911 and tell them we need a Medivac helicopter there yesterday, got it.” “Got it,” answered Chuck and rang off to do as Jesse had asked him.

Jesse never forgot that evening and the awful feelings he had as he drove like a madman to Camp Chamekomee, in Steve’s truck, something he would only do in an emergency, dashed in and saw Steve sitting there in the chair. Chuck had just untied him, and went to lower him to the floor. “NO” shouted Jesse, “don’t move him, we need to keep his head above his heart so the bleeding is slowed. The fact that he was tied up when he was shot may have saved his life. He came across and examined his friend with shaking hands, looking up in relief as he heard the helicopter coming. Suddenly Steve’s eyelids fluttered and, bending close, Jesse heard him whisper, “God it hurts Jess,” before he lapsed again into unconsciousness.

?

?

?

The paramedics came in and set about stabilising Steve prior to transporting him to hospital. “We’re going to Community General,” said Jesse, “it may not be the nearest hospital, but I’ve phoned ahead and we’ve got a specialist in brain surgery standing by.” While the paramedics had been working Jess had been busy on the phone, first to the hospital, then talking to Amanda, who had organised the specialist, who had been on a fact finding visit to LA and had agreed to help.

?Now, while Jesse flew in with Steve and Chuck, she had the harder task of breaking the news to Mark, and she realised with horror to Ellen as well.

Amanda ran out to her car and set off for the hospital, thanking God that, as an official of the coroner’s office, she had a hands free phone system in her car, so she could phone and not waste time. After 8 or 9 rings an anxious and sleepy voice answered, “Mark Sloan here.”? “Mark I’m so sorry,” Amanda’s tone convinced Mark he was right to be worried, “I’m afraid Steve has been injured. They’re flying him to Community General as we speak.”? “Flying,” echoed Mark, realising its implications, “what’s happened Amanda?” “Mark he’s still alive,” Amanda said, praying this was still true, “but,” she continued, “I’m afraid he’s been shot in the head.” Mark staggered and all but dropped the phone, but mustering all his reserves he managed to hang on and heard Amanda explain about the specialist and all she’d done. “Thanks sweetie,” Mark whispered, still trying to fully assimilate the news. “Now Amanda continued can you give me Ellen’s number I think we ought to tell her the news.” “Of course, its,” Mark proceeded to give Ellen’s number in a very shaky voice. “Right, now get dressed and get a cab to the hospital Mark, while I call Ellen. I’m almost at the hospital now, see you there,” responded Amanda. She then broke the bad news to Ellen, who broke down in tears, but rushed to dress and get to the hospital to be with Mark and Amanda.

?

?

Chapter 3

Four hours later Mark, Amanda, and Ellen, who had been joined by Jesse, were still waiting in the lounge at the hospital. On arrival Steve had been whisked off to the OR where the surgeon was waiting, Jesse had taken Chuck to the ER where he had treated his wrists, and then admitted him overnight, so they could make sure he wasn’t affected by the blow to the head or the shock he had suffered. Then he had joined the others in their long vigil.

After about half an hour the door opened and the surgeon came in to the group. “I’m very sorry,” he said, “I’m afraid the news is not good.” Mark blanched and staggered and both Ellen and Amanda clung onto him as the surgeon continued, “I’ve removed the bullet, and he’s in ICU but I have to tell you that, with the wound where it is, the likelihood of his ever regaining consciousness or being in anything but a vegetative state is only about ten percent. Everyone was stunned by the news, they had almost prepared themselves to hear he was dead, but this was, in many ways worse, a living death, with all its implications on what they had to do. “Can we see him,” pleaded Mark. “Of course,” replied the surgeon. “Come on I’ll come with you. I’m so sorry I can’t be more optimistic.” At the door to the ICU the surgeon left them and they went in. Ellen rushed across to the bed, and kissed the still form of her fiancé “Mark, she sobbed, surely there’s some hope. Tell me what the surgeon said isn’t true.” “Ellen Sweetheart, I wish I could,” said Mark with a catch in his throat, but this man is the best, his knowledge is phenomenal, I wish I..” he broke off as sobs threatened to overwhelm him and for a few seconds the friends stood there in silence. Suddenly the steady beep of the heart monitor changed to a whine. Jesse leapt forward shouting code blue and prepared to shock him. “No Jess let him go, he wouldn’t want to exist like this,” Mark whispered. “NO,” screamed Ellen “Please Jesse, at least bring him back so I can say goodbye.”

