Chapter 17: Baker's demise
…
Danielle sat at her bolted down desk, her mind in turmoil. For the last two days, she'd felt… Well she wasn't even sure what she felt. Just… Off. Nervous. Uneasy. Dr Stark had assured her at least twice that she was perfectly safe, the most recent just a few hours ago. But she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched. She knew it was ridiculous, she was in one of the safest places in the world. But still… She'd tried to put it down to Adam's persistent attempts to call and message her. Would that man ever give up? She knew the answer to that question already. No. Not a chance in hell.
With a deep sigh, she headed back to her bed. She knew she should try and sleep, it was after midnight. She just wasn't sure if she'd be able to pull it off tonight. As she lay down, she found her mind going back to a conversation she'd had with Joanne two days before when she'd first told her how she was feeling. She'd pressed her call button and asked Joanne if they could go for a walk at 2AM.
"Where do you want to go?" Joanne asked as they left the cell block.
"I don't care," she said truthfully. "I'd just really like to talk to you, if I may?"
"Now what kind of question is that?" Her guard squeezed her arm. "Of course you can. I'm all, as you love, ears."
She couldn't help it and laughed at that. "I love you Joanne," she said softly, realising she actually meant it. "Thank you."
Joanne squeezed her arm again and she hugged her tightly in the middle of the corridor, not caring if anyone saw them. Joanne squeezed her close for a moment then released her. "Um," she said shyly. "Do you trust me now Joanne?"
"In what way?" Her guard asked.
She had wanted to do this for a while now but hadn't dared asked and she and Joanne would have to be alone for it for her to feel completely at ease about doing so. Well now at 2 AM, they were. "This," she said, reaching forward and beginning to softly touch Joanne's vest and equipment, feeling the handcuffs, radio and gun holster, plus notepaper, pen and a flashlight strapped to her shoulder and the compartments on her heavy belt. Joanne didn't move or make an attempt to stop her. She was grateful that Joanne trusted her. Especially when Joanne pulled out each piece of equipment and handed it to her, showing her where each part went in their pouches and what some of it was for. She didn't recognise the feel of her panic alarm for example. "I've wanted to ask you for that for ages," she admitted. "But I wasn't sure how."
"You should've just asked you silly girl. Did you enjoy that?" She nodded, genuinely smiling a little now.
"I thought you were going to go after my ears," Joanne said, chuckling. Danielle knew they had mutual trust and respect now so she reached up and felt her guard's ears. She liked them; she couldn't lie. She was surprised to find Joanne also had short hair, though not quite as short as hers. Her ears were very small and she had to admit that they were cute.
"Do I have nice ears then?" Joanne asked. She could hear in her voice that she was grinning. "Yes," she blushed.
Joanne pretended horror. "Oh no! I've passed the ear test! My ears are no longer safe!"
She burst out laughing. Not for the first time, she thanked Dr Loomis for giving her this woman. She was amazing. "They're cute," she said when she could speak.
"Cute, huh?" Joanne mused. "Well, get off my cute ears," she laughed.
"I'd love to have all that stuff on me as part of my job," she admitted as they started walking again. "It must make you feel so powerful?"
Joanne laughed. "No, it's just to protect, that's all. I don't go around thinking I'm an armed, handcuff wielding superhero."
At this, Danielle cracked up for real, unable to stop giggling. Joanne chuckled. "Sorry," she said when she'd got her breath back. "That's one reason I love you Joanne. You're so funny, kind and compassionate, but scary when you need to be." Joanne touched her shoulder. "I mean," she continued. "Look what happened in court with Adam when you had to shoot him."
Joanne didn't say anything until they were sitting in the restaurant with hot drinks and facing each other across the bolted down wood table. "Is that what's keeping you awake?" She asked then. "Or rather who? Adam?"
Danielle sighed. "You're just too sharp Joanne," she nodded. "But yes. Although it's not in the way you'd think. Joanne, can I talk to you… As a friend? Like, if I tell you something, will it stay here? Unless you see a risk… Damn red tape."
Joanne chuckled. "Oh you're so cynical. But yes. I think we've known each other long enough now. At the beginning I'd have had to tell one of the doctors, but it's ok. Talk away."
"Thank you so much," she said, now feeling tears prick her eyes. "It's just…" She took a deep breath. "Lately Joanne, I feel like I've been stuck on a fucking merry-go-round. Adam. Michael. Adam. Michael. Complete with its fucking music."
"In what way hon?"
Danielle looked down for a moment and sipped her tea. Joanne didn't push her to her relief. "Just…" She said after a while. "I know that Michael would never treat me the way Adam has, but…" She took a breath once more, gathering her thoughts before speaking. "If I was ever to anger Michael, the consequences could be well… Lethal."
"Are you afraid Michael might kill you if you push him too hard? Is that what you're saying?"
"Shit," she ran her hands through her hair. "Yes… no. I don't know! She lightly hit the table in frustration, trying to find the words for what she was trying to say. "Just that I know what Michael could do to me would and could be worse than anything Adam ever did. That said, Adam did want to kill me at the end, with that machete for example. But… I mean I don't believe for a second that Michael would try to control me or anything like that, but in some ways, as terrifying as Adam is… Michael is way more so."
Joanne touched her arm to indicate she was still listening. She didn't remove her hand as the two women briefly sat in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. "I don't think Michael would physically harm you," Joanne said eventually. "I think if he was angry he'd walk away. Remember that time he said you were giving him mixed signals? He just ignored you for a few days."
"I… Well I guess I just never thought of it that way. That's a good point."
"I do have them occasionally," she could tell Joanne was grinning.
"Well thanks," she smiled back. "You definitely did this time."
"Is there a part of you which is afraid to get into a relationship with Michael? Just in case?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "But I do know I don't want to lead him on in any way shape or form. Nor do I want to lose him. I think I love him Joanne, he makes me really happy. Even though he's never said it back to me, I can almost tell by the way he treats me. It's just… Tonight I had a really bad dream."
"What happened?" Joanne stood and came back with a fresh cup of tea. "Thanks," Danielle smiled at Joanne as the guard handed it to her. Joanne sat down with her coffee.
