Chapter 37: Domestic abuse safety complex

…

"What about me?" Andrews asked Dr Loomis, all his arrogance and I'm in control attitude gone now he had a gun pointed at his head, and could've very easily been killed by Michael Myers just moments before.

"What about you?" Dr Loomis asked dispassionately, as if he couldn't care less. Because, he didn't. "You'll do as you're told or die. It's simple, really."

"No," Andrews shook his head, still very white. "I mean, what are you going to do with me?"

"You're going to fly back to Smith's Grove with us, handcuffed of course. Rick and Jack here won't be guarding Michael, they'll be guarding you. I think you forgot this bus has CCTV, and I will be accessing the footage. In fact Rick…" he turned to the guard who nodded, approaching the cab, opening a small hole with a key and starting to talk to Ian through it.

Dr Loomis continued. "Rick is now getting the footage for us. As soon as you pulled out your gun, you overstepped the mark and broke every rule in the book. Not to mention in case you've forgotten, this gun has B. Andrews engraved in to the handle." Dr Loomis saw Andrews turn if possible even paler. "Yes," Dr Loomis nodded. "So there's no chance of you denying it. You're in trouble I'm afraid, Mr. Andrews."

A few minutes later, Michael stepped slowly back in to the vehicle. Andrews cowered against his seat. Dr Loomis smiled at his patient. "We've got him under control Michael," he said. "I think your mere presence will ensure his good behaviour. But if it doesn't, you can do the honours."

…

"How will I keep in touch with you?" Danielle asked Dr Stark a few minutes later as Dr Loomis, Michael, Rick, jack and the still cuffed Andrews headed towards the plane. Dr Stark and Joanne were coming with her to see her settled in safely. As Joanne had said, "I don't fancy trying to explain to Michael why if something goes wrong." She'd smiled, but her voice was serious. Dr Stark had nodded in agreement.

"We'll give you a phone number," Dr Stark said. "It'll put you directly through to me or Dr Loomis anytime day or night and we can take the phone to Michael. We've also made a little… tweak to the monitoring app, so not only are professional security companies able to monitor you twenty-four hours, so are we?"

"How did you…" she began.

"Ah,, the beauty of technology," Dr Stark squeezed her hand. "We couldn't possibly tell you all our secrets, now could we? But put it this way. Anything at all happens to you, then not only will we know, but so will Michael, immediately. We promise."

She gave her consultant a small smile as Michael turned back and pulled her close to him, kissing her in front of everyone.

"I'll miss you," she whispered. "Thank you Michael Myers. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me! I'll be forever grateful to you! I'll see you very soon, I promise! I love you."

She felt herself blinking back tears as the plane finally rows in to the sky. Joanne and Dr Stark both hugged her tightly. "You were right," Dr Stark assured her. "You will see Michael very soon; I promise you in turn."

"Thanks," she had to let the tears fall. "It's just… fuck! I miss him so much already…"

"Of course you do," Dr Stark murmured. "It's called love. True love. Enjoy it. Absence…"

"Makes the heart grow fonder," she said and Dr Stark knew if she could she'd have rolled her eyes.

"No? You don't believe it? It's a very true old saying, you know."

"It's bullshit," she said bluntly. "Right now it just hurts like hell!"

"I hear you," Dr Stark said as she helped her back on to the bus to drive her to the DASC, her new temporary home. "I'm married and I miss my husband every day."

This was the first time Dr Stark had ever told her something personal about her and she smiled at her for real this time. To her, this little scrap of knowledge Dr Stark had just given, showed the doctor truly cared about her.

"Yeah," Joanne chimed in. "I feel the same about Rick. I miss him too."

"I really don't mean this to be rude, but you'll be back at Smith's Grove tonight, won't you? You'll see him."

"No?" Joanne sounded genuinely surprised. "When we say we're going to make sure you're settled in and safe, we meant it. We're not going back Dr Stark and I until you tell us you're ok without us. We're staying in rooms attached to your flat."

She opened her mouth, but couldn't speak. "You're… you're serious?" She asked.