?

?

?

***************************************************

Steve stared at the bright light in front of him. “Hi mom, sis,” he said, starting towards them. No Steve go back. Steve stared his mother’s mouth had not moved but he had heard her voice. It’s not time yet Steve, go back the voice said again. “But mom I don’t want to live as a vegetable,” Steve pleaded, “let me come with you.” You won’t be a vegetable, his mother promised, if I thought that I’d welcome you with open arms, but you’ve still got work to do on earth. Besides, he heard his sister’s voice cut in, if you don’t go back there are two souls here who won’t get a chance to be born. “You mean,” stuttered Steve, your children yours and Ellen’s laughed his sister, now go back Steve, we’ll see you later much later. Steve felt everything fade out there was a tremendous jolt to his body and….

***************************************************

“He’s back” normal rhythm,” Jess’ voice echoed through ICU.

“Thanks Jesse,” Ellen gave him a quick kiss and then turned back to the bed and grabbed Steve’s hand. “Now listen Sloan,” she said in a firm tone, “I need you here so you’d better stop this dying nonsense, do you hear me.” The other three listened, wishing they could have Ellen’s faith, but unfortunately their knowledge as doctors told them otherwise. They knew of the surgeon’s knowledge and skill and knew he was hardly if ever wrong in his prognosis. “Ellen,” Mark started to explain the situation. “Mark,” Ellen queried, “do you mean that what the surgeon has done has caused this?” “Oh no, sweetie, of course not,” said Mark. “It’s the actual wound that is causing the problem.” “But Mark, Jesse said that Steve spoke to him when he first arrived and that was after he was wounded, I don’t understand.” Mark stared at her, a glimmer of hope forming in his brain for the first time since the surgeon had spoken to them. “Oh Ellen,” he whispered, thank you, you’re right, Thank God for your faith darling. THERE IS HOPE.” He almost shouted the last three words as if this would help to make them true. Mark’s mind was racing, part of him wanted so desperately to believe, but the doctor side told him the specialist must be right.??

?

?

?

?Eventually after a lot of persuading the three coaxed Mark into lying on the other empty bed in the room, a bed which Jesse had secretly arranged to be there in case it was needed. Exhaustion took over and Mark fell into a fitful doze, Jesse went to find a place to sleep, Amanda went home and Ellen was left holding Steve’s hand and whispering softly to him till sleep overcame her and she fell asleep in the chair.

Next morning, in spite of the lateness of the hour when they fell asleep, Mark and Ellen were awake early and first Ellen went to freshen up and then Mark so that at no time was Steve left alone. When Mark came back with Jesse in tow and cups of coffee for them all Ellen had washed and shaved Steve, changed him into a clean gown, with the help of the nursing staff, because of keeping his head as still as possible, and had replaced his watch, which had been removed by the paramedics while they were treating him the night before.

There was a tap on the door and the surgeon came in. “I hear you had an upset yesterday, after I had left,” he said. “Yes,” said Mark, “but this morning there is an improvement in his vitals, look at the chart. I think he might be going to beat the odds.” The surgeon looked, thinking inwardly that it was a pity his patient hadn’t gone, but saying nothing. Then he turned and looked at Steve. “My someone has been busy,” he said, “but you’ve made a mistake, you’ve put his watch on the wrong wrist.” “ No I haven’t,” protested Ellen, “its on his right wrist.” “Are you telling me he’s left handed?” “Why yes,” cut in Mark, I’m ambidextrous but Steve is definitely a leftie, left handed, left eyed and as far as I know left footed. Why? “Because it makes a huge difference to his prognosis, that’s why,” responded the surgeon in a joyful voice. “The prognosis for a left handed person with an injury in this position is a better than a 50% chance of a full recovery. Some left handed people are also left brained, and in a left brained brain this area does not control the same vital components as it does in a right brained person.

