FBI courthouse
Veronica Diaz approached a man cautiously...a man that she knew had been the prosecutor in her newest client, Resnikov's case. He was not likely to want to talk, but she wanted to know any impressions that he might have had of her or the validity of the case not already on paper. She still needed to go to Litchfield to visit, but had been so swamped with other cases that the likelihood of making any difference in the final sentence already handed down seemed nearly impossible. But, everyone had the right to an appeal, it was the law…..so here she was tracking down long since cold leads. Or rather she was handed a case that looked cut and dry complete with the smoking gun.
He turned barely registering her at all, waving a hand at her….."No reporters" and turned to dismiss her.
"I'm not a reporter…."
He kept walking forward pulling his stretched to the brim briefcase on wheels behind him, his wrinkled suit jacket thrown over his shoulder….anxious to get home no doubt.
"I'm the new public defense."
"Is the family trying to reopen this case?", he asked nearing the elevator.
"I'm not sure..all I know is it landed on my desk."
"Awfully late in the game, wouldn't you say?
"I wasn't really given many options or a lot of time as you well know"
He shook his head but paused before reaching for the up button. "I don't know what more I can tell ya, your client was guilty. The case was a slam dunk"
"Because the victim was related to the vice president?"
"Are you trying to suggest something?", his voice rose incredously. "Because if you're saying that I allowed myself to be some government puppet, I'll have you know that I'd never take a bribe." He spun on her now, his eyes intent on his meaning.
Veronica put a hand up in a defensive gesture, "Look, I'm not trying to ruffle anyone's feathers here, okay please just wait a minute."
The man's defiant posture relaxed slightly, after audibly sighing, "Fine, the evidence was there. Okay so the Vice President has n'er do well younger brother that owns a chain of Texas hold 'em poker casinos…some real heavy hitters from the entertainment world come and drop insane cash, along with some big time whales from the World Poker Tour. Yuri, Resnikov's son, worked in his DownTown Casino had a loud altercation with him and was fired. They have it on the security cameras. He had to be escorted out. Then about 36 hours later, the VP's brother's body is found in a car registered to her. The car is parked in a back alley behind her restaurant. The bloody jacket of the guy was also in the trunk of her car, and the gun in the driver's seat…and she was the only person caught fleeing the scene by a local foot patrolman who followed the sound of a gunshot."
Veronica hadn't heard it all spelled out for her quite like that….no wonder it hadn't taken the jury long to deliberate the verdict.
"Trust me, you and I both know that there are cases that you take home at night….no matter how hard you try not to….wondering…but this wasn't one of them."
He turned and punched the button going up this time, finalizing everything he had to say on the matter apparently.
Veronica grabbed at his arm persistently, "What about a man named "Crabtree" Simmons….I saw that her other son had requested that his testimony be taken …that he knew something about what had caused this argument between Yuri and this guy…why was he never really questioned."
"Couldn't find him….mostly likely because one of the five felonies on his record is for heroin use…he's of no use to anyone, he has no credibility even if he actually knew something which is highly unlikely."
"Well, then you won't mind if I question him.."
"Knock yourself out, lady", was her only reply as the elevators doors slammed shut.
Cell Block D
Mendez walked down the floor that had previously housed Vause and Nichols….she was all by herself now. He strolled casually down row, thinking that initially Caputo putting Nichols in the SHU and not Alex had really pissed him off. But now that he had more time to think about it, he could pry around her cell since she was at chapel right now… and Nichols had never went a day in her stay here.
He roughly turned up her mattress finding nothing, untucked her sheets…smelling them briefly…throwing them on the floor…..he wanted her to know that he had been here….that he was in charge not her. He rifled up some other loose items on a desk and saw her pad was still lying there with a pencil next to it. The paper was still indented with the pressure with which she had written something. He took the pencil and lightly ran the side of it over the indentations...and the words Allen Schweitzer appeared…..who in the hell was that? He ripped the note off shoving it in his pocket, then felt under the edges of the sink and other areas but found no weapons.
