"Ange!"
"I'm here Rol. It's okay, I'm right here." She soothed gently.
"I can't...I can't see."
"They bandaged your eyes. Do you remember what happened?"
"The stunt went wrong...there was an explosion."
"Yeah." She said softly.
Rollie reached out and touched her face feeling the wetness there and feeling horrible about the suffering he had caused her.
"Good, you're awake. I'm Doctor Carlyle, Mr. Tyler."
"Name's Rollie. Is this permanent?"
"The tests we ran say no, but your sight won't come back in say, an hour. It's going to be gradual, your eyes need to heal."
"But he will see again, fully and completely?" Angie asked.
"Yes. I want you to get some rest now...Rollie, I'll be back a little later."
"What about Brent? Will he be okay?" Rollie asked.
"He suffered burns to 40% of his body."
Rollie's face reflected his regret.
"He has a long recovery ahead, but he's alive to travel that road because of you. I'm sure his family appreciates that."
Rollie nodded and sighed.
"Now get some rest." The medic ordered and left them.
"I'll be back in a minute Rol." Angie said and left too.
Rollie laid his head back and sighed with relief to know he would see again...and more importantly that Brent was alive and might recover to some extent as well. The explosion had been one of the worst he'd ever seen in the business and he'd momentarily flashed back to Rick and how he died then something inside him took over and he ran to the car and pulled the man out. A second explosion had caused his vision problem. A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
"Mr. Tyler?" A quiet female voice inquired.
"Yeah?"
"I'm Carri Madison...you saved my brother's life. We, his family, wanted to thank you."
"You're welcome. Brent's a good cobber."
"Will you...are your eyes...?"
"My sight will return eventually."
"Good."
There was an awkward silence.
"I should get back...thank you again."
Rollie nodded and heard the door close a moment later then it opened again.
"Who was that Rol?"
"Brent's sister. So what else did Dr. Carlyle say?"
"I asked him when you could go home."
"And?" He asked anxiously.
"Tomorrow...maybe."
"Oh."
"They just want to make sure there are no injuries they missed." She answered holding his hand.
"I feel kind of tired,will you stay til I fall asleep?"
"I'll even be here when you wake up." She promised.
"Good." He smiled.
Angie watched the lines in his handsome face ease as he dozed off. Relief overwhelmed her and she silently cried. Seeing the explosion then her best friend lying so still had terrified her as she ran to him. After blowing her nose and wiping her eyes she got some tea then returned to his bedside and waited for him to wake again.
Rollie sighed hearing muffled sounds.
"Hey boss."
"You're here." He smiled and turned his head to her.
"Just like I promised."
"Yeah...wonder if I missed dinner."
"You want hospital food?"
"Unless you have a large sausage pizza on ya."
"Didn't bring one with me but I think we can make that happen." Dr. Carlyle chuckled.
"Really?" Rollie asked surprised.
"Yeah, just don't overeat." The medic said then checked him while Angie called the order in.
She and the doctor left together and when she returned Rollie inhaled deeply and grinned. She helped him eat then visiting hours were up and she left until the morning,when they both hoped he could go home.
Angie walked into his room and found the doctor there.
"Okay, that's it."
"Rol?"
"Hope you brought me some clothes...he's cutting me loose." Rollie grinned.
"As a matter of fact." She answered placing a bag on his lap. She rolled her eyes as he dug inside it. "Underwear,shirt,jeans and socks." She said.
"Thanks sweetie."
"I'll be keeping an eye on him, anything I need to watch for?" She asked.
"As I told Rollie, if he experiences dizziness, headaches, pain, get him back here."
"Will do." Angie nodded.
"Can I change now?" Rollie sighed.
"I'll help you to the bathroom." Carlyle nodded.
Angie waited patiently for Rollie to dress then looked him over with a critical eye. She unbuttoned a couple of buttons on the shirt and fixed them.
"Not bad for a blind guy huh?" He teased.
"Not bad at all. Now sit on the bed and I'll put your boots on." She instructed and led him over to it then got him shod.