?Now there’s no guarantee he’s left brained, but looking at this chart I would think it’s highly probable.

At this news Mark grabbed Ellen and whirled her round the room, both of them crying and laughing at the same time.

?“Thank God you persuaded Jesse to use the defibulater,” Whispered Mark, “we could have lost him.” Jesse stood and watched them in a daze. They knew he wasn’t out of the woods yet, but they now had hope and, knowing Steve, they were convinced he would come back to them.

On her way into work that morning Amanda stopped off and bought breakfast for them all. She was sure no one would feel like eating, but they needed to keep up their strength, so she hoped to persuade them to eat a little. Imagine her astonishment, on entering the ICU, to hear Jesse say, “Oh goody breakfast,” to see Mark dancing a sort of jig round the room, and to hear Ellen, who was sat with Steve, almost yell at her, “He’s a leftie, Amanda, isn’t it marvellous.” Quickly the others brought Amanda up to date with what was happening, telling her what had occurred and demonstrating that already, so soon after the surgery, Steve was reacting to a light shone into his eyes and to the pain stimulus of a needle. There were tears of joy in Amanda’s eyes, as they sat down to enjoy a breakfast that less than an hour previously not one of them would have felt like eating.

?

?

Chapter 4?

For the next two days Steve continued to show signs of improvement, and everyone was confident that within a day or so he would regain full consciousness, and be back talking to them. Already he was squeezing their hands in response to the conversation and, it was obvious to them all from his reactions, that he could hear them. Then on the morning of the third day he began to move in an agitated way, his eyes opened and Mark and Ellen shot across to be nearer him.

?But he was not seeing them, his eyes were darting everywhere, as if in REM sleep, and he became very agitated, thrashing about in the bed.

?“He’s going to hurt himself if this doesn’t stop,” moaned Mark, as he and Ellen called desperately to him, trying to soothe and calm him. “Quick Ellen help me fix these straps to try and keep him still,” commanded Mark. “I’m not going to lose him now after we’ve come so far and this violent agitation could start the bleeding in the brain again.

…………………………………………………………………?

All around him Steve could hear the sounds of battle, shells and grenades could be heard exploding and the air was filled with the sound of machine guns and rifles. He realised that they had walked into a trap, and he needed to get back to the helicopter, but his dam leg wouldn’t let him. Every time he tried to get up the leg just gave under him and he fell back to the ground. Now he was attempting to crawl, crawl through the bodies that lay on either side of him. Frustrated he gave a sob and prayed that when the Viet Cong arrived, as arrive they would, they gave him the mercy of a quick death. Suddenly he became aware of another man moving among the bodies, wearing an American uniform. For a moment hope flared, here was someone who could help him up and perhaps even get him to the chopper that he could still hear in the background. Then, as he watched, he realised, to his horror, what the man was doing, stealing from the bodies. Then he saw him bend over the man next to Steve and remove his possessions and his dog tags, dropping his own tags onto the body instead. Steve shuddered and waited for him to come closer, but at that moment he heard a shout, “Steve buddy where the hell are you? Answer me.” It was Chuck and, without realising he was doing it, Steve heard himself shout, “Chuck” in a loud voice. Chuck appeared by his side and pulled him up. “Leave me I can’t walk.” Steve begged, “save yourself.” Totally ignoring him Chuck put Steve’s arm over his shoulder and half dragged half carried him to the waiting chopper. “Needn’t think you can get away that easily Sloan,” he said with a grin when they were sat with a group of other men in the now airborne helicopter. “You still owe me for last weeks bar bill.” “I owe you more than that Chuck, thanks,” said Steve. “ Nothing more than you’ve done for me on occasions buddy,” Chuck replied.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Slowly the scene faded away and Steve became aware of other voices, his dad’s and Ellen’s. He opened his eyes and looked round him. Mark watched hopefully as Steve’s eyes moved round the room. They stopped when he saw Mark and Mark looked for a sign of recognition, but there was none, after the briefest of pauses the eyes went on searching, then as his eyes lit on Ellen, Mark saw the most beautiful smile he had ever seen on his son’s face, “Ellen darling,” as Steve whispered the words he tried to raise his hand to Ellen, starting to panic when he found he was strapped down. “ It’s all right Steve, Don’t panic.” Mark and Ellen moved closer to the bed and Mark undid the restraining straps. “Sorry son, but you were so agitated you could have hurt yourself,” Explained Mark. “Don’t worry dad I understand,” Steve murmured. “How do you feel darling?” Ellen asked, giving him a sip of water and then holding his hand.

