Refined By His Fire

by Cathy Conradie

  Chapter Thirteen

  Adrian parks his car at the station and looks at Barry.

  “Hey, old man. It’s okay.” Barry says softly.

  Adrian takes a deep breath, puts his head on his arms resting on the steering wheel.

  “Do you know how much damage was done to my career, my reputation?”

  Barry puts his hand on Adrian’s shoulder.

  “Can I tell ye something? In this time that you were suspended and at home, no one stopped believing in you and your innocence. We all missed ye. So many prayers went up for you. You know the departmental case will also be withdrawn now.”

  “I can’t wait to really start my career as a policeman.”

  Adrian looks up.

  “It feels as if I need to prove myself all over again, especially to the community.”

  “No, ye don’t. You ready to go?”

  Adrian smiles bravely.

  “Yes.”

  “Come on, let’s go.”

  They get out and go to the charge office where Adrian is greeted with a full charge office filled by members, cheering, clapping in a standing ovation.

  Adrian chokes back the emotion.

  “Hi, guys . . .” he says softly.

  Lieutenant October comes closer, puts his hand on Adrian’s shoulder.

  “Welcome back. We missed you!”

  Lieutenant October looks at the other members.

  “Hey guys, get this man a strong cup of coffee! What’s wrong with you, huh?”

  Some of the members laugh softly and one of the students disappears to the kitchen area in the charge office.

  “So, where do you want to work?”

  “Where do you think, Okkie?”

  Lieutenant October puts the keys of Golf Romeo 6 in Adrian’s hand.

  “Enjoy your coffee, start your day in the right way and then you bulldoze it.”

  The student puts the mug of coffee in front of Adrian.

  “I can’t remember how you take your coffee.” he says shyly.

  “Same as yesterday and the day before.” Adrian smiles mischievously.

  “Thanks for the trouble, Student.”

  “You are so impossible, you know that?” Lieutenant October teases Adrian and Adrian chuckles.

  “New student?”

  “Yes. They came last month. But they know about you.”

  Adrian looks questioningly at Lieutenant October.

  “You clearly don’t understand. They talk about you with awe. About the Constable whose father is the station commander. I think they are scared of you because your father is the station commander.”

  Adrian laughs heartily.

  “Oh no, good gracious! Then I’ll go out of my way to give them a hard time.”

  He takes up the keys and takes a final drink from the mug.

  “Well, let me go. Let me go to serve and protect my community. Who is my crew?”

  “Of course your crew is Daniels, who else?”

  “You are hopelessly too good to me, Okkie. Thank you.”

  “It’s a pleasure. And please stay away from all the IOD’s and trouble now.”

  Adrian laughs.

  “Come on, Engelsman! I’m waiting for you!”

  Adrian parks the vehicle at the petrol station and looks at Barry.

  “Would you please organize us some coffee? Need to fill her up and sort out all the other trivia.”

  “Coffee or hot chocolate?”

  “Hot chocolate? Since when?”

  “They started while ye weren’t here. Divine stuff.”

  “That’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

  The attendant approaches Adrian.

  “Good gracious, Adrian! I haven’t seen you in a while! Where have you been?”

  “Don’t you read the newspapers, Aubrey?”

  “No. Where have you been?”

  “I don’t really want to talk about it. It was a big mess.”

  “Can I fill up for you?”

  “Yes, thanks. Please check the water and oil too. I’ll check the tire pressure.”

  Adrian takes the register and writes in all the necessary details in the log book. He gets out again before pumping the tires to the correct pressure.

  Barry gets into the car, puts the paper cups in the cup holders before picking up the mike to book on air.

  Adrian notices that Barry is very deep in thought and he smiles. He stands right next to the window on Barry’s side, puts the nozzle in the window and squeezes the trigger.

  Barry gets the fright of his life, screams in surprise.

  “Adrian! You . . . you bloody son of a gun!”

