Doctor Winston patted Barbara on the shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile. She had come in for treatment of a few bumps and bruises in the tussle with Daltry and he had immediately taken charge of the examination.

"I was very worried when I called, I thought there might be a possibility of one those cretins seeking revenge; that must have been horrific."

"Nick was the one who tried to tell me your call could be serious. I just never thought they would do something like that. And then when- when that man Daltry fell on- on me .  .  ."

"Don't think about it, Barbara." He moved his arm across her back and comforted her. Maybe when you're finished here with the authorities we could grab something to eat?" He seemed to be holding his breath.

"I think I'd like that." Barbara smiled self consciously then added, "I could even cook something if uh--"

"Oh, I was going to treat you after all this excitement."

"It would be a treat for me to make us a dinner. I need something like that to focus on, take my mind off- off tonight. I just don't feel like a public place tonight."

He smiled. Blushed and made a silly grin. "Swell then, home cooking it is. I'll get out of these hospital duds and wait for you in reception."

As he left the examination room the two Federal agents that had been waiting led her back to a seat and began their interview about the recent events.

"I'm Agent Joseph Gregorio, my partner, Agent Howard Mendoza. We would like to hear your side of the recent events concerning Braxton Kerr and Edward Daltry."

"Of course." She shifted on the bench seat as they sat down across from her. "What exactly . . .?"

Gregorio directed the conversation while Mendoza used up several pages of his notebook recording Barbara's answers. At last he slapped his thigh and stood up, partner copying, and thanked her for her co-operation, stating she would be required to appear at their office to read and sign her statement; she would be notified.

When they left Barbara went to the nurse's station and asked about Nick, learning that Doctor Winston said she could look in when she was finished with the authorities. Barbara hurried down the hall and was surprised to find him propped up in the bed, a large bandage wrapped around his torso.

"Should you be sitting up?" She crossed to the bed and took his hand.

"It's how Audrey left me."

"Audrey?"

"My nurse . . . we uh-- she is quite chatty . . ."

"Chatty."

He frowned and shifted a bit in the bed. "So, you see the Feds?"

"Yes, I gave them a statement about the whole thing from the time we learned Braxton and Daltry had escaped."

"Are you okay? About the Daltry bit?"

She looked stricken and sat on the edge of the bed. "I don't think I'll ever forget his face . . . that look with the-- when he was stabbed . . ."

"You will but it'll take a while."

"What about you? You were shot!"

"Not serious. Got me in the jelly roll." He patted his side. "Bled like a sucker but no real damage. The Feds busted my chops about the whole deal; they figure somehow we lured them there."

"They never suggested that to me!" She looked confused.

"It was the chrome dome. He kept looking at his notepad and firing questions." Nick gasped a breath and blew it out slowly.

"You should rest. I'll come back later."

"Look in on Paulette before you go."

"I will . . . you save your breath for your uhm-- chats with Audrey."

****************************************************************

Dear Nick,

Just an update to let you know how things have turned out here in Hunting. It's hard to   believe  it was over a year ago. My old boss Carl Ramsey succumbed to the poison that he accidently injected into himself in his struggle with Dave. Brian Teesdale and Tom Thatcher both blamed Carl for Richard's death but still wound up with sentences for conspiracy to commit murder.

Captain Cummins was fired from the police along with several officers from both here and Westhaven and was sentenced for aiding and abetting in the beating of Paulette and the attacks on us. He testified against the others to get that deal.

BK Developments was taken over by the authorities and several private firms (Not Westhaven labs, they were closed down) bid on the clean-up of the land and the water supply. We now have safe well water once again. Richard was mentioned in a speech by the mayor for his sacrifice in bringing the problem to light.

I thought you might get a kick out of that.

Paulette has recovered nicely and is back in business. She took it on herself to refund her fee in the resale deals and has gained a new respect in the town . . . we dined at Roman's the other night and enjoyed a complimentary champagne.

Dave and I are thrilled that you and Audrey will come and stay here for the Christmas holiday. I am looking forward to meeting informally, the woman that tamed Hard Nose.

Until then, take care

Barbara

Nick folded the letter up and set it on his night table. He reflected on her news about the trials and the water and thought that the outcome was as good as could be expected. A few small fish may have slipped under the radar but likely would never be heard of again in connection with BKD.

One big change that Nick hadn't anticipated was the addition of Nurse Audrey Turner in his life. The short stay in the hospital and a few meals together while he had to wait around for the Feds to finish with him had taken them both by surprise.

"You still happy you came to the city?"

"It's where I'm from in the first place. Hunting was the only job I could get as a nurse at the time."

"Do you like where you are now?"

"Mmmm."

"I mean the hospital here."

"Yes. It's a lot busier but that's good. I have a chance to learn a lot more."

"You sure hanging around with this old guy won't cramp your style?"

"This old guy is my style."

"You sure about Christmas up there with my cousin?"

"Why all the questions?"

He puffed out some air and stared up at the ceiling. "I don't know . . . just never thought I would be this lucky."

"That's what Barbara said the brief time I met her before we left. I think I'm going to like your cousin, Nick." Audrey traced a finger around the scar on his side.

"Why, because she thinks you tamed me?"

She threw her arm across his stomach and snuggled closer. "You mean I didn't?"

Nick smiled and turned on his side to face her. The brown hair was fanned over the pillow and the hazel eyes looked innocently wide as her lips lifted in an impish grin.

"That's cheating."

"I know . . . is it working? It's part of the taming procedure."

He pulled her face to his and kissed her gently. "I think that might be the wrong word."

END

As the credits roll . . .

https://youtu.be/1aSEcxu4UFU

A/N: The germ for this idea came to me last Christmas at my daughter's place when their well suddenly went dry Christmas Eve. We spent the holiday on bottled water for everything and had to be particularly considerate of the plumbing until a new filter could be installed.

It was a build up of silt that was disturbed by construction elsewhere along the aquifer.