I’ve a bit of a headache, but I don’t feel too bad. You know what,” he continued, “I could just eat one of those delicious hospital meals.” “ Well your certainly back to normal, well normal for you,” said Mark grinning. “I tell you what I’ll go and see what I can rustle up.”

So saying, he left the room for a few minutes to give Steve and Ellen some time together, realising as he did so that life would never be the same again. Yes it looked as though Steve would fully recover, but never again would it be the two of them, or even the four of them, Now there were five with Ellen rightly at the top of Steve’s list, a thought which filled Mark with real pleasure, as he realised Steve had, at last, found his soul mate.

?

?

Chapter 5?

When he returned to the room Jesse and Amanda were there and Jess was making arrangements to move Steve to another room. “Great” Mark said. “But,” echoed Steve picking up on his tone,

Mark smiled across at his son, he was certainly on the mend and once again attuned to every nuance of his father’s tone. “But,” he continued I’m still worried about that dream you had, just before you woke up. I don’t want that to happen again. What was it about?” “I was back in Nam,” Steve said, I don’t really want to think about it Dad. It was just what happened and my being with Chuck at the time and everything. Let’s leave it.

“Alright son we’ll do just that, but please if you want to talk just ask, promise,” pleaded Mark. “Promise,” said Steve and conversation moved to other topics.

?However while Steve was being moved to another room Mark talked to Ellen about his worries and she suggested they brought Chuck in on the conversation with Steve. “After all,” she said, “we don’t really know exactly what happened yet and, now he’s on the mend, I’m sure the police will want to talk to Steve about that night. I know they’ve spoken to Chuck, but they’re going to want to hear Steve’s side of it.”?
When Chuck phoned Mark, as he did every day, to check on Steve’s progress, Mark told him about the dream and also suggested that Chuck came in to visit Steve. Chuck needed no second bidding, he was eager to do so, but hadn’t liked to come before. After all the first time he had met with Mark he had duped him and dumped his daughter with him, albeit with good reason.? Now, although Mark had assured him he didn’t mind and they had met a couple of times since, Chuck, not realising Mark’s gratitude for his current actions, was unsure of his welcome, so he was delighted to be invited to visit Steve.

?

?

?

?On his way into the hospital Chuck bumped into Captain Newman and Cheryl, who had also heard the good news and were on their way to see Steve. “I just hope he can throw some light on the subject,” said Cheryl, “because to be honest we are getting nowhere, in spite of the closest cooperation between the LAPD and the police round Big Bear.” The police and Chuck chatted with Steve for almost an hour, but to everyone’s disappointment it got them no further, Steve had no idea why he had been shot, and his dream, he explained, was just about the time Chuck had saved his life in Nam. “Perhaps you were dreaming about that because, subconsciously, you knew that Chuck had saved your life this time too,” suggested Mark.

