Blackjack

71

It was not Sunday, but church bells sounded out across Appaloosa. Fact was, it was Friday, the day before the July Fourth grand opening of the Maison de Daphne casino.

The bells were not for celebration, however; they were nothing other than the respectful reminder that it was execution day for Boston Bill Black, a common solemn announcement for prayer and remembrance.

Black was back behind bars, awaiting execution. There was one good cell remaining in the jail and it was now, for obvious reasons, minus the bed frame.

But Black was resolved now. He had remained quiet after the incident at Virgil and Allie’s. He was now a man riddled with shame and remorse, and he had no fight.

The shot he fired hit Daphne, and though it was not fatal, it was serious enough for her to require surgery and bed rest for recovery. The bullet hit her just under her arm, where it remained until Doc Burris operated to remove it.

After the incident at Virgil’s home with Black, Virgil was convinced more than ever of Black’s innocence. He wanted to have Callison reopen the case and reevaluate the findings against Black, but the judge would have none of it. Especially now that Black had escaped and shot Daphne. Virgil explained to Callison the shot that hit Daphne was accidental and not intentional, but Virgil’s offering fell on deaf ears and Callison closed the book.

So the long and sordid ordeal was nearly over, and as Valentine had said, the sick idea of having the execution on July 3 remained a constant.

It was a beautiful day. The air was crisp and it had cooled off some since the rain. I listened to the bells as they rang and rang while I walked to the hospital.

When I entered I saw Buck at the end of the hall pushing a broom. He stopped and looked to me as the bells continued to ring. He stood there, then nodded a little as if he were saying hello, then he went back to sweeping.

Allie was sitting next to Daphne’s bed with Hollis Pritchard when I entered the hospital room.

“Everett,” Allie said.

Daphne turned, looking to me.

“Oh, Everett,” Daphne said as she held out her hand. “The bells?”

“I know,” I said.

“So sad,” she said as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Oh,” Allie said, dabbing a tear from her eye with a handkerchief, “Must they, Everett?”

“Be over soon enough,” I said.

“I have to say,” Daphne said, “I’m thankful I am not out today, on the street. I don’t think I could take it.”

We listened while the bells tolled. The sound echoed hauntingly throughout the hospital. After a moment they stopped and we were all silent.

Then Pritchard said, “Doc Burris said you can get out tomorrow.”

“Yes,” she said. “The opening...”

“Forget that,” he said. “This timing is...”

“I know,” she said.

“You just rest,” he said.

“The doctor said I could briefly attend,” she said.

Pritchard shook his head.

“No,” he said. “Not necessary.”

“But it’s my namesake,” she said.

“Clearly enough,” he said, “and if I did not need to be there I would not. This is not a time for celebration... I know I don’t want it. It’s most unfortunate.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Pritchard, I just...”

He shook his head and got to his feet. He walked closer to the bed.

“My God, dear, there is nothing to be sorry about,” he said, shaking his head. “This is all just awful.”

“I know...” she said.

“I would postpone this, but there is too much in motion now,” he said.

He leaned in and kissed her forehead.

“I will see you tomorrow at some point.”

“Okay,” she said.

He smiled at Allie and me, then walked out of the room. She watched after him for a moment, then looked to me.

“I’m so glad you are here,” she said.

“Me, too.”

“She looks simply beautiful,” Allie said, “don’t you think, Everett?”

“I do.”

“Oh, please,” she said. “I don’t know what I would have done if it weren’t for the both of you.”

She looked to me and smiled weakly.

“So, when is this going to happen, Everett?”

I looked at my watch.

“About an hour from now.”

She nodded, then looked away, out the window.