Some Things are Best Done by Others

By Marie S and Stacey

Bud was at the hospital in Coffs Harbour. For a tough cop he was pretty shaken with this case. In the old days he’d have killed the second suspect at the scene where he shot and killed Campbell.  He was having a hard time justifying to himself why he shouldn’t have blown the bastard away.  Sometimes it was hard to follow procedure and protocol when you were dealing with shitbirds.

Now there were more injuries and another body. Grant had killed the 2^nd suspect. It was over but there were too many casualties. People Bud knew and respected. And there was the girl, Abby. He heard she wasn’t doing too well.

She’d been victimized by her husband. He’d drugged her and taken her hostage. Bud had killed Dwayne Campbell and she’d seen the body. No matter what he’d done he was still her husband.  Things had happened too fast. Bud would never have allowed her to see Campbell’s body without covering it up. Somehow she was out of the back of the SUV before he had the chance. There were a lot of problems with this case that wouldn’t have happened in LA.

This wasn’t LA. The manpower needed hadn’t been available. It has only been he and Grant as the two trained in police work. That made a difference. The case was the buzz of Coffs. He’d found that out as soon as he hit the ER. This was a tourist town.  Not used to a lot of murder and mayhem. That’s when it struck him. Word would spread fast. Marie was working at the clinic that was connected to the hospital. Shit.

He pulled out his personal cell and turned it on. It had been off so he couldn’t have been distracted when it mattered. There was a message from Marie. She wanted him to call as soon as he could. Her voice had a frantic edge to it though she tried to sound calm. She’d heard.

Bud strode over to Grant and told him he’d be back in a few minutes. There was nothing more he could do here for a short time anyway. Everyone was still been seen by doctors or in surgery.

He heard the receptionist call out Marie’s name when he walked in the door of the clinic. She appeared from the back. When she saw him her face crumbled. She was out in the waiting area and in his arms in moments. Bud held her close and smoothed his hands through her hair. Fucking heaven.

“I’m okay, Hon. It’s all right, Baby.” His lips brushed against her hair. He couldn’t see her face, but heard the tears in her voice when she spoke.

“I was so scared for you, Bud. I love you so much. I prayed so hard. Thank God you’re all right.” She wrapped herself tightly around him like she couldn’t let him go.

“Can you go outside and talk to me now?” She nodded her head against him. Bud called to the receptionist. “She’ll be back soon, Carol.”  When Marie first started working he was there every day during that time he wouldn’t let her out of his sight.

Bud took her outside and they sat on the stoop once she’d finally let go of him. He wiped the tears off her cheek and then kissed her gently. She leaned against his chest. His arm wrapped tightly around her.

He told her all of it. An abbreviated version anyway. Bud explained what had happened to Abby and how there was no one there with her like the others who had people there who cared.

“Would you like me to try and talk to her, Bud?”

“Yeah, Hon.  If you wouldn’t mind? She ain’t gonna want to talk to me. I killed her husband.”

Marie hugged him again. Maybe it was because she was in healthcare, but she got stuff like that. She nodded.

“I’ll try, Bud. I may not be able to talk to her now. It depends on her injuries and if they have her sedated. If I can’t today, I will tomorrow.” She hugged Bud hard again. He might not every let her go.

“That’s good, Hon. Thanks. Should I wait for you?”

“We’re done seeing patients for the day. I just have to finish documenting on one patient’s chart. Why don’t you go back and find out if Abby can be seen today. I’ll be there in five to ten minutes tops. If I can let you go.” A small smiled quirked her lips as she hugged him again.

“I’m okay with that. You can hold on to me as long as you want.” He kissed her hair again.

Bud waited for Marie in the ER. He’d found out Abby could be seen though she’d not said anything yet. He guided Marie to the door when she arrived.

“I’ll wait here for you, Hon.”

“Okay, Bud.” She kissed his cheek and disappeared behind the door.

Marie saw the girl huddled miserably beneath a sheet on a gurney. Her heart went out to her. She had a long hard road ahead of her.

“Abby, I’m Marie. May I talk to you a few minutes?” She tried to make eye contact with the young woman.

Shaken from her thoughts, Abby looked up. Though her eyes were open and staring in Marie's direction, they weren't actually seeing the woman standing there in front of her. She heard her name, heard Marie's question, slowly nodded her head.

Abby seemed very disconnected from her surroundings, but she did seem to hear Marie.  That was good.  Marie was sure she was in shock.  She pulled a chair up next to the girl so she could easily see her.  Marie was willing to spend the time Abby needed and that wasn't just for Bud.  This poor girl had her life changed forever in one day.  Marie thought about the day she'd lost she and Bud's baby.  That had been one of those days - life altering days. 

She put her hand near her, but didn't take Abby's hand.  Marie didn't want to presume until the girl felt she needed a caring touch.

"Abby, is there someone you want me to call for you?"

Abby thought for a moment. Who would she have to call? Truly, there was no one. She'd tried to call Colin, he wouldn't even bother answering his phone. Libby should know, and Cal, of course. They were really all she had left in this town. Poor dear sweet Alistair... she wondered how he was doing, wished she could see him and know he was alright. And Ross... she wanted to know if he had lived. She was almost afraid to ask, however, in case she had indeed killed him. She'd never be able to forgive herself if he'd died.

Finally, she opened her mouth, trying to get the words out, but only managed a whisper. "Cal... my boss, and Libby... th...they should know what happened."