"Completely," Dr Stark and Joanne said together. "What?" Dr Stark asked. "You thought we'd just drop you off, say thanks and leave?"

"Well… yes," she said sheepishly.

"How could you!" Dr Stark pretended hurt. "How could you under estimate us so badly?"

"I love you Dr Stark," she said before she could stop herself. As soon as she'd said it, she realised she meant it. "You've been nothing but kind to me despite me being so damn rude to Joanne, you and Dr Loomis when I first arrived. I can't thank you enough either for everything you've done to help me. From sleeping pills to listening ears. You're such a good doctor, but an even better woman. As are you, Joanne. A good guard, but a genuine and kind woman!

Her words were so heart felt, Joanne blinked back tears. Dr Stark stepped forward and for the very first time hugged her. "I'll say what I said to Joanne, rick and Jack. Don't you dare say it's just a job? You and I both know how much you've done for me! You are so caring Dr Stark and have done way more than even a doctor normally would. I'll miss you just as much as I'll miss Michael and Joanne."

"Well don't miss us yet, eh?" Dr Stark released her. "Because we're not going anywhere until you tell us you're ready. Also, you just had to get ears in there somewhere didn't you missy? Ok Ian," she said in to the intercom. "Drive on, please. It's time for us to take Danielle home."

…

Adam scowled as he listened to the news on his car's radio, finally being released by the police and allowed to go back home. So his bitch had survived had she? All be it touch and go as she was now in a coma; she was still fucking alive! Ok she might not make it until morning, but right now she was still living, breathing! This infuriated Adam. Could these guys not even do this properly?

However he was glad he'd had the foresight to call Ashley from his burner phone before getting rid of it the night before. "I've changed my mind," he'd said. "Don't send me the video, the pigs are all over me. I'll come to you when the coast is clearer."

"Fucking better," Ashely growled. "Mr. Leach won't be happy if you don't. He was very reluctant to authorise this in the first place you know, almost didn't. So you'd better give us our God Damn money, or you'll have both him and us to answer to and deal with."

"You have my word," Adam promised. But now as he sat in his car, he wondered. They hadn't even killed her correctly. Would he, should he pay for such an incomplete service? If he could he'd go in there and finish the bitch off himself. But of course that was impossible. The place was crawling with police, as if the idiots seriously thought he was just going to turn up there with flowers and grapes!

The interview with the police had been among the most gruelling Adam had ever faced, and he'd faced a few with them. Most unfortunately for him, Dr Loomis had sent the cops the footage of Graham Williamson's visit to SG, and the cowardly little worm had warned the doctor what was going on.

They'd made their contempt for him pretty obvious during their interview. "Not only that," Detective Peters had said. "But we now also have reason to believe and suspect you were at least involved in another murder which happened just over two weeks ago. We have spoken to Dr Loomis of Smith's Grove hospital, and we find it incredibly suspicious that a man who only an hour before was visiting that location, was found deceased nearby. Especially if you take in to consideration the fact that he talked about "tricking a blind woman." Hmm. What does that sound like to you, Mr. Dawson? Not to mention he wrote this."

Detective Peters showed Adam a copy of the message Graham had written Dr Loomis. Adam wants you, watch your back.

"So?" Detective Peters asked, glaring at Adam. Even his solicitor sitting beside him in a well-tailored suit said nothing. But Adam answered as he'd been advised.

"No comment." The police officers exchanged knowing and contemptuous looks.

"Did you plan this visit?"

"No comment."

"Who did you send in to trick her?"

Adam remained silent this time. The interview felt like it'd gone on for hours. When would he get out of here? Finally he was released, but just as he'd feared he didn't get his phone or any other devices back this time.

"If we find even the slightest proof on any of these," Detective Peters warned him. "We'll be back to arrest you. Do you understand?"