"I expect you need a lot of those on night shifts right?" She laughed genuinely.
"Sometimes," Joanne smiled. "So do you want to talk about this dream?"
"The strange thing is, I had one very similar shortly after I got here. I think it was the first night Michael was ever with me, the first time he held me. I was on one of those secure buses, I don't know where we were going and you were with me."
"Was I?" Joanne chuckled. "Lucky me."
Danielle laughed with her. "Yes, but something went wrong. The bus crashed. Jefferson was there with us and he was teasing me about how it was a shame this was our last ride together as he still wanted to fuck me," she wrinkled her nose in disgust. Michael somehow got out of his chains and was killing everyone; you were hugging me as we were both terrified."
"I'm not surprised. Then what?"
"I told you to go back to Smith's Grove if you could, Michael carried me off with him and made love to me in a car. That was when I woke up."
"Hmm. That was the first dream was it? So what happened in tonight's dream?"
"Yes it was. Tonight was totally different and much worse. Michael actually killed me. I woke up just after he slit my throat."
"Were you on another bus with him or somewhere else?"
"I don't remember. But it just got me thinking. What if I really did anger him? He'd make Adam look like a gentleman," She grimaced. "Well, maybe not."
Joanne chuckled again. "I get your point. Is that why you couldn't get back to sleep?"
"Yeah. But I don't feel I can just turn around and say I'm scared you'll treat me like Adam did, or I'm scared of angering you because you might want to kill me if I do."
"Why?" Joanne said softly. Now Danielle did gape at her. "You're kidding right?"
"No." Joanne moved to sit next to her and took her hand. "Actually, I think that would be a very good idea. It'd bring you closer, no secrets or dishonesty and you'd both know where the other stood."
"Now I know you're joking Joanne," she said incredulously. "It's not like he'll answer me is it?"
"By voice? Perhaps not. But we both know he's done so via your phone and in other ways before. He'll make you understand somehow and you know that."
"Got me there," Danielle admitted eventually. "I can't deny or dispute that."
"Nope," Joanne agreed. "You can't. Just tell him the truth. He's hardly going to blame you for having flashbacks of Adam, is he? Don't answer that. I know all you've experienced before is cruelty and abuse, so I think Michael wants the chance to show you that it doesn't have to be that way. But you in turn need to do your part to be honest with him. He's hardly going to be angry with you for that is he? It's Adam he'll be angry with,"
"Ok. I promise when we're allowed back together I will."
"Good girl!" Joanne squeezed her hand.
"But that's not all," she said. "I don't mind if you have to inform the doctors of this, but I'd like to tell Dr Stark in my session tomorrow. I feel… I don't know… Nervous. Off. Something just doesn't feel right and I can't put my finger on it."
"I'm sorry. Any idea why?"
"No. That's what's getting to me. Dr Stark keeps telling me I'm safe, nothing will happen, I'm in one of the safest places I could be, I know that's why you're keeping me here. But I just… Can't relax. I feel like I'm being watched. I know it's probably just Adam's continuous calls, he keeps Face Timing me, I'm going to get my apple ID changed soon, I think Stacey is going to work on it with me next week. But I just can't relax, or sleep very well lately."
"I think that's Adam," Joanne said. "I also know you relax more when Michael is with you and I stand by what I said before. We will reunite you as soon as we can."
Danielle could only nod. She could feel a lump swelling in her throat.
"Oh sweetie," Joanne pulled her into a hug. "It's alright. I'll let you tell Dr Stark tomorrow, but if you don't, I will. Got it?"
She sniffled against her guard's shoulder and managed, "yes."
…
Adam had tried her new number at least 5 times, but her phone was turned off. This infuriated him. How dare her. But he knew it was her number because of her voicemail. "Hi this is Danielle…" So on and so forth. He'd just have to keep trying, that was all. When he got a hold of her… He felt excitement shooting straight to his groin. Oh he couldn't wait. It would be one of the best moments of his life. Her terror, fear, just perfect.
…
It was now 3 AM and she still couldn't sleep. She sighed, sitting back down at her desk and turning on her phone. Some music would be good right about now. She'd just opened the music app, when her phone rang. That was odd, who'd be calling her at this hour? She didn't recognise the number. Without thinking, she answered it.
…
"Well hello," Adam said, speaking as if he were talking to a naughty child. "Dear, oh dear, I'm afraid you need to be punished. You see, you changed your number without my permission and that is simply not ok. You may think while you're in that loony bin you're safe, but that's just not the case I'm afraid. When you get out, I'm going to find you then fuck you over and over again. Your cunt is only for my big hard cock. I own you; and I'm never letting you go. I'll have to be dead before you're free."
Of course he'd known his bitch would answer. She wouldn't even dream he'd get her new number. So of course she had. After Adam stopped speaking there was a second of silence before he heard what sounded like her phone hitting the floor? He laughed out loud. Had she just passed out? If so, great. It meant she still feared him as much as he knew she should. Still chuckling, he hung up. His job was done, for now at least.
…
It was just past three when Ryan heard the clatter of something hitting the floor up the corridor. He stood up, as did Sean. "What was that?"
"I don't know," Ryan said. "Better go check it out though."
His colleague nodded and they headed up the corridor towards the cell. It was always possible she'd just dropped something, but Ryan felt better to check that she was ok.
…
When her phone rang, she felt a surge of hope. Maybe it was Charlotte with her own DV protected number? Picking up the phone she answered and at first was sure she was having a nightmare. She had to be…
She couldn't speak, nor could she hang up. Two emotions were battling within her. Terror and anger. She knew she'd been right to be nervous and here was proof. Someone on the inside had given Adam her fucking protected phone number. Dizziness closed in and she slumped back onto her bed. Just before she passed out and her phone hit the floor, she recalled that Dr Stark said she was safe, well it seemed that she was wrong.
…
Ryan and Sean stopped outside the cell and looked through the bars. She was lying on her bed and at first glance, she appeared to be asleep. But Ryan had always trusted his instincts and right now they were telling him something was wrong. "What's up?" Sean asked as Ryan pushed the button to open the door.
"I don't know," Ryan said quietly. "Something just doesn't feel right."
