Hunting Accident-At the hospital

When Jess got to the emergency room Rance was standing outside. Jess stopped and leaned on the wall next to him. "I thought you quit."

Rance put out his cigerette and then turned to face Jess. "I did until three hours ago. I just couldn't make it. My wife is in there in hystarics, you wife is a complete wreck and our sister-in-law looks like a piece of hamburger. I needed a smoke."

"How is she? They know anything yet?"

"Not much. At least not that they're telling us. They did come out to see what blood type Sam and Corri are but other then that we haven't heard much."

"You should've seen her Rance. I thought she was dead. And he was just laying there in bed, sleeping peacfully. If Anderson hadn't been there I might have shot him."

"I would've. No doubt in my mind."

"Have you heard how Brandon is doing? Are they gonna place him with one of us?"

"We don't know yet. The social worker came and talked to me and Corri about taking him but she said that they won't decide anything till moring. They don't think he's hurt but they want to keep him overnight for observation just incase." Rance subconciously lit another cigerette and took a long draw on it. "What if she doesn't make it Jess, then what do we do?"

"I don't know Rance. I just don't know."

"They'll put him in jail right? He's going away for this isn't he?"

Jess ran his fingers through his hair. "I hope so but its doubtable. You know he'll have some story about being asleep and waking up to her half dead, and I doubt she'll say he did it, if she can even talk. I just don't know if there is much of a case against him."

Rance threw down his cigerette in a fit of rage. "What the hell do you mean not much of a case. She's in there almost dead. Doesn't that count for anything?" Rance kicked the wall and then just stood staring at it.

"I wish it did but I'm not sure we can prove he did it. Judges want hard evidence, not just convinced cops and brother-in-laws. We'll just have to see."