The Omega Team: Death Sentence (Kindle Worlds Novella) (6 page)

“Is that why you’re smiling?”

She touched her mouth. Shock crossed her face. “I didn’t know I was.”

“Aren’t you glad you have me here to point out the obvious?”

“Apparently I need it.” Eyes squeezed tight, she gestured imperiously. “Go on.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Wait. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a bitch or demanding. I’m just—”

“Ready?” He went at her with unmasked delight and steely determination to wring every last feeling from her.

Her climax didn’t come too fast or too slow but precisely as it should have. She screeched high enough to disturb dogs. A grin stretched across her beautiful face.

The best reward he could have earned.

Chapter Four

Hallie had never become friends with the other Zephron nurses. Not for lack of trying. Most came in, did their job, and collected a paycheck. Inmate suffering wasn’t on their radar. As more than one had proclaimed, if you made a lousy bed for yourself, you had to lie in it.

Florence Nightingale they weren’t.

Given their indifference to anything other than their own needs, Hallie hoped none would notice her new eyeglasses.

Shirl did immediately. Fifty and old-school, she’d never sought to move beyond being an LPN. Nor did she hide her resentment at anyone who’d done better for themselves. “Since when have you needed glasses? I thought you were perfect.”

Hallie brought up patient charts on her computer screen. “Getting old, I guess.”

“More like working too hard.” She sniffed. “No one to impress here, sweetie. Gatekeeper doesn’t give a crap about any of us, and the inmates would stick a shiv in your ribs as easily as they’d look at you.”

What a lovely home life Shirl must have created for her husband and kids. “I’d still like to keep the women healthy. Don’t want anything happening to them like it did to Kim.”

“She offed herself. Good riddance, I say.” Shirl tromped from their shared office to check on the patients.

Hallie tried to relax but couldn’t. She needed to get Barb Valez in here for an STD check and Next Choice, the morning-after pill. The medication proved effective for up to five days after unprotected sex. Time would soon run out for Barb. Hallie figured Dick was too arrogant to have used a condom or worry about repercussions after the fact. Gatekeeper wouldn’t pay for a paternity test to see who’d fathered an inmate’s child.

No way could Hallie accuse Dick of anything without proof. He’d wonder how she knew and might take his rage out on Barb.

Hallie wished she’d mentioned this to Chase earlier so they could’ve devised a plan for him to escort Barb here. Too late now. She called the bubble, hoping he’d answer.

“Reyes” Dick. “Morning.”

Hallie’s shoulders ached. “Is Chase there?”

Dick chuckled. “Your man isn’t around at the moment. I’ll tell him you called.”

“Wait.” It killed her to ask Dick to bring his victim to the infirmary, but Hallie had no choice. Guards were few and far between. Many ignored her requests. Hopefully, Dick wouldn’t since he’d learned she and Chase were a couple. “I need to see Barb Valez. Please bring her to the treatment room.”

“What for?”

Hallie squeezed the receiver, wishing it were his throat. If she stated the obvious about patient treatment being confidential, he’d shoot back that privacy wasn’t a privilege granted in prison. “I don’t want what happened to Kim happening to her or any other prisoner in confinement. I want to check on them, too. Another death in F block and people might ask questions and investigate. That would mess up everyone’s day, wouldn’t it?”

He breathed hard into the phone.

Hallie cursed her big mouth. If he hadn’t thought she suspected anything before, he surely must now.

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “It would be bad. The next one who dies better not be a suicide. You plan on counseling the prisoners now?”

No one had to tell her he wanted to know if she’d learn their secrets. “I’m not qualified. If they’ve lost weight or are listless, that’s a dead giveaway for depression. I can give them something to combat it.”

“Makes them docile, huh? Nice.”

Hallie wanted to hang up. “No, it keeps them from hurting themselves. Gatekeeper doesn’t like empty beds.”

“I’ll have her there in a few minutes.”

Dressed in prison blue, Barb shuffled into the treatment room, gaze down, manner dull like a POW rather than someone who’d barely lived. Dick had shackled Barb’s ankles and wrists as one would a death row prisoner with an escape history.