"She's asleep man…" Sean began, then stopped dead in his tracks. She was shaking.
"Sean, call Dr Stark. Now!" Ryan kept his voice low but urgent. The last thing he wanted was the other two in the block to know what was happening. Not Chancer anyway.
Sean grabbed his radio. The doctors could be called at night if one of their high care patients was in trouble and Ryan didn't know what else this could be. Something had clearly happened to her. Jack ran in then and Ryan was very thankful. Had Sean called him?
"Try and get her to respond," Ryan said to his colleague. As he did, Sean began to speak fast into his radio.
"Dr Stark, something's happened to Danielle. We don't know what, but she's shaking really bad and isn't responding to us at all. Thanks, ok." He lowered his radio. "Dr Stark will be here in ten," he said, his own voice shaking a little. What the fuck happened? He, like all the other guards had grown to like her and didn't want to see her like this.
"Danielle," Jack murmured. "Can you hear me?" Nothing. No response of any kind.
…
When Joanne's phone rang at nearly 4AM, she knew it had to be bad news. Groggily, she reached for it. Rick's eyes had also opened. "Hello?" Joanne said. She listened, then clapped a hand to her mouth. "I'm on my way." And hung up.
"What's happened babe?" Rick asked as Joanne scrambled out of bed.
"Something's happened to Danielle," Joanne said. "That was Dr Stark. She wants me to come in right away."
Smith's Grove was allowed to call guards in, in emergencies but it was double pay and they got two days back on leave. But Joanne didn't care about any of that. She couldn't deny she was worried about her on a personal level as well as professional. Quickly, she pulled on her uniform. Rick stood up and began to do the same.
"What are you…?" Joanne started. But she knew.
"What do you think? I'm coming with you. I want to help as much as you do, you're not doing this alone." Joanne wanted to argue, but there wasn't time. So she just nodded.
Within minutes, they were in Rick's car racing towards Smith's Grove. The police had their registrations so if they were speeding, they'd call the hospital to find out if they'd called them in before stopping them. If yes, they were allowed to speed. They arrived at the gates and the guard simply nodded and let them in. Dr Stark would've radioed ahead. There was no time for the usual ID checks.
They ran into the guard hub, pulled on their equipment then ran into the block. Joanne ran to the cell and looked at her in horror. "What the hell happened?"
…
Before ten minutes had even passed, Dr Stark had run through the doors and up to the cell. Kneeling at her side, she asked the guards to leave. "Hey," she said, touching the woman's shaking hand. "Hello, it's me. Dr Stark."
Danielle opened her eyes and Dr Stark could see the anger and rage on her face. "I'm going to fucking kill them," she said very softly.
Dr Stark was personally shocked, but professionally tried not to show it. She'd never expected mild mannered Danielle to say that even when at her angriest. What on earth had happened? "Who?"
"WHOEVER GAVE ADAM DAWSON MY SO-CALLED PROTECTED fucking PHONE NUMBER!" Danielle shouted and Dr Stark stared at her in horror.
"What did you just say?"
Without another word she handed the doctor her phone. The doctor scanned the screen and saw the most recent call. Pulling out her work phone, she dialled the number from her phone into it. She listened as it started ringing, then the call was answered and the single word spoken by the man on the other end told Gemma Stark all she needed to know. "Dawson?"
…
During the entire time Gemma Stark had been a psychiatrist, she'd always prided herself on keeping her emotions in check. She never showed how she was truly feeling. Whether it be dislike towards a patient, anger, whatever. The closest she ever came was when she was at home and in the arms of her husband, Dr Luke Stark, a top rated heart surgeon. Even then, she didn't talk about it and he never pushed, knowing she couldn't answer him. He'd just hold her at night, if she was struggling to sleep, or on the very rare occasion when she'd cried. They'd been married for ten years and Gemma Stark could not be happier.
On this particular night though, for the first time in her professional life, she was struggling to do so. One emotion was so strong in her chest she couldn't hold it in. Anger. As soon as Dawson had given his name she'd hung up, thankfully she'd withheld her work number so he couldn't call back. The fact that clearly someone on the inside had passed Danielle's supposedly DV protected phone number to her abuser had made Gemma Stark furious.
It had to be someone on the inside because no one else would've had access to it. Once a number was DV protected, it wouldn't even show in the owner's phone settings. The only way was to call one of their contacts to get it. She had called Dr Stark's work phone to pass it on and she had written it in her file.
So who the hell had gained access to her secure cabinet, got Danielle's number and dared to pass it to Adam Dawson? Then there was the question of who had asked them to do it. Surely it hadn't been one of the guards? How long had they been working against Danielle? Was there someone on the inside watching her? This made Dr Stark, if possible, even angrier.
Heading into her office, she walked straight over to the cabinet in question. It could only be opened using a fingerprint or a passcode. The guards had access, but only in absolute emergencies. They would have no reason to get out a file unless they needed medication or next of kin details. One thing she'd never told any of them was that she'd installed a tracking device. It would show her the last time the cabinet had been accessed, giving the time and date.
Quickly she logged into her computer and entered the 3 separate passwords before she got to the cabinet's app. clicking on it, her eyes widened in horror and rage. Access had been gained at 10:01 last night. So that meant it was one of the late or graveyard shift guards. Dr Stark took a deep breath, got to her feet and headed back into the block. When Rick had appeared with Joanne, Dr Stark had given him a small smile in thanks. Now, Dr Stark entered the cell block and walked to her room. Joanne was holding Danielle in a tight hug.
"Someone accessed the secure cabinet and had taken her number from her file. It was done at 10:01 last night."
Joanne clapped a hand to her mouth in horror, Rick glared at the wall.
"No way," he said softly. "Who?"
"I don't know," Dr Stark said in a low voice. "But believe me I'm going to find out."
Rick followed Dr Stark at a brisk pace back to her office, where she pressed the emergency button behind her desk. This would call all the guards from the previous shift with an automated message, telling them they had to come back in urgently. Again, on double pay. But not this time.
