Chapter 11
Note: Sorry, sorry, sorry for the long gap… And million thanks to all reviewers. You keep the stories alive.
Fall from the grace - Part V
Forty minutes seemed like eternity as Cal waited outside the operation block. It was becoming too much of a routine, one that he most definitely could live without.
Not a full hour ago, back in the hospital room there was a moment when he had her back, his Gillian, the woman he knew, the woman he loved. She was still there, under the cold facade put on for the world.
Whatever happened over last four years had changed her more than Cal dared to admit. For a split second he had managed to get under her skin. If only it all wouldn't have burned down in red flames by the long paw of the 'justice'. Cal was more than sure he would have managed to get to the truth.
Grey walls of the waiting room were only worsening man's already grim mood. Events of the morning kept playing endless loop in his mind.
Try as he might Cal couldn't absorb the idea that Gill had really pulled a gun at him. Soft and gentle woman refused to watch movies entitling fight scenes or killings, and the one time he tricked her to watch Die Hard she cringed at each scene with bloodshed. Now his partner was somehow tangled with murders, shot, barely out of the woods overpowered an armed cop. It all seemed rather some sort of sick joke than reality. Any moment the curtains would fall and reveal a masterfully played cruel prank.
Unfortunately cold hard reality was far from wishful thinking. The woman whom he trusted more than he trusted himself had lied right to his face. The thought that he hadn't seen it coming drove Cal crazy. She had always been his blind spot, but never to such an extent. Usually he saw all the emotions playing on her face. It was just the interpretation he sucked at. Although Gillian was open and warm person, she rarely if ever spoke about herself. Times when he had caught her crying were practically the only ones she had at least partially let him in. Despite their friendship, he didn't know the secrets of her heart. For the love of God, Cal didn't even know the reasons behind her divorce.
Despite how silly it might seem considering the circumstances, the feeling of being betrayed didn't leave the man. Maybe she had her reasons to conceal the truth, but it hurt nevertheless. Like a quote from a proverb, Murdock's words entered mind: "People change. The catalysts are different, but the mere fact stays the same – if pushed hard enough everyone can become complete opposite of his self."
The look in Gill's eyes when she held the gun made Murdock's words scarily real.
The doors to the OR opened and a gurney was wheeled out. Cal's heart skipped a beat and bile rose up his throat. Gill looked even paler than before and circles that underlined closed eyes had turned from grey to almost black.
A quick reading of doctor's face was confirmed by man's next words, "The patient will be fine. The stitches from the first operation were roughly torn open and she was bleeding internally, but luckily we intervened before permanent damage was done."
Lucky does not even begin to cover it, Cal thought. In the meanwhile the doctor continued, "Although she was not in the best condition when admitted, we didn't face any major complications during the operation. For next several days she will be extremely sore, especially the abdomen area. Moving should be minimized."
The adrenalin caused by fear started to wash away, leaving Cal completely drained.
Gill will be alright! was the only solid thought left.
There was uncertainty on doctor's face that made Cal cautious. It seemed that the man wanted to say something, but couldn't decide whether he should.
"What, what is it?" Cal's tone was harsher than he intended.
"I was informed that she got injured while in hospital. What happened?"
Although there had been no accusation on the other man's face, just curiosity, Cal's defense mechanism kicked in full measure.
"Ask the police, I believe they have report on the subject," Cal snapped and turned to follow the gurney that by the time had reached the other end of the hallway. As he walked, Cal brushed his face with the palms and sighed. The cut off snide remark to the doctor was completely uncalled for. Especially considering that the other man had just saved Gill's life. Still, Cal couldn't overcome that protective streak of his personality.
He should apologize to the man, but it could wait till he knew that Gillian really was fine.
At least this time she was not hooked up to the breathing machine and that alone was a good sign.
###
Since Gill was wheeled back from the OR, Cal never left her side.
At one point the inevitable force of nature going under name of agent Murdock showed up. Cal had uttermost desire to throw the man out before he took a step inside the room, but knew better.
They sat side by side for a long time, each lost in his own thoughts. It was Murdock who finally broke the silence.
"Maybe the guys did overreact, but Bonnie wasn't an innocent bystander either."
Cal knew that it was the closest thing to an apology he would get.
"She didn't harm anybody!"
"That is not entirely true, is it?" something in Murdock's voice made Cal cautious. It was more than just a hunch, more than testimony of the policeman whom Gill knocked unconscious. Putting two and two together he realized the ugly truth.
"Son of the bitch, you bugged the room!" accusation in the tone was unmistakable.
"Off course we bugged the room. What did you expect? That we would leave our main suspect and potential witness without 24/7 supervision and solely rely on your cooperation? Hollywood has really undermined the perception of the law enforcement."
"Armed cop overpowered by an injured woman who, by the way, is cuffed to a bed. A Houdini worth trick. The Hollywood is not as far from the truth as you would like to believe," Cal bite.
"Touché!" Murdock smirked, "Although that is not the point!"
"What is the point then?"
"As soon as Bonnie is well enough for transportation she will be transferred to the prison hospital. It seems that your friend can't be left without a proper supervision."
"Is it really necessary?" Cal's heart sank. Gillian was too delicate and sweet to survive in that environment. His own experience during Jenkins case was more than just disturbing. Besides Gill wouldn't have the leverage he did - the knowledge that if things went south, he would be pulled out immediately.
"We have to act by books. The risk of another attempt to flee is too high and even you are not able to prevent it, at least not entirely," Murdock was referring to Gill's slip mentioning Emily, "We have tried everything. She won't break."
"What did you expect? Gillian is resourceful and smart. I bet she knew about the bugs."
"Maybe she did, but that does not change anything. Either she cooperates or rots in prison, those are the options available," with that Murdock stood and left.
Dark clouds gathered above Cal's head as he looked at sleeping woman. There was no way in hell he would idly stand by and let them destroy her.
The only question was - what could he do?
###
Five days had passed since the accident. Gill had woken at the evening of the first day and ever since was on the road to recovery. Although her physical injuries were slowly healing, the same could not be said about the emotional trauma.
Despite all Cal's efforts, Gillian just lay there in catatonic like state, not a single sound had escaped her lips. Even Murdock's un-ceremonial pushing didn't work. No matter how hard they tried to break her, no matter what they threw at her, Gillian remained silent.
From the start Cal suspected that it was a deliberate act, last line of defense. Gill knew that her lies were uncovered. Silence was only armor left at her disposal and she used it. Even threats of imprisonment didn't lessen her resolve.
###
Gill lied in the hospital bed, eyes closed. Pain killers had worn off hours ago, the pain bordered to unbearable, but hell would freeze over before she would ask for a help. Desperate need to figure a way out of the mess was overwhelming. Too much depended on her ability to elude the righteous hand of Temide.
Only scenario her tired brain offered involved Cal's help, but that was not even an option. He was too involved as it was. She would never deliberately put him in harm's way.
If only it wasn't for her stupid mistake, it would have been a clean getaway.
Now it was too late. The security at her doors had doubled, not to mention that the cuffs were really tight. Not even dislocated thumb would do the trick. Besides, hidden camera documented all her moves.
Despite all odds she had to figure a way, had to break free.
All that mattered was survival.
She had to survive.
tbc