"Okay, Abby."  Marie smiled at her.  "I'll call them when I leave the room."  This girl seemed beyond terrified to her. "Is there anything you want to ask me or that you need?  I'll try get whatever you need that will help you today.  I know you must be scared and in shock right now." 

"My husband is one of the deputies from The Glen who rescued you.  He was worried about you.  I'm glad he came to me.  I have plenty of time, Abby if there is anything you want to talk about or that worries you.  We can sit in silence if that's what you need right now." 

Marie wanted to make sure Abby knew she wasn't trying to press her for any information.  She was simply here to listen or provide support however she needed it.

That's when Abby broke down. In a rush of emotion, it all came bubbling up and pouring out, "It's... all my fault," she wailed, her hands going up to cover her face, "All of it! Dw...Dwayne... if I hadn't left him... back in Texas... he'd still be... alive...and Alex! Oh my God, I can't believe I... I... stabbed him! I don't even know if he's alive or dead! And Alistair! Oh Marie! If either of them are dead I'll never be able to live with myself for what I've caused!"

Marie was silenced for a moment.  Abby stabbed Alex Ross?  Why in the world would... and then it dawned on her.  She probably hadn't even known what she was doing at the time. 

"Abby."  Marie put her hand gently on her wrist.  "This isn't your fault, Abby.  This happened because of Dwayne.  He hurt you, Abby.  He drugged you and tried to control you.  Think about why you really left him in Texas and ran so far away. Something made you run from him.”

"There was something wrong with Dwayne, Abby.  Well adjusted men who love their wives don't drug them and kidnap men like Alistair.  He threatened to kill.  All this happened because of Dwayne, not you, Abby.  And both of them are still alive, Abby."  Marie knew they were both badly hurt, but as long as they were alive there was hope.

"Still..," Abby sobbed, "he was my... husband... I shoulda known what he was capable of... it's my fault he's dead, it's all my fault. And Ross... I got him into this... I called him there... I stabbed him..." she looked up at Marie, tears streaming down her face, "Is... is...your husband going to lock me up?"

Marie knew she maybe shouldn't advise Abby this way.  All her childhood her parents had raised her to always tell the truth as soon as possible.  She thought of herself as an honest and trustworthy woman.  She took Abby's hands; the girl was so distraught.  Marie squeezed them gently, but got her attention.

"Abby, I don't think you should tell anyone about this right now besides me or someone you know who is entirely trustworthy and wouldn't tell anyone else.  Let me talk to Bud about what happened.  They need to do a toxicology blood test to look at all the medications you were given by Dwayne.  You were scared and drugged.  You'd have never hurt Alex as you were trying to protect yourself from harm. "

"This is not your fault Abby.  You are a victim.  Bud knows that.  It's why he asked me if I'd come and talk to you.  Alex is sleeping right now.  No one knows that you stabbed him yet.  There is time to be smart about this.  I want you not to tell anyone else who would have to report it to the police, Abby.  Can you do that?  Abby, this is not your fault.  It was an accident."

Abby nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Yes... I... I can do that. Marie... thank you." She was a bit calmer now, knowing that someone cared, someone was trying to help. 

"Good.  I know you've been through so much today, Abby, but there are plenty of people here to help you.  You won't be alone.  We need to have a lawyer watching out for your legal rights too."  Marie tried to think of who Bud would advise.  She knew Bud as a deputy in this case couldn't call a lawyer for Abby, but Marie could.

"Abby, do you know Richie Roberts?  I think he should advise you on what to do too."  Marie prayed Alex was going to be all right. 

"Umm... yeah... yeah, I do," Abby replied, quietly. "He... he was... he talked with me about... about drawing up... divorce papers. It was before... before I went back with..." her voice trailed off. "You think he'll... help?"

"I'm sure he'll help, Abby.  He's a good lawyer.  I can't imagine he wouldn't help you.  Would you like me to call him after I talk to Bud?"  Marie wanted Abby to see that things weren't hopeless.  And Abby wasn't alone; Bud and Marie would help her.  Marie felt a swelling of pride in her chest.  Bud was such a good man and he always spotted a woman in trouble and tried to help.  His mother would be so proud of him.

Abby thought for a moment, nodded her head, "Yes, please. I... I'm afraid what might happen." Abby was sure they would come in any minute and arrest her.

"Will you be okay if I leave you alone for a little while, Abby?  I promise I'll go call Libby, talk to Bud and call Richie Roberts for you.  Also I'll make sure they did a toxicology blood test.  That will be important.  If you'd like I'll also find out how Alex is doing?"  Marie put her arm around her shoulder.  She hoped Abby's friend Libby could get here soon as she didn't want to leave her alone for too long. 

"I'll be fine," she assured her, though in her mind she couldn't help but wonder if she ever really would be fine ever again. She'd been through so much... so much had happened to her in such a short amount of time, she still couldn't wrap her mind around it all to make sense of it. Her one thought now was for Alex to be alight... she needed him to be alright. She looked up at Marie, "Thank-you, thank-you so much for doing this, Marie."

"You're welcome, Abby.  Sometimes you really need to have people on your side.  You do, I promise."  She jotted down her name and cell phone number on a piece of paper and gave it to Abby.  "I'll keep my cell phone on and you call me if you need anything, Abby."  She handed her the bedside hospital phone.  "I'll stop back and see you when things are arranged."  She smiled and took Abby's hand and gave it a gently squeeze.  Marie left the room and started dialing the numbers Abby gave her.  She'd call Libby and Cal before she talked to Bud.  It would only take one look at her for him to know there was something very serious.  He read her too well.