Adam just shrugged and left. Now, he thanked any God who existed and those who didn't that he'd thrown away his cheap burner phone. The pigs couldn't seize it as he no longer had it. The head of a misogynist gang would surely be on their systems, they'd know who he was instantly. Adam had cleared his call log and text messages, which would hopefully make it a hell of a lot harder for the pigs to find them. He'd also refused to give them his pin, taking the consequence of the warning he was committing another offence by doing so. What did he care? He was on borrowed time and knew it, as much as he hated it. He was starting to wonder if he should just get out of Haddonfield for a while. Take his bitch Claire and just go. But he'd be back soon enough. As soon as it was safe to do so. As he continued driving back towards his house, he reflected that right now, safe was one thing he was not.

…

"So what do you think?"

Danielle, Dr Stark, Joanne and Nigel who'd arrived half an hour ago were sitting in the living room of Charlotte's DASC flat. The last couple of hours had been intense. She'd had her fingerprints taken, photos and recorded her voice in to the voice ID. She'd had to say phrases such as 'I am Danielle Hayward; this is what I sound like.' But it had all been worth it when Steph, her DASC engineer said "ok, shall we test it?"

She'd been taken up to Charlotte's flat and shown the keypad outside the door. three buttons, one shaped like a microphone, a hand and a nose.

"Hand is fingerprint," Steph explained, "nose is Face ID and microphone is voice. You select how you want to enter when you get to the door.

"Just one question, this won't remove Charlotte's details will it?"

"Don't you worry about that," Steph said. "Charlotte's details are going nowhere; you will just both have access to the flat."

She pressed the microphone button and a male voice said, "After the tone, please state "I am" and your name to gain entry." There was a beep.

"I am Danielle Hayward," Danielle said clearly, just as she'd said in the recording suite. There was a soft ding, and the door slid open.

"Bingo," Steph smiled.

"I take it it'll buzz if it doesn't work?"

"Yep. You get two tries and then security are automatically called up to reset the licence and if necessary ask you to leave. If not willingly, by force."

"Wow, you guys really aren't kidding."

"We take Domestic Violence and abuse very seriously," Steph said. "No shit! What if I've got shopping or something? The door doesn't stay open for very long. There's no way someone can enter behind me."

"Which is precisely the point. So if you have stuff to bring in, alert reception and a guard will come up with you to keep the door open with a special code only the guards have, but they will also stand outside the door until you are done." This was seriously advanced security. It was just a terrible shame it hadn't managed to save Charlotte's life.

SHE'S NOT DEAD YET! She shouted at herself. DON'T THINK LIKE THAT! DON'T YOU DARE! Charlotte's A FIGHTER AND YOU KNOW IT!

Nigel had been true to his word, collecting anything she might need from Charlotte's parent's house, where all her stuff had been taken after she'd been taken to Smith's Grove. Colin gave Nigel his key and the other man bought anything she needed.

"Thank you so much Nigel," she said, hugging him tightly. "I told Joanne here you're like my grandfather."

"Less of the grand," Nigel said, but there was a small smile on his lips. "I love you too. Thanks for keeping me up to date by text. So, you and Mr. Michael Myers, eh? God help anyone who tries to hurt you now," the older man said. "I sure wouldn't want to piss off Michael Myers."

"That's what I said," Joanne nodded to him.

Now, the four of them were eating take away food, Nigel had insisted on paying for every one of them. Dr Stark and Joanne had tried to argue, but Nigel was having none of it. "She loves you too," he'd said. "You've helped her no end, she's told me that enough times. This is the least I can do to say thank you, whether it's your job or not."

She picked at her food struggling to eat, but Nigel kept nagging her to try her best. She normally loved food from this restaurant, having gone there and had taken away from there countless times with Charlotte before everything had happened. But tonight, she couldn't. Charlotte, Charlotte. Her friend would not leave her mind. Would she make it to see the dawn? Desperate for something to distract herself if that were at all possible, she tried to answer Dr Stark's question.

"It's… well the security's state of the art it seems, fingerprint, face or voice to get in. The doormen all seem really nice, even if it is somewhat intimidating to walk past a group of guys in suits with guns on their shoulders and radios in their ears!