When Dr Stark found out who had done this, they'd be out the door within seconds. Once that was done, she pulled out her phone and called Dr Loomis, telling him they'd had a serious security breach. Danielle phone number being passed to Dawson by someone as yet unknown. Dr Loomis was horrified. Dr Stark declined when he asked if she needed him to come in.
"You know," Rick said quietly when she hung up, telling Dr Loomis she had the situation in hand. "This, um, isn't going to go down well with Michael, right?"
Dr Stark gave a grim smile. "Oh yes. Someone in this hospital has just signed their death warrant if Michael Myers gets hold of them."
They went back into the block. Rick looked at Dr Stark, who nodded, already knowing what he was asking. Ryan ran to Rick's side and together they headed straight to Myers' cell.
"We're with you Michael," Rick snarled as he opened the killer's door. "God help whoever did this. We've got you covered."
The killer was at her cell so fast they didn't see it. Next second, he had his arms around her as he pulled her close. She hadn't said a word since she shouted that she would kill whoever did this. The serial killer just tightened his embrace.
A few minutes later, the late guards started returning, bleary eyed but Dr Stark didn't care. "Matt," she barked at the head guard of their team. "My office, now."
"Ok Matt, listen up!" Dr Stark snapped. "We've had a serious security breach committed by one of your team. I mean serious. I want answers now. And none of you are leaving until I get them. Danielle Hayward's DV protected phone number has been accessed from my secure cabinet and then passed on to her abuser! The very man it was changed to protect her from! And as you can imagine, she's terrified. How did this happen? It's your job to find out!"
Matt looked at her, shocked. "Shit! I'm on it. All I will say is," he lowered his voice. "John Baker was sweating bullets and really pale before he left tonight. He was fine when he arrived, he only started looking ill at just after 10. He wouldn't make eye contact with any of us when we tried to talk to him."
Dr Stark's eyes widened. "Is he here?"
"Yes. Want me to send him in?"
"Absolutely. Now."
"On it!" Matt sprinted from the room.
Ryan had mentioned this to Dr Stark earlier, but now Matt had put it in this new light, and she found it to be very, very suspicious. "My alarm bells were ringing then," Ryan had said. "He wouldn't look at me and seemed really edgy. Matt asked him if he wanted to leave early but he said no."
Baker didn't come in. Dr Stark's anger rose. He was afraid. Good, she hoped he was terrified. He knew exactly what he'd done. Standing, she marched into the corridor and saw Baker Standing near Rick and Ryan, who were both looking at him with utter contempt, bordering on hatred.
"Baker," Dr Stark snapped. "I called you into my office. Why didn't you come in? Don't say you didn't get the message; I don't buy it."
"I was just talking to the guy's here to find out what's going on," John said. He still looked pale and he wouldn't meet her eyes either. A clear sign of guilt. He knew only too well that it wouldn't be just his job on the line here, but his freedom too. He would face prison time for this.
"Baker, did you access my cabinet at 10:01 yesterday evening? My records show someone did at precisely that time."
Baker's eyes widened. This was exactly why Dr Stark hadn't told anyone about the tracking software. Only Dr Loomis knew about it for this exact reason. He tried to hide it, but it was too late. "No Dr Stark, why would I?"
"You tell me Baker," Dr Stark snapped.
Rick's temper finally snapped. Before he knew what he was doing, he'd grabbed Baker and slammed him against the cell right next door to Myers'. John looked at him in surprise, shock, and then anger. He tried to struggle but Rick was much bigger and stronger than him.
"You lying little fucker," Ryan snarled. "You can't look at any of us, you're sweating and you've looked like you were going to be sick since 10 last night, just after you did it! What was it pal? Money? How much were you offered by Dawson to do this? Did you give it to him directly or through someone else? I hope you're happy now! She is terrified, thank you very much! You complete and total…" Rick pulled out his handcuffs and cuffed Baker. Dr Stark was glaring at him with pure contempt, as were Ryan, Sean and the other guards. Matt appeared then.
"Explains why you looked unwell," he glared at his now former co-worker.
"You've never liked Danielle, have you?" Dr Stark snapped as Rick still held him against the wall. "Why? She's told me before of how you don't, or should I say, you didn't look after her properly. You know I was prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt! More fool me! What? You hate women? Is that it? You've never really respected me either! Don't try to deny it, I know!" None of them heard the silent footsteps approaching.
"You'll have to prove it first," Baker said.
"Oh no we won't," Dr Stark said evenly. "Your fingerprints are on the scanner. It's being analysed as we speak. Sorry John, didn't you think of gloves? Or were you so nervous that you wanted to rush it? I say again, who did you give it to? Dawson or someone else?" Baker made no move to answer.
That was when Myers' hands went around John's throat. Tight, strong, deadly. Rick and Ryan held Baker against the wall and Dr Stark reached up and seemingly accidentally turned the camera the other way, to face the cells.
Baker tried to struggle, but he didn't stand a chance. Not to mention he was handcuffed. "Told you we've got you Michael," Ryan snarled, punching Baker straight in the face. His nose immediately began to bleed. Sean who had walked off, now appeared with a body bag in his hand.
"You want to breach security? Break the rules?" Rick snarled as Baker started choking his last breaths. "Then so can us! Not to mention you only hurt Michael Myers' girl! Bad move pal, didn't anyone tell you that?"
Just like last time, the guards tried to pull Myers back, but only for appearances sake. Dr Stark had also turned off the microphones in the corridor. Though she'd done that as soon as she'd entered her office. Ryan put his hand on Myers', as if to get him off Baker's throat. But his hand was gentle and he couldn't help shaking.
He'd never seen Michael Myers in action, unless you counted the time he'd almost grabbed Ryan. This was something else though. Baker was dying. Eventually Myers released Baker's body, which slumped to the ground. Ryan and Rick just glared at the corpse. Ryan kicked him, and Rick bent down to remove his equipment vest.
"Motherfucker," Ryan said and his voice was shaking. "How could anyone have persuaded him to do something like this? Did he want her to try and kill herself again?" He wiped his eyes across his sleeve. Rick grasped his colleague's arm.
Myers hadn't moved. He stood there silently and all they could hear was his calm breathing. Sean stepped forward and zipped Baker into a body bag. "How are we going to explain this?" Jack asked. He too had pretended to try and help and was thankful Myers knew they weren't really trying.
