Chapter 8
Gage had come back in with coffee and sandwiches, Syd even though her eyes had closed still sat holding Piper close. Setting down the coffee he nudged her shoulder and she opened her eyes.
"How bout you have something to eat and give me a few minutes with our daughter we have to get going soon."
Hating to let go Syd reluctantly agreed shaking her head yes letting Gage put his arms under Piper and lift her to him. She then slipped out of the chair and let him take her place sitting on the bed looking at the two of them as Gage had.
Syd reached over and opened a sandwich taking a nibble. "Umm more hospital food you really know how to treat me right Gage," she smiled.
"The coffee is real good too," he grinned back. "We have to leave shortly Syd."
"I know I just hate leaving her here," Syd pouted as she spoke.
Piper's little eyes popped open as it on cue and she looked into Gage's face.
"I hurt my arm Daddy," she told him.
"I know you did, but the doctor fixed it up for you," he told her pulling her close.
"Where's Mommy?"
"Right here Honey," Syd said kneeling down beside the two of them.
"Is your job done?"
"Not quite but soon," Gage answered her.
"Okay, I'm tired I'll see you when you get home," she said with a yawn adding, "I love you Mommy and Daddy."
Syd leaned down kissing her whispering, "Love you too."
Gage lifted her into her bed and whispered, "Love you too Piper, love you too."
Putting his arm around Syd they stood a moment more as Piper fell asleep.
~~~~~
It was five fifteen when Gage and Syd pulled up at the back gate at the Tyler Facility. Walker and Trivette were there waiting for them, Trivette all ready had the gate open.
"Syd you shouldn't have to worry too much about Welsh today things should be in a big enough up roar," Walker informed her. "Dallas PD will be coming to arrest Dawson and McCray in about thirty minutes and if that isn't enough I'll be demanding to see my wife today as well. I don't think he'll risk having you in restraints."
"Thanks Walker," she gratefully told him as Gage expressed the same sentiments.
"You better get back in there before you're missed," Trivette warned.
Gage nodded in agreement and drove threw the gate towards the parking area.
"Syd duck down," Gage cautioned putting his hand to the back of her head pulling her forward out of sight as he slowed the car.
"What is it?"
"Welsh just pulled in and is getting out of his car he has that patient Maggie with him. Man she can hardly walk," Gage was telling her watching the scene before him. "She almost looks as if she is walking in her sleep."
"She must be drugged," Syd hissed back.
"Must be," Gage agreed as Welsh and Maggie disappeared in the doors. "Let's get you back before you are missed.
Quickly parking the car Gage went around to Syd's side and opened the door helping her out and taking her arm as usual to lead her inside. She in turn grabbed the doll to her and walked obediently along beside him. They entered the side door closest to her room not making a sound thinking they were home free when suddenly they heard Welsh's voice.
"What are you doing out here with Mrs. Sheldon?" he demanded.
Gage stopped turning to face the doctor while Syd remained staring straight ahead.
"Mrs. Sheldon woke early this morning and was restless I took her for a short walk around the grounds I didn't think it would hurt anything," Gage replied.
"Well you thought wrong Mrs. Sheldon had a bad day yesterday she became a threat to herself and the other patients she is restricted to her room for the time being," Welsh told him in no uncertain terms. "From now on you do not take it upon yourself to decide on the well being of the patients here. Or you may."
Welsh didn't have time to finish the nurse who worked the reception desk was rushing up to him something about the police being there.
"Get her back to her room," Welsh bellowed rushing off with the nurse.
"That was close," Syd sighed watching the two of them rush off.
Syd nodded her head in agreement as they continued to her room. Pushing open the door they were greeted by Andy McCray.
"Cops are you Williams?" he snarled at Gage.
"What are you talking about McCray?" He came back on the offensive, "I'm the one who should be mad we waited outside that gate for forty-five minutes this morning for you to bring Amanda back inside. Where in hell were you?"
"The van never made it back like you didn't know. This operation has gone on for over two years with very few incidents and never cops until you came along," McCray accused his voice becoming louder.
"I've no idea what you are talking about," Gage insisted letting his voice become a little louder as well.
"Like hell you don't," McCray shouted coming at Gage with his fist.
Gage easily side stepped him grabbing his arm and forcing it behind his back shoving him face first across Syd's bed.
"I don't know what your game is McCray but all I know is I asked you a for a favour and you reneged on it. Now you are in here accusing me of something I know nothing about."