"I thought you'd like the suits," Nigel teased. "As for the ears…"

Dr Stark and Joanne chuckled. She blushed again. "Shut up Nige," she muttered. But it was good that he was at least trying to help her through this hell she and the rest of Charlotte's family were stuck in.

"As for the inside," she continued. "It's surprisingly nice, almost luxurious I guess. But then, women stay here for a long time sometimes, right?"

"That's correct," Dr Stark agreed.

"Dr Stark," she said quietly, lowering her voice, even though only the three she loved and trusted could hear her. Sadly the fourth couldn't, being Michael. Nor could Charlotte… but she forced that thought away. "I'm a bit scared to trust. I'm sure Dr Clarkson is a lovely woman, but I don't know her. I've worked with you for months but…"

"Now," Dr Stark chuckled and touched her hand. "Why do you think I'm here and not leaving until you tell us? It's precisely for that reason. So I can carry on treating you. The therapy rooms here are just as good as Smith's Grove and I will continue working with you. Although Dr Clarkson has said that she and her staff will help you in any way you need, just ask them."

"You…" she gaped at her doctor, affection rising fast. "You're staying here to continue treating me?"

"But of course," Dr Stark said. "What did you think I was staying here for? To decorate the rooms?"

"I… thank you. That means more to me than I could ever tell you."

"Then you're welcome. It's the same with Joanne. You'll have a guard with you whenever you wish to go out, so it made sense it was one you trust and know well."

"Are you getting paid extra for this?" she blurted out before she could stop herself. "Because if you're not, I want to give you some money! This… this is over and beyond the call of duty, I…"

"Now stop!" Dr Stark's voice was a little stern now. "Don't you start worrying and thinking about that? That's the last thing you need to worry about! Joanne and I will be just fine."

"Agreed," Joanne said. "Don't even go there Missy, got me?"

"I think you've just been told," Nigel hugged her and kissed her forehead. "I'd do as they say if I were you."

She couldn't deny however she might try, that the fact Joanne was with her was hugely comforting. When she was there in all her equipment and concentrating solely on her, she felt incredibly protected and now, cared for. When she'd first arrived, it had purely been to guard her. Now, Joanne felt like so much more than a guard. A friend, the mother she'd never had. She'd gone way passed what was expected in her job description.

A few minutes later when she entered her on suite bathroom, Nigel spoke quietly to the doctor and guard. "I agree with her. Please let me at least give you something?"

"Nope," Dr Stark and Joanne said together. "There's no need Mr. Manning," Dr Stark said. "If it wasn't for you we would never have met her. That's enough for us."

"Are you sure? Also please, call me Nigel?"

"Done. Yep, positive, there's no need Nigel. We are getting paid by Smith's Grove, but that's irrelevant. We want to be here, we want to do this for her during this hard time, just as much as you do. It's the least we can do during this terrible time."

When she came out, Dr Stark showed her again where Joanne's and her rooms were. She'd been right, they were literally connected to the flat. Their rooms were in a little corridor just inside the front door. Dr Clarkson explained they were there if a woman needed a psychologist close by twenty-four-seven, a doctor or councillor.

…

"I told you," Dr Loomis said, as they landed at the airport nearest to Smith's Grove. "Our guards and driver are armed, there is no need for you to get on your high horse Mr. Andrews. You were perfectly safe. The only reason you got overpowered was because you threatened the wrong people… people Michael Myers here happens to care about."

"Armed?" Andrews sneered. "What? Those flimsy, stupid rubber bullets? Jesus Christ! They won't do a damn thing to anyone besides sting! I never agreed we should use them."

"Is that really what you think?" Rick asked softly. "You're so wrong Sir. Just ask Adam Dawson." Jack smirked at his colleague.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Andrews said, clearly still unwilling to drop the attitude now he no longer had a gun pointed at him. "But those stupid bullets, or so-called bullets, don't do a damn thing to a fly!"