  Adrian can not contain the hysterical fits of laughter.

  “You must remain awake, Engelsman!”

  “Bloody hell! I’ll get ye for that!”

  Barry takes a deep breath.

  “You’ll give me a cardiac arrest, lad!”

  Adrian giggles, puts the nozzle away.

  “One can see you are back in town.”

  Aubrey hands Adrian the petrol slip.

  “Hope your day is not too busy.”

  “No, I need to get back into it. Enough is enough.”

  Adrian gets inside the car and buckles up.

  “Enjoy your day, Aubs. Be blessed.”

  Driving off, Adrian laughingly looks at Barry.

  “Did you get your breath back so that we can book on air?”

  “I’m so grateful you’re back.” Barry smiles.

  “In every aspect. But ye must watch your back.” Barry adds with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

  “I’ll getcha.”

  “Yeah, right. Promises, promises. Romeo, Romeo, Golf Romeo 6, permission to book on air.”

  “Good morning, Golf Romeo 6. Proceed.”

  “Good morning, Romeo. I proceed. The driver will be Constable A Parker. Cell number 082-2121978 and registration number Bravo, Pappa, Delta 521 Bravo. I repeat, Bravo, Pappa, Delta 521 Bravo. Please stand by for the crew.”

  “Morning, Romeo, crew will be Constable BR Daniels. Any outstanding complaints, Romeo?”

  “Negative, Golf Romeo 6. So far, so good. Your duties?”

  “That will be complaints and patrols, Romeo. Thank you, Romeo, enjoy your day and God bless.”

  “Thank you, Golf Romeo 6. Out.”

  The whole day is a quiet one.

  Adrian and Barry received a complaint at the station about a lady that alleged that her hand bag was stolen and that the alleged suspect was at the station.

  After very long conversations at the station and the detective convinced that nothing was done wrong, he helped Adrian and Barry to load the suspect into the car.

  The suspect made a huge scene because he was frightened out of his wits for no reason, allegedly for Nero who was caged anyway.

  So Adrian drove with the suspect out on the N2 toward Cape Town and then Adrian pulls off the road.

  They get out and Barry opens the door on the passenger’s side.

  “Okay, laddie. Get out!”

  “But I didn’t do anything! Please!”

  “Hey! I said, get out!”

  The suspect gets hold of the seat in front of him and anchors himself in his seat.

  “I’m not asking, laddie! Get out!”

  The suspect shakes his head and a struggle ensues between him and Barry.

  After a short while, Barry lets go and tries to catch his breath.

  “Hey, old man. Pour me some coffee, please. I need strength.”

  Adrian laughs and pours Barry a cup.

  “Jy al gedink wat ons met hom gaan maak?” (“Have you thought about what we can do with him?”) Adrian talks in Afrikaans on purpose because both he and Barry know that the suspect is an immigrant. In the while that Barry has lived with Adrian and his family on the farm, Barry started to pick up on some Afrikaans words here and there.

  Barry shakes his head.

  “Nee, maar hy gaan huil as ek is klaar.” (“No, but he i
s going to cry when I’m done.”) he tries his best Afrikaans and with the Scottish accent, it sounds even worse.

  Adrian giggles and looks on as Barry approaches the car again and another struggle ensues.

  “Listen, laddie, ye are making me angry! Get out!”

  Adrian looks on with an amused smile on his face. The instructions were to let the immigrant go as the hand bag was found back, nothing of the contents was taken and the story was too vague to justify an arrest.

  Very tiredly, Barry lets the immigrant go for a second time and he looks at the immigrant.

  “Listen, if ye come out, I’ll give you lunch and coffee. How’s that?”

  But the immigrant shakes his head.

  Adrian takes off his bunny jacket and belt.

  “Barry, take this, please. I’ve had enough of this guy.”

  Adrian gives his equipment to Barry and approaches the car. The immigrant jumps out lightening fast, screams. He stares wide eyed at Adrian.