The door flew open and two police officers came rushing in. One pulled Gage off of McCray escorting both of them into the hall. Sydney had slid to the floor as soon as she saw that Gage was in no danger to rock her doll and hum to herself. Trivette and a nurse had come in as the officers were taking Gage and McCray out. Trivette went to Syd while the nurse went to Cecilia who was cowering in another corner of the room.
"Come on Amanda let's get you back in your bed," Trivette was saying as he placed his hand beneath her elbow helping her up.
"Doll," Syd smiled holding the doll out for Trivette to see.
"Yes doll," Trivette agreed with her.
"Williams?" she asked looking at him.
"Oh Williams," Trivette nodded, "I'm sure he'll be back they were looking for the other guy not him."
"Williams," she said again letting Trivette pull off her shoes and swing her feet up on the bed.
"Soon Amanda, soon."
"Williams," she half pouted grabbing Jimmy's hand.
"Like him don't you?"
She smiled almost shyly at him.
"He may even like you a little," Trivette grinned and she smiled a little more.
The nurse who came in with Trivette helped Cecilia into bed but her patient didn't say a word until she and Sydney were alone.
"Your daughter all right?" she asked.
Syd nodded yes.
"You and your boyfriend did this didn't you? Is it true are you cops?"
Again Syd nodded yes. "Rangers," she confessed.
"How did you happen to become a patient here Cecilia?" Sydney questioned interested in the woman's story.
"Carol Barnes," she sighed
Syd recognized the name she was the other patient who died at the facility.
"She was my best friend all through college, we sort of lost touch after though I got a job as a reporter and she got married. Out of the blue she called, scared talking in a whisper, she said she needed my help they were keeping her a prisoner here.
By the time I got to Dallas two days later she was dead committed suicide was the official ruling. I couldn't believe it, I tried to find out what happened from her X-husband Ray all he said was the divorce had been hard on her and she had, had a breakdown, that he didn't know what happened. I decided there had to be a story here and came in undercover to find it.
It didn't take Welsh long to begin to take notice of me. Things went along pretty much for me like they did for you yesterday until he caught me snooping around in his office one night. They searched my room and found my cell phone, with that it was easy for them to find my outside contact who I haven't heard from since," she paused for a moment looking at the ceiling trying to gather strength to finish telling Sydney her story.
"Welsh is evil he made me do things." her voice trailed off again her hands going to her face in recollection of what had happened to her.
The door opened again before any more could be said, Cecilia's nurse from the day before had come in to start her on her morning routine. She ushered Cecilia out the door leaving Sydney there alone.
Throwing back the covers Syd went to the door and opened it a crack. She could see Gage standing in handcuffs as he tried to explain to Dallas PD what was going on. Finally one of the detectives came over to where he stood telling the officers to remove the cuffs.
Turning to get a view of the other end of the hall she caught sight of Cecilia and her nurse coming back towards the room. Syd quickly got back into bed just as the two of them entered the room.
Cecilia could hardly move as the nurse guided her to her bed helping her to lay back. She pulled the cover over the motionless body saying, "You rest now dear."
She made no move that she even understood what had been said to her she stared aimlessly at the ceiling. The nurse patted her hand and without so much as a glance towards Sydney left the room.
Syd was out of bed like a shot. "Cecilia, Cecilia what have they done to you?" she asked in vain taking her hand realizing she had been heavily sedated.
"Your turn my dear," came a voice from behind her as she turned to see Nurse Hampton standing there.
"Doll," Syd replied moving back towards her bed.
"Never mind doll Dr. Welsh wants you," she told Syd moving towards her to grab her.
"No, no, no, Melia, Melia, no, no," Sydney began crying out climbing across the bed to make her escape still not wanting to tip her hand before they could get to the bottom of the deaths and Dr. Welsh. Bolting for the door she was abruptly stopped by another orderly Syd had not seen before. He was a big man, bigger then what Gage was in both height and girth. Getting one arm around her he lifted Syd from the floor clamping his other hand over her mouth to silence her. He walked to the bed shoving her face first into it holding her there while Hampton went to the hall bringing back a gurney to transport her to Welsh.
Working together the two of them soon had Syd gagged she fought desperately as they lifted her on gurney.
"Hold her Reade so I can get her wrists into these fetters," Hampton ordered pulling the buckle as tight as she could.