"You're just lucky Joanne, Jack or Rick didn't decide to prove you wrong," Dr Loomis said. "They could have you know and would've been quite within their rights to do so. Considering you threatened them and showed cold, merciless cruelty to a very vulnerable patient you know no more about, than what is written in her file on entrance to Smith's Grove." Nothing, in other words."

"You're too fucking soft Dr Loomis," Andrews snapped. "That's your problem. She is a patient, end of story. She should've been chained according to the rules and you know this only too well. You and Gemma Stark both broke those rules."

"That's your problem," Dr Loomis said to Andrews, releasing him from his seat but not the handcuffs. "You only care about money, rules. You don't care about the patients as people. Some very ill, other very dangerous patients pass through our hospital Mr. Andrews. What they need is compassion and care, not HR ticks in a box."

"Bullshit," Andrews snarled as Rick and Jack took his arms to lead him off the aircraft. "Unhand me! You are my guards; you are supposed to be protecting me! Let me go! I'll see you all fired for this! I don't even know what all the fuss is about! Just because she's blind, you all act as if she's made of cotton wool! Maybe that's what she needed, some toughening up! What the hell was wrong with her anyway? Why she was so apparently terrified? They were only chains; anyone would think they were snakes! Whatever care and compassion you've given her clearly hasn't worked. You're treating her like a child and she's most certainly not! Yes she had horrific scars, I've seen the pictures. But how do I know she didn't deserve…"

But that was as far as he got, because that was when Michael's arm closed tightly around his throat. Rick and Jack looked at each other as Myers began to squeeze Andrews's windpipe. Should they act?

"Oh dear," Dr Loomis said mildly, as if nothing was happening. "You just insulted Michael Myers' partner, oh excuse me, his, "thing." I don't think… well I'd like to say you'll regret that, but I don't think you'll live long enough to. I think you pushed Michael here over the edge when you kept talking about the chains. As for her scars, that was a big, big mistake."

Jack and Rick looked at Dr Loomis, unsure what to do. They couldn't lie, they were a little afraid themselves. If they tried to help Andrews, Michael could easily target them. It was their job to subdue him but should and perhaps more critically, could they?

…

Before she went to bed, Joanne and Danielle went for a little walk in the streets surrounding the DASC. She hated herself for admitting it, but there was a small part of her which was thrilled to have Joanne with her exclusively. Was that selfish? After a short hesitation, she asked her guard that very question."

"No," Joanne said, squeezing her arm. "You've always had me exclusively since you first walked through Smith's Grove's doors. I was assigned to you from the word go. I knew this before you even arrived."

"How did you feel? I mean, knowing you had a blind patient to guard? Please be honest? I won't be offended I promise!"

Joanne hesitated. She'd known one day Danielle would probably ask her this very question, but should she tell the truth?

"Come on," she teased, poking Joanne's arm this time. "I'm not the woman you met that first day, I love you. Please?"

"Not the Danielle I met that first day? Don't I know it?" Joanne chuckled. "Only too well. Ok. I was… apprehensive at first, I won't lie to you. I'd never met anyone blind before you and it was a big responsibility I wasn't sure I could handle."

"Yeah, a lot of people think that. Don't apologise, but lots of people are scared when they first meet a blind person. They don't want to offend us, say the wrong thing, know how to treat us, the stereo type is to treat us like we're stupid. When I said "you mean carer?" to you on that first day," she winced. "That was me trying to insult you. I'd heard the word "carer" so often in my life and I hated it. I thought you were going to treat me like a child, speak for me, and do everything for me. I have never been more wrong. You treated me no differently to anyone else. So…" Now she stopped and hugged Joanne tightly. "You had nothing to worry about Joanne. Don't know why you were even worried. The fact I was blind never even seemed to make a difference to you, at least not around me. I never saw it, pun intended. You always treated me with the utmost kindness and respect. All you had to do was guide me, which you're doing right now. So honestly? I don't know what you were afraid of."

"Oh Danielle," Joanne hugged her back. "You're such a sweetheart."