“Reckon your right dad,” said Steve to Chuck’s embarrassment. “Many thanks Greer” Everyone echoed these sentiments and to Chuck’s further embarrassment Ellen gave him a kiss and a hug as she added her thanks for his part in saving her fiancé. “Oh come on I was saving myself too you know,” he said. “I did nothing that any other person who was there wouldn’t have done.” Seeing his reactions Mark hastily changed the subject and after a few more minutes he hinted that perhaps Steve had had enough for one day and everyone went their separate ways leaving just Mark and Ellen with Steve. They could see that, much as he had enjoyed seeing people, he was exhausted, so Mark suggested that after a light lunch they both go and let him sleep.

?As the walked through the door Ellen said “Toss you for it.” “Pardon,” queried Mark. “Oh come on Mark I know you’re not going to just leave him till we know if that nightmare is going to come back,” she said with a slight laugh. “Oh now I’ve got you and Steve second guessing me,” chuckled Mark, “ but you’re quite right Sweetie, heads or tails?” “Heads,” said Ellen eyes gleaming with delight when Mark revealed the coin with the head showing. Mark went to have a much needed rest, while Ellen peeped in through the door and, seeing Steve had already dozed off, crept back in and sat on the other bed.

?

?

She was just beginning to doze off when Steve once again began to get agitated and leaping off the bed she flew across and grabbed him. “Steve darling, wake up its all right,” she called to him. Steve woke with a start and stared at Ellen. “It was him,” he whispered. “Who was him?” questioned Ellen. “The man who shot me,” Steve exclaimed. “The bastard on the battlefield who stole from the bodies, it was him who shot me.” “Are you sure?” queried Ellen. “Yes,” Steve’s voice was joyous, as he continued speaking, “I had spent all evening trying to place where I had seen him before and I just couldn’t do it. As you woke me I was on the ground staring up at him, and I realised it was the same man, older yes, but him definitely.” Ellen pressed the bell and when the nurse came in, told her to page Dr Sloan immediately and tell him to come to room 254 ASAP. Within a couple of minutes Mark flew into the room looking pale and worried, followed by Jesse and then Amanda who had also heard the call and rushed to see what was wrong. Mark skidded to a halt just inside the door, seeing Steve sitting up with a big smile on his face, and a look of relief flashed across his face. “Thank God,” he stuttered, “when I heard the call I thought….” “Oh Mark I’m so sorry,” Ellen jumped up and ran to hug him. “I should have thought and not called you in that way, but Steve has remembered something important and its all linked in with the dream” Then they went on to explain what had happened. “Aha,” said Mark, so the dream was trying to tell you something. Now it all makes sense.”

“Maybe the dream makes sense, but it doesn’t get us any further in identifying him, or helping Mary,” said Steve. “It may help us, at least it’s a starting point,” said Mark. “Now can you remember when and where this incident took place Steve? If so we can go into records and find who died that day and hopefully who was injured or involved as well. Can you remember how many people were killed? “ I think there were 5 from our unit,” said Steve. “I can certainly tell you whereabouts we were and roughly the date, but we weren’t the only unit there.” “Was the man who shot you from your unit?” queried Mark. “I don’t think so,” said Steve. “I certainly didn’t know him.”

“What about the man he swapped tags with?” Steve thought some more, “He could have been,” he pondered, I was trying not to look too closely at what I was crawling through.” “Chuck might know,” suggested Jesse, “I bet he had a quick look at the others, to make sure they were past help, when he was helping you up. I’ll go and phone him now and then I’ll get busy with my laptop.” “Are you going to involve your friends who helped me?” asked Amanda. “Don’t think so,” responded Jesse, “I might if I find I have to do any hacking, but most of the information I want is available to all; well all who know where to look anyway.”

