H&M ch 3 Manipulation

An hour later, McCormick walked quickly into the busy emergency room, and up to the admissions desk. When he mentioned the judge's name, he was sent to a corner area where several people stood quietly. He noticed Sandy and Detective Bill Jenkins standing with a doctor.

"How is he?" Mark asked quickly as he approached the group.

"I'm sorry," the doctor began, "what relation are you to Judge Hardcastle?"

"A friend," Mark said without thinking.

"Huh," Sandy grunted, rolling his eyes. "He's an ex con, Milt's latest project, that's all."

"I'm a friend," Mark repeated seriously.

"Well, he's asking to see someone called," he paused and glanced at his notes, "McCormick?" the doctor said and looked expectantly at the group.

"That's me," Mark said immediately.

"He's a felon, Milt's confused," Sandy explained. "Let me talk to him, I'm sure I can straighten it out."

The doctor glanced at Jenkins, who shrugged, then ushered Sandy to the back area of the ER.

Mark stood still and watched him go, then turned to the detective, "what did he say? How is he?" he asked worriedly.

Jenkins looked at the ex con, in surprise, but then he answered the question. "About the same as he was at the scene I think." Jenkins stared at McCormick, trying to come to grips with the concern he saw in Mark's eyes, and remembering what he'd seen at the scene. Finally, taking Mark's arm, he led him over to a chair by the wall. "Milt was more concerned for your safety than his own." he said quietly. "He'll be okay," he said comfortingly, then after another pause he continued, "I didn't know Sandy disliked you so much?"

"Yeah," Mark sighed, "we only met last week, we just about tolerated each other… Hardcastle wants us to be… friends I guess, but it's not gonna happen."

Bill sighed and leaned back in the chair as they waited together.

"He asked to see me," Mark whispered a moment later, "what right did Sandy have to prevent that? Why didn't you stop him?"

"I'm just a friend Mark, I can't say what should happen here."

"Well, Sandy sure shouldn't get to say!"

"I guess he thinks of Milt as family, and wants to protect him, and you know, he's probably a little jealous of you."

"Jealous? that's crazy."

"Well, you two have been making news in the department, what with all the criminals you've brought in in the past 3 months."

McCormick shook his head. "This isn't 7th grade, how could he keep me away from him now? He made me stay at the scene to give my statement too."

"How'd he do that?"

"He convinced the officer in charge that I needed to give it at the scene, and, well, I know the judge wouldn't've wanted me to leave after he told me to stay."

Jenkins smiled to himself, apparently the stories he'd heard were true. Mark McCormick had come a very long way in a very short time. He had heard of many in the department who had tried to convince Milt not to take in the ex con, that included himself, especially after J.J. Beale was such a failure. But that had been 11 weeks ago, and apparently, a lot could happen in 11 weeks. The arrangement not only seemed good for Mark, but also for the judge. Bill had to admit that he'd never seen Hardcastle more full of life and, well, happier, since Mark had come to live at the estate.

"Who was the officer?"

"Terry Bradshaw."

"Ah, that explains it."

"What?"

"He was just promoted, this is his first crime scene investigation as officer in charge."

"And Sandy knew that, huh?"