CHAPTER FOUR

At Oasis Springs Hospital, Jim was striding down a hallway on his way to speak with the psychiatrist who Nathan Randall was under the care of. The hospital was a brand-new facility and boasted a state-of-the-art security system for those patients who had violent tendencies or the potential for. It was immaculate and had a very sterile and antiseptic appearance while the colors were soothing blue, green or yellow. Nothing bright to startle the senses Jim thought as he stepped into the psychiatrist's waiting room.

"May I help you, sir?" an attractive young woman behind a sliding glass door inquired.

"How ya doin'? I'm Detective Jim Brass from the Las Vegas Police Department. I'm here to speak with Dr. Morris about one of the patients under his care." Jim said as he showed his identification to the receptionist.

"Please take a seat and I will check with Dr. Morris for you," she instructed Jim as she picked up a phone.

"Thanks." Brass responded as he went to sit down.

As he waited, Jim reflected on how his life had been changed in such a radical fashion in less than a year. Here he was married and now in the process of preparing to welcome three new little lives into their home including adding a new room on top of everything else. It was overwhelming even though he and Iris were taking all of this in stride. Could he have found a more giving and loving woman to have as his bride? He shook his head and looked heavenward at that.

"Detective Brass, Dr. Morris will see you now." The receptionist had opened a door and motioned for him to follow her.

Jim was lead into Dr. Morris's private office. A taller man with salt-and-pepper hair stood to come and shake his hand. "Detective Brass, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Dr. Bert Morris. This is about one of my patients?" His manner was accommodating and gracious thus far.

"Yes, Nathan Randall to be specific and I'd like an update if possible as to his treatment status. I recognize you can't fully disclose details in compliance with HIPPA regulations but if you could generalize I'd certainly appreciate it." Brass requested.

"Detective Brass, you and your wife were involved in the charging of my patient and he subsequently assaulted your wife as well at his competency hearing?" Dr. Morris asked with a knit brow.

"That's correct. Look the reason for my visit, Doctor, is simply to ensure that your patient remains an in-patient here indefinitely. You see my wife's pregnant." Jim replied as he rubbed at the back of his head which he did when something bothered him.

Dr. Morris nodded his head with a thoughtful expression. "You're correct that I am limited in what I can share regarding Mr. Randall's care. I can say his stay here will be long-term even with my current treatment plan of therapy and medication. While I'm hopeful of his eventual recovery, I know the moment he is judged competent he will face trial for the death of that poor little girl. His alleged sexual abuse of her alone is enough to place him in prison and I know he would not survive long in the general prison population. I'm afraid that's about all the useful information I am free to share with you…doctor-patient privilege and all. His mother visits nearly daily and his attorney, Scott Branch, is also a frequent visitor. Besides that, he seems to be alone in this world."

Jim grimaced slightly at the mention of Scott Branch's name. "Thanks, Dr. Morris. You've been more than cooperative and I do appreciate that."

Dr. Morris noted Jim's reaction to the attorney's name. "Mr. Branch can be a force to be reckoned with when he wants to be. He and Nathan do have extended visits but what is discussed I am not clued in to. Nathan refuses to say."

With a curt nod, Brass left the office and headed out to his car. His heart was not reassured and he couldn't place a finger on why. He got out his cell phone to touch base with work before he called Iris just to see how her day was going.

"Yo, babe," Iris said as she recognized Jim's number on her cell phone. Lady Heather gave her an amused look as Iris took a quick break from her lesson. "No, I'm in the middle of an errand right now but will be home in plenty of time. Chef's choice for dinner, eh? Okay, you've got it, boss. Bye then. Nope, love you more times infinity."

"Sounds as if you have the good captain quite domesticated. You learn quickly and your use of the whip is as if it's second nature to you. Are you sure you wouldn't be interested in moonlighting as a dominatrix?" Lady Heather remarked with a hint of laughter.

"Thanks, milady Heather, but you might ask Catherine Willows. She told me once you thought her a prime candidate and by the way she sends her regards." Iris answered with a grin as she coiled up the bull whip she had been working with. "I'll return this as soon as my little floor show is concluded."

Lady Heather looked down at Iris speculatively. "More's the pity as you show the potential to be an intriguing switch at that."

"Very kind of you to say so and I can't thank you enough for your willingness to be my instructor these last few hours. This isn't my usual cup of tea though." Iris indicated as she and Lady Heather walked to the doorway before she departed.

"Keep the bull whip as a souvenir, my dear. I find myself getting a striking visual image of what you have in store for dear Detective Brass. This would be one of those rare instances where I would like to be a fly on the wall to watch the proceedings." Lady Heather observed with an enigmatic smile.

"I promise to update you and again my thanks for your assistance," Iris said in parting.

At Catherine's home later that afternoon, Iris and Catherine were going over a routine of moves that would incorporate perfectly with Iris's planned rendezvous with Jim. Catherine nodded approvingly as Iris went through the choreographed actions flawlessly and finished to applauding. "If I had a five-dollar bill, no make that a fifty-dollar bill, that tip would be all yours," Cat laughed as she tossed Iris a towel. "Your song choice is perfect too, by the way." Iris's forehead glistened from the perspiration she had worked up during her exertion as she managed a slight smirk in return.

"But to be safe I'm keeping my day job. I've got to get going so I'll keep you posted," Iris couldn't help but join in with Catherine's continued laughter.