8 hours earlier.
"Mr. Myers? Michael?"
Oliver Cutter had known this would be different to anything he'd experienced before. This was Michael Myers after all, the cold-blooded, silent masked killer who'd killed his sister at the age of 6 before committing another merciless massacre at 21, in 78. But even he wasn't prepared for how almost unnerved he felt. Michael may respect Dr Loomis, Rick and Jack, judging by what'd happened today, but he didn't know him from Adam. The killer approached the bars of his cell and looked out at Cutter; his gaze steady, cold, emotionless. Oliver took an uncertain step forward.
"Hi Mr. Myers. My name is Oliver Cutter, I'm the new CEO of Smith's Grove, following Mr. Andrews's… mistake today. He's now under arrest as you may know. I, unlike him, care about the patients in this hospital, and as such wanted to check you are ok. Today must've been hard on you as well as the guards and of course, Danielle."
Silence. Oliver gave the killer a nervous smile. "I might be the CEO, but money and rules are not top of my list as they were with Mr. Andrews, yours and the rest of the patients welfare is. I told Andrews several times that we're running a hospital, not a business. He never seemed to be able to tell the difference between the 2. But anyway, I simply wanted to introduce myself and apologise most sincerely for today's events."
Michael simply looked back at him, unmoving, unspeaking. Oliver didn't know if Michael was listening to him or planning the best way to kill him. He felt his blood run cold. He would certainly not want to be this man's enemy and from everything he'd read, a certain man named Adam Dawson had thoroughly achieved that status. Oliver was very glad his name wasn't Adam Dawson just then.
"Can I do anything for you Michael?" He asked eventually. "Is…" he knew this question was stupid, but had to ask it. "Is there anything you want to ask me?"
Of course, silence, but the killer didn't look away from Oliver's face either. After a moment, the CEO spoke again, his voice very low this time.
"I think you did us all a favour by what you almost did to Andrews. The arrogant guy's had a reality check, knows he's only mortal like the rest of us and not invincible like he always thought. I hope he remembers that whilst he's in prison. I'm glad you didn't kill him, because it means he'll suffer for what he's done. He's in a police cell tonight. He'll probably do anything and everything in his power to make sure you 2 don't meet again."
Myers just continued to look at him. Oliver gave the killer a small smile. "Dr Loomis is a good man," he said after a moment's pause. "He really cares about you Mr. Myers, that's obvious. I've seen it and I've only been in this job 10 minutes. You made huge progress by not killing Andrews tonight, not to mention coming back from Haddonfield to Smith's Grove. That hasn't gone unnoticed by Dr Loomis, or myself. Well done, Michael."
Still, silence. Oliver turned and made as if to walk away from the bars. "Good night," he said softly over his shoulder. "If I can do anything for you Mr. Myers, just let me know, ok?" He walked away.
…
Adam fought down the panic as he looked in to Leach's furious face. He had no doubt what so ever the crime Lord would be true to his word, carry out his threat and kill him if he didn't start speaking and fast. He just hoped his plan would be good enough to appease the crime boss if only temporarily. He took a breath and began talking trying not to let the panic be heard in his voice, though this was difficult.
"I want to get in to the hospital when Danielle is there, posing as a doctor. Get Danielle to go to the bathroom or something without her guards and then grab her. All I'm asking from you Mr. Leach Sir, is the equipment and disguise a fake doctor needs. ID badge, white coat and so on. But I need them without a purchase trail leading to me. The pigs are already watching me like hawks and I don't want to give them anymore proof against me, or I'll be behind bars before I can blink. I know I can make this work; I just need the kit. I'm not asking for any help, any resources, just the items I'll need."
"What makes you think we'll do it, when you still haven't paid us for Charlotte's accident?" Leach snarled. "I don't trust you Adam Dawson, not as far as I could throw you. So why the fucking hell should I even consider this? Everything you've tried before has failed. Your inside man was caught and is now on death-Row, and the dwarf is dead. Granted that was our decision, but what choice did we have? You put us in that position Dawson with your careless planning and lack of forethought!"
"What do you mean?" Adam asked, the panic in his voice coming out in a squeak. Shit. Leach had doubtlessly heard it just as he had. Sure enough…
"I always suspected you were a fucking cry baby," Leach said in utter disgust. "Listen to you now, squeaking like a fucking mouse! What I mean, twat, is that your little plan for our man to check the iPod was working was ultimately what led to your man being caught! The quacks were already suspicious and you knew that! But you just went ahead anyway, consequences be damned! You're not careful enough, Dawson. You're careless, which in turn leads to mistakes! I don't do mistakes, nor do I work with idiots like you who consistently make them!"
Adam was speechless. Anger, and the knowledge the crime Lord was once again right were doing war inside him. How dare he speak to him like that, but then again this was Chris Leach, not someone Adam would dare to challenge and of course the son of a bitch knew that. He also got things done, for a price of course and Adam knew that if he spoke out against him now there would be absolutely no way Leach would do what he needed this time.