"I don't see why we don't just give her something like the rest," Reade whined holding tightly to Syd's other wrist so the strap could be buckled in place.
"Dr. Welsh wants her alert to what is going on around her during this session."
Reade snickered out loud at Hampton's choice of words. "You mean he wants her to know everything that is happening to her as he rips her clothes from her and does what he wants to her. He's the one who should be locked up here."
"If you feel that way why aren't you out there talking to the police," Hampton spit back as they tightened the last buckle around Syd's ankle.
Reade laughed again, "Cause they don't pay as good as Welsh does."
"And you remember that," Hampton warned him throwing a sheet over Syd to just under her nose tucking it so tight that she couldn't even manage to squirm. Going to the door she held it open as Reade wheeled Syd out.
With Sydney helpless to do anything the pair of them wheeled her to the infirmary. The place was deserted as they pushed the stretcher into one of the exam areas and Hampton drew the curtain around her.
"The good doctor taking home movies again this time?" Reade asked looking at the camcorder sitting on the counter.
"Who knows and who cares?" Hampton hissed, "We've done our part lets get the hell out of here."
She gave Reade a little shove and they disappeared to the other side of the curtain a moment later Syd heard the door click shut and silence took over. Struggle as she may there was no way that she could free herself. Finally she lay silent the only sound her own heart beating against her chest.
~~~~~
The door to Syd's room stood open as Gage hurriedly approached it. Going inside he found her bed sheets dishevelled and the rag doll on the floor but no Syd. Cecilia lay there staring aimlessly at the ceiling, seeing her face Gage knew she would be no help. He hurried back into the corridor to run right into Hampton and Reade.
"Where's Amanda?" he demanded.
"Hey aren't you off duty?" Reade asked standing his ground.
"I'm pulling a double," Gage shot back not wanting to take time to spar with these two.
"If you are working then you better report to the charge nurse," Hampton cut in, "They do things differently during the day then at night."
Catching sight of Trivette Gage answered, "I bet they do," as he walked away towards his friend.
"Amanda's gone," Gage said to Trivette holding up the doll he was still clutching at the same time.
"And we'd better find her," Trivette said beginning to explain what had just been found in the session tapes of Leigh-Ann Stratton.
Gage had come back in with coffee and sandwiches, Syd even though her eyes had closed still sat holding Piper close. Setting down the coffee he nudged her shoulder and she opened her eyes.
"How bout you have something to eat and give me a few minutes with our daughter we have to get going soon."
Hating to let go Syd reluctantly agreed shaking her head yes letting Gage put his arms under Piper and lift her to him. She then slipped out of the chair and let him take her place sitting on the bed looking at the two of them as Gage had.
Syd reached over and opened a sandwich taking a nibble. "Umm more hospital food you really know how to treat me right Gage," she smiled.
"The coffee is real good too," he grinned back. "We have to leave shortly Syd."
"I know I just hate leaving her here," Syd pouted as she spoke.
Piper's little eyes popped open as it on cue and she looked into Gage's face.
"I hurt my arm Daddy," she told him.
"I know you did, but the doctor fixed it up for you," he told her pulling her close.
"Where's Mommy?"
"Right here Honey," Syd said kneeling down beside the two of them.
"Is your job done?"
"Not quite but soon," Gage answered her.
"Okay, I'm tired I'll see you when you get home," she said with a yawn adding, "I love you Mommy and Daddy."
Syd leaned down kissing her whispering, "Love you too."
Gage lifted her into her bed and whispered, "Love you too Piper, love you too."
Putting his arm around Syd they stood a moment more as Piper fell asleep.
~~~~~
It was five fifteen when Gage and Syd pulled up at the back gate at the Tyler Facility. Walker and Trivette were there waiting for them, Trivette all ready had the gate open.
"Syd you shouldn't have to worry too much about Welsh today things should be in a big enough up roar," Walker informed her. "Dallas PD will be coming to arrest Dawson and McCray in about thirty minutes and if that isn't enough I'll be demanding to see my wife today as well. I don't think he'll risk having you in restraints."
"Thanks Walker," she gratefully told him as Gage expressed the same sentiments.
"You better get back in there before you're missed," Trivette warned.
Gage nodded in agreement and drove threw the gate towards the parking area.
"Syd duck down," Gage cautioned putting his hand to the back of her head pulling her forward out of sight as he slowed the car.
"What is it?"