He became frustrated and knocked all the items from the desk on the floor too. This bitch was going to pay one way or the other for all her tricks….he was going to catch her….better yet…maybe she needed a late night visit..he smiled lecherously as continued to walk down the aisle and turned to patrol the next level…..He stroked his mustache, thinking after all there were would be no one In her cell tonight…it would just be her and him…as matter of fact, he was going to start by having a little chat with her right now.
Prison Ministry
Alex trailed behind the other prisoners, nodding at Red as she saw her leaving…she would see her again at PI. She made eye contact with Taystee, and she nodded to go out the opposite door as most of the group. They shuffled to a corner by the inmate payphones.
"So, you gonna let me in on what's going on"
Alex made a confused face, "What are you talking about?"
"You're lying to Medical for something….what's up there you need…" Taystee urged. She held the bottle in her pocket as Alex noted the bulge in the left one of her jumper.
"I have my reasons…which are a bit personal if you don't mind", Alex eyed Poussey and Cindy with an untrusting eye.
"Well, you better start talking…white girl….and what are you gonna do for me?" Taystee leaned in aggressively.
Alex took a step back, "I gave you the money!", she nearly squawked but desperate not to draw attention to them, as she noted two guards were still inside the chapel door watching a video or something on one of their phones.
"Money's is just money….I need a favor too"
"Okay", Alex urged reaching towards her with an outstretched hand…"I'll figure out something that you need and I'll get it…just please I need the pills."
Taystee frowned but reached into her left pocket, slightly withdrawing the bottle as she was ready to hand it over.
"Inmates….why in the hell are you all just dawdling around….you wanna all get written up a shot?", Mendez's voice boomed, as he rounded the corner... causing Alex to jump a little and Taystee withdrew her hand quickly with the bottle still in her possession. The three of them turned and scattered quickly.
At the sound of his voice, the other guards had came out. "Is there anyway that you guys could maybe….DO YOUR JOB….and stop letting these bitches run you…they should have been back in the Cell Block…you have to actually watch them at all times like children."
"Yes, boss", came their quick replies.
"Me and you are gonna have a little talk", Mendez stated as he grabbed Alex by the elbow.
He ushered her towards her cell, having no idea the amount of panic and anxiety Alex was feeling at this moment. She had been so close to getting the pills….Taystee had them….now Dr. Chapman was going to call her soon and fucking Mendez had really screwed her up this time….
As they arrived at her cell bars, Mendez turned her to face him. "I'm just going to ask one question, and I want an honest answer."
"Okay, I can do that", Alex tried to look as sincere as possible
"Allen Schweitzer, does that name mean anything to you?" Mendez leaned in very close, attempting to gauge if her upcoming answer was a truth or a lie.
Alex forced herself to hold still and not pull away in revulsion at his closeness. His sweat and cologne were not a good mixture. "I've never heard of the guy", she shrugged her shoulders in feigned ignorance
Mendez eyed her for a couple of seconds, but could tell by her emotionless face that Vause was not going to give anything up willingly….but he smiled nonetheless as he started to lock her cell door because what she didn't know yet was that he had ways of making her talk….ways she wouldn't like at all…or maybe she would.
Just then, the midafternoon siren beeped, signaling all inmates to the cafeteria. The block doors opened and all inmates lined up against the rail, led out floor by floor.. Alex included with Mendez ushering in the rear as they walked the maze of hallways towards today's daily serving. He waited by the stairwell and She got in line. Alex kept her head down mainly to avoid trouble with any other inmates, but also to hide her eyes as her mind swam with questions...plans thwarted...what in the hell was she going to do...then as if matters couldn't get any worse she saw a familiar head of blonde hair coming down the hallway. She quickly slouched down praying for a small miracle that she hadn't been spotted.
Mendez puffed out his chest and smoothed his hair, "Afternoon Dr. Chapman, you're looking lovely today", as he had noticed her approaching them and relished the idea that she had wanted to talk to him. But, little did he know, that she had only stopped by because she had seen Alex towering over the other inmates in the cafeteria line, though she was now trying to hide for some reason. She had attempted to make eye contact with the inmate, but she wouldn't lift her head.