  “Where’s the highway?” he asks.

  “You are on the highway. Cape Town is in that direction.”

  The immigrant just nods, turns around and takes off.

  “Don’t let me ever catch you in my precinct again. You hear me?” Adrian calls after him before he is caught up in fits of laughter.

  “Good gracious, Adrian! Did ye see his face?” Barry laughs.

  “I think he thought that you are going to shoot him or let Nero loose on him!”

  Adrian calms down, gets in behind the steering wheel and chuckles.

  “This was bloody funny. I can’t believe it! Why did you struggle so long with him?”

  Barry looks at Adrian.

  “I don’t have your aura, old man.”

  Adrian seems amused.

  “I don’t know if it something that ye have inherited from your Da, but sometimes, you scare the living daylights out of people.”

  “Oh no, that’s ridiculous.”

  “No, it’s not. I wish I could radiate that authority and confidence you have. And ye are scarcely back at work again.”

  Early one morning a week or two later, Barry enters the barn and starts tacking up Majoor. He had advanced a lot in his riding and feels relatively confident enough to ride Majoor. He smiles to himself, thinking of how lazy Adrian was this morning.

  Normally, Adrian rises early, but he was still sleeping when Barry left the cottage. They’ll probably ride together that afternoon. Adrian rides at least six times a week and if he skips a day or two, then that’s an indication that something’s wrong.

  Barry enters the arena where Adrian normally practices his flatwork and jumping and looks at the jumps.

  It didn’t seem very high, maybe 60cm at the most, but Barry wisely decides to warm up first to ensure that Majoor’s muscles are properly warmed up before he attempts anything.

  Adrian will surely be very surprised.

  Adrian opens his eyes, yawns and stretches. He looks at the bedside clock at the time reading 09:30.

  Adrian chastises himself for sleeping so late. It is not a normal thing for him to do.

  Adrian gets up, dresses in a T-shirt, a pair of jodhpurs, his riding boots and takes his whip and hard hat before walking off to the barn. On his way he notices Barry in the arena riding Majoor.

  Adrian frowns and walks closer. It’s very unusual. He didn’t mind Barry riding Majoor, it’s just that Adrian isn’t sure if Barry was really ready to do so.

  Majoor is a very calm horse with a very sweet temperament, but he required an experienced, strong rider.

  Adrian freezes in his steps when he notices Barry coming for a jump at a full gallop. What the hell is Barry trying to do?! He isn’t ready for this!

  Majoor comes to a complete standstill right in front of the jump and this sends Barry flying right into the jump. Majoor stumbles and from the angle where Adrian stands, it seems as if Majoor falls onto Barry.

  Adrian screams in horror and rushes toward Barry’s side. Majoor gets up and aims to run off, but when he sees Adrian, he stands still, breathing hard and profusely.

  Adrian kneels down by Barry’s side.

  “Barry? Barry, come on, open your eyes. Barry!”

  Adrian closes his eyes, swallows hard at the tears of shock threatening to flow. He carefully removes Barry’s hard hat. Thank goodness he wore one. It is torn at the top and cracked.

  Adrian assesses Barry’s vitals and his pulse is fast and feint as he is lying there, unconscious.

  Adrian takes out his cell phone from his pocket and phones Chrissie, who is working.

  “Hello?”

  “Mom! Send an ambulance to the farm, please! Please hurry! Barry . . . Barry . . .”

  “Calm down, love. Take a deep breath. What happened?”

  “Barry . . . Barry fell off Majoor . . . He tried to jump . . .”

  “Did he wear his hard hat?”

  “Yes, but he is unconscious and I think he is in shock! His pulse is very fast and feint . . . Mom! Help, please! Please hurry!”

  “Adrian, listen to me, you must calm down, my son. It is imperative—”

  “But Mom, Barry!”