"Welsh just pulled in and is getting out of his car he has that patient Maggie with him. Man she can hardly walk," Gage was telling her watching the scene before him. "She almost looks as if she is walking in her sleep."
"She must be drugged," Syd hissed back.
"Must be," Gage agreed as Welsh and Maggie disappeared in the doors. "Let's get you back before you are missed.
Quickly parking the car Gage went around to Syd's side and opened the door helping her out and taking her arm as usual to lead her inside. She in turn grabbed the doll to her and walked obediently along beside him. They entered the side door closest to her room not making a sound thinking they were home free when suddenly they heard Welsh's voice.
"What are you doing out here with Mrs. Sheldon?" he demanded.
Gage stopped turning to face the doctor while Syd remained staring straight ahead.
"Mrs. Sheldon woke early this morning and was restless I took her for a short walk around the grounds I didn't think it would hurt anything," Gage replied.
"Well you thought wrong Mrs. Sheldon had a bad day yesterday she became a threat to herself and the other patients she is restricted to her room for the time being," Welsh told him in no uncertain terms. "From now on you do not take it upon yourself to decide on the well being of the patients here. Or you may."
Welsh didn't have time to finish the nurse who worked the reception desk was rushing up to him something about the police being there.
"Get her back to her room," Welsh bellowed rushing off with the nurse.
"That was close," Syd sighed watching the two of them rush off.
Syd nodded her head in agreement as they continued to her room. Pushing open the door they were greeted by Andy McCray.
"Cops are you Williams?" he snarled at Gage.
"What are you talking about McCray?" He came back on the offensive, "I'm the one who should be mad we waited outside that gate for forty-five minutes this morning for you to bring Amanda back inside. Where in hell were you?"
"The van never made it back like you didn't know. This operation has gone on for over two years with very few incidents and never cops until you came along," McCray accused his voice becoming louder.
"I've no idea what you are talking about," Gage insisted letting his voice become a little louder as well.
"Like hell you don't," McCray shouted coming at Gage with his fist.
Gage easily side stepped him grabbing his arm and forcing it behind his back shoving him face first across Syd's bed.
"I don't know what your game is McCray but all I know is I asked you a for a favour and you reneged on it. Now you are in here accusing me of something I know nothing about."
The door flew open and two police officers came rushing in. One pulled Gage off of McCray escorting both of them into the hall. Sydney had slid to the floor as soon as she saw that Gage was in no danger to rock her doll and hum to herself. Trivette and a nurse had come in as the officers were taking Gage and McCray out. Trivette went to Syd while the nurse went to Cecilia who was cowering in another corner of the room.
"Come on Amanda let's get you back in your bed," Trivette was saying as he placed his hand beneath her elbow helping her up.
"Doll," Syd smiled holding the doll out for Trivette to see.
"Yes doll," Trivette agreed with her.
"Williams?" she asked looking at him.
"Oh Williams," Trivette nodded, "I'm sure he'll be back they were looking for the other guy not him."
"Williams," she said again letting Trivette pull off her shoes and swing her feet up on the bed.
"Soon Amanda, soon."
"Williams," she half pouted grabbing Jimmy's hand.
"Like him don't you?"
She smiled almost shyly at him.
"He may even like you a little," Trivette grinned and she smiled a little more.
The nurse who came in with Trivette helped Cecilia into bed but her patient didn't say a word until she and Sydney were alone.
"Your daughter all right?" she asked.
Syd nodded yes.
"You and your boyfriend did this didn't you? Is it true are you cops?"
Again Syd nodded yes. "Rangers," she confessed.
"How did you happen to become a patient here Cecilia?" Sydney questioned interested in the woman's story.
"Carol Barnes," she sighed
Syd recognized the name she was the other patient who died at the facility.
"She was my best friend all through college, we sort of lost touch after though I got a job as a reporter and she got married. Out of the blue she called, scared talking in a whisper, she said she needed my help they were keeping her a prisoner here.
By the time I got to Dallas two days later she was dead committed suicide was the official ruling. I couldn't believe it, I tried to find out what happened from her X-husband Ray all he said was the divorce had been hard on her and she had, had a breakdown, that he didn't know what happened. I decided there had to be a story here and came in undercover to find it.
It didn't take Welsh long to begin to take notice of me. Things went along pretty much for me like they did for you yesterday until he caught me snooping around in his office one night. They searched my room and found my cell phone, with that it was easy for them to find my outside contact who I haven't heard from since," she paused for a moment looking at the ceiling trying to gather strength to finish telling Sydney her story.
