Title: Reservations Confirmed – Pt. 20

By: FanofRandy

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The night wore on. There were three flatbed trucks to help haul off the remains of the vehicles and Dr. Helms had arrived with his Coroner's van. Two bodies had been found, and tentatively identified from the description of their vehicles. This was, after all, a small town…everyone knew each other. Dr. Helms was amazed at how many bystanders still stood around the scene. The night was bitterly cold and would have chased even the most intent gawkers home by now. He wondered what it was that kept them watching.

He had known John Gage as a boy. He had treated him a few times at the town clinic and hospital. Dr. Helms was one of the few "non-discriminatory" physicians in Seminole County. He did not care what John's race was—only that he was in need of help. He remembered how much the boy desperately hated hospitals. He refused to stay the night the day he was nearly beaten to death. That was when he went to stay with the Garners.

Now he awaited the discovery of the remains of the last two victims. They had surmised that the final victim of the vehicle accident was a man named Dave Foster. Mr. Foster was a general no-good, worthless, drug-dealer who the town tolerated only because most of the citizens feared him. He was nasty and mean and, Dr. Helms believed no one would mourn his passing.

It took Dr. Helms a few moments to remember…but, yes…Dave Foster was the man who beat John so badly that morning he was brought to the hospital by Tim Garner. "Oh, my." Thought Dr. Helms. "John's final moments in this life must have been truly torturous."

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Roy was calmer and JoAnne had joined him in the treatment room. As they all sat considering the horrible news that brought them together, Cap entered. He looked at Roy and offered a half-smile.

"How ya' doin' there, Pal?"

Roy glanced around the room to Dr. Brackett and Charlie and then answered. "As well as I can be…considering…"

Cap's head fell. Then he shared his news…"The Chief showed up about 30 minutes after you left with the ambulance. He came with the entire crew of C-shift!" Cap smiled a little. "Considering the news…well…he gave us the rest of the night off to go be with our families and sort all this out."

Roy and Charlie looked at one another and then to their captain. "C-shift came in early?" They asked in unison.

"Yep. I sent Chet, Marco and Mike home. I told them I would call them with updates…uh, do we know anything new yet, Doc? And, is Roy gonna be okay?" He steered his questions toward Dr. Brackett.

Roy deferred to Dr. Brackett, too, who answered. "Roy'll be alright Hank. We are going to keep him here for a little while longer…we are expecting a call from Sheriff Jones soon. I think we will all be right here until that call comes." Everyone around him…Dixie, Roy, JoAnne, Charlie, Dr. Early, and Cap all nodded their agreement. "Roy, we will leave you and JoAnne alone for a while. We'll all go get some coffee in the lounge. JoAnne…you know where to find us." He winked and gave a smirk as they all left the room.

JoAnne looked at Roy and fell into his arms, sobbing. "Oh, Roy. How could this happen? It's just not fair."

"I know, Honey. I know. I have been laying here for the last hour hoping against hope that it's just not true. I'd give anything for it to not be true…anything." They clung to each other and continued to mourn the loss of their Friend.

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There was an eerie quiet and calm at the scene as Dr. Helms prepared the last two body bags. The Chief had told him that they were getting close to moving the car that would reveal the final victims. A tow truck was moved into position to lift the vehicle straight up, rather than pulling it forward. They hoped to keep the remains intact with this procedure. It was slow-going, but they finally had everything hooked up and were ready to lift the car.

Just as the sign was given to the tow truck operator, the church bells began to chime. It was midnight…almost a new day. On the fifth chime, the car began to move and five Firemen stood by to recover the bodies. They had been informed that one of the victims was a brother Firefighter and had given his life in the line of duty. They would ensure every consideration was taken with John's remains. Everyone collectively drew in their breath and held it. As the car moved up and away, the Firemen on stand-by moved in. There was a sensation of hope that filled the crowd…not knowing where it came from. They sang lightly over the church bells and sounds of moving metal…

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay. Close by me forever, And love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children, In thy tender care. And take them to heaven, To live with thee there.

Dr. Helms hoped that John Gage had been "taken to heaven"…it was better than the alternative, he considered. With that thought, he heard a Fireman call out…

"We need an ambulance! We have a survivor!" The news was followed by thunderous applause and cheers though no one knew who had survived…"the sinner or the saint."

Dr. Helms noted that he heard the words 'a survivor'…he made his way over to check the patient, not knowing if it was Johnny or Dave Foster…he knew who he WANTED it to be…

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Everyone had gathered in Dr. Brackett's office, awaiting the phone call from Sheriff Jones with news that Johnny's body had been recovered. Cap sat in the corner talking with Dr. Early. Dr. Brackett and Dixie talked of Johnny and how they had come to care for him over the years. And, Jo and Roy wondered how they were going to tell the children that their Uncle Johnny was dead. When the phone rang, they all froze for moment before Dr. Brackett picked up the receiver.

"Dr. Brackett." He said.

"Dr. Brackett, it's Rob Jones…I have some news." Brackett tried to read the tone in the man's voice, the cadence, the volume. He could not determine yet what the news would be.

"We are all here, Sheriff. Did you find 'im?" Dr. Brackett inquired wearily.

"You're damn right we found 'im, Doc. And, he's alive! It's a damn miracle…an honest-to-God miracle. He is on his way to the hospital now…he's alive, Dr. Brackett. He's alive." Sheriff Jones could not believe the news and it was evident he was trying to convince himself and Dr. Brackett.

The smile that came across Dr. Brackett's face confused those around him. But, when he said, "That's great news, Sheriff. I will be sending someone out first thing in the morning to check on 'im. Talk to you soon."

The room erupted with cheers…hugs…and pats on the back. Dixie was the first to speak when the phone was placed in its cradle. "Kel…is it true? Is Johnny alive?"

"John Gage has a way of keeping us all on our toes, Dix…YES, Johnny is alive. He's on his way to the hospital out there now…I'm gonna get a flight out as soon as I can to go check on 'im." Brackett stood and walked over to Roy who was clutching his wife. When Roy saw the doctor approach he turned to the older man. "Leave it to Johnny to keep us guessing!" He laughed. Roy laughed, too and the men shared a single, never-to-be-see-again, embrace.

TBC