Fuming, Hallie fought for control. “Take off the restraints. I need to examine her.”

“What’s with the glasses?”

She turned so he couldn’t see the left hinge. “I needed them and I got them. End of story.”

“They’re fucking ugly. They make you look like a Bible-thumper.” He laughed. “Has Chase seen them? Bet the moment he does, he’ll tell you to get contacts or he’ll dump you for someone hot.”

“Please take off her restraints.”

“What for?”

“So I can examine her. I need to check the bruising and lacerations from the fight. She should have been brought to me days ago. Why wasn’t she?”

“We’re busy. She’s here now. I don’t see anything wrong.” He assumed a power pose, arms crossed over his chest, legs parted.

Barb drew in her shoulders as Hallie had when she expected her father to hit her.

This was too much. “Would you like me to put your appraisal in my report, Officer Templar? If she is injured and anything happens, your take on it, not mine, will be up for review.”

His expression hardened. Red-faced, he took off the restraints but didn’t leave.

“I need to examine her. You can go.” Hallie gestured him to the infirmary door. “When I’ve finished, I’ll call the bubble.”

“Not necessary. I’m staying right here. No telling what she’s capable of. Wouldn’t want to leave you alone and unprotected with her.”

Patient beds were nearby. Shirl and other LPNs engaged in their work. Barb, a ghost of her former self, barely breathed. If she could have disappeared, she probably would have. “She and I aren’t alone. There are more than enough people around to protect me. I also know how to use the alarm.”

His shoulder mike crackled. Dick spoke into it. “What?”

“Disturbance in the chow hall,” Edward said. He breathed hard as one would when running. “Meet me there.”

Dick muttered an oath. “I’m coming.” He crossed to Barb, crowding and intimidating her. “Do anything you shouldn’t and you’ll spend the next year in confinement.”

He left.

Hallie pulled the curtain around the treatment table to give them privacy. “You okay?” She touched the Barb’s arm.

She flinched.

“It’s okay.” Hallie kept her voice low to keep others from overhearing. “No one’s going to hurt you. I’m here to help.”

A tear ran down Barb’s cheek.

Hallie wanted to hug her but didn’t dare. “Please undress so I can examine you.”

Barb stripped robotically, her spirit gone, hope crushed. Blonde hair hung lankly around her face, the strands greasy. Purple bruises bloomed on her arms, legs, and jaw. Those from the fight had already faded to red. Dick must have given her the newer contusions.

Hallie’s nausea returned. She treated scratch marks on Barb’s back and neck, the skin maroon and swollen. Despite the antiseptic she used, Barb didn’t react to the sting.

After listening to her lungs, which were clear, Hallie removed her stethoscope. “I’m going to admit you into the infirmary. Your breathing doesn’t sound good. Medication will clear up your congestion. Don’t want it turning into pneumonia.” Gently, she squeezed Barb’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. You’ll be safe here.”

Barb looked at her, eyes pleading.

Hallie spoke softly. “Do you want the morning after pill? No need to explain anything to me. Nor do you have to worry that I’ll say anything to anyone. Everything between us is confidential. I’m here for you, no one else. Simply nod if you want it.”

Barb did.

Hallie delivered the pill and water. “I’ll need a urine sample. Nothing to be concerned about. This is routine to check for infection.” She handed over the plastic cup and turned her back so Barb could relieve herself in as much privacy as the prison allowed.

Finished with the exam, Hallie escorted Barb to a bed. “If you need anything, let me know. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Barb rolled to her side and curled into a fetal position.

Sorrow weakened Hallie. Rage gave her the fight she needed.

*****

Alone in the bubble, Chase monitored the chow hall. The “disturbance” proved to be two inmates smiling at each other. That and talking wasn’t allowed during meals. A rule the guards imposed to make imprisonment more miserable than necessary.

At least it kept Edward and Dick out of here. Edward strutted around the dining area like a cock of the walk. Dick had left for parts unknown. Possibly polishing his horns and hooves.

Chase’s cellphone rang. Jacqui. “Yeah?”

