Not my characters, but they are fun to play with. I promise to put them back after I am done.
Chapter 3
Found
Maggie spotted the lone figure sitting next to the road. Who the hell would be out in this heat? She pulled up almost in front of the man. Her 1974 yellow Dodge Dart kicked up a cloud of dust next to the figure. Stepping out she moved quickly towards him. "Hey! I said 'Hey!'" She bent over him, catching the faint dusty odor of whiskey.
Man, you look beat to shit. Who would do this to you? "Look, there's a small clinic about 30 miles back there." She pointed back down the road from where she came. "I need to get you into my car. Do you think you can make it?"
He lifted his head to look up at the silhouette, only to cause him to list to the side. Maggie grabbed his arm. "Look, you're too big for me to get you back up, if you fall over."
Rick only heard a droning sound. His head rolled back on his neck. He felt his body being lifted and moving towards the light. The movement stopped, his head was lifted water was being dribbled down his throat. He coughed up, slightly choking on the dust and moisture. Everything faded to black.
"Yes. Have you checked the area thoroughly? No sir, I am not questioning your ability." A. J. took a breath, trying to regain his composure. "It's just that, it is my brother and he has been missing for three days now." He rubbed his forehead with his free hand. "I understand. I won't give up hope."
Returning the receiver to its cradle, He stood and stared at the phone, almost willing it to ring with Rick on the other end. A.J. picked up the phone, dialing the only person who might be able to help push for answers. "Brown speaking."
A.J. dropped the usually tease of calling him 'Downtown Brown.' "A.J. Simon. Brown, they found Rick's Power Wagon out in the hills. It's in rough shape."
Lt. Brown leaned back in his chair, relieved that it was the truck they found, and not a body. "Hey A.J. How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine." Andrew could feel his jaw tighten. Damn it, am I the only one taking this seriously?
"A.J.! A.J., are you still there?" Brown furrowed his brow. "Listen, it will take them a day or two to go over the Power Wagon. They will let me know if they find anything. Meanwhile, the immediate area will be searched."
Tapping the handset against his forehead, Andrew finally found the words. "Brown, it's been in the high 90's the last couple of days…." He could feel his voice about ready to crack.
Lt. Brown's voice was quiet. "I know A.J. Hang in there, okay?"
Brushing the tears from his face, he hung up the phone. I just hope Rick can.
Several hands lifted the unconscious man out of her vehicle and into a wheelchair. Maggie followed them back into the clinic. A large Native American woman stopped Maggie from following them into the exam room. Her hand, holding a pen, poised over a clipboard. "Do you know his name?"
Maggie shook her head. "No."
The receptionist tapped the clip board with her pen. She bit her lip just as one of the individuals helping came back out in the waiting area. "No wallet." He announced, ducking back out of the room.
The receptionist tapped her pen on the clipboard again. She looked hopefully at Maggie again. "You don't know anything about him? Allergies, medications?"
"I'm sorry. This is the first time I have ever seen him."
"Well, we'll do the best we can. I just wish we knew more about him. If he has family, his doctor, something."
Maggie nodded. "I'll get the word out."
Each day, the stranger was getting stronger, staying awake a little longer. The doctor removed the bandages on the third day. Rick furrowed his brow, getting up; he went to the sink and peered in the mirror. Who the hell are you? Shaking his head, he sighed. Rick made his way back to his bed, just as he pulled the covers back over him; a familiar figure entered the room.
"Maggie, you need to knock." His gravelly voice revealed his annoyance with her.
She smirked. "Well, you don't have anything I haven't seen before."
His face slightly flushed. The banter usually got the best of him. Maggie quickly changed the subject. "The hospital wants their bed back. They think you're good enough to go home, and..."
He broke in. "If I knew where my home is, I'd go."
She patted his arm. "I know, I know. I haven't gotten any responses from any of the nearby towns, yet. I will give them a couple more days, if I still don't get any response, I will expand my search." She nodded, confirming what she said. "Meanwhile, I have a spare room. A change of scenery might do you some good."
She watched as he thought about it. He finally put his thoughts to words. "You don't know me. I might be a crazed serial killer."
Maggie laughed. "I think you would have indicated that by now." She cocked her head to one side. "Any bit of memory coming back?"
He shook his head. "According to my chart, I'm just John Doe."
Maggie frowned. "Well, never knew a John I liked. Maybe we can call you something else."
"The name Marlowe keeps popping in my head. What do you think that means?" He looked at her hopefully. By now Rick was propped up on his elbow watching her face hopefully, desperately wanting something to connect with him.
"Well," She was hesitant to respond too positively. "It might be someone you know, or have known. I don't think it is your name, because I believe it would trigger a clearer memory."
Frustrated he growled. "Did you get that from all the books you read?"
Maggie laughed. "Could be."