"Easy," Rick said. "He got too close to Myers who grabbed his throat and we couldn't pull him off. I…" He trailed off. Know how that feels? Was he really going to say that? He actually met the killer's eyes then and could feel his murderous rage.
Perhaps it was because he'd just seen Myers kill someone up close, or because of what'd happened to her, but Ryan suddenly had to turn away. For the first time, he wondered if this was the right job for him after all. He tried to stumble away, but Rick pulled him close with one arm.
"Hey man," he soothed. "It's ok."
"My sister's her age," Ryan said, his voice barely audible. "I can't stand men who hurt women! How could he have done that to her? How? One of our fucking own? Oh Jesus I feel sick!" Rick held him tighter, softly soothing him
Rick was grateful for him, then for Angel, one of the late female guards, when she came over and put her arms around Ryan, pulling him into a hug. Ryan clung to her vest as if he were drowning, his tears dampening it.
"Hey," Angel soothed. Rick realised she deserved her name. She truly was an angel. "Shh, Ryan. Come on, let's get you some coffee."
"I… I can't…" Ryan tried to say.
"Yes you can," Dr Stark said firmly, appearing beside them. "Thank you so much Angel. You should be going home though."
"It's no problem, I'll stay as long as I need to. Rick looked at her and couldn't stop a small smile. Was there attraction here? Angel saw it and blushed. "Shut up!" She mouthed. Rick laughed and wasn't surprised to hear it was a trembling laugh.
Angel helped Ryan towards the staff canteen. Dr Stark laid her hand on Michael's upper arm. "Michael, thank you," she said quietly.
"Yeah," Rick snarled. "Thank you is right."
"Do you need to talk to me, and do you need a minute?" Dr Stark said to the killer calmly. They understood why. Again he'd just killed someone and they had to tread very carefully. Myers looked up meeting the doctor's eyes and to their surprise nodded once. The psychiatrist kept her hand on his arm as she and Michael walked down the corridor. There was total silence.
…
"Adam got my supposedly protected number," Danielle said an hour later, to Dr Stark without preamble. "How?"
Dr Stark laid a hand on her shoulder. "I'll tell you in a moment, first tell me how you feel?"
But she wasn't having any of that. "Sorry Dr Stark," she said. "I'm not playing ball this time. My number was supposed to be protected so he couldn't get a hold of it and he's done just that. I want to know how! You always ask me how I'm feeling, but not this time. This time I'm asking the questions for once!"
There was a pause, before Dr Stark softly spoke. Michael silently slipped past her and to Danielle's side, sitting on the edge of her bed and putting his arms around her. She rested her head against the killer's shoulder.
"One of our guards was bribed," Dr Stark said quietly. "Someone as yet unknown bribed him to pass your number to Mr. Dawson. A guard accessed my secure cabinet to do so.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" she said incredulously. "I hope you found and arrested them?" She didn't have to see it to know Dr Stark and Joanne were looking at each other. She felt a stab of anger. Damn sighted people! Why couldn't they just talk? "Well?" She snapped.
"They would've been arrested," Dr Stark said quietly. "Were they still alive?"
"What?" She looked at them, confused. Then her mouth fell open. "You're joking!"
"No." Dr Stark said. "The guard is dead."
"Serves him right," Joanne muttered. "I would be too if I'd messed with someone Michael Myers cares about."
"No way," she let out a soft whistle. "It wasn't Mr. Jackass was it? If so, good fucking riddance! Sorry, but that guy never liked me from day one."
Dr Stark didn't answer, but she didn't have to. She knew she was right. "Fucker," she muttered, feeling the sting of tears. "Why does someone always seem to want to endanger me? Why can't I just live my life?"
Immediately, Michael pulled her close to him. Joanne squeezed her hand in hers. "It's all Adam," she said softly. "He must've hired the person who bribed John Baker that was his name. The only one who wants to hurt you is him and I'll be damned if he's going to do so any further."
"But who the fuck was the mole?" She cried. "Who did Adam hire to do this? Plus, how long has he or she been watching me?" She shivered a little and Michael held her tighter.
"That's what I'm going to find out," Dr Stark said. "I can assure you it won't happen again. Stacey is already changing your number again as we speak. Instant this time, not within twenty-four hours, and I have changed the access to my cabinet so only guards I trust and the team leads can access it. Ryan, Rick and Joanne are all on that list."
"Good," she said fervently. She knew none of those 3 would ever intentionally hurt her like that. Joanne smiled at the doctor, as did Rick. He remained silent throughout the exchange but now he pressed a cup of tea into her hand, and handed a cup of coffee to Michael. "Thanks," she said quietly, managing a faint smile. "Thanks Rick."
"How did you know it was me?" The guard asked and she could tell he was smiling.
"Um," she blushed, embarrassed. "Truthfully? The smell of your aftershave."
"It is rather nice isn't it?" Joanne chuckled, as did Rick. "Fair enough," he squeezed her hand. "I did ask."
…
Stacey Allard stared intently at her computer screen, waiting for the message to pop up from the remote DV Hub in IL confirming they had once again changed Danielle Hayward's number. In her whole fifteen years of being a Domestic Violence Advisor, she'd never seen anything quite as sickening as this. Sure people had tried to get their ex-partner's number, but the fact that a guard at the institution she worked for had actually been willing to compromise someone's safety made her feel sick.
Then there was the question of who had asked him to do it. It had to be someone in Smith's Grove surely. Which begged the question of who and how long had they been watching Danielle? What kind of person preyed on a blind person's vulnerability? That said, with what she knew about Adam Dawson, he would. She'd never met the man and disliked him on principle, if one could even call him a man. He was evil personified and in her opinion, in some ways worse than someone like Michael Myers. That was another thing Stacey was still struggling to comprehend. Michael Myers the notorious serial killer, at the very least cared for Danielle. Someone who in some ways was worse than Dawson, given that he didn't care who he killed. Yet now…
Stacey sighed softly to herself, as finally the message came up that Hayward's number had been changed. It'd only taken them ten minutes. Good. Because of her job role, they never asked her why a number needed changing again so quickly and she was glad of that right now. The last thing she wanted was to tell them about Dawson and his hatred towards Danielle, seemingly without rhyme or reason. She'd also asked them to put the emergency and non-emergency feature on her phone and shortly afterwards that too was confirmed as active.