"I swear to you Mr. Leach Sir," Adam said, after taking a few seconds to gather his thoughts. "I'm not asking for any practical help this time. No people, equipment or resources. I'm literally just asking if you can get hold of a doctor's disguise and I'll pay you whatever you ask for it. The only reason I haven't paid you yet for Charlotte's accident is because the pigs were all over me. I told Ashley that yesterday. Did he not tell you?"
Leach glared at him. "He did, but I won't wait long, Adam. Give me that money or…"
"I will, Sir," Adam said quickly before Leach could finish. He knew what the other man had been about to say. Or you die with Charlotte. "I can give it to you tonight."
"Then get it," Leach snapped. "There's a cash point just across the road. I'll wait here. You've got 5 minutes or I'm coming after your fucking blood. Get moving."
Adam didn't dare argue, he knew the threat was literal. He did as he was told and returned with the cash Leach had asked for. He just thanked God (whether he existed or not) that his bank allowed him to take out however much he needed. He handed over the fifty thousand dollars in bundles of one hundred dollar notes.
"Fine," Leach said when Adam was at last done. Adam was relieved the crime Lord didn't hold him to the wall upon his return. "Now sit the fuck down Dawson, we need to discuss this stupid fucking idea of yours."
Adam felt his heart lift a little. Did that mean the crime Lord was indeed considering helping him after all? He sank in to one of the café's tattered chairs, Leach sitting opposite him.
"Let's just say we get you this doctor's outfit," Leach began. "How the holy fuck do you intend to get her in to a bathroom away from her guards? She's totally blind for fuck's sake! She's hardly going to walk alone is she? Never mind somewhere she doesn't know? Duh!"
Adam had his answer ready for this question. "I was going to ask a nurse for help."
Leach began to applaud sarcastically, once again mocking him Adam realised. "Oh brilliant! Fucking bravo! So you're just going to walk in there, find a pretty nurse and say "excuse me darling, but I need to grab my ex-girlfriend because I'm a misogynist son of a bitch and want to kidnap her to show her who's boss. But I need to get her guard and doctor out of the way first. Please could you help me babe? By the way, what's your number, are you free for a drink and a fuck tonight?" Fucking brilliant plan, Adam. I can really see that working. She won't call the police at all will she?"
Adam flushed. Again, Leach was right. All be it in a cruel, sarcastic way. "Didn't think of that tiny little flaw did you?" Chris Leach was openly sneering at him now. "Slight little snag there Adam. What's your master plan B? Oh let me guess! You're going to ask to borrow one of the misogynist gang's women aren't you? Knowing they'll be too scared to refuse, as their man, boss, whatever, will threaten them with a beating or something if they don't do exactly what you say. Am I correct?"
"I…" Adam felt very small all of a sudden. How the fuck did Chris Leach do this to him so easily? "Well yes, I was considering that."
"So all that stuff you said about not needing resources or people," Leach said. His voice was calm, but Adam felt dread rising again. "Was a load of total and complete bullshit? See this is another reason why I don't trust you Adam. You lie to me. Ok so in yours and the gang's view, women are disposable property, nothing more than objects to be used. Fine! But they're still people you'd need. So you don't pay them and pay their man instead, you are still taking a risk with one of our pieces of property, as you put it! What if she then runs to the police? Listen to me Dawson. I'm no fucking misogynist and I privately hate the way you bastards treat women. Yes they're great for sex if they're good looking, but otherwise I leave well alone. You on the other hand take it to a whole new level and I fucking hate it! It's disgusting. But what the fuck ever, it's your lives and it makes me money. So," he shrugged. "So, what? You're planning to kill this woman too when she's done what you want? So she doesn't run to the cops?"
"I don't know," Adam admitted. "I hadn't thought that far ahead yet."
"THAT'S YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM!" Leach shouted, slamming his fist against the table, making Adam cringe with dread. Shit! "YOU DON'T THINK FAR ENOUGH AHEAD! JESUS YOU DON'T THINK AT ALL! THIS IS WHY YOU'VE MADE SO MANY MISTAKES! I BET IF YOU'D TRIED TO KILL CHARLOTTE YOU'D HAVE FUCKED IT UP! YOU TOLD ASHLEY WE "CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT!" I THINK THAT'S YOUR POSITION, ADAM. YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT AND YOU ACT ON PURE IMPULSE, NOT THOUGHT!" When he spoke again, Leach's voice was deadly soft. "Something, in essence, which could and will very probably if you carry on like this, get you killed. Consider this your last warning. You, Adam Dawson, are skating on very thin ice indeed."
…
"Good evening Danielle my name's Susy, I'm another of the engineers here. Only if you feel up to it, are you ready to install the DASC safety app on your phone? We've done work with it and changed it so it's accessible with Voiceover. We had a blind person test it for us who isn't a victim, so she was able to test it freely."
Danielle considered for a moment. She felt so tired and drained following another visit with Charlotte and still no change in her condition, but she knew her friend would have some serious words to say to her if she didn't work with the DASC. "Sure," she replied. "How long will it take?"