She faced Mendez instead, forcing a pleasant smile for her co-worker, "Today has been one of the busiest days yet actually, with all the transfers from Fox River...I actually stopped by because I have needed to have Inmate Vause transported to the Infirmary all day, but I've been so swamped... Would you do me a favor and bring her by about an hour after she eats..."
Mendez deflated a little...damn Vause why did she seem to be everywhere all of the sudden..."Why wait?"
"Well the blood glucose test will be more accurate if taken on an empty stomach."
Alex strained to hear the conversation while shuffling forward, glancing back periodically...she saw them both look at her and gesture towards the infirmary...it was all about to be over...suddenly she felt nauseous at the thought. She glanced back again..shuffled forward. .she looked back a fourth time...they certainly looked rather chatty. ..the inmate behind her took then to get defensive about why she kept looking back...
"So then just take her now...we'll walk down together", Mendez gave her his best flirty smile. Dr. Chapman nodded and they began to walk towards her...NO...NO...not yet
"What the hell are you look at...because if you're looking at me...we're going to have a problem....", Alex didn't know this inmate but recognized her from the group of girls that hung by the bleachers of the religious reign. She turned to face her as the inmates were growing anxious as the line was not moving for whatever reason.
"Yo fish, can you move your ass or what?", an older white inmate behind the other one popped her head around to ask...
"Yeah, move...fish", the first one said as she gave Alex an unexpected and sudden shove in the chest, causing her stumble back. She landed roughly into the inmate in front of her. The inmates in this part of the line were psych ward permanents most of them. Normally they ate separately but were crunched for time today. The rough landing ,mixed with hunger... mixed with crazy caused her to turn a little more angry than normal. She whirled quickly with her right fist balled tightly, Alex had already scrambled back upright and was able to dodge to the side.
"Hey chill, I tripped I'm sorry it won't happen again. " She saw them getting closer, they were coming for her...think think think...
The two white inmates that had pushed her suddenly were taking up for her, "Fuck that do not apologize to her...we don't have to justify ourselves to their kind"...
"yeah just turn around or we can start race wars a little early", the larger of the two religious regime shouted drawing attention then she lunged forward. Alex only had time to throw herself backwards, dodging a fist and stumbling into the emergency AED and fire extinguisher case.
Mendez stops Dr. Chapman briefly by the elbow at the doorway entrance. ..the scuffle was at two shoves a piece. ..she looked at the wall at where she had placed her hand and saw a fire alarm. Everyone was looking at the scuffle and Mendez was busy making googly eyes at Piper...Alex realized though elementary it might be the only option she had at the moment as grabbed the metal red handle and pulled it. Setting off the fire alarms caused the sirens to blare in all D block and set off the water sprinklers. She was able to quickly blend into the jagged line of inmates now crouched to the floor.
Piper squealed at the sudden spray and Alex watched Mendez shield her slightly with his newspaper. Ehh...that didn't sit well with her for some reason and she wondered briefly if she might need to abandon the part of her plan that meant flirting with the Good Doctor, seemed it might be a lost cause. She took the offered paper shield and left quickly to secure the infirmary.
"Goddammit. ..one of you little assholes did this..?" Mendez shouted, he grabbed Bell and few others to escort us per fire safety rules to the yard until the cells could be swept. Alex could barely breathe around her pounding heart as she had just bought herself an hour maybe more...maybe less.. until this chaos passed and Dr. Chapman remembered that she still hadn't taken the test...as she glanced at the clock, it was 2 pm. Now she just had find a way to get to Taystee before the infirmary closed today...as she made her way back to the yard, but with chapel already over, no PI work today as far as she knew, and them being housed in different blocks...she had no idea how she was going to do it...
A/N Hey there, again just wanted to give major thanks to all those followers and people that review...it's good to know that people are as excited as I am about this story...sorry for making you guys wait three weeks, the updates will come faster again now that I'm starting back to school in two weeks I'll be in front of this computer plenty. So let me know what you think...will Alex get the PUGNac from Taystee in time...Can she really trust Vee...how will she survive Race Wars... and when will Nicky get back from the SHU... these answers and more...hit that follow/review button