Now she'd have to go and talk to Danielle and explain it. The poor woman. Hadn't she been through enough? Yet still, Dawson wouldn't give up. Stacey didn't often feel hatred, but she did towards him. She had also hardly ever seen Dr Stark so angry. She'd been fighting not to show it, but Stacey had seen it when they talked albeit briefly just now.
Dr Stark was furious that Hayward's safety had been compromised while in her care and Stacey totally understood this. So was she? Dr Stark had said she was determined to track down whoever inside Smith's Grove was working against her and bring them to justice. It only confirmed Stacey's long held thoughts about some of the patients in here. They called them insane, but that was wrong. They weren't insane, they were calculating, intelligent psychopaths.
…
"Hello?" Stacey saw the young woman start slightly at the sound of her voice as if she'd been falling asleep. Myers was still holding her tightly against him. Stacey smiled sadly. "Sorry, its Stacey. Dr Stark told me what happened last night. Are you ok? I'm so sorry. Your number has been changed a second time, this time as an emergency."
Danielle turned her head towards her DV Advisor. "It was a massive shock," she said softly. "I think I passed out."
Stacey buzzed open the cell door and entered. "Of course it was," she knelt by them and put her hand on her shoulder. "Like I said, I'm so sorry. Someone was watching you and got your number?"
"Apparently so," she said bitterly. "God I wish I knew who it was!"
"I need to talk a few things through with you. Do you want to do this in private?"
"It's cool," Danielle smiled at Stacey then Michael, who squeezed her close then placed her hands on his ears.
Stacey smiled at that. Who'd have believed it, she thought. Michael Myers' heart softened at last in the most unexpected way. So much so he's letting her touch his ears? Though I have no doubt he'd kill anyone he considered a threat to her, so is still a killer. "Ok," she said quietly after a moment. "So I just need to tell you about some little tweaks that we've made to your phone. Just as before, you'll need to call someone to get your number, we can do that on my work phone in a minute if you like. Dr Stark has vastly increased security, so only a handful of guards can access the files in her cabinet now."
"Dr Stark told me that."
"Good," Stacey said. She continued. "So we have implemented two measures from the DV hub should you need them, which we of course hope you don't. You remember the old speed dial on older phones?"
Danielle nodded, grinning a little. "Showing my age, but yes."
Stacey laughed. "Don't worry, mine too. So here's the score. If you press and hold eight on your phone it'll call us. Now eight is the non-emergency line, so someone will answer your call. That's for if you have any updates, however small, nothing's too trivial for us ok? Like if you think you heard Adam's voice in the street, you got a text or call from him though now that won't happen, and so on. You get my point, call if you need us for anything.
Now if you hold and press the number nine that is our emergency line. Your phone will vibrate once to signal to you the call has gone through, but you won't hear anything. This is in case you're unsafe, or with your abuser and you can't talk. One of our operators will be listening and another will have contacted the police who will be sent immediately to your location. We track you using GPS. Before you ask that even works in here and is not restricted either. If you need us, we're there. Ok?"
"So basically," Danielle said slowly. "Eight is not urgent, nine is emergency. I just press and hold them for a second?"
"Correct. Both will vibrate to show they've gone through. If you feel like you are in any danger at all, use this. You're on the high risk register."
"I know. Heard that so many times…" Danielle took a breath. Stacey squeezed her shoulder; Myers moved his head so she felt his ears move in her hands. She managed a weak smile at both of them. "Thank you," she said through the lump in her throat. "Stacey, Michael. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"It's what we're here for," Stacey squeezed her shoulder again. "As for Mr. Myers I think it's called caring." She smiled at the killer. "By the way, Dr Stark said to tell you that she'll be down to see you in just a few minutes ok? Do you have any questions?"
"What if I dial accidentally? In my pocket or something"
"Won't happen because you have to hold the button down for a second, so it's almost impossible to do. Needless to say if you were to call 9 and it wasn't urgent more than once, the first time you'd get called and warned, second you'd be asked to come in and be warned face to face, third it would be a written warning and 4th you'd lose the use of the service. Of course we know you wouldn't do that; I just have to tell you."
"Of course I wouldn't. Someone could be being raped or murdered while I was messing around if I ever was to do that, which I never would. Don't worry, it really annoys me when people do that with 911, so you wouldn't catch me even dreaming of doing it."
Stacey chuckled, squeezing her shoulder again. "I know. Anything else?"
"No thanks," she said. Stacey stood up, touched her shoulder lightly then turned and left, the cell door closing behind her.
…
The Shape lay beside Danielle, holding her tightly in his arms. She was fast asleep at last, having finally been persuaded by Dr Stark to take a sleeping pill. He however was wide awake. His mind racing. He was Michael Myers, the masked, silent killer. Yet, there was something about the woman lying next to him that he couldn't stop thinking about. What had she done to him?
If he was honest with himself, it'd started the very first time he'd seen her. When he'd touched her arm as she approached him. Chained to his block or not, he could've just turned around and strangled her to death before the guards even got there, if he'd wanted to. But he hadn't. Was it because he'd realised she was vulnerable in not being able to see, hence fight him? Or was it that he had detected how vulnerable she was mentally as well as physically?
It hadn't ended there. He hadn't let it end there. No. Instead, he'd taken her hand the next time, guided her to her cell even, before he'd finally lain with and held her. That had all been before he'd first tried to, then had killed Jefferson. All because he'd sexually assaulted her. Why had he cared so much? It wasn't his business. Yet, he'd acted before he'd even realised how he felt for her.
He hadn't taken advantage of her sexually. He could've, yet he hadn't. She was too scarred for that. But again, why did he care? He could've had his pleasure from her way before this. Even before he'd known the full extent of what Adam had done to her, before he'd seen her in court? He recalled the rage he'd felt, the desire to kill Adam.
