Fred Denton sat in a chair in the corner. His gun was on the Chief's desk. He had surrendered it willingly enough, only saying, 'I had to do it - just look at Cart's hand.'
Piper sat in the office chair that was now Peter Randolph's. Julia had mopped most of the blood off Piper's face with more paper towels. The woman was shivering with shock and in great pain, but she was as silent about it as Thibodeau. Her eyes were clear.
'Clover only attacked him' - she raised her chin to Carter - 'after he pushed me down the stairs. The push caused me to lose hold of the leash. What my dog did was justified. He was protecting me from a criminal assault.'
'She attacked us!' Georgia cried. 'Crazy bitch attacked us! Came up the steps spouting all this shit - '
'Shut up,' Barbie said. 'All of you, shut the hell up.' He looked at Piper. 'This isn't the first time you've dislocated your shoulder, is it?'
'I want you out of here, Mr Barbara,' Randolph said... but he spoke with no great conviction.
'I can deal with this,' Barbie said. 'Can you?'
Randolph made no reply. Mel Searles and Frank DeLesseps stood outside the door. They looked worried.
Barbie turned back to Piper. 'This is a subluxation - a partial separation. Not bad. I can pop it back in before you go to the hospital - '
'Hospital?' Fred Denton squawked. 'She's under arr - '
'Shut up, Freddy,' Randolph said.'Nobody's under arrest. At least not yet.'
Barbie held Piper's eyes with his own. 'But I have to do it now, before the swelling gets bad. If you wait; for Everett to do it at the hospital, they'll have to give you anesthesia.' He leaned close to her ear and murmured, 'While you're out, they'll be telling their side and you won't be telling yours.'
'What are you saying?' Randolph asked sharply.
'That it's going to hurt,' Barbie said. 'Right, Rev?'
She nodded. 'Go on. Coach Gromley did it right on the sidelines, and she was a total dope. Just hurry. And please don't screw it up.'
Barbie said: 'Julia, grab a sling from the first aid kit, then help me lie her down on her back.'
Julia, very pale and feeling ill, did as she was told.
Barbie sat down on the floor to Piper's left, slipped off one shoe, and then grasped her forearm just above her wrist with both hands. 'I don't know Coach Gromley s method,' he said, 'but this is how a medic I knew in Iraq did it. You're going to count to three and then yell wishbone?
fishbone,' Piper said, bemused in spite of the pain. 'Well, okay, you're the doctor?
No, Julia thought - Rusty Everett was now the closest thing the town had to a doctor. She'd contacted Linda and gotten his cell phone number, but her call had been immediately shunted to voice-mail.
The room was silent. Even Carter Thibodeau was watching. Barbie nodded to Piper. Beads of sweat stood out on her forehead, but she had her game-face on, and Barbie respected the shit out of that. He slipped his sock-foot into her left armpit, snugging it tight. Then, while pulling slowly but steadily on her arm, he applied counter pressure with his foot.
'Okay, here we go. Let's hear you.'
'One... two... three... WISHBONE!'
When Piper shouted, Barbie pulled. Everyone in the room heard the loud thunk as the joint went back into place. The hump in Piper's blouse magically disappeared. She screamed but didn't pass out. He slipped the sling over her neck and around the arm, immobilizing it as well as he could.
'Better?' he asked.
'Better,' she said. 'Much, thank God. Still hurts, but not as bad.'
'I've got some aspirin in my purse,'Julia said.
'Give her the aspirin and then get out,' Randolph said. 'All of you except for Carter, Freddy, the Reverend, and me.'
Julia looked at him unbelievingly.'Are you kidding? The Reverend is going to the hospital. Can you walk, Piper?'
Piper stood up shakily. 'I think so. A little way'
'Sit down, Reverend Libby,' Randolph said, but Barbie knew she was already gone. He could hear it in Randolphs voice.
'Why don't you make me?' She gingerly lifted her left arm and the sling holding it. The arm trembled, but it was working. 'I'm sure you can dislocate it again, very easily. Go on. Show these... these boys.. . that you're just like them.'
'And I'll put it all in the paper!'Julia said brightly. 'Circulation will double!'
Barbie said, 'Suggest you defer this business until tomorrow, Chief. Allow the lady to get some painkillers stronger than aspirin, and have those knee lacerations checked by Everett. Given the Dome, she's hardly a flight risk.'
'Her dog tried to kill me,' Carter said. In spite of the pain, he sounded calm again.
'Chief Randolph, DeLesseps, Searles, and Thibodeau are guilty of rape.' Piper was swaying now - Julia put an arm around her - but her voice was firm and clear. 'Roux is an accessory to rape.'
'The hell I am!' Georgia squawked.
'They need to be suspended immediately.'
'She's lying,' Thibodeau said.
Chief Randolph looked like a man watching a tennis match. He finally settled his gaze on Barbie. 'Are you telling me what to do, kiddo?'