"Your wheelchair." An orderly announced coming in.
"Hospital policy." The couple said in unison and chuckled.
Angie helped him into the wheelchair then picked up the bag with yesterdays clothing in it and they were off.
"Blueboy!" Rollie called once Angie opened the door. He heard the arfs of his mechanical pet and knelt down reaching out until his fingers brushed it then he picked it up.
"I'm gonna wash this stuff." Angie said.
Rollie nodded and stood with Blue as she went to the utility room. He made his way to the couch, hitting his knee off the side table and biting back a curse.
Angie found him rubbing it and hurried over.
"Looks like we need to Rollie-proof the loft." She gently teased.
He nodded and sighed as he sat back.
"Hey, you got flowers and balloons from the crew." She said changing the subject.
"That was nice of them. Thank them for me when you go in."
"I'm not going in."
"Ange--"
"You need me here."
The phone rang at that moment.
"Blue, speakerphone. Tyler."
'Hey, you home Rollie?'
"Just got in Nick."
'How ya doin' man?'
"Temporarily blind."
'Oh man...you okay?'
"Yeah."
'Um...about the picture...'
"Nick!" Angie scolded angrily.
'I got the studio demanding it be finished Angie. If it's not you guys I gotta go with someone else. I'd rather have you.'
"Ange will come in--"
"Rol!"
"She'll be there after lunch."
'Thanks Rollie you're the best man. See you this afternoon Angie.' Nick replied and hung up.
"Rolland Tyler---!"
"We signed a contract sweetie." He said quietly.
Angie stood frustratedly and stalked to the kitchenette.
Rollie carefully made his way to her and rested his head on top of hers.
"I've never walked away from a project, not if I could help it."
"I don't want to leave you alone."
"I'll be okay."
She turned and hugged him. She had felt like she was reliving Manny's death all over again seeing Rollie laying there after the explosions.
"I know this place inside and out sweetie."
"Blue has my cell right?" She asked.
"Yep." He answered then brushed her cheek and kissed her forehead.
"You want something to eat?"
"Yeah, I'm starving."
"I'll make pancakes." She said and led him to the table where he sat and listened to her cook. They ate and talked over the remaining gags for the film so Angie was prepared to handle whatever was thrown at her today. She worked on the computer til noon then ordered from their favorite Chinese place and made sure he ate, promising to call in a few hours she kissed his head and left for the shoot.
"Well, just you and me Blue." He said and settled onto the couch. He sighed feeling bored after a few seconds so he made his way to his desk. A puzzled look came over his face as he felt around, his hands coming to rest upon a small dish. He felt it over and realized what it was and grinned.
"Blue, patch me in to the audio system."
At first there was only static then he began to turn the dish and pick up voices.
'He'll be at the show on Sunday.'
'We'll do it afterwards.'
Rollie sighed and started to turn the dish again when their next words froze him.
'He won't be able to show anyone if he's dead.'
Rollie knew he had to call Mira and Francis but he couldn't have Blue record and call at the same time so he decided to wait.
'Once the gallery is closed we will be clear to end it.'
'Si.'
'For the cartel then.'
'The cartel. I'll keep my eye on him. Adios.'
Rollie heard the dial tone then had Blue stop recording and call Mira.
'Midtown South,Sanchez's desk.'
Rollie paused at the voice.
'Anybody there?'
"Is...is Mira there?"
'She's out.'
"Francis?"
'Gatti's with her. Can I take a message?'
Rollie again paused, his heart thumping.
"Are you an officer?"
'Captain Bobby Crocker. Who's this?'
"Rollie Tyler. I just heard a murder plot."
'Can you tell me who the intended victim is?'
"No and I can't tell you who the killers are, I overheard it on my sound system."
There was a long pause on the other end.
'I see...can I get your name again?'
"Look, I overheard a murder being plotted if you don't believe me it's on your head! End Blue!" Rollie snapped and hung up. He slammed his fist onto the desk in frustration. If Crocker wasn't going to help then it was up to Rollie himself to find out who was targeted and warn them.
