NOWHERE MAN
By AJB
Chapter One
Samantha missed the old-style telephones that had convenient, heavy receivers for a satisfying slam down. Snapping a cell phone closed just didn't have the same satisfaction. So, after her very unappealing conversation with Finn's father Brian, all Samantha Spade could do was glare at the time and date showing on her phone's screen.
"Parental dispute?"
Dry humor poorly concealed colored Vivian Johnson's question. Samantha had no problem detecting the tone and refocused her glare. Vivian threw up her hands in surrender, her eyes large but warm with understanding. The standoff ended with Samantha issuing a short laugh.
"I didn't see this one coming," Samantha admitted with a shake of her head. "I didn't think Brian would object to vaccines, of all things." She slipped her phone into her jacket pocket.
Vivian gave her a sympathetic smile. "Is that what you've been stressing over for the past week?" Sam looked sheepish. "I guess it's a good thing that you had him sign that release of parental responsibility, then."
Samantha closed her eyes and rubbed a spot just between her eyebrows as she sighed. "Yeah, I can see that now. I'm just trying to be nice and keep him informed and involved. Lesson learned, I guess."
"And it's just the beginning."
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Samantha muttered.
Vivian chuckled and turned back to her desk, and Samantha shifted into work mode with a passing thought to tell Martin of the latest turn of events involving Brian. She dropped onto her desk chair, glanced at the clock on the bullpen wall and calculated that over thirty-six hours had passed since she last heard from Martin. She frowned and thought back over the past two days. Yes, the latest cases were a distraction, but it did seem like a long time without touching base. Samantha pulled out her cell phone again and looked at it, wondering if she should call him. A wash of sadness surprised her - she missed him.
"Willing it to ring?" Danny sounded like he was just asking for a slap. Samantha gave him a sidelong glare and allowed his smirking face to pull her from the doldrums.
"Funny, Danny. I was trying to decide if I should call Martin." She set the phone on her desktop. "I haven't heard from him since he headed for the hills."
Danny stopped at her desk, hitched a hip on the edge and tilted his head down to meet her eyes. "I doubt there's reliable cell phone use when backpacking. That's why I avoid that outdoorsy stuff."
Samantha snorted and rubbed that spot between her brows again. "Don't even try to sell me that bill of goods, Danny. Remember, I know you too well. You just don't like to sweat."
Danny jutted his chin and checked his hair. "And chance ruining this work of art? You bet!"
She gave him a sharp glance and then rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Spare me. I'd come back with a witty repartee, but I'm just too tired."
Danny stood and adjusted his jacket, and then gave her a patronizing pat on her shoulder. "Oh, the travails of the modern-day, working mother."
"You better distance yourself now, querido, before both us mothers go medieval on your ass." Elena none-too-gently wacked the back of Danny's head as she strode by with a load of files tucked under her arm. "Quit pestering Samantha and help me with these phone records."
"Slave driver," he whispered as he fixed his disturbed hair.
"Ah, ah," Sam warned with a wave of her finger. "Please don't shatter my image of your perfect marriage, mister."
"Ha!" Elena exclaimed as the files thumped on the bullpen conference table. "Be sure to relay that image to me sometime. I need a good laugh."
Samantha's mood lifted. She knew that Martin would call when he could. The time away with his Narcotics Anonymous sponsor was overdue - Martin admired the older, retired law enforcement officer and always returned from their infrequent hikes revitalized. A pang of guilt struck her when she looked back over the past weeks, realizing now how distracted she'd been with Finn and Brian. Samantha was glad Martin had a friend with similar interests he could turn to when he needed a willing ear.
Things would be better when they finally moved in together, she reasoned. His year deadline of living apart was almost over, and they were more than ready to take the next life step together. She glanced at the clock again and calculated that Martin should be on his way back by now. "I'll try him at lunch," she decided before turning back to her accumulated workload.
"Hello?"
Not much scared Nettie Wells, but she was also very aware that her advanced age and small stature made her an easy victim. She'd been living alone in this back country as a widow for many years and was very cautious of strangers. Normally, the shotgun rack in her vintage pick-up truck held her Spencer carbine; she'd never wielded it at a human, but had no problem with the concept.
There was something about the solitary figure wandering down the road, though, that awakened her motherly concern. It was raining, and although the winter's snow was all but gone with the breaking of spring, its chill remained and the precipitation was cold. Dusk wasn't far off. She slowed the truck a few paces behind the man and looked him over as he walked a crooked line .
He wore a light colored t-shirt that was wet, clinging enough that she could see the color of his skin beneath. His jeans were worn white in spots with frayed hems that dragged the ground at his heels. Tears in the thighs presented as dark slashes. He wore soggy socks on his feet but no shoes. He wasn't a typical hitchhiker.
Nettie made sure her door was locked, sped up to pull alongside him, and then cracked her window just enough to offer a greeting. He didn't respond and continued to stare straight ahead as he dragged his feet. She studied his profile. Even thought the rain washed him clean, she could see scrapes and cuts on his face and arms. She suspected the dark spots on the soaked shirt were blood.
"Hello?" she called again with rising alarm. "Are you hurt?"
When the man failed to acknowledge her in any way, she noted the glassy look in his eye and made a decision. Nettie pulled ahead of him and stopped the truck. Before getting out, she unlocked both doors and settled her coat hood over her head. When she stepped out, the stranger was a few yards behind her truck. She walked back to where the exhaust pipe puffed out a steamy stream that swirled around her legs and veiled the scene in a surreal cloak of fog. She raised her hands and the man walked right into her, stopping only when she gripped his biceps in a firm hold. His skin was icy cold, his complexion pasty.
"Are you hurt?" She asked again, trying to catch his attention. The blank stare made his blue eyes seem vacant, but his athletic physique and trimmed hair told her a different story. Up close, she could see that the rain-washed injuries were fresh. This young man was in trouble.
"Let's get you warmed up," Nettie suggested gently. The man didn't blink or resist when she guided him around to the passenger side of the truck. She spoke all the while, telling him what she was doing as she maneuvered each limb into the truck. Once there, she pulled a blanket from behind the seat and tucked it around him. As she did all this, she thought back and didn't recall seeing any sign of a car crash, which was the only thing that made sense of his condition.
Once he was all wrapped up and buckled in, Nettie returned to the driver's side and climbed in behind the wheel. From there, she studied him again. "I don't think my little town's got what you need, honey, but it's all we have."
She dropped the truck into gear and headed into town.
TBC
3/8/11
A/N: Here I go again posting a story that I haven't finished yet . . . I always swear I won't do it again, but see how I listen to myself? I have it all done in my head, though, so don't fret! It will get done! AJB