Empty Spaces Chapter 11
Piper's POV in the hospital
While they still weren't speaking to her, Piper had noticed a change in the medical staff going about their business around her. There was a change in the atmosphere she couldn't quite put her finger on, she guessed her story had made the rounds courtesy of the nurse who'd been responsible for keeping her hydrated during the interview with the Caputo and Figeuroa. She didn't find herself minding too much, had even welcomed the small moments of eye contact she would occasionaly receive when they spoke to her now. She couldn't say for sure but the battered blonde that their fear had abated some.
She was pulled from her musings as the two prison officials she'd been expecting appeared at the door. Figeuroa looked as stunning as ever, while the older man beside her just looked tired. It was easy to tell he had definitely been put through the wringer this past week. They sat down on two stools an orderly had brought in for them, and Caputo sifted briefly through a folder before redirecting his focus up to Piper's face and not the chains still keeping her restrained to the hospital bed before them. She understood why they were still there even with her injuries. After all she was a dangerous felon and the hospital had to protect their staff.
"We got pretty much all the information that we needed from you yesterday, you may have to give another statement to the District Attorney later on when you've had a bit more time to heal but that will be a formality. We here today to tell you about the findings of our own internal investigation. We've reviewed the evidence found at the scene, all possible video surveillence, the doctor's findings on your injuries as well as those of Miss Doggett. We've found that the statement you gave us corresponds to all of the evidence available." He paused allowing the information to sink in.
"Now under normal circumstances there would be some very serious repercussions to be discussed. Even without taking into consideration the excessive damage done to Miss Doggett the night of the pageant, you know that being caught with a deadly weapon is a guaranteed five years added to your sentance. Even with the extenuating circumstances we cannot inmates with weapons which I'm sure you understand better than anyone. However it was Correctional Officer Healy's gross negligence that allowed this situation to evolve the way it did. He mishandled several threats of violence abused his position of authority as a corrections officer and willfully negected his duties with terrible results. Corrections officer Healy's position has been terminated with all benefits forfeit and he is facing criminal charges. While we can't ignore the fact that you had a weapon, any additional time being added to your sentence will be nominal comparatively speaking. The biggest hit will actually be that you will not be eligible for early release due to good behavior. As you knowingly concealed a weapon on your person." Caputo paused again referring to his folder and allowing Piper a moment to process her unbelievable good luck if everything he was trying to tell her meant what she thought it did.
"Now the doctor says your wounds are healing well and that they should be able to transfer you to the prison infirmary within the next week, though it will be a while until you can rejoin the general population due to the damage to your hands. There are simply too many logistical issues with an inmate who can't use either hand. In the infirmary there will be someone on hand to assist you in your day to day needs until you've healed enough to start using them again. I know we've put a lot of information out there today so I want to ask if you if you understood everything we've told you?" He paused waiting patiently eyes locked with Piper's wanting to know that she did in fact comprehend the situation as he had layed it out before her.
She paused taking a moment to consider everything that he'd said over the course of today's conversation. They'd actually been able to back up everything she'd said, and healy was as good as busted. She couldn't help hoping that the security cameras had gotten a nice shot of that smug son of a bitch walking away. Sure it was bad for her kharma but she relished in the idea of Healy being on the other side of the bars for a change. She forced herself past that happy little thought to process everything else he had covered. They couldn't ignore the weapon but she was gonna get off light, and she didn't have to go to max. Truth be told it was better than she'd hoped for, but there was just one little niggling thought that was just starting to creep up in the back of her mind.
She was actually a little surprised it hadn't caught up with her sooner. Healy being gone was like a gift, it couldn't have been any prettier if they'd wrapped a bow around it. Sooner or later though Doggett and her bible thumping flunkies would be back, and she was in no shape to defend herself again. She realized Caputo was still watching and waiting for her response, had in fact been watching her expressions as she went through that rather exhausting train of thought. She focused in on him and gave a concise nod, leaving no doubt that she understood.
"Now with all that we've told you it seams as though you still have a few concerns. What are your concerns?" His speach was still slow, measured and even. She knew she was on some heavy duty painkillers, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was five years old again and her mother was trying to explain something complicated to her. She nodded again before trying her voice for the first time since their last visit. She lifted both hands vaguely causing the chains hanging from the cuffs to clink against the metal bedrail.
"I can't protect myself, what do I do when they come back for me. They'll find a way, even in the infirmary. What do I..." She trailed off the fear gripping her chest tight. She closed her eyes trying to focus on forcing the feeling back down again, completely missing the shocked looked the two prison officials shared as she did so. It was Figeuroa who responded this time, though she couldn't hide the hint of surprise that crept up as she did.
"First and foremost I want to be clear that there will be some very real changes at Litchfield, violent incident such as this will not be tolerated in the future. Several corrections officers and staff are being replaced due to the rising number of troubling incidents lately. It is being made clear to staff and inmates alike that any reprisals or future instances of violence will be handled swiftly and severely. As for Miss Doggett specifically she is no longer an issue. I'm afraid her injuries were too severe, the doctors here were unable to do anything for her." She stopped there unsure of how to finish, somehow they'd both just assumed she'd known. Caputo just looked back at her unsure himself of what to say.
"So I... killed her?" the words tasted horrible in her mouth, she didn't know how to believe them. Not her, she couldn't be a killer. They were the kind of depraved people you saw on the nightly news. Dirty men with stubbly faces and ugly snears, they were killers. She was a nice blonde lady, she'd gone to Smith and Smith girls didn't kill people. She couldn't even register the darkness creeping up around her as the panic reared up inside, seizing tightly to her chest and squeezing for all it was worth. Caputo and Figeuroa were left to stand idly by while the monitors around them exploded into a frenzy of noise and activity while the woman in front of them came completely undone.