  “Just stay with him. When he wakes up, don’t move him and don’t give him anything to drink. I’ll call Netcare in the meantime. Hang in there, my son.”

  Chrissie disconnects and Adrian tries to wake Barry up, but to no avail.

  One of the farm workers approaches him.

  “Jantjie! Quick! Go get me a blanket, please! Hurry!”

  Adrian checks Barry’s vitals again and bravely dries his tears. It doesn’t take very long for Jantjie to return.

  “Is Barry okay?”

  “I don’t know, Jantjie. Please . . . please go and stable Majoor. I’ll check for injuries later.”

  “Must I remove his tack?”

  “Yes, please. Remove his tack . . . keep him in the stable and please give him a teff net.”

  Adrian hears the familiar sound of Dr. Clarence’s car and gratefully looks up. Dr. Clarence runs closer.

  “Hello, Adrian.” he kneels down by Barry’s side.

  “Your mom phoned me and asked to come until Netcare arrives. They’ll be here any minute.”

  Dr. Clarence checks Barry’s vitals, takes the blood pressure and listens to Barry’s heartbeat. He takes out his cell phone and phones Netcare again. He greets them briefly.

  “Please hurry. I don’t know what info you have, but he needs to get to hospital immediately. Blood pressure is 80 over 50. He is in shock. You better get over here very soon. I will give him something in the meantime.” he says goodbye and disconnects.

  Barry weakly opens his eyes, tries to move and cries out in pain.

  “Easy, easy. Don’t move, okay?” Adrian tries to calm Barry down.

  “It hurts!”

  “Where does it hurt, Barry?” Dr. Clarence asks.

  “Everywhere!”

  Adrian puts his hand softly on Barry’s shoulder and strokes his hair in an effort to calm him down.

  “Calm down. It’s okay. Don’t move.”

  Dr. Clarence injects Barry with a very strong pain killer and attempts to connect him to an IV, but without success. Due the fact that Barry is in shock, he becomes sick in the process and cries uncontrollably.

  “Barry? Barry, listen to me.” Adrian says.

  “Look at me, Engelsman. Take a deep breath, okay? Just breathe deeply and calmly. You’ll be all right. I’m here.”

  “It hurts! The needle hurts too much!”

  “Barry, Dr. Clarence has to put in an IV. He needs to get some fluids in your system.”

  Adrian gently wipes the vomit from Barry’s mouth.

  “It’s all right. You’re going to be fine.”

  The ambulance stops next to them and the medics rush to their side.

  “He is a serious case. Blood pressure is dropping. I can’t drip him. His veins keep collapsing. Get him on oxygen. If need arises, drip him in the neck.”r />
  The medics and Dr. Clarence lightening fast, but carefully stabilizes Barry before loading him into the ambulance.

  “Barry, hang in there, okay? I’ll be with you very shortly. I need to lock up the cottage.”

  “No, no . . . don’t go, please!”

  “Adrian, give me the keys to the cottage. I’ll lock up. Barry needs you and if we can minimise the shock by having you to go with him to hospital then that is what you need to do.”

  “Thank you, Doc. I don’t know what we’ll do without you.”

  “I’m right behind you. Now go.”

  Chrissie anxiously awaits them in the ER and when the personnel start procedure with Barry, she takes Adrian in her arms, allowing him to cry himself out. He got the fright of his life and witnessing the whole ordeal was horrific.

  They walk onto the waiting room and Chrissie pours them coffee before she takes a seat next to Adrian.

  “Adrian? What happened, my son?”

  Adrian takes a drink from the cup.

  “Barry went riding with Majoor. He probably wanted to surprise me . . . his riding progressed so nicely.”

  “Did you know that he went riding with Majoor?”

  Adrian shakes his head.

  “Did he ask you?”

  “I don’t mind him riding Majoor. It’s just . . . he wasn’t ready to do so. Majoor is a very strong horse.”

