CHAPTER THREE
The answer came to her in the morning. She wasn't happy about it but it had to be done. And she'd risk Zoe being angry with her all over again.
Red watched as her partner helped Norma with the chopping. She looked tired this morning and her face was grey. Red could see that Zoe's hands were shaking.
Norma glanced over at Red with a worried expression. So Norma noticed too.
An hour later, Zoe looked up when she heard her prisoner number being called over the PA system. She made her way to Caputo's office.
" Morning Mr Caputo," she greeted the assistant warden.
" Sit down," Caputo gestured to the chair as he went through some notes, " I'm going to pull you out of kitchen duty." Caputo went straight to the point. Red was right-Zoe looked awful.
" Pull me out of-but sir, I'm fine." She protested.
" You don't look fine," Caputo replied bluntly, " You're a danger to yourself and to others if you keep working in that kitchen."
" But-nothing has happened so far," she argued.
" But it will. I'm sorry but my decision is final."
" Well…where am I going to be reassigned to?" she demanded.
" Nowhere.. You'll be exempt from working due to health reasons."
" Mr Caputo that's not fair. I can do easy work! How am I supposed to earn money for my commissary account?"
" I've checked your file. You have someone from the outside depositing money into your account monthly. You will be fine. Take up knitting."
" I loathe knitting." She narrowed her eyes, " Who did this?"
" What do you mean?" Caputo asked.
" You know what I mean. Who put you up to this?"
" I think you know who." Caputo said, confirming her worst fear. I can't believe it. I can't believe she would do this to me! Zoe wanted to shout but kept her cool.
" She's only did it because she thinks it right." Caputo came to Red's defence.
Zoe didn't reply. She stalked out of the office and marched down to the kitchen, anger boiling over.
Red saw the furious expression on Zoe's face and steeled herself. Here is comes she said to herself.
" I've just been told that I'm to stop working in the kitchen-and to stop working permanently." Zoe said angrily, " I know it was you who put Caputo up to this so don't bother denying it."
" Yes it was me. I'm only-"
" Doing what you think is right. Well, Red, what you are doing is interfering. This is my life and it's my health and you had no right do to this to me!" Zoe shouted.
" Zoe please-if you calm down we can talk about this."
" I'm through with talking, and I'm through with you. We are done." Zoe snarled and swore at her. Red stepped back, shocked. Zoe had been angry in their previous fight but that was nothing compared to this. Quiet, non-assuming Zoe didn't lose her temper often.
The kitchen had grown quiet and Zoe turned to leave when her face turned into a scary shade of grey.
" Zoe?" Red started for her just as Zoe's eyes rolled towards the back of her head and collapsed.