Dreams: Part Two (11 page)

“Well, well, well,“ Harry drawled as he stopped a few feet away. “Got yourself a little project there, I see.“

“It’ll keep me busy for a while.“ Colby went back to work on the lug nuts, but he watched Harry out of the corner of his eye.

“I’ll leave the Caddy parked where it is while you change the tire,“ Harry volunteered. “The headlights will make it a little easier to see what you’re doin’.“

“Thanks,“ Colby muttered, dropping the last of the lug nuts into the hub cap.

“Don’t thank me. Thank old lady Fulbrook. She gave me strict instructions about how I wasn’t to cause any trouble with you.“ Harry leaned against the fender of the Cadillac, a dark, bulky shape behind the glare of the headlights.

Colby said nothing. He hesitated and then put down the wrench in order to grasp the flat tire and pull it off the wheel.

“You hear me, Savagar? I said old lady Fulbrook doesn’t want me causing any trouble with you.“

“I hear you.“

“You know why she doesn’t want no trouble?“ Harry asked conversationally.

“No.“

“She’s afraid you’ll keep her from seeing that boy of yours. Weird, huh? Twenty years go by, and she pays no attention to that kid at all. Then one day he shows up in town and she’s fascinated with him. It’s probably those eyes of his. Just like little Cynthia’s eyes. Remember those eyes, Savagar?“

Colby didn’t respond. He wished he could pick up the wrench again but it took both hands to fit the spare tire onto the axle. He told himself that if Margaret Fulbrook had given her gofer instructions not to start a fight with him, Harry the Ox would follow orders. Harry had always followed Fulbrook orders.

“Old lady Fulbrook’s gettin’ on, you know?“ Harry continued. “One of these days she’s gonna kick the bucket.

Been having a few chest pains lately. Doctor can’t find nothin’ wrong, but you know what chest pains mean.“

Colby hoisted the spare tire and started to slide it into place.

It was then Harry moved, charging out of the shadows and into the glare of the Cadillac’s headlights with a speed that was astonishing in a man his size.

Colby dropped the tire and spun to one side, trying to get to his feet. He didn’t move fast enough. Harry’s arm came down in a vicious arc. There was a length of pipe in his fist.

Just like old times, Colby thought. His spinning movement ensured that the pipe missed his skull but he took the blow in his ribs. Pain shot through him. He went sprawling on the pavement, forcing himself to roll quickly to the side.

“Now that’s a sucker punch, you son of a bitch,“ Harry roared and swung the pipe again. “I’ve been waitin’ twenty years to do that.“

The second swing narrowly missed Colby’s shoulder. He staggered to his feet as the pipe clanged on the pavement and he stepped quickly back out of Harry’s range. The big man charged again.

This time Colby went in under the swing but he was still off balance. He managed to sink a fist into Harry’s huge belly, but Harry fell on top of him, using his massive weight to carry Colby toward the ground.

Colby barely escaped the full weight of the other man. He threw himself to one side as they both hit the hard pavement. Harry lashed out with his fist because the hand holding the length of pipe was trapped momentarily under his body. Lights danced in Colby’s head as the huge, meaty hand caught the side of his face.

But Harry lost his advantage on the ground. He lay like a beached whale for a few seconds, breathing noisily as Colby got to his knees.

Colby wasted no time taking advantage of the situation. He used the heel of his hand in a chopping action that was designed to numb Harry’s shoulder. Harry yelled as his fingers went into a spasm, and the pipe clattered on the pavement.

Colby kicked the pipe well out of the way and then stepped back out of reach. He sucked in air and watched Harry sit up slowly.

“Let’s call it even,“ Colby said, aware of the pain in his side.

Harry said nothing. He got awkwardly to his feet, edged around Colby, who never took his eyes off him, and moved heavily toward the Cadillac. He lowered his bulk slowly into the driver’s seat and yanked the door shut.

With a protesting groan from its overworked engine, the big car shot out onto the road. Colby had to jump out of the way. An instant later he was staring at the big car’s taillights.

Some things would never change in Fulbrook Corners.

Specter raised his head from his huge paws and yawned inquiringly as Diana paced back across the length of the living room. She eyed the dog.