?He went off and phoned Chuck, and he was, not only able to clarify a few things, but also to put him in contact with another man from their unit, who had got in touch because he was resourcing material for a book about the war. Armed with this information, Jesse made swift progress and eventually, by cross-referencing to marriage and birth records, was able to reduce the names and addresses to one for the police to try. They found the man had moved from the address in question, but were able to track him through five other addresses in the area, and eventually find and arrest him. His fingerprints then told them he was a Geoff Baker, a person, with a string of convictions as a young man, who it was believed had been killed in Viet Nam.

?Cheryl came to give this latest news and tell them that, thanks to his trying to reduce his sentence as much as possible, he had named his partner, who had also been arrested, and that both of them were being arraigned, that very day, on various charges, including the attempted murder of one Stephen Michael Sloan.

?When she arrived at the hospital she discovered that Steve had recovered so well that he was about to be discharged, a fact which gave her great pleasure, “But,” said Ellen firmly, “that doesn’t mean he’s ready to come back to work yet, not by a long chalk.” “See the trouble I’ve got,” Steve joked, “there’s two of them at it now.” “and Thank God for that Sloan,” replied his partner. “You need it and it relieves me of the job for a while.”

?

?

?

While they were talking there was a soft tap on the door and in walked Mary and her mother. “I have come to see how you are and say thank you for all you have done for us,” said Mary. “ I’ll second that, I can’t believe the bastard fooled me all these years,” said the older woman. “This is my mum Gillian,” Mary introduced her to the people in the room. “Gillian Stephens,” exclaimed Steve. She stared at him for a moment and then muttered, “Steve Sloan, wow, how long ago since we met?” “Too many years to count,” laughed Steve, “suffice it to say we were a lot younger than your daughter is now, just sweet 16, the pair of us.” Steve and Gill then went on to explain to everyone that they had not met since summer camp when they were 16, “But it explains why I thought Mary was someone I knew,” said Steve with a grin, “She’s very like you Gill.” “And I shouldn’t worry about being fooled,” said Cheryl. “He was careful to chose someone of the same shape and build, and he had stolen all your letters and other private papers. You didn’t see him for over three years and his claiming to have had trouble in Nam that affected his memory covered any problems. I’m just glad we’ve sorted it all out now:” a sentiment with which everyone agreed. Mary and Gill then left, promising to keep in touch and Cheryl went with them.

Mark and Ellen then finished sorting everything out, and they went down to Mark’s car for the drive back to the Beach House.???

When they got back to the house Steve said “I suppose you will want me to stay in the guest bedroom for a while, Dad, knowing you.” “I was going to talk to you about that Steve,” Mark replied. He had learnt from Ellen that Steve had persuaded her that, rather than move into his house, they would continue to rent that out and she would live with him in the downstairs apartment after the wedding, as he was worried about leaving his dad, now that his sister had died, and because he wasn’t getting any younger. “I’ve had a talk with Ellen,” he continued, “and I’ve decided to give you two the top apartment, rent free as a wedding present and I propose to live in the smaller downstairs area.”

?As Steve went to reply he added, “Mind you there’s one condition.” “Oh” said Steve, “and what’s that?” “That you leave the cooking to Ellen or me,” said Mark with a twinkle in his eye.

“Dad are you sure,” Steve said.” It’s a wonderful and generous offer. Thank you” “For the house or the cooking?” queried Mark, with a twinkle in his eye. “Both definitely” said Ellen.

Everyone laughed and went in, so thankful to have this opportunity for a new start.

“I must admit we are going to need the bigger space from what I was told,” said Steve, when they were safely indoors and he was lying on the settee. “So you were told?”? Queried Ellen and Steve explained about the experience he had had while Jesse was trying to resuscitate him. Mark sat, smiling at Ellen and Steve, thinking what a difference three weeks made. This time three weeks ago he had been convinced his life was over, that he had, to all intents and purposes, lost both his children, but now he not only had his son back, but the prospect and sheer joy of a wonderful daughter-in-law, and of, at least, two grandchildren. Beaming at them both, he then went into the kitchen to start cooking the first of these promised meals.??

The End
?

?