"Hopefully not too long," Susy said. "We'll get it installed on your phone and show you how it works. If you'd like to follow me, we'll go in to one of the suites."
"Joanne, Dr Stark," Danielle began. "Would you…"
"Now what are you asking for?" Dr Stark interrupted. "We're right beside you."
They followed Susy in to one of the engineering suites, similar to the one Danielle had set up her ID in when she'd first arrived.
"Ok," Susy began. "So you have an iPhone… 5 I believe? Dr Stark told me, "She added, in response to Danielle's puzzled, "How do you know that?"
"Yep," Danielle confirmed, pulling it out of her pocket.
"Ok so I need you to open the app store and type in DASC, please?"
Danielle did as Susy asked and immediately found the app. She downloaded and installed it.
"Ok perfect," Susy smiled. "Ok so this login screen I need you to type in DASC in the username box and Shelter 2175 as the password."
Danielle did so and was logged in. "What if I forget it?" She asked. "Or the phone loses the data?"
"Won't happen, because as soon as your phone is on, the app will check you're logged in and if you're not, it'll give you a new password and do so automatically. Your phone number and IMEI will be put on our profile, so the app knows your phone needs constant access."
"Impressive," Danielle said quietly. "It's just a shame there's women and men out there who need this stuff."
"Indeed it is," Susy agreed. "Ok, so can I have your phone please? I'll get the monitoring activated for you."
Before she'd even finished speaking, Danielle handed it over. She trusted all the staff here.
"Thank you," Susy took it. "Can I get you a tea? Coffee? This won't take long, but I also need to set it up to make sure Smith's Grove can monitor you as well I believe?"
"Please," Dr Stark said.
"Of course, no problem. Danielle?"
"Can I have a tea, milk 2 sugars please? But be careful when asking Joanne here about her coffee! It has to be of a required standard!"
"Be quiet you," Joanne gave her a playful nudge. "Coffee, white no sugar, thanks Susy."
"Dr Stark?"
"Just a glass of water thank you."
Susy pressed a button on the desk and a nurse entered.
"Hi Debbie, can you get me a white tea 2 sugars, a white coffee no sugar and a glass of water please?"
"Of course Susy. No problem at all."
"You're a darling, thanks."
As soon as the door closed behind Debbie, Susy went straight back to what she was doing. She'd asked Danielle to disable Voiceover which Danielle had done. Now she stayed quiet so the engineer had silence to work in. Debbie quietly re-entered a couple of minutes later and handed over the drinks.
"Thanks," Dr Stark, Joanne and Danielle said together.
"Ok," Susy said finally about 10 minutes later. "So I need you to test it Danielle. You're being monitored by the Haddonfield Security companies right now, so we need to make sure you can contact them. If you move locations, you'll automatically be monitored by the nearest security companies." She handed Danielle back her phone. "Can you see the buttons on the screen? The woman who tested it says you're more than welcome to contact her if you need any help with it from an accessibility angle."
"Thanks," Danielle said, genuinely touched. She checked the buttons in front of her. Emergency, call, I'm safe, panic, contact, alarm, torch.
"Ok. So can you see them all? Sorry, I mean…"
"It's ok," Danielle smiled at Susy. "You can say see I don't mind."
"Ok, thanks. So what can you see in front of you?" Danielle told her.
"Brilliant. Ok so the emergency button will tell the monitors something is wrong and they will call the police for you immediately, who will come on an immediate response to your location. They can obviously track you with your phone's GPS. A monitor will also call you to make sure you're alright. Panic will do the same, but no one will call you in case you are under duress or in danger. They will just call the police. Call will ask one of the monitors to contact us, one of our DV advisors will then call you. That's for non-urgent use. I do need to tell you Danielle, that we do have a warning system for miss use of the app."
"If I use panic or emergency and it's not urgent once, you'll ring and warn me, second you'll call me in and warn me to my face, third you'll write me a warning and 4th I'll lose it?"
"That's correct," Susy nodded. "Stacey told you?"
"Yeah, she installed some kind of system on my phone number. I can use 8 and 9 for it. Does that still work?"
"Yes it does. But you won't need them with the app, but it's good you have them as backup just in case. Finally, I should add that the panic button is covert, your phone won't give any indication you've sent a message, so if you're under duress it won't be seen. Emergency makes it obvious. Got that?"
Danielle nodded.
"The alarm and torch speak for themselves. The alarm sets off a very loud siren, which can only be turned off by you using your fingerprint so no one else can stop it. The torch is separate and is purely a bright light if you need to see in the dark, so I know you won't use that. Ok, hold on one second?" She pressed a button and Danielle heard an announcement chime.
"Ladies and gentleman," Susy's voice echoed around the complex. Danielle had been told there were even speakers in all the flats in case an emergency announcement needed to be piped in. "One of our app users is about to test the alarm, please do not panic. Thank you." She turned off the PA system. "Ok, go for it. Dr Stark, Joanne, you might want to cover your ears."