“Am I disturbing you?“

Specter blinked sleepily and put his head back down onto his paws. He knew when to keep his mouth shut.

His eyes stayed open, however, as he watched Diana pace.

“He should have been home by now. If he’* out getting drunk with that Eddy Spooner, I swear I’ll give him a piece of my mind when he shows up.“ She glared at the dog. “Do you realize I don’t even know if he does things like stay out with the boys half the night? He’s my husband, and I still don’t know nearly as much about him as I should. I must have been crazy to marry him on such short notice.“

Specter’s tail flopped once or twice in general agreement.

“Oh, you’re biased. You didn’t like Colby the minute you saw him.“

Specter’s ears rose and fell briefly. He lifted his muzzle in anticipation and turned his head toward the front door.

Diana followed his gaze. A few seconds later she heard what the dog had heard, the sound of the Mazda’s engine.

Relief flooded her veins with such intensity she felt weak. She hurried over to the front door, jerked it open and dashed out onto the front porch.

“It’s about time you got home, Colby Savagar,“ she declared in ringing tones as the car door opened. “Where have you been? Do you have any idea of the time? It’s nearly midnight. I’ve been worried sick. You said you’d only be gone for an hour.“

“Always nice to know I’ve been missed,“ Colby said as he got slowly out of the car. He stood for a minute, steadying himself with one hand on the door. “It’s not anywhere near midnight, by the way. It’s only about ten.“

“Well, it seems a lot later than that. What did you do? Hit the local tavern with Eddy and a few old buddies?“

“I ran into an old acquaintance after I left Eddy’s. But he didn’t offer to buy me a beer.“ Colby slammed the car door and started toward the porch.

Diana’s eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong with you? Are you drunk?“

“No, ma’am.“ Colby was holding his side with one hand. His eyes were shadowed in the dim porch light. “Are you going to conduct an inquisition every time I come home late?“

“I don’t know,“ Diana retorted. “I’m not accustomed to dealing with the situation. Isn’t this what wives are supposed to do?“

“Damned if I know. It’s been twenty years since I had one.“ He put one foot on the bottom step. He winced.

“Colby, this is ridiculous. Where have you been?“

“Out,“ he stated laconically as he started up the steps.

“What have you been doing?“

“Nothing.“

“So help me, Colby, I…“ She broke off in shock as she finally got a good look at his face.
“What happened to
you?“

“I
told you, I ran into an old acquaintance.“ Colby managed a weak grin. “Or maybe I should say he ran into me.“

Diana stared at him in shock. “Who?“

“Harry the Ox.“

“Oh, my God.“ She broke free of her momentary paralysis and leaped forward to take Colby’s arm.

Colby sucked in air. “Careful, honey. I’m finding out the hard way that this kind of thing hurts more than it used to.“

“Oh, my poor Colby. What did that bastard do to you? How dare he hurt you like this! I’ll get a lawyer.

I’ll call the cops. I’ll have him sent to prison for the rest of his life. Here, let me help you. Lean on me, Colby.“

His mouth curved sardonically. “If I did, we’d both wind up flat on the porch. Relax. I can make it inside the house.

I managed to finish changing the tire and drive home, didn’t I?“

“You had to change a tire in this condition?“ Diana was outraged. “What happened? Where were you?“

“On the way back from Eddy Spooner’s. Had to stop to change a flat. Harry cruised by and saw I was having a little problem, so he felt obliged to stop and add to my worries.“

“That man should be horsewhipped. Look what he’s done to you. You’re bleeding.“

“I got a little scraped up when I hit the pavement.“

“He knocked you to the pavement? Colby, I won’t stand for this. I will not tolerate anyone doing this to you.“

“You won’t?“ Colby looked down at her with a speculative glance as he allowed her to guide him through the door.

