Chapter 18
Millie and Liz both tried to prevent Abbey from going back. They called in Pat and Bill in an attempt to find a legal means of keeping her out. But there were no legal grounds available.
The only thing in Abbey's favor was the uproar in the press over the incident. So much so that the warden made a statement to the press expressing his outrage at the incident and sympathy for the victim. He pledged that no further harm would come to his most famous inmate.
But Abbey had to go back so she was returned to her cell to recover. Once the medical staff felt she was able, she was also returned to kitchen duty.
Because of their fear over the Abbey's safety, Millie and Liz made an appointment with the warden.
Entering his office, both Liz and Millie immediately picked up the negative attitude of the warden toward Abbey.
Once he opened his mouth, they knew for sure.
"So, Mrs. Bartlet asked you to come see me. Can't she make her own appointments or is she so special that she still requires a secretary to do her bidding?"
Millie touched Liz's arm to remind her to maintain her temper.
"No. Mrs. Bartlet doesn't know we're here. We have found out that she's been experiencing some trouble from the guards."
"What kind of trouble?" The warden looked at each woman, trying to determine what they knew.
"Her accident was no accident. A guard was attacking her in the stairwell when she fell and hit her head."
"I have no clue what you're talking about. The guards here are all professionals and do not in any way abuse the prisoners. The guard in question was absolved of any involvement in her incident. It was an unfortunate accident. Mrs. Bartlet is just a disgruntled prisoner complaining. We get unfounded complaints all the time from our guests. You know we get the worse kind here, and your mother was convicted of killing your father. Hell, she killed the former President of the United States."
Millie increased the pressure on Liz's arm when she felt Liz tense. He was talking about Liz's parents, but right now was not the time to express the anger they both had over the situation.
"Sir, I trust that your guards are professional, but I think that you should start an investigation on this matter. The media would love a story like this. I don't think it would reflect positively on the institution or on the state."
The warden stood up and walked toward where the women were sitting. "Is that a threat, Ms. Griffith? You got your license revoked for your role in the President's death. It's just by the grace of God that you're not here with your friend."
Millie stood to face the warden at his level. "No, sir. It is not a threat. It's a statement. I'm not frightened to take on the whole system if it means my friend is safe."
Millie turned and motioned to Liz that the meeting was over. "Come on Liz. Our conversation is finished with this gentleman. There's nothing more to say."
They both walked to the car in silence. Only when they were safely in the car, heading back to Manchester, did any conversation take place.
"How could he say those things? He was lying, Millie. He was lying."
"I know Liz. I know. But let's give him a couple of weeks and then we can start up the food chain. Your parents are still highly regarded in this state and in this country. We will get to the bottom of it. I promise."
Through her tears, Liz voiced her greatest fear. "But will Mom be alive in a couple of weeks?"
Millie tried not to share her goddaughter's tears. "I hope so. I pray so."
When Liz got home, Doug told her that Ellie had called and needed Liz to call her right away.
Did that mean she was coming to Manchester to see her mother? Liz prayed that was the reason.
"Hello, Ellie. It's Liz…..Ellie, why are you crying? What's wrong?"
"It's Tom. He's been in an accident and the doctors are saying he's brain dead. They want to stop the ventilator. Oh Liz, I don't know what to do."
The black cloud hovering over her family just got larger.
After talking for a few more minutes with Ellie, Liz called Zoey and told her what was going on. Zoey said that she would leave CJ with Charlie and drive to Baltimore to be with Ellie.
"Before I hang up, how's Mom? Have you seen her recently?"
Liz was still not ready to share her findings with the other two. "She's fine, Zoey. She's back to work in the kitchen. She's fine."
Liz hated lying, but at this point she felt she had no option. Zoey needed to be with Ellie right now.
Later, she would tell both of them what has been going on.
Later.
After she knew the facts herself.