"I could've told you that," said Nigel's voice from behind them. He stepped forward and took her other arm. "Hope you don't mind me joining you ladies, Dr Stark is talking to Dr Clarkson, so thought I'd see if I could find you."

"I'll never mind seeing you Nige," she squeezed the older man's hand. "I can't thank you enough for what you did that day. Without you, I might very well be dead now."

Joanne saw Nigel glaring in to the distance. "I always suspected," he said quietly. "That Adam Dawson was abusing you, and there was that day you finally told me the truth."

"I was so sorry when you lost Sophie," she said as they walked on. "That must've really hurt."

Nigel smiled sadly. "It did. Married for fifty years and losing her to cancer is not an easy thing to deal with."

"I'm so sorry," Joanne said quietly.

"Thank you my dear," Nigel smiled more genuinely at her now. "But when you moved in, you filled my heart with joy I thought I'd never feel again. I was determined to help you out of that shit Adam had put you through. You didn't deserve any of it."

This time when she stopped, she hugged them both at once. "I love you," she whispered. Tears of affection now sliding down her face. "I love you both so much."

…

Rick put his hand on Michael's arm to try and pull the killer back, but it was like trying to move a slab of stone. Andrews was quite possibly breathing his last breaths. Jack tried to help his colleague. "Michael," he murmured. "Please man, don't kill him. Let him go to prison like he deserves. Dr Loomis is going to call the police when we get back, the footage is already in his inbox. Please, he deserves to suffer for what he's done."

Rick looked desperately to Dr Loomis, and finally reached for his gun. He had to do his job, whatever had happened before. He had to stop Michael committing this kill. He loaded his gun with a rubber bullet and aimed at Michael. It was ironic that the very bullets Andrews had such distain for were hopefully about to save his life.

"MICHAEL!" Rick shouted. "THIS IS YOUR ONE AND ONLY WARNING! RELEASE HIM, OR I SHOOT!"

Jack felt sick. Rick had told him once of how Michael had helped him on to his bed, given him a glass of water, and even carried him out to the ambulance after Derek Chancer had almost killed him. But there was no sign of that respect now. Michael's eyes were fixed on Rick, cold, blank, emotionless. A challenge?

"MICHAEL!" It was Dr Loomis' turn to shout. "Please. You've come so far, don't undo it all now by killing someone. You've come all the way from Haddonfield back here and haven't touched anyone. That shows huge progress. Please, work with me here Michael, let him go. Yes he insulted her very cruelly and I am very sorry for this and totally understand your anger, I'm angry too. But if you kill him you'll be going back to square one again." Dr Loomis stepped forward and actually put a hand on the killer's tense arm around Andrews's neck. "Come on now Michael," he murmured. "She needs you. She'll probably want to speak to you very soon and if you do this she won't be able to. How do you think she'll feel if we have to tell her you've killed someone tonight?"

Jack noticed now that Rick's hand holding the gun was shaking slightly. He no more wanted to do this than Dr Loomis did. Rick looked Michael straight in the eye and his voice cracked a little. Jack understood why. Michael could break and snap Andrews's, or even Rick's neck as easily as one might twist the lid off a coffee jar.

"Michael, please. I remember so well how you protected and looked out for me after Derek Chancer almost killed me. How you gave me a glass of water, gave me your bed and even carried me out to the ambulance! Listen my friend, I really, really don't want to do this. But it's my job. Please, please don't make me? I'll forever be thankful to you for what you've done and I really don't want to have to use force against you."

Jack and Dr Loomis saw Michael's and Rick's eyes meet now. Very, very slowly, Michael released Andrews. The CEO gasped for breath as Jack quickly grabbed his arms to escort him off the aircraft. But even then, even given he'd nearly died, Andrews couldn't resist a parting shot. "At least she knew who was in charge, calling me Sir!"

"SHUT UP!" Rick, Jack and Dr Loomis shouted in unison. Rick took Michael's arm.

"Come on," he murmured, leading him from the aircraft after Jack and Dr Loomis.