“Dick’s in the dormitory, cellblock E.”

At this hour, the area was empty, prisoners at their jobs, in the yard, or eating. Wary of in-house surveillance he might have missed, Chase put on a show for anyone who might be watching or would later review recordings. “Why are you calling?” He transferred the phone from his left ear to his right. “I’m at work. No,
you
hang on while I do my job.” He checked the cameras. Each worked except for the one that monitored E. An educated guess said Edward had cut the feed before calling Dick to the chow hall. Chase spoke to Jacqui. “Why are you bothering me? What’s wrong?”

“I take it you can’t see what Dick is doing, right?”

“You’ll have to tell me what’s going on. I can’t guess.”

Jacqui made an approving sound. “You’re good at this. An Oscar-worthy performance. Dickwad’s in the second row, three beds from the left. According to my chart, the bunk belongs to…” Paper rustled. “Natalie Perkaski.”

Twenty, cute, and scant weeks from release. “Can you tell me more, or do I have to read your damn mind?”

“He’s looking around. Wait. He’s staring at the camera.”

Chase’s gut twisted. If Dick spotted the device….

“He turned away.”

Swallowing came easier. “And?”

“He just lifted Natalie’s mattress. Hold on. He’s slipping something beneath it.”

“What?”

“Can’t tell. That’s why I said something. Pay attention.”

Chase fought a smile. “Well excuse me. My mistake.”

“He’s leaving now. Take care, okay?”

“Yeah, same to you.” He slipped his phone into his back pocket and radioed Dick. “Where the hell are you?”

Dick strode into camera view, away from E, and back toward the chow hall. He spoke into his mike. “Why?”

“I should have taken lunch five minutes ago. How long am I supposed to wait for you or Edward to get here and relieve me?”

“Lock the damn bubble and go. Don’t be such a pussy.” He entered the dining area.

Chase raced to E. Given Gatekeeper’s desire to keep expenses low, no guards were around to see him. Today’s on-duty personnel yakked outside and enjoyed their smokes.

At Natalie’s bunk, Chase pulled out the toothbrush Dick had planted beneath her mattress, its handle whittled to a point for use as a shiv. He slipped it in his pocket, smoothed her bedding, and rushed to his locker. Hiding the homemade weapon in his thermos was his only recourse at this point.

He took a detour to the chow hall. Batons in hand, Edward and Dick talked, laughed, and ignored the quiet prisoners.

Disgusted, Chase trudged to the canteen for a soda.

*****

Getting inmates to open up was easier in theory than practice for Hallie. She spent the day examining women sentenced to confinement and tried to bond with them on any level they’d allow.

Most were stoic but polite and answered her medical questions in monosyllables. They offered no secrets as Chase had said they would and she’d hoped. The beaten-down ones, like Barb, stared into space and let her poke and prod them without complaint.

None had visible trauma. However, their emotional scars ran deep.

She collected urine samples from each for STD and pregnancy testing. No telling how widely Dick had cast his revolting net.

An hour before her shift ended, she called the bubble.

Chase answered. “Everything all right?”

Every time he spoke, her worries melted away. He was better than booze or antidepressants to lift her spirits. “More or less. Are you busy? I need to see Patricia Ullman in the infirmary. Can you escort her?”

“What do you mean more or less?”

“Long day. Do you mind about Patricia?”

“I’ll bring her over.”

Patricia sauntered into the area as a queen would her castle. She and Dick made a good pair. Their bluster, girth, and imperious expressions a perfect match.

With Patricia’s back to him, Chase smiled and winked at Hallie.

She flushed.

Patricia glanced around. “Why am I here?”

Hallie gestured to the plastic cups. “Urine sample. I’m collecting them today.”

“You’re testing me for drugs? I haven’t taken any.”

Chase tapped his baton on Patricia’s shoulder. “Do what Nurse Reyes says. No way you’re getting out of it unless you want confinement. Understand?”

Patricia scowled.

Hallie ushered him out. “When she’s ready to go back, I’ll call you.”

He squeezed her fingers.