Before she went to bed, Joanne and Danielle went for a little walk in the streets surrounding the DASC. Danielle hated herself for admitting it, but there was a small part of her which was thrilled to have Joanne with her exclusively. Was that selfish? After a short hesitation, she asked her guard that very question."
"No Danielle," Joanne said, squeezing her arm. "You've always had me exclusively since you first walked through Smith's Grove's doors. I was assigned to you from the word go. I knew this before you even arrived."
"How did you feel?" Danielle asked. "I mean, knowing you had a blind patient to guard? Please be honest?"
Joanne hesitated. She'd known one day Danielle would probably ask her this very question, but should she tell the truth?
"Come on," Danielle said quietly, squeezing Joanne's arm this time. "I'm not the Danielle Hayward you met that first day, I won't be offended, and I love you after all. Please?"
"Not the Danielle I met that first day? Don't I know it?" Joanne chuckled. "Only too well. Ok. I was… apprehensive at first, I won't lie to you. I'd never met anyone blind before you and it was a big responsibility I wasn't sure I could handle."
Danielle smiled sadly. "Yeah, a lot of people think that. Don't apologise, but lots of people are scared when they first meet a blind person. They don't want to offend us, say the wrong thing, know how to treat us, the stereo type is to treat us like we're stupid. When I said "you mean carer?" to you on that first day," she winced. "That was me trying to insult you. I'd heard the word "carer" so often in my life and I hated it. I thought you were going to treat me like a child, speak for me, and do everything for me. I have never been more wrong. You treated me no differently to anyone else. So…" Now Danielle stopped and hugged Joanne tightly. "You had nothing to worry about Joanne. Don't know why you were even worried. The fact I was blind never even seemed to make a difference to you, at least not around me. I never saw it, pun intended. You always treated me with the utmost kindness and respect. All you had to do was guide me, which you're doing right now. So honestly? I don't know what you were afraid of."
"Oh Danielle," Joanne hugged her back. "You're such a sweetheart."
"I could've told you that," said Nigel's voice from behind them. He stepped forward and took Danielle's other arm. "Hope you don't mind me joining you ladies, Dr Stark is talking to Dr Clarkson, so thought I'd see if I could find you."
"I'll never mind seeing you Nige," Danielle squeezed the older man's hand. "I can't thank you enough for what you did that day. Without you, I might very well be dead now."
Joanne saw Nigel glaring in to the distance. "I always suspected," he said quietly. "That Adam Dawson was abusing you, and there was that day you finally told me the truth."
"I was so sorry when you lost Sophie," Danielle said as they walked on. "That must've really hurt."
Nigel smiled sadly. "It did. Married for fifty years and losing her to cancer is not an easy thing to deal with."
"I'm so sorry," Joanne said quietly.
"Thank you my dear," Nigel smiled more genuinely at her now. "But when you moved in Danielle, you filled my heart with joy I thought I'd never feel again. I was determined to help you out of that shit Adam had put you through. You didn't deserve any of it."
This time when Danielle stopped, she hugged them both at once. "I love you," she whispered. Tears of affection now sliding down her face. "I love you both so much."
…
Rick put his hand on Michael's arm to try and pull the killer back, but it was like trying to move a slab of stone. Andrews was quite possibly breathing his last breaths. Jack tried to help his colleague.
"Michael," he murmured. "Please man, don't kill him. Let him go to prison like he deserves. Dr Loomis is going to call the police when we get back, the footage is already in his inbox. Please, he deserves to suffer for what he's done."
Rick looked desperately to Dr Loomis, and finally reached for his gun. He had to do his job, whatever had happened before. He had to stop Michael committing this kill. He loaded his gun with a rubber bullet and aimed at Michael. It was ironic that the very bullets Andrews had such distain for were hopefully about to save his life.
"MICHAEL!" Rick shouted. "THIS IS YOUR ONE AND ONLY WARNING! RELEASE HIM, OR I SHOOT!"
Jack felt sick. Rick had told him once of how Michael had helped him on to his bed, given him a glass of water, and even carried him out to the ambulance after Derek Chancer had almost killed him. But there was no sign of that respect now. Michael's eyes were fixed on Rick, cold, blank, emotionless. A challenge?
"MICHAEL!" It was Dr Loomis's turn to shout. "Please. You've come so far, don't undo it all now by killing someone. You've come all the way from Haddonfield back here and haven't touched anyone. That shows huge progress. Please, work with me here Michael, let him go. Yes he insulted Danielle very cruelly and I am very sorry for this and totally understand your anger, I'm angry too. But if you kill him you'll be going back to square one again." Dr Loomis stepped forward and actually put a hand on the killer's tense arm around Andrews's neck. "Come on now Michael," he murmured. "Danielle needs you. She'll probably want to speak to you very soon and if you do this she won't be able to. How do you think she'll feel if we have to tell her you've killed someone tonight?"