“I certainly will not. I will call a lawyer in the morning and sue the fat off that big ox. How dare he do this to you!“

“He was carrying an old grudge, you know. I told you about the time he and I tangled twenty years ago.“

“That doesn’t give him the right to beat you up like this. Oh, Colby, just look at you,“ she said in despair. “You’re bleeding and you can hardly walk.“

“He got me in the ribs with a length of pipe.“

“A pipe?“ Diana was horrified. “We’ve got to get you to a doctor.“

“I don’t think anything’s broken,“ Colby said quickly. “I just need a little rest.“

“You need to get to a doctor,“ Diana stated firmly. “I’ll drive you.“

“Honey, I don’t think I could stand any more jostling in the car,“ Colby said gently. “In fact, I don’t even know if I can make it up those stairs to bed. Would you help me?“

Diana glanced worriedly at the old staircase. “Maybe you should stay down here on the couch. I’ll get some stuff from the bathroom to disinfect those cuts. I’ve got some tablets I use for cramps. They might help with the pain.“

“Uh, are you sure? The last thing I’m worrying about at the moment is menstrual cramps.“

“They’re pretty effective on things like headaches, too,“ she assured him. “I’ll get you a couple of tablets. You sit right down here. I don’t want you trying the stairs.“

Colby allowed her to lower him gingerly to the sofa. He clutched his ribs and looked up at her with an expression of noble suffering. “I really appreciate this, honey.“

Diana fussed with the pillows, trying to make him more comfortable. “I just cannot believe someone would do this.

What a creep that Harry is.“

“My feelings exactly.“ He lay cautiously down on the sofa, groaning softly.

“Don’t move. I’ll be right back.“

“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.“

“Are you sure you couldn’t tolerate the ride into town to see a doctor in emergency?“

“Believe me, it would be the death of me.“

“Maybe I could get a doctor to come out here.“

“Not a chance. Fulbrook Corners may be a bit behind the times, but you can bet the local physicians have adopted all the latest medical practices. They won’t make house calls.“

“I can call an ambulance.“

“No, you will not call an ambulance.“

Diana dithered anxiously for another few seconds, wishing she could get some medical advice. Then she dashed up the stairs to the bathroom to find some basic first-aid supplies.

She spent the next hour devoting herself to making Colby more comfortable and swearing vengeance on Harry Gedge. Colby bore up gallantly but it was obvious he was in a lot of pain.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you when you drove in earlier,“ she apologized humbly as she prepared a pot of tea for him.

“Don’t worry about it,“ Colby said magnanimously. He levered himself up carefully to take the tea mug from her hand. “Sorry I worried you by getting home late.“

“I guess I’m a bit jumpy after what happened out on River Road.“

“So am I, if you want to know the truth. In fact, I think we’re going to cut short our summer vacation in scenic Fulbrook Corners.“

She stared at him in surprise. “We are? Why? You seemed determined to spend the whole summer here.“

“I can finish
Blood Mist
back in Portland.“

“Colby, I don’t understand. What made you decide all of a sudden to leave? Was it because of Harry’s assault on you tonight?“

“Not exactly. I finally started asking myself the question everyone else has been asking me.“

“Which question?“

“Why in hell did I come back to Fulbrook Corners after all this time?“

“Did you come up with an answer?“ Diana asked gently.

“I told Gil the other night that I must have come back to meet you. Well, I’ve met you and I’ve married you. So we’

re leaving just as soon as I’m able to move without reeling like I’m going to fall into a million pieces.“

“Colby, it makes me so angry to see you hurt like this. Do you want some more tea?“

“No, thanks, honey.“

“Are the pain pills helping any?“

“Well, I haven’t got cramps.“

Colby
was
still ensconced on the sofa at noon the next day when Gil Thorp arrived. He looked up from some notes on
Blood Mist
that he was making on a yellow pad and grinned ironically behind Diana’s back as she opened the door.

Gil saw the grin and his bushy gray brows rose. But he said nothing.

“I’m so glad you could stop by,“ Diana said as she ushered Gil into the room. “When I saw your wife at the post office this morning, I told her I felt very strongly that something should be done about this. Colby gave me strict orders not to say anything to anyone about it, but I just couldn’t keep silent when I saw Evelyn. Here, have a seat. I’ll go fix some coffee.“ She looked over at Colby. “Would you like another cup, Colby?“

“Thanks, honey. That would be nice. Maybe another one of those cookies you picked up at the store?“

“I’ll be right back.“ She scurried toward the kitchen.

Gil patted Specter and sprawled in the armchair across from the sofa. He gave Colby an appraising look.

“So,“ Gil said dryly, “I understand you’re suffering nobly after being the victim of a savage, unprovoked beating.“