  Adrian takes another drink from the cup in an effort to calm down.

  “Majoor stopped right in front of the jump. Barry fell on the one pole and it broke in half. From where I stood it looked as if Majoor fell on Barry.”

  “I know I wasn’t there, but I doubt if Majoor fell on Barry. Barry would not have survived something like that, my son. Majoor weighs almost half a ton and he would have crushed Barry.”

  Chrissie puts her arm around Adrian’s shoulders and holds him close.

  “Everything will work out all right, my son. A person’s body is stronger than one thinks.”

  They sit like that for a long while, losing track of time and when the doctor comes, Chrissie seems slightly bewildered. She was officially on duty and her colleagues knew where she was, but she doesn’t know if they may have forgotten to inform everyone else.

  “Hi, Chrissie.”

  “Hello, Dr. Steenkamp. I’m sorry for being here. My son’s best friend had a very bad riding accident.”

  “If you are talking about Barry Daniels, he is fine. All the X-rays and ultrasounds are back. Nothing is broken. He is badly bruised and sustained concussion. I’m going to keep him here for two days for observation and then he needs bedrest for two weeks. Nothing less.”

  Adrian’s face lights up.

  “Are you serious, Doctor? I . . . I was there. I saw him fall. He fell right through one of the poles. From where I stood it looked as if my horse fell on him.”

  “He is badly bruised, but that’s it. I assure you. Your horse never fell on him. If that was the case, your friend would not have made it. He is not one of the biggest young men I’ve seen in my life. I have mistaken him for a teenager.”

  Adrian smiles bravely.

  “Can I go and see him, Doc?”

  “Yes, but very briefly. He needs to rest. Especially at home.”

  “Thanks, Doc.”

  “Adrian, I’ll drop in later. I need to go. Please send Barry my regards.”

  Adrian embraces Chrissie and kisses her.

  “Thanks for everything, Mom. I’m sure Barry appreciates everything you have done for him today.”

  “It’s all right, my son. I’ll see you later. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Mom.”

  Adrian lets her go and walks on to the medical ward. He smiles at the nurse at the help desk.

  “Hi, ma’am. I just want to visit my friend, Barry Daniels.”

  “Room 4, bed A. But please, be brief.”

  “Okay, thanks. Um . . . is he okay?”

  “He’ll be all right. But I think he might be sleeping.”

  Adrian goes to the ward and steps closer. Barry is alone in a 2-bed ward. If it was organized like that, Adrian didn’t know, but he feels grateful about it.

  Adrian sits down next to Barry who is still sleeping and Adrian worriedly looked at the monitor reflecting Barry’s vitals. Barry’s blood pressure stabilized, but it is still on the low side and his complexion is pale.

  Barry opens his eyes after a minute or two and turns his head.

  “Hey, Engelsman.” Adrian says softly.

  “Hey, old man . . .”

  “You okay? How are you feeling?”

  “Not very well. I’m hurting badly, all over . . .”

  “I can’t stay long. You need to rest. I just wanted to come and say hello, see how you are doing.”

  “Adrian . . . I’m sorry for what has happened. I should not have taken Majoor without your permission . . .”

  “You don’t need my permission to ride him, Barry. Ever. He is there. It’s just . . . it was too soon for you. Majoor is a very strong horse and he needs a strong rider.”

  “Is . . . is he okay? Did he get hurt?”

  “I don’t know, Barry.”

  Barry looks very sad, emotion shining in his eyes.

  “He is your favorite . . .”

  “Yes, but you are my best friend. Most important thing is that you are okay. You gave me the fright of my life. I was so worried about you. From where I stood, it seemed as if Majoor fell on you. I need to go. You need to rest. The doctor said that you need strict bed rest for two weeks. Nothing less.”

  “I wish ye didn’t have to go. It’s lonely . . .”

  “I’ll come again tonight, okay? Come, close your eyes and rest. I’m not leaving here before you do.”