Rollie had found out via computer, they had installed voice recognition software so if they were busy but didn't have time to actually sit down at the computer they could still get information from it, that there were 35 art galleries, he was hedging it was an art gallery anyway, within twenty miles of Brewery Lane. So far, out of the 26 he'd phoned half had showings on Sunday. He sighed and reached up to rub his eyes out of habit, he encountered the bandages. The doctor hadn't said he would have to wear them the whole time... He removed them and sighed again as he sat in the darkness. He knew it had been wishful thinking that once they were off he would see.
Blue barked.
"Somebody at the door Blue?"
Another bark in the affirmative and Rollie felt his way to the door and opened it.
"Rollie Tyler?"
The Aussie took a breath and nodded.
"I'm Captain Crocker. Sorry about before, lot of guys at the station say you're a good one."
Rollie nodded again unable to find his voice.
"Can I come in, talk about what you heard?"
"Uh...yeah..." Rollie uttered and moved back.
"Thanks. How many people did you hear?"
"Two men." Rollie answered closing the door then feeling his way back to the computer. "They had Spanish accents and referred to the cartel. Blue, play back recording."
Crocker watched him, startled to see he was blind. He was even more startled to hear the conversation Rollie heard.
"That's a murder plot alright." He muttered.
"So far I've found thirteen galleries with Sunday showings, I have nine more to check. Computer, print out the galleries I've marked so far."
It took less than a minute for the papers to be printed and Rollie handed them to the cop.
"I'll get some other officers on this, talk to the owners too. Excuse me." He said as his cell rang.
Rollie nodded then sighed as the man moved away. He felt very unsettled by him, the voice made him ache for Leo. Forcing the memories back down he finished the calls.
"I gotta head out on another case. Thanks for your help, we'll handle things now." Crocker said rejoining him a few minutes later.
"Fine by me, I'd appreciate if you let me know how it goes." Rollie said handing him the last three names he'd come up with.
"I'll call you personally. Don't get up, I'll see myself out."
Rollie sighed deeply as he heard the door close.
"Computer, shut down."
'Are you sure Rollie?'
"Yeah." He smiled at the native voice Angie had programmed into it as a surprise for him.
The computer beeped after several seconds and Rollie turned it off. He fervently hoped the cop could find the man in the three days he had left to live.
The cell phone rang and Angie answered.
"Hello?"
'Is Rollie Tyler there?'
"Who's calling?"
'Captain Bobby Crocker.'
"Just a minute. Rol...Captain Crocker?"
"Thanks sweetie." Rollie nodded.
She placed the phone into his hand and led him to a quieter part of the Gatti yard where they were barbecuing for the Fourth of July.
"Holler when you're done."
"No worries."
She squeezed his arm and walked back to the grill where Mira was watching Francis cook hot dogs.
"Captain?"
'We identified the man targeted for murder and caught the attempted killers.'
"Good, that's good to hear. Who is he?"
'Photo-journalist named Steve Kramer. He got some pictures of some Columbian drug lords by accident.'
"He didn't even know it?"
'He's lucky you overheard the men. You did the right thing by calling and I'm sorry I didn't listen the first time. Thanks Mister Tyler.'
"Name's Rollie and you're welcome."
'Have a good Independence Day...Rollie.'
"You too, thanks for calling." Rllie smiled and hung up. He heard 'booms' and turned.
"Rol?"
"They're beautiful." He smiled looking up.
"You can see the fireworks?" She teared up.
"A little." He nodded.
Angie hugged him as they watched the fireworks together.
Lt.Bobby Crocker served under Inspector Theo Kojak, the bald sucker-sucking police officer of the 1970's series bearing his last name. But, why did Crocker elicit such emotion in Rollie you ask? Well, he was portrayed by Kevin Dobson, of course! ;-D
Oh,and Steve Kramer? He's Alex Stone's ex-boyfriend and Dylan's father. Just had to get a connection to Hope Island in there didn't I? Happy Fourth of July!