He suspected he even took a little comfort, for want of a better word, that he still could kill anyone. He still felt that murderous rage and wouldn't hesitate to act on it. But Ryan… He was different somehow. When Myers had almost grabbed his throat, he'd apologised to him when the guard had returned. That wasn't him at all!
It was her. What had she done to him? He tightened his arms around her. Finally, when that guard, Baker, had successfully been bribed by someone as yet unknown to give Adam her number. This time he'd been united with Dr Stark and the others.
He was furious and the guard had to die. The Shape suspected that if he hadn't done it, one of the guards may have. He couldn't deny it, and he'd given up trying. She had changed him in a way he still didn't fully understand. He could no longer brush his feelings off. He knew it.
He lent forward and softly stroked her hair. Her mouth moved in a sleepy smile as he did so and he felt his heart contract. This was a new feeling that he had never felt before, it made him hold her closer to him. But the biggest realisations were that he cared for her, as far as he was concerned, and he was preparing to speak to her.
He hadn't used his voice in thirty-five years. Yet, she needed it more than anyone else, hell she deserved it more than anyone else. He would, The Shape decided there and then. Soon. He was letting her touch his damn ears! Even moving his head specifically so she could. Whenever she wanted. If anyone else even tried, they'd be dead, end of story. Next thing he'd know, he'd be whistling next…
The way he had to know she was ok all the time, cared about and was kind to her, protective…
The simple truth of all this was, he didn't recognise himself fully as the Michael Myers he'd been since he was 6 anymore. A blind young woman named Danielle Hayward was bringing back the Michael Myers his parents had lost when he'd killed Judith. He still felt indifference when he thought of his dead sister, but she was teaching him one simple lesson he couldn't escape from, even if he tried. Michael Myers, The Shape, was still a man.
…
Derek Chancer lowered the iPod and removed the earphones, trying to calm himself. This was bad. He didn't need anyone else to tell him that. He knew all about DV codes, (or at least he did since last night when he'd opened the iPod to find a huge document on the subject waiting for him,) but how to crack them was another matter.
They were supposed to be almost impossible to crack, that was the first thing the document, all at least one hundred pages of it, had informed him. Plus how was he supposed to do it locked up in here? He couldn't see a way around it. Now he'd just heard that DV Advisor Stacey, tell Danielle her number had been changed again, and she now had some sort of alarm that she could use to protect herself. This was getting more and more complicated.
It wasn't just that either. If John Baker could be identified so quickly and… Disposed of, Chancer didn't fancy the mortality rate. He hadn't seen anything that'd happened mere hours before, but he'd heard more than he wanted to. Michael Myers had killed Baker, Chancer knew it. Then there was the fact that Dr Stark had increased security on her file cabinet. There was no way any of the guards she'd listed would help him, they loved Hayward.
But then he found himself going back to his mother's mantra. Could, should, would. This time, it was, could, which was shouting the loudest. Crack a DV code? Not likely. Should, that was also a not likely. Not fucking likely actually. He knew how dangerous it could be if it went wrong for more than one reason and that wasn't even taking into account the danger he could be putting himself in.
He was only working against Michael Myers now. Why did he want to protect her so much? Chancer knew he could hardly call his employer and say sorry, there's just no way can I do this, without having thoroughly conducted his research first. So how best to begin.
The DV Advisor. That was it. He could pretend he'd been domestically abused by a woman and that was why he'd started killing them. Although, he mused. He wouldn't have much pretending to do. The woman who'd stolen his father from him and his mother had done enough fucking damage.
Maybe he should pretend she was violent. A female Adam Dawson? He smirked at that thought. Then slowly start asking about DV codes? But he wouldn't ask to talk to Stacey. He knew there were male DV Advisors at Smith's Grove, maybe he could approach one of them. He wouldn't talk to a woman anyway. He'd rather kill and rape her first.
Ok. So a male DV Advisor was his best option. Pretend he was also a victim of domestic violence. But remember to say nothing about her own case, or it would immediately be clear he'd heard things he shouldn't have, via the iPod. He needed to make up a case. Picking up the pencil and a piece of paper, he started to write his fictional abuse by a fictional woman. He'd flush it down the toilet when he was done and after he had all the facts completely memorised, so no one would, or could, to use his mother's wise words again, detect it was pure fiction he was telling them.
…
"Come in Samuel," the man in the crisp suit and tie said from behind his desk at precisely 9AM the next morning. His shoes gleaming. Dr Loomis inwardly sighed. He hated being called Samuel and this man had the right to do it purely because he was his damn boss. Quietly he entered the office and sat opposite the man behind the desk. He felt a stab of anger. This guy was about to give him orders, when he had no clue how Smith's Grove even worked, as he was never there. He sat up here in his ivory tower and issued demands, without any idea whatsoever of what actually went on. Money. That was his middle name. Privately Dr Loomis strongly disliked him, not an emotion he often felt. It was close to hate actually.
This was Barry Andrews. A money driven, selfish and heartless son of a bitch, as far as Dr Loomis was concerned. The doctors thought his initials should stand for bastard alert. None of them liked him at all. Whatever Andrews had to say to him, Dr Loomis knew it wouldn't be good. It never was.
"So Samuel. We have received information that Michael Myers has killed two people in the past month. What are your guards doing to restrain and control the cold blooded killer?"
Again, Dr Loomis' blood started to boil. This was exactly what he'd been talking about. The suited idiot didn't have a clue. He knew nothing of Danielle, Chancer, any of it. Dr Loomis sure as hell wasn't going to tell him. Damn paramedics. He knew they had to report it and he didn't blame them, but to this guy? The one who didn't give a damn about anything but money and order?
"Don't bother replying," his boss said before Dr Loomis could even think of how to frame an answer. "The fact is this isn't good enough. You clearly don't have the correct or well enough trained security guards to take the proper care and precautions with him. I am ordering him to be transferred to a maximum security facility next week.
I'm sorry Samuel, I know you and he have worked together for years, but with him killing two people while in our custody leaves me with no other choice. It would appear your equipment is also faulty, as your cameras were facing the wrong way both times. What? Are they broken? I won't stand for this. You get good money from me for security; defective equipment is simply unacceptable."