As soon as they were off the aircraft, Michael shrugged Rick's hand from his arm. Not aggressively, but Rick got the point. Don't touch me. "Ok," he said softly, walking beside the killer as they headed for the waiting car back to the hospital. Rick was filled with contempt all over again when he heard Andrews still complaining, all be it his voice was hoarse and his windpipe would bruise in the morning. If Rick was honest with himself, that was just fine with him.

"I don't know why that stupid bitch Joanne felt it was safe to remove Michael's handcuffs. If she hadn't, this wouldn't have happened. You should've put them back on. Why didn't you? You know how dangerous Michael Myers is and he nearly killed me today. Twice!"

"Couldn't happen to a nicer man," Rick muttered and heard Jack's snort of laughter beside him.

As they reached the car the two guards glanced at Dr Loomis, asking if they should re-cuff Michael. But the doctor shook his head and the guards simply took their places either side of Michael in the back of the vehicle, as they headed back to Smith's Grove.

…

Adam sat in his living room, his mind racing. The fact Charlotte was still alive angered him beyond anything else. These were supposed to be high ranking criminals he was paying and yet they couldn't even kill Charlotte correctly. What kind of shit organisation was this? Ok she was in hospital, ok she was fighting for her life, but that wasn't enough for Adam. He wanted to see the bitch dead and in her coffin where she belonged. Right now, Adam wasn't even in the mood to torment let alone fuck Claire, currently upstairs in the bedroom. He was still playing the 'I'm Mr. nice guy' card with her at the moment and that too was pissing him off. But those bitches. The two women he was determined to show who was boss, even given everything that'd happened. In fact if anything Charlotte's failed murder made him even more resolved to do so. But how? Dislike it as he might, he couldn't do it on his own. He had the beginnings of a plan, but it would require help. He cursed. He knew Chris Leach was getting tired of him, his demands, requests, call them what he liked. But Adam also knew Leach was a dangerous man, not one you wanted as an enemy. If Adam pushed him too far, Leach might very well kill him never mind Myers. Scowling, Adam picked up his phone.

"You've got to be fucking joking!" Ashley said without preamble when Adam told him what he was thinking. "The girl's as guarded as Fort fucking Knox Adam! Are you out of your fucking mind? Anyway, Mr. Leach said no! she's too hot! You can pursue her on your own, remember? We're not going anywhere near her!"

"All because you're worried Michael Myers will escape? How likely is that after last time?"

"JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!" Ashley bellowed in Adam's ear. "DAWSON, YOU'RE MY FUCKING AGE! YOU REMEMBER 1978 AS WELL AS I DO! HE KILLED TEENAGERS AND ADULTS ALIKE IN COLD, FUCKING, BLOOD! I MEAN, HOW MUCH OF AN IDIOT ARE YOU?"

Adam was furious the guy dared talk to him like that. But before he could say so, Ashley continued, thankfully not shouting now.

"Michael Myers has some kind of supernatural abilities, I'm sure of this. Dr Loomis is sure of it for fuck's sake and he's the man's God Damn quack! If you honestly don't believe Myers will escape, then fine! Target her. Show her who is boss! Adam, I'm the head of a misogynist gang! I fucking hate women! I'm all for showing them who the boss is, when it's safe to do so! But the woman you're trying to target now is not safe to do so! Mr. Leach will go nuts if we even consider trying to help you! Forget it man! If you keep pushing this, Mr. Leach might very well kill you before Myers gets the chance!"

There was a long silence before Adam spoke again. "I did consider that," his voice was quieter too now. "But damn it Ashely! I want her dead! Charlotte wasn't even killed properly! This time I want to do it, get something done right around here! Yes she's in a coma according to the news, yes she's fighting for her life, but damn it that's not enough for me! I want her finished! Both of them!"

Ashley sighed. "Then do it! What are you telling me for? I am having nothing to do with it Adam. None of us are. It's too dangerous."