Jack noticed now that Rick's hand holding the gun was shaking slightly. He no more wanted to do this than Dr Loomis did. Rick looked Michael straight in the eye and his voice cracked a little. Jack understood why. Michael could break and snap Andrews's, or even Rick's neck as easily as one might twist the lid off a coffee jar.
"Michael, please. I remember so well how you protected and looked out for me after Derek Chancer almost killed me. How you gave me a glass of water, gave me your bed and even carried me out to the ambulance! Listen mate, I really, really don't want to do this. But it's my job. Please, please don't make me? I'll forever be thankful to you for what you've done and I really don't want to have to use force against you."
Jack and Dr Loomis saw Michael's and Rick's eyes meet now. Very, very slowly, Michael released Andrews. The CEO gasped for breath as Jack quickly grabbed his arms to escort him off the aircraft. But even then, even given he'd nearly died, Andrews couldn't resist a parting shot. "At least she knew who was in charge, calling me Sir!"
"SHUT UP!" Rick, Jack and Dr Loomis shouted in unison. Rick took Michael's arm.
"Come on," he murmured, leading him from the aircraft after Jack and Dr Loomis.
As soon as they were off the aircraft, Michael shrugged Rick's hand from his arm. Not aggressively, but Rick got the point. Don't touch me. "Ok," he said softly, walking beside the killer as they headed for the waiting car back to the hospital. Rick was filled with contempt all over again when he heard Andrews still complaining, all be it his voice was hoarse and his windpipe would bruise in the morning. If Rick was honest with himself, that was just fine with him.
"I don't know why that stupid bitch Joanne felt it was safe to remove Michael's handcuffs. If she hadn't, this wouldn't have happened. You should've put them back on. Why didn't you? You know how dangerous Michael Myers is and he nearly killed me today. Twice!"
"Couldn't happen to a nicer man," Rick muttered and heard Jack's snort of laughter beside him.
As they reached the car the 2 guards glanced at Dr Loomis, asking if they should re-cuff Michael. But the doctor shook his head and the guards simply took their places either side of Michael in the back of the vehicle, as they headed back to Smith's Grove.
…
Adam sat in his living room, his mind racing. The fact Charlotte was still alive angered him beyond anything else. These were supposed to be high ranking criminals he was paying and yet they couldn't even kill Charlotte correctly. What kind of shit organisation was this? Ok she was in hospital, ok she was fighting for her life, but that wasn't enough for Adam. He wanted to see the bitch dead and in her coffin where she belonged. Right now, Adam wasn't even in the mood to torment let alone fuck Claire, currently upstairs in the bedroom. He was still playing the I'm Mr. nice guy card with her at the moment and that too was pissing him off. But Charlotte. Charlotte, and Danielle. The 2 women he was determined to show who was boss, even given everything that'd happened. In fact if anything Charlotte's failed murder made him even more resolved to do so. But how? Dislike it as he might, he couldn't do it on his own. He had the beginnings of a plan, but it would require help. He cursed. He knew Chris Leach was getting tired of him, his demands, requests, call them what he liked. But Adam also knew Leach was a dangerous man, not one you wanted as an enemy. If Adam pushed him too far, Leach might very well kill him never mind Myers. Scowling, Adam picked up his phone.
"You've got to be fucking joking!" Ashley said without preamble when Adam told him what he was thinking, showing Danielle who was boss. "The girl's as guarded as Fort fucking Knox Adam! Are you out of your fucking mind? Anyway, Mr. Leach said no! Danielle's too hot! You can pursue her on your own, remember? We're not going anywhere near her!"
"All because you're worried Michael Myers will escape? How likely is that after last time?"
"JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!" Ashley bellowed in Adam's ear. "DAWSON, YOU'RE MY FUCKING AGE! YOU REMEMBER 1978 AS WELL AS I DO! HE KILLED TEENAGERS AND ADULTS ALIKE IN COLD, FUCKING, BLOOD! I MEAN, HOW MUCH OF AN IDIOT ARE YOU?"
Adam was furious the guy dared talk to him like that. But before he could say so, Ashley continued, thankfully not shouting now.
"Michael Myers has some kind of supernatural abilities, I'm sure of this. Dr Loomis is sure of it for fuck's sake and he's the man's God Damn quack! If you honestly don't believe Myers will escape, then fine! Target Danielle. Show her whose boss! Adam, I'm the head of a misogynist gang! I fucking hate women! I'm all for showing them whose boss when it's safe to do so! But the woman you're trying to target now is not safe to do so! Mr. Leach will go nuts if we even consider trying to help you! Forget it man! If you keep pushing this, Mr. Leach might very well kill you before Myers gets the chance!"
