Excerpt from See You in Hell

Moonlight that filtered through the wire mesh covering on the window was the only source of light for the predawn meeting. Closing and opening his eyes a few times, Barney recognized his possible savior, Leonard.

Leave the lights off, Leonard. I want this to be just between us. Knowing that Leonard was more than likely a homosexual, Barney touched his visitors arm and gently caressed it with his fingers. I knew you would come back, my faithful friend.

Leonard smiled and put his hand on Barneys and said, Just what do you want me to do for you, old friend?

Without wasting time or words, Barney explained, I want you to get me a set of patients clothes and sneak me into one of the empty rooms in your building. Barney showed him fifty dollars and continued, Heres fifty bucks, and Ill give you the other fifty when Im in the cell.

How long would you be a staying, Barn?

Not long, just long enough to let things settle down, then I will be gone. Maybe a week; two at the most.

Well, I could sure use the money. Ill be back about the same time tomorrow with the clothes, OK?

Heres half the hundred. See you tomorrow, and dont let anybody see you coming here.

Leonards rendezvous with the neer-do-well went unnoticed.

Lucy told her parents, uncles and everyone she knew what had happened to her at the hospital.

Oh, Uncle, I just hate that man. She silently asked her God for forgiveness for hating.

Here I am, Barney. Here is the stuff you asked for.

Barney was suffering from one of his severe headaches, but he knew he had to follow his plan if he ever wanted to get out of Georgia and back to his ship.

OK, Leonard, you watch the door while I change into these asylum clothes.

Barney used a hospital pillowcase to carry his Legion uniform and some headache medications that he had saved.

Watch it, Barn, here comes the janitors helper.

Barney closed the bathroom door and flushed the toilet to let the helper know he was using the toilet. Not concerned with anything except emptying trashcans into a large container that was on a two-wheeled dolly, the janitor went on with his monotonous rounds. Barney stuck his head out of the toilet door and loudly whispered to Leonard, All clear?

Leonard waved his hand in a come-on motion to Barney. Accepting Leonards judgment, Barney stealthily followed his abettor down the poorly lit stairwell to a back exit. Barneys headache became so bad that he had second thoughts about fleeing, but surviving instincts kept him going.

OK, Barn, you know how patients walk, so stay close to me, and play the patient. Its about a fifteen-minute walk. I got your cell all picked out. I want that other fifty bucks when we get there.

Its in my uniform, youll get it.

Leonard led Barney to the cell that was once occupied by the patient that Barney murdered, Lamar Jacobs.

Come back in about an hour and I will have your money, and if you help me out and keep an ear open, I have more easy money for you. I just want to keep out of circulation until the law thinks that I am out of the area.

Nobody ever comes up here where the real crazy patients stay. You know that anyway. Just make sure you keep them asylum clothes on. Ill see to it that you get fed.

Sheriff, this is the hospital. Your man, Mr. Hatfield has disappeared.

He is nowhere to be found.

What! Ill be right over.

Chester called for his Deputy, but he got no response. He picked up the microphone of the new two-way radio that had been installed just before all radios went to the military.

Percy, drop everything and meet me at the hospital. Our man has escaped.

Deputy Stump smiled as he placed the mike in its hook. I knew something like this would happen when the night guard was taken off. Heads are gonna roll.

Chester, assisted by a hospital administrator, checked Barneys room for any evidence that might help him find his prisoner. There was nothing, Barney had left no clues. Before calling his superiors, Chester questioned everyone that had access to the hospital room. No one knew anything, or saw anything. Leonard had snuck in by the same route that he ushered Barney out. The news that the Sheriffs prisoner had escaped spread like oil on water. Judge Lawson found out before Chester called him.

A black hospital aide approached the Sheriff and said, Nurse Orr send me to fetch you, she say you is wanted on the telephone.

Chester acknowledged the summons and made haste to her office. As he entered, Nurse Orr was waiting; she had placed the earpiece on her desk.

Nodding a thank-you, Chester reluctantly answered, This is Sheriff Trapp.

This is Judge Wendell Lawson, what the hells going on?

Our prisoner has escaped.








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