"I'm telling you," Adam tried to keep the anger out of his voice. Getting angry with Ashley would only make things worse and would hardly lead to the other man even listening to what he had to say, never mind helping him. "Because I need a little bit of help. Not practical help," he added quickly before Ashley could speak. "Just… things. I can't do it without them and I need them delivered to me with no purchase trail."

"You don't give up do you?" Ashley said and Adam couldn't tell if that was respect or exasperation in his tone. "I'll talk to Mr. Leach. You're probably better meeting with him face to face to discuss this given the… state of your contract regarding her."

Adam felt a jolt of dread. He knew the crime Lord was getting close to the edge with him and would this meeting push him over it? But he also knew Ashley was right. Chris Leach was the boss and whether Adam liked it or not would have to be the one to give permission before anything was done, due to Adam's terminated contract. Shit. Adam just hoped he could persuade the crime Lord his plan would work and get him on side. Because if he couldn't, he truly would be on his own.

"Fine," he said to Ashely. "Ask him if he'll meet with me as soon as possible please."

"Done," the misogynist leader said and was gone. But as Adam finally climbed the stairs to bed, sex for once not even on his mind, he wondered. Was he making a huge and possibly fatal mistake? If Leach decided enough was enough, Adam could be playing this game with his life. Well so be it, he thought as he got in to bed beside Claire, who stirred and gave him a sleepy smile which Adam did not return. So be it. He had to at least try. He just hoped that, as Leach himself had once said, this wouldn't get him killed. "If you continue down this path, it could very well be your funeral."

…

Oliver Cutter sat across the desk from Dr Loomis, looking at the CCTV and listening to the doctor's report of what'd happened that day. Rick and Jack had also provided separate witness statements. Cutter ran his hands through his spikey hair and suddenly looked years older.

"Shit," he said quietly after a while. "I'm sorry, Dr Loomis. Andrews was always…" he hesitated, searching for the right words. "Playing by his own rules."

"That's one expression for it," Dr Loomis said. "He had this coming for a long time it seems Sir."

"Please, call me Oliver?" The previous deputy and now top CEO said.

"Ok, Oliver. Thanks. Call me Sam?"

"Done, Sam. But shit. What a fucking mess. Michael Myers nearly killed Andrews tonight. But by the sounds of things he was asking for it."

"Just a little," Dr Loomis nodded. "He had never even met her before and he immediately demanded she was chained. Dr Stark declined this for a very good reason and he just wouldn't have it, hating not knowing why. Which is when he pulled the gun out on us."

Oliver sighed. "I've always disliked him," he said. "But I didn't have any say in his appointment at the top. The previous board members seemed to think he was the man for the job."

"Now?" Dr Loomis asked. Oliver smiled a little. "Well considering he's now under arrest, I'd say not. I've told the board what happened and they've all agreed I'm in charge, at least on a temporary basis."

"Good," Dr Loomis said. "You really care about the patients Oliver, unlike your former colleague. This hospital needs someone like you at the top, who's not concerned primarily with rules, money and the rest."

"Speaking of which, I would like to see Mr. Myers if that's ok? I wish to speak with him."

"Tonight?" Dr Loomis asked, genuinely surprised. His beliefs that Oliver cutter genuinely cared about the patients had just been proved.

"If possible, yes," the CEO said. "Use whatever security you think is necessary, glass, and chains, whatever. But I would really like to do this tonight."

Dr Loomis considered. While he was reluctant to deny the new CEO's request, he also had to see how Michael was before allowing this. When he spoke, it was carefully. "Ok, but I need to check if Michael is… ok before I agree to this. He nearly killed someone tonight and I think it was only out of respect for my guards and I that he didn't. If everything seems ok, I'll let you know. Can you give me thirty minutes?"

Cutter nodded. "Of course. I totally understand. You're very good at your job, Dr Loomis. You and Dr Stark both. I won't go against your decision."

"Thanks," Dr Loomis managed a small smile. "You've been in charge five minutes and you've already been nicer to me than Andrews ever was."

Cutter smiled a little sadly and left the room. Dr Loomis followed him as they headed in different directions. Cutter to his office and Dr Loomis to Michael's cell.