Horror and Thriller Fiction posted November 11, 2024 Chapters:  ...21 22 -23- 24... 


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Dodie Rae speaks with Officer Carey.
A chapter in the book Dodie Rae

What to do?

by Neonewman

The author has placed a warning on this post for language.



Background
Dodie Rae, an abused wife, becomes a shapeshifter and takes matters into her own hands. In the last chapter, an alibi is established, and Dodie Rae finds Riley alive.

The following day, Dodie Rae entered the Orange County Hospital and rode the elevator alone to the third floor. During this time, she couldn't help but think about Riley being the victim of domestic abuse. She found it difficult to believe that Riley was innocent.

But if he isn't innocent, so help me, God, I'll put him in the ground.

Dodie Rae exited the elevator and went to visit Helen. They had a warm and encouraging conversation that ended with Helen saying she would be released tomorrow afternoon. Afterward, Dodie Rae went to the waiting room, where she called her grandmother.

"Hey, Mama," she said with a low tone.

"Cher, you all right?"

"Yes, but you're not going to believe this shit! Oh, sorry," she said.

"Believe what?"

"Riley's alive."

"Alive?"

"Yes, he's here at the hospital in the Intensive Care Unit."

"Oh, Cher. Do they think he's going to pull through?"

"I'm not sure, Mama. Carey wasn't in the mood to talk about it. He's pissed and directed his anger towards me. So I let him be."

"I pray Officer Riley pulls through, Cher."

"Are you sure he's the one who is taking the abuse, Mama?"

"I don't know, I just have a feeling. Besides, why would Riley's wife talk to him in that manner? If nothing else, it's considered verbal abuse."

"Yes," she said, reflecting on her high school and married years. "Yes, it is?"

"Cher, don't go doing anything crazy just yet. Riley will need someone to look after him once he's home. Unfortunately, his wife is all he has at the moment."

"You're right, Mama."

"Promise me, Baby Girl."

"I promise."

"Good. It would be best if you lay low while I'm gone. Keep to yourself until I return."

"Maybe, Mama, but I can't shake the feeling about the police seeing your car near Riley's house. What if they add two and two and aim their sites at you?"

"You don't worry about that, Cher. Everything will work out, you'll see. You go home now and get some rest."

"Okay."

"Dodie Rae, you stay out of trouble, you hear?"

"I hear you. Be safe, Mama," she said and hit the end button on the phone.

"I have no intention of LYING LOW, Mama," she said aloud, setting her sight on the next target.

Later that evening, Dodie Rae visited with Helen for a couple of hours. As she was leaving, she wondered if Officer Riley had made it through the day. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she headed toward the Intensive Care Unit, where she noticed Officer Carey sitting in the waiting area, engrossed in his laptop.

As Dodie Rae eased closer, she realized he was viewing a video of Bay Lynn's car on the side of the road. When she greeted him, he flinched and immediately closed the laptop.

"Mrs. Cooper," he said, turning toward her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," Dodie Rae said with a smile.

"What can I do for you, Mrs. Cooper?"

"I wanted to apologize for my recent behavior and wondered how Officer Riley is doing. I feel awful about how I've been treating him."

"Thank you, Dodie Rae," he said.

"Do the doctors think he's going to be okay? I've been praying for him," she said, catching Carey off guard and bringing a genuine smile to his face.

"The doctors are optimistic," he said. "That's all I can say for now."

"I understand."

"Is your grandmother with you?" he said, looking around her toward the hallway leading to Helen's room.

"No. Why do you ask?"

"No reason."

"Well, to tell you the truth, she's a little mad at me and returned home to Lafayette." Dodie Rae hung her head, showing shame to the officer, hoping this would take his mind off the video.

"She left this morning?"

"No, she left yesterday but ran out of gas near the border. A friend of ours, Maggie, noticed her on the side of the road and offered her help."

"This friend, Maggie, did she take her to the gas station?"

"No," she said, realizing he was putting two and two together. "Maggie drove home to get a three-gallon can full of gas. She took Mama, my grandmother, back to her car, filled up Mama's car, and went on her way."

"Why didn't your grandmother continue to Lafayette?"

"She had time to think and decided to put her anger aside and wait for me to be released. She picked me up from the police station and gave me the silent treatment on the way home. She left shortly after."

"I wouldn't worry too much about her, Dodie Rae. She won't stay mad at you for too long."

"I know," she said, lowering her head once more. "I'm so embarrassed for how I've acted and for ending up in jail."

"Well, this was a lesson learned. It may help you move forward from this tragedy."

"Yes," she said. "Goodbye, Officer Carey."

"Goodbye, Dodie Rae," he said. Before Dodie Rae reached the end of the hall, he called, "Oh, Mrs. Cooper," Dodie Rae turned to face him. "Please don't stop praying for Riley."

She smiled and said, "You have my word. I will keep Riley in my prayers." She noticed that Carey had sat down.

She watched as Carey re-opened his laptop and noted that what she was actually praying for was that their conversation would divert his attention from her grandmother. But the pit in the bottom of her stomach told her otherwise.

What to do now?





CHARACTERS
Dodie Rae: Abused wife of her late husband Richard.
Sadie Barlow: Head of The Women Support and Shelter of Orange County.
Samantha (Sam): Girl from support group, married to Keith.
Keith: Sam's abusive husband
Officer Daniel Carey: Orange County policeman.
Officer Tim Riley: Orange County policeman.
Clara Leads: Abused wife of Martin Leads.
Martin Leads: Clara's husband.
Helen Morgan: Abused common-law wife of Pete Carrington.
Maggie Reynolds: Abused wife of Ben Reynolds.
Bay Lynn: Dodie Rae's Grandmother, known as Mama.
Luke Riker: Bearded man killed with Ben Reynolds.
Steven Miller: Texas Wildlife and Game expert.
Helen Morgan: Common Law wife of Pete Carrington.
Pete Carrington: Helen Morgan's abusive Common Law husband.
May Riley: Officer Tim Riley's wife.
Dr. Eddard: Attending physician in the E.R.

And a special thank you to Karen Cherry Threadgill for the accompanying artwork.
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