There was a long silence before Adam spoke again. "I did consider that," his voice was quieter too now. "But damn it Ashely! I want Danielle dead! Charlotte wasn't even killed properly! This time I want to do it, get something done right around here! Yes she's in a coma according to the news, yes she's fighting for her life, but damn it that's not enough for me! I want her finished! Her and Danielle fucking Hayward!"
Ashley sighed. "Then do it! What are you telling me for? I am having nothing to do with it Adam. None of us are. It's too dangerous."
"I'm telling you," Adam tried to keep the anger out of his voice. Getting angry with Ashley would only make things worse and would hardly lead to the other man even listening to what he had to say, never mind helping him. "Because I need a little bit of help. Not practical help," he added quickly before Ashley could speak. "Just… things. I can't do it without them and I need them delivered to me with no purchase trail."
"You don't give up do you?" Ashley said and Adam couldn't tell if that was respect or exasperation in his tone. "I'll talk to Mr. Leach. You're probably better meeting with him face to face to discuss this given the… state of your contract regarding Hayward."
Adam felt a jolt of dread. He knew the crime Lord was getting close to the edge with him and would this meeting push him over it? But he also knew Ashley was right. Chris Leach was the boss and whether Adam liked it or not would have to be the one to give permission before anything was done, due to Adam's terminated contract. Shit. Adam just hoped he could persuade the crime Lord his plan would work and get him on side. Because if he couldn't, he truly would be on his own.
"Fine," he said to Ashely. "Ask him if he'll meet with me as soon as possible please."
"Done," the misogynist leader said and was gone. But as Adam finally climbed the stairs to bed, sex for once not even on his mind, he wondered. Was he making a huge and possibly fatal mistake? If Leach decided enough was enough, Adam could be playing this game with his life. Well so be it, he thought as he got in to bed beside Claire, who stirred and gave him a sleepy smile which Adam did not return. So be it. He had to at least try. He just hoped that, as Leach himself had once said, this wouldn't get him killed. "If you continue down this path, it could very well be your funeral."
…
Oliver Cutter sat across the desk from Dr Loomis, looking at the CCTV and listening to the doctor's report of what'd happened that day. Rick and Jack had also provided separate witness statements. Cutter ran his hands through his spikey hair and suddenly looked years older.
"Shit," he said quietly after a while. "I'm sorry, Dr Loomis. Andrews was always…" he hesitated, searching for the right words. "Playing by his own rules."
"That's one expression for it," Dr Loomis said. "He had this coming for a long time it seems Sir."
"Please, call me Oliver?" The previous deputy and now top CEO said.
"Ok, Oliver. Thanks. Call me Sam?"
"Done, Sam. But shit. What a fucking mess. Michael Myers nearly killed Andrews tonight. But by the sounds of things he was asking for it."
"Just a little," Dr Loomis nodded. "He had never even met Danielle Hayward before and he immediately demanded she was chained. Dr Stark declined this for a very good reason and he just wouldn't have it, hating not knowing why. Which is when he pulled the gun out on us."
Oliver sighed. "I've always disliked him," he said. "But I didn't have any say in his appointment at the top. The previous board members seemed to think he was the man for the job."
"Now?" Dr Loomis asked. Oliver smiled a little. "Well considering he's now under arrest, I'd say not. I've told the board what happened and they've all agreed I'm in charge, at least on a temporary basis."
"Good," Dr Loomis said. "You really care about the patients Oliver, unlike your former colleague. This hospital needs someone like you at the top, who's not concerned primarily with rules, money and the rest."
"Speaking of which, I would like to see Mr. Myers if that's ok? I wish to speak with him."
"Tonight?" Dr Loomis asked, genuinely surprised. His beliefs that Oliver cutter genuinely cared about the patients had just been proved.
"If possible, yes," the CEO said. "Use whatever security you think is necessary, glass, and chains, whatever. But I would really like to do this tonight."
Dr Loomis considered. While he was reluctant to deny the new CEO's request, he also had to see how Michael was before allowing this. When he spoke, it was carefully. "Ok, but I need to check if Michael is… ok before I agree to this. He nearly killed someone tonight and I think it was only out of respect for my guards and I that he didn't. If everything seems ok, I'll let you know. Can you give me thirty minutes?"
Cutter nodded. "Of course. I totally understand. You're very good at your job, Dr Loomis. You and Dr Stark both. I won't go against your decision."
"Thanks," Dr Loomis managed a small smile. "You've been in charge 5 minutes and you've already been nicer to me than Andrews ever was."
Cutter smiled a little sadly and left the room. Dr Loomis followed him as they headed in different directions. Cutter to his office and Dr Loomis to Michael's cell.