The next morning the Sheriff drove to Sarahill manor. He had no problem getting in to visit Burdell. As he made his way to Burdell's cottage, all the Sheriff could think of was the difference between this place and that Hell Hole in Bay Minette.
As the Sheriff came into the large landscaped lawn that was surrounded by the cottages, he spotted Burdell sitting on a wrought iron bench. He stood up as the Sheriff approached. "Well looka here. To what do I owe this visit?"
The 2 men shook hands and sat down on the bench. "How are you doing? You look great," the Sheriff said, pleased to see the older man in such good spirits.
"Well, you can thank Cordelia. She got me out of that God awful place over in Bay Minette."
"That's what I want to talk with about - the Bay Minette Midsummer Sanatorium, and Tula."
Burdell smiled,"I'm not sure which is worse." He paused, "Theo at the bank called. He said Tula had showed up with all the legal papers, saying she was now my guardian." He looked at the Sheriff, "You know me. I'm not giving my business over to anyone, much less that conniving Tula. I may be old, but I haven't lost my mind."
The Sheriff smiled, happy to hear the old Burdell. He asked him a few questions. Burdell did not remember anything at the Sanatorium. He said he was 'fuzzy' all the time and couldn't get his wits about him. Unfortunately, Burdell did not remember any of the staff, doctors, or nurses. "Hell, it was 2 days after Cordelia got me here before my brain cleared. That's when I learned I had been drugged, Tula had tried to rob me, and Cordelia, bless her heart, had rescued me before I died."
"Burdell, I'm going to throw out a couple of names. Let me know if any of them sound familiar for any reason."
Burdell said,"Shoot".
"Liggett Marston."
"Liggett Marston."
"Doesn't ring a bell."
"McBride Shivers."
"Nope."
"Hugh McKissick."
Burdell paused for a moment, "I've heard that one before -somewhere."
"You sure?"
"Pretty sure about that."
"You can't recall where or in what context?"
Burdell shook his head, " 'Fraid not."
"Don't worry, it's no big deal. I was just curious."
"Rascal Quitman, I know you better than that. You didn't come all the way over here to see my ugly face?"
"You don't think I missed your ugly face?" Both men laughed. They sat and just talked for 20 minutes or so. Then the Sheriff stood up. "I better get back. No tellin' what has happened while I've been gone?"
They shook hands again, exchanged pleasantries, and the Sheriff left.
Back in Gallagher, Mike was headed for Vivian's house. He was dreading this confrontation with Tula. She was so dramatic. He had called Mary Lou, told her what was going on, and asked her to update the Sheriff when he returned.
"You don't want to call him on his cell phone?"
"No. I just want him to know where I am." They rang off and Mike continued to Vivian's.
Before Mike reached the first step, he heard a gun shot, then a woman scream. He pulled his side arm and quietly walked to the front door. "Sheriff's Office, Open up. Now!"
