The next day, Hal needed to discuss things with Paul about Percy. "Paul, have you tried asking Percy if he was alright?"
"Yes, we have," Paul replied.
"And what did he say?" Hal asked. "Believe it or not, the wife of the governor of this state only has one nephew, and his name happens to be Percy Wetmore."
"Del and I were talking about him, but all good things," Paul explained, "Percy made him laugh because Del must've been lonely in the cell. Percy's a good person, but he's hiding something from us, but I don't know what."
Hal shook his head and said, "I didn't hear that part. I'm sure she didn't add that."
"Maybe she knows what happened to Percy in the past and we don't. I don't want to be pushy, but sooner or later, he's got to tell us."
"Stick with me, Paul," said Hal, "It may not be much longer. I have it on good authority that Percy has an application for Briar Ridge."
Paul's face lit up with glee. "Briar Ridge?" he asked, "The mental hospital?"
"Administration job," Hal added, "Better pay."
"Hmmm. Then why is he still here?" Paul asked the warden.
Hal turned away as Paul asked, "He didn't get that application, did he?" Paul sighed and added, "Hopefully before he leaves, we can have a heart to heart talk with him."
Hal looked back at Paul and said with a smile, "You do that, Paul."
"And he'll say he's goodbyes to the inmates."
"Well, he'll get his chance, then," Hal told Paul, "Won't he? Maybe then he'd be satisfied and move on?"
"Of course," said Paul, "Of course."
"Thank you, Paul," Hal told him.
As Hal left, Paul called out, "Hal! You give Melinda my love, okay?" He shook his head and said hopefully, "I'm sure that x-ray'll turn out to be nothing at all."
"Good luck," Hal smiled before leaving.
Paul returned to John Coffey's case file.