Chapter 7

There were hushed voices coming from the next room. Fenton roused further and strained to identify them. He had no idea how long he had been sleeping. The door to the bedroom was ajar and there was a bit of light. He could hear movement from the other room. Then the voice tones shifted slightly and he could hear several people heading in the direction of his room. The door swung open noiselessly and a head poked into the room.

"Ezra."

Chief of Bayport police Ezra Collig smiled warmly when he saw the detective awake and coherent. "We've been looking for you. I'm glad you're safe. What happened?" he asked gently as he took a seat next to the bed.

Fenton looked toward the doorway and saw Officer Con Riley standing there with the farmer and his wife behind him. He turned back to the chief. Collig had watched the detective's gaze wander to the door and had briefly followed with his eyes but now was looking back at him, waiting to hear his answer.

"I was on my way back home when I hit a patch of black ice on a bridge and my car crashed through the barrier and went into a pond. It sank. I swam for shore, started walking, found a barn, fell down, and I woke up here."

Collig grinned at the short narrative.

"I found him beside the manger," the farmer spoke up.

"How are you feeling?" the chief of police inquired of the patient.

"A little weak, but otherwise fine. What time is it?"

"About noon," Collig replied, glancing at his watch. "When you're ready, we'll take you home."

"Well, I'll need my clothes…" Fenton said, remembering what he was wearing under all the blankets.

"Oh, I've got them right here," Liz Williams said, and disappeared behind the door for a brief moment. She came back holding up some neatly folded clothes. "All washed. Your winter jacket will be out of the dryer in a few minutes."

"Thank you," the detective replied gratefully as his clothes were laid on the foot of his bed.

They all left the room to let him change. When he came out of the room and into the kitchen where everyone was gathered, he was immediately led to a chair.

"Your shoes took a long time to dry," the farmer said to him, pulling out the detective's winter footwear.

Fenton gratefully pulled on all his remaining winter clothes and thanked the couple for his rescue. He was soon settled in the front seat of the squad car.

Collig looked over at his friend's pasty face. He looked so tired. "Its amazing how you managed to walk so far soaked to the skin," he commented.

Fenton smiled tiredly. "I have no idea how I did it either. I just walked; I didn't realize how far I had gone."

When the squad car pulled up in front of the Hardy home, Collig assisted the weak detective out of the vehicle and walked him up to the front door. It flew open and Gertrude exclaimed, "Fenton! Thank goodness you're safe! Whatever happened?"

She moved to one side though, as Chief Collig urged the detective forward into the house. He sank down on the sofa in the living room and leaned back, pushing off his boots and he unzipped his coat.

"What happened?" Gertrude demanded again. Laura appeared in the doorway then rushed for her husband. Frank and Joe came bounding into the room, drawn by their aunt's exclamations.

"Dad!" they both shouted, overjoyed that their parent was safe and sound.

The detective smiled weakly at his sons as they took seats close by.

Chief Collig, knowing his friend was tired, explained to the family what had happened.

"You're lucky you didn't drown!" Gertrude said. You still look ill. Up to bed with you!"

"I'm not complaining," the detective said, pulling himself up with an effort. "I'm just happy that I don't have to spend Christmas in the hospital."

Chief Collig chuckled as he heard Gertrude Hardy clucking all the way up the stairs behind her brother. He knew the detective was in good hands but soon would be ready to run out of the house to get away from all the fussing.

"Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Chief."

The End