Chapter 38

Forrester

Forrester felt dizzy but he forced himself to his feet. Maybe it was a sign of how out of it he was, but he could have sworn he saw Elle’s face at the window in the door at the end of the corridor before he’d lost consciousness.

It couldn’t have been her.

He knew that. But still, the thought of her gave him strength. He didn’t know how much time had passed since Gris had knocked him out but he didn’t care. He couldn’t afford to wait any longer. He had a girl out there, somewhere, waiting for him, and he couldn’t stand not being with her for another second.

The light coming from the window told him it was about dawn. He must have been out cold for the night. He looked toward the door.

Right there, he thought. That’s where I saw her.

He wasn’t sure if it had been a dream or not. He could see movement out in the office. The sheriff was out there, with the four boys who’d been helping Gris.

“Sheriff,” Forrester called. “Sheriff, I’m awake.”

The door opened and the sheriff came through to the jail, followed by the boys.

“Jesus, he looks like shit,” Phil said.

Forrester looked at the sheriff. “That your boy?”

The sheriff nodded. “That’s my boy.”

Forrester faced the boy. “What’s your name?”

“Phil,” the boy said.

Forrester remembered beating him up. He remembered beating all four of them up, more than once.

“You were asking for it, the other day at the bar,” Forrester said.

“We know,” Phil said.

“That’s why I had to put you down.”

Phil nodded. Forrester turned to the other three.

“That’s why I had to put all of you down. You were straight up asking for it, hitting on those girls like that. They didn’t want it. Any real man would have done what I did.”

The sheriff spoke up. “You hear that boys? Any man would have done what this here man did.”

“We hear you,” the boys said.

Forrester nodded. “Then, is one of you going to go get me a doctor? My ribs are broken.”

Phil left with the boys. Forrester sat down on the bed and faced the sheriff.

“You about ready to let me out of this cell?” Forrester said.

The sheriff nodded. He inserted his key in the control panel and hit the electronic lock. The door clanked open. Forrester nodded to the sheriff.

“Thanks,” he said.

“I owe you an apology, son.”

“Yes you do,” Forrester said.

The sheriff cleared his throat. “I misjudged you. The truth is, when I heard who you were, whose son you were, I made up my mind about you straight away.”

“You thought I was trash.”

“I did,” the sheriff said.

Forrester nodded.

The sheriff went on. “And I thought that girl you were running around with was trash too. When Gris told me who she was, her past and all, I figured the best thing would be to separate the two of you.”

“Separate us?”

The sheriff shrugged. “Gris came in, said you were bad news. Said you were stealing his woman. I figured I was doing the right thing locking you up for a little while to give him a chance to get her back.”

“Does he have her now?” Forrester said, getting to his feet.

“Hold on, hold on,” the sheriff said. He came into the cell and helped Forrester back onto the bed. “Let the doctor get a look at you before you rush off. You’re in no state to go out there looking for trouble.”

“Did Gris take her?”

“I don’t know,” the sheriff said. “All I know is that he hasn’t been around here yet this morning.”

Forrester felt a sudden rush of panic. It was a strange sensation. He prided himself on his ability to remain calm in any situation, no matter what was going on, but suddenly, the thought of Elle being taken away by Gris was more than he could handle.

Was this what love felt like?

When the boys came back with the doctor, Forrester could hardly sit still.

“Are you going to let me bandage these ribs, or not?” the doctor protested as Forrester lay on the bed.

“Just do your best, doc. I’ve got to get out of here, and fast.”

“I’d really like to take you in to the hospital.”

“I don’t have time for that. Just wrap them.”

As the doctor bandaged Forrester’s injured torso, the pain was overwhelming.

“I don’t see why you won’t let me give you something for the pain,” the doctor said.

“I can’t,” Forrester said through gritted teeth. “I need to be fully alert.”

As soon as the doctor was done, Forrester got up. He nearly fell and the sheriff and his son had to hold him up.

“I’m all right, I’m all right,” Forrester said. “I need my truck key.”

“Where are you going?” the sheriff said.

“I’ve got to find Elle before Gris does.”

Phil put his hand in his pocket and handed Forrester a motorcycle key. “Take this,” he said. “If you have to chase them, it will be faster.”

Forrester took the key. “Are you sure?”

“It’s the least I can do, after everything we did to you,” Phil said.

Forrester nodded. “Apology accepted,” he said.

“You sure about this?” the doctor said. “It’s freezing out there. The road is covered in snow. You’re already weak. It’s not exactly ideal conditions for riding a motorcycle.”

Forrester didn’t take the time to reply. He took the key and hurried down the corridor out of the jail. He had to find Elle.