"Welsh is evil he made me do things." her voice trailed off again her hands going to her face in recollection of what had happened to her.
The door opened again before any more could be said, Cecilia's nurse from the day before had come in to start her on her morning routine. She ushered Cecilia out the door leaving Sydney there alone.
Throwing back the covers Syd went to the door and opened it a crack. She could see Gage standing in handcuffs as he tried to explain to Dallas PD what was going on. Finally one of the detectives came over to where he stood telling the officers to remove the cuffs.
Turning to get a view of the other end of the hall she caught sight of Cecilia and her nurse coming back towards the room. Syd quickly got back into bed just as the two of them entered the room.
Cecilia could hardly move as the nurse guided her to her bed helping her to lay back. She pulled the cover over the motionless body saying, "You rest now dear."
She made no move that she even understood what had been said to her she stared aimlessly at the ceiling. The nurse patted her hand and without so much as a glance towards Sydney left the room.
Syd was out of bed like a shot. "Cecilia, Cecilia what have they done to you?" she asked in vain taking her hand realizing she had been heavily sedated.
"Your turn my dear," came a voice from behind her as she turned to see Nurse Hampton standing there.
"Doll," Syd replied moving back towards her bed.
"Never mind doll Dr. Welsh wants you," she told Syd moving towards her to grab her.
"No, no, no, Melia, Melia, no, no," Sydney began crying out climbing across the bed to make her escape still not wanting to tip her hand before they could get to the bottom of the deaths and Dr. Welsh. Bolting for the door she was abruptly stopped by another orderly Syd had not seen before. He was a big man, bigger then what Gage was in both height and girth. Getting one arm around her he lifted Syd from the floor clamping his other hand over her mouth to silence her. He walked to the bed shoving her face first into it holding her there while Hampton went to the hall bringing back a gurney to transport her to Welsh.
Working together the two of them soon had Syd gagged she fought desperately as they lifted her on gurney.
"Hold her Reade so I can get her wrists into these fetters," Hampton ordered pulling the buckle as tight as she could.
"I don't see why we don't just give her something like the rest," Reade whined holding tightly to Syd's other wrist so the strap could be buckled in place.
"Dr. Welsh wants her alert to what is going on around her during this session."
Reade snickered out loud at Hampton's choice of words. "You mean he wants her to know everything that is happening to her as he rips her clothes from her and does what he wants to her. He's the one who should be locked up here."
"If you feel that way why aren't you out there talking to the police," Hampton spit back as they tightened the last buckle around Syd's ankle.
Reade laughed again, "Cause they don't pay as good as Welsh does."
"And you remember that," Hampton warned him throwing a sheet over Syd to just under her nose tucking it so tight that she couldn't even manage to squirm. Going to the door she held it open as Reade wheeled Syd out.
With Sydney helpless to do anything the pair of them wheeled her to the infirmary. The place was deserted as they pushed the stretcher into one of the exam areas and Hampton drew the curtain around her.
"The good doctor taking home movies again this time?" Reade asked looking at the camcorder sitting on the counter.
"Who knows and who cares?" Hampton hissed, "We've done our part lets get the hell out of here."
She gave Reade a little shove and they disappeared to the other side of the curtain a moment later Syd heard the door click shut and silence took over. Struggle as she may there was no way that she could free herself. Finally she lay silent the only sound her own heart beating against her chest.
~~~~~
The door to Syd's room stood open as Gage hurriedly approached it. Going inside he found her bed sheets dishevelled and the rag doll on the floor but no Syd. Cecilia lay there staring aimlessly at the ceiling, seeing her face Gage knew she would be no help. He hurried back into the corridor to run right into Hampton and Reade.
"Where's Amanda?" he demanded.
"Hey aren't you off duty?" Reade asked standing his ground.
"I'm pulling a double," Gage shot back not wanting to take time to spar with these two.
"If you are working then you better report to the charge nurse," Hampton cut in, "They do things differently during the day then at night."
Catching sight of Trivette Gage answered, "I bet they do," as he walked away towards his friend.
"Amanda's gone," Gage said to Trivette holding up the doll he was still clutching at the same time.
"And we'd better find her," Trivette said beginning to explain what had just been found in the session tapes of Leigh-Ann Stratton.