Dr Loomis bit his tongue. God there was so much he could say. Actually, he imagined himself saying. The masked killer has found and fallen in love. He killed them to protect the woman he loves, oh and she's totally blind by the way, because the perpetrators had put her in unspeakable danger or were point blank cruel and were sexually harassing her! Actually Sir, we were on Mr. Myers' side!
The guards turned off the cameras so you slimy little fucker wouldn't know the truth Sir. He had to look away. He was furious now. Transferring Michael Myers would do so much more harm than good, he knew it. Again, his boss didn't have a clue. Dr Loomis didn't think he'd entered the hospital in the last three years. Maybe more. Not a God damn clue.
"I will be arranging a secure bus to pick him up," his boss continued. "We will be taking him to Glass Hill. I assume you know it?"
Dr Loomis felt a shiver of dread. Glass Hill is the pit of hell, he thought. They'd lock Myers up until the end of his days, no contact, nothing. This would very probably finish her off, possibly driving her towards another suicide attempt. Dr Loomis knew he had to think and fast. But to stop this transfer, he'd had to cross so many lines of ethics he'd probably have to have himself arrested at the end of it.
But he, like everyone else, had come to care for Danielle Hayward and she'd melted Michael Myers' damn heart! That in itself made her worthy of credit. But sadly Dr Loomis could say none of this to the immaculately and expensively suited moron across the desk from him. However there were people he could say it to, people who could help him with a plan which could very easily land him in prison.
So be it, he thought as he left the office. You'll have to catch me and prove it first. Heading back into the ward, Dr Loomis went straight to his office. He had to think. This transfer wouldn't happen if he had anything to do with it.
…
Six hours later.
Derek Chancer had got no sleep the night before. He'd seen and heard everything. Panic began to set in when he saw Baker's body being zipped into a body bag. He hadn't actually seen him die, but he didn't have to. He knew how it'd happened. Michael Myers had killed him. He knew. In which case, it would only be a matter of time before he would come after him. Chancer was actually sure Myers knew already. His confidence he could do this was deserting him fast.
It was all very well making up some fictitious DV story, even that wasn't working out. There were too many holes in it and with every day that passed, this was getting more and more dangerous. He'd seen a male DV Advisor two hours ago and started telling his fabricated story, but even to his ears it didn't sound convincing, believable. The truth was he simply hated women. The problem was, it showed. He was quickly losing faith he could make it convincing enough to fool the Advisor.
Then there was the question of how he'd get around to the subject of DV codes without being suspicious. It wasn't like he could ask for a number change because he didn't even have a damn phone! Way too suspicious. Both doctors already suspected someone was watching Danielle and if he moved too fast he'd just prove it. But if he didn't… He'd received another message on the iPod just thirty minutes ago, which was when he'd really and truly started to panic.
OUR CLIENT WANTS HER NEW NUMBER A SECOND TIME. TRY AGAIN!
Nope. He'd have to swallow his pride. Picking up the iPod, he entered the password, his hands were shaking. He needed help and he needed it now. The heat was really coming down, just as he'd feared it would.
…
Gemma Stark was as surprised as everyone else when Michael accepted her offer of help. Jack made to follow her automatically, but the Psychiatrist shook her head. She knew she should probably have a guard nearby, but she felt that would show the killer she wasn't trusting him. Plus, Jack knew she had a panic button under her desk if things did get dangerous.
She and the killer entered the therapy room she and Danielle had used so many times. Totally silently, Michael took his seat on the patient's side and Dr Stark took hers on the other. She closed the glass window and activated the two way audio system. Immediately she heard Myers' calm breathing and was glad he didn't see, or at least gave no sign of it when she shivered slightly. God, she wouldn't want to be his enemy.
She wasn't exactly sure why she'd turned the audio on, she knew Myers wouldn't speak, but she wouldn't feel she was doing her job correctly if she didn't. The killer's gaze hadn't left her face. Dr Stark held his gaze, again thanking any God who existed she wasn't on this man's hit list.
"She will be ok," Dr Stark said quietly eventually. "I will make sure that never happens again. I don't know if you heard me mention the security measures I have taken now, but trust me there is no way this can or will be repeated. As for finding out who bribed Baker, all our guards are going to keep careful watch and if anything remotely suspicious comes to light Dr Loomis and I will know immediately."
Dr Stark knew the guards would have pretended to try and stop Myers, but in truth none of them really wanted to. Maybe that made them as corrupt as Baker in their own way, but what he'd done was totally sickening. Did that mean he deserved to die? Asked a quiet voice in her conscience but she shook it off. It was done now in any case. She had no doubt they would face investigation for it, but they had nothing to hide. The guards had tried to stop the killer, but with no success. It'd been a night shift, the guards from the other blocks hadn't been called. Shock, panic. Dr Stark wasn't worried about the official red tape.
She knew better than to play games with this man, so she just asked him straight. "Are you ok, Michael?"
The killer didn't move. Dr Stark didn't think she'd ever seen anyone sit or stand so still. But at the slightest urge or reason, he would and could spring into action and kill within seconds.
"Can I do anything for you? Get you anything?" She asked.
She couldn't hide her shock when for the first time, a message flashed up on the small screen on her side of the glass. To her knowledge, Myers had only ever written to Dr Loomis and that very rarely happened. She read the single sentence from the killer.
Coffee, then time.
Dr Stark nodded immediately, standing. She could hardly believe Michael Myers had messaged her. She understood the "time" reference too. Don't approach me or your blood may also be on my hands.
She left, heading into the patients canteen and grabbing Myers' coffee. Already she was wondering if she should tell Dr Loomis about this breakthrough. Not yet. This had to be between her and Myers or she'd lose whatever little trust she'd gained from him. Returning to the room, she slid open the small hatch in the glass and passed the killer his coffee. This time there was no mistaking it. As she slid the small hatch shut, he gave her a very slight nod. Of thanks?
"Do you want to be left alone for a few minutes?" She asked softly. Myers didn't move or respond in any way, which she took as a yes. "No problem," she said. "Press the button under your desk when you're ready ok?" Quietly, she left the killer to his thoughts, whatever they were.