Jamison Valley, #1
The Coppersmith Farmhouse
by Devney Perry
Contents
Chapter 2
Overview
Hospital fallout continues as John Doe survives surgery and is placed in a four-day induced coma, drawing law enforcement and media attention. Milo explains his injury, and Gigi recalls how Ben entered her life. On a run, Sheriff Jess stops Gigi and issues a bogus ticket, intensifying their conflict, which she nullifies at the station.
Summary
The day after the ER chaos, the hospital buzz continues. John Doe survives surgery but is placed in a four-day induced coma by Dr. Everett Carlson to reduce swelling. Deputies rotate check-ins, while the local paper runs a front-page story lacking an identity or payment trail for the victim.
Milo visits for stitches and, under Maisy’s prodding, admits he injured his hand while responding alone to the bar scene, juggling a phone and moving a Dumpster. With the investigation stalled, Gigi plans a run before picking up Rowen.
During her run, Gigi reflects on losing Ben and flashes back three years to when she met him as a rehab patient. She broke through his silence with humor, learned he lived alone with little support, and volunteered to fetch clothes and drive him home—starting a surrogate grandparent bond that helped her through grief and single motherhood.
Back in the present, Sheriff Jess Cleary stops Gigi on the rural road, warns it’s unsafe, and—after a sharp exchange—writes a $100 ticket for running on the “wrong” side. Furious, Gigi goes to the station to pay, where Sam and Milo reveal there’s no such law, exposing the ticket as bogus and sharpening her conflict with Jess.
Who Appears
- Gigi EllarsER nurse; learns John Doe updates, reminisces about meeting Ben, clashes with Sheriff Jess during a run, and discovers his ticket is bogus.
- Sheriff Jess ClearyGruff sheriff; warns Gigi about road safety, issues a $100 bogus running ticket, heightening their antagonism.
- MiloDeputy; apologizes for Jess, explains his hand injury from the crime scene, later confirms the ticket situation at the station.
- MaisyER colleague; pesters Milo to reveal his injury story and supports Gigi.
- SamDeputy; friendly, tells Gigi there’s no law about which side to run on, invalidating her ticket.
- Dr. Everett CarlsonER doctor; places John Doe in a four-day induced coma to reduce swelling and aid recovery.
- John DoeBeating victim; survives surgery, remains unidentified and in an induced coma, drawing police and media attention.
- Ben CoppersmithGigi’s late surrogate grandfather; seen in flashback as a stubborn, solitary patient she helped, forming a vital bond.