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 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 Danielle's 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 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 has 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 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 Danielle, 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 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 felt 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 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. "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 must hold the button down for a second, so it's almost impossible to do. 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 must 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 so easily, yet he hadn't. 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 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 considering 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 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.
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. 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, because the perpetrators had put her in unspeakable danger or were point blank cruel and were sexually harassing her! Sir, we were on Mr. Myers' side!
The guards turned off the cameras so your 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 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 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 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 convince 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 patient's 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.
…
Despite his situation, Derek Chancer woke up from a brief sleep feeling incredibly horny. God, he wanted to fuck then kill a woman. Any woman, he no longer cared. But first, he had to get out of this place, alive. He could hear Hayward's voice as she was led away by Joanne and Rick and wanted more than anything to cut off her waggling tongue. After he'd made her lick and suck his cock with it of course and swallow every drop of his cum. His cock hardened even further at that thought, so much so it was starting to hurt. Standing, he moved to his toilet where he had the most privacy. He didn't give a fuck who was watching him, but if he came all over the floor he'd be in trouble. He'd done it once already and that fucker Rick had told him he'd face solitary if he did it again. Damn Chancer wished he'd killed him that day.
Now he was imagining his cock buried in Hayward's tight pussy. Her screams of pain because he was fucking her so hard. Then killing her in the most painful way possible. He thought of his extensive collection of tools. Gutting her, cutting her throat… With this image running through his mind, it wasn't long until he came with a quiet groan into his cell's metal toilet.
…
"Hello," Dr Stark said. It was now 7AM. Danielle looked, quite frankly, terrible. She was pale and looked exhausted. "You asked for me?"
"I did. I want to talk to you for a minute Dr Stark, but are Joanne and Rick still here?"
Right on cue, the two guards walked past, and Dr Stark called them back. "Yes, they're right here."
"Hi," Rick and Joanne said together.
"Dr Stark, I know this probably goes against guard and patient relationships, but before this two leave, I really want to buy them breakfast in the staff canteen to thank them for coming in so fast when they knew I was in trouble. They've been amazing tonight and ever since I got here. Please can I have some money from the ATM in reception to do this?"
"It's ok," Joanne began. "There's no n…"
"I'll do you one better than that. You don't need money, I'll use my ID, so they get it for free and there won't be two of them, but three. If you want to go, I am more than happy to allow you to do so."
"The staff canteen?" her mouth felt open. Here was further proof that they trusted her.
"Indeed," Dr Stark said. "I think breakfast is the least you deserve for what you've been through tonight. Same for Joanne and Rick. Come on."
Dr Stark buzzed open her door. Joanne opened her mouth, but Dr Stark said firmly, "end of discussion Joanne. Take her arm, one of you please?"
For the first time and to her enormous gratitude, they both did. She felt a huge rush of affection for the pair of them. Which only intensified when Dr Stark buzzed them through several doors, and she heard the guards removing their equipment vests once outside the block. Yet further proof if she needed it, that she was trusted. This said to her at least, we're not your guards, we're your friends. She felt a sudden rush of tears and tried to quickly blink them away.
"Thank you," was all she could manage and knew they both squeezed her arms, they understood.
…
Forty-five minutes later they were back, and Dr Stark approached her in her cell. She asked her how Adam had gotten her number. When Myers slipped past her to Danielle's side and pulled her into his arms, it didn't even occur to Gemma Stark to separate them. Not now, not this time. Instead, she simply passed her a sleeping pill and water, persuading her to take it and get some sleep, assuring her she was not separating her and Michael. She was sure the killer gave her an almost invisible smile. She returned it.
An hour later Dr Loomis had arrived and told Gemma she should go home. She'd shaken her head and said "Not yet. But I will soon Sam, I promise."
She began to fill him in on what'd happened except for what Michael had written to her, albeit a mere three words. She'd promised herself she wouldn't tell him this. Dr Loomis looked as horrified as she felt and silently slipped to the cell door, slid open the hatch and looked through. Finally, she was fast asleep in Michael's arms.
"Who'd have thought," Dr Loomis whispered, and Dr Stark was sure she could see the glint of a tear in his eye. "Turned out I was indeed wrong. There is certainly something left of Michael, she appears to have found it."
…
"He's got to be joking!" It was after 8AM and Dr Loomis had just told Dr Stark what Andrews had just said. "That could do so much damage and I mean psychologically! She…"
"I know Gemma," Dr Loomis said quietly. Dr Stark privately loved his British accent but had never told him. It made her think of the place so far away she'd always wanted to visit but hadn't done. England. Her brother had moved over there two years ago, and Gemma desperately wanted to see him.
"That's why I'm speaking to you now," Dr Loomis continued. They were once again sitting in his office. "We need to find a way to stop this from happening, by fair or foul means. This can't happen. Yes, Michael has killed two people in a short period of time. But Andrews would never understand even if we tried to tell him."
Dr Stark snorted. "Of course he wouldn't. He's a narrow minded, selfish prick."
"Quiet," Dr Loomis agreed. "So, we have to think of something, t…" He was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Excuse me Dr Loomis," it was Andrews' secretary. What timing. "Mr. Andrews wants to see you again, now please?" The door closed behind her before Dr Loomis could even answer.
"Bastard," Dr Loomis muttered. "Thinks he can order us around whenever the hell he likes. Who are the doctors around here? The patients need us, and he damn well knows it."
"Well, no one is in the yard from our blocks right now," Dr Stark said, standing. Dr Loomis opened his mouth. "What are you…?"
"She is asleep," Dr Stark continued as if she hadn't heard him. "Michael is with her as you just saw, and the others are in their cells. The guards know their jobs. In short, I'm coming with you and if he doesn't like it…"
"Gemma," Dr Loomis tried but she glared at her boss so firmly he shut his mouth.
…
Danielle was woken at mid-day by a soft buzzing sound. Her phone. Immediately she felt a jolt of panic she couldn't suppress and automatically reached for the call button as she picked her phone up. Michael tightened his arms around her. She read the ID and immediately relaxed. It was Charlotte.
"Charlotte!" she said in relief, putting it on speaker. "How are you girl?"
"Even better now that I'm talking to you," Charlotte said. "Listen babe, my parents and I want to come see you tomorrow and we need your consent. Dr Stark has already cleared it from her end, but…"
"Are you kidding?" she said happily. "Oh my God! I'd love that so much! I haven't seen Colin, Emma, and Dave for years it feels like!"
"Awesome! We'll be there at 11 AM tomorrow morning then? You can fill me in on any gossip then!"
"Like what?" she asked, feigning innocence.
"Oh, I think you know damn well what Mrs.!" she couldn't help it when she started to laugh. It felt so good. It was also nice to know she could still laugh after everything that'd happened in the last twelve hours.
"I can't talk for long now," Charlotte said when both girls finally stopped laughing. "I'm about to go to work. But I'm excited for tomorrow, see you then!"
"You got it! I love you so much Lottie!"
"You are too D, see you tomorrow babes." The call disconnected.
She turned back to Michael, unaware of the huge smile on her face. The killer held her close, again leaning down so she touched his ears. She couldn't help giggling at this too. This was the closest she'd come to feeling happy in a very long time.
Though if she could've seen how the killer's eyes looked straight through the open hatch and out into the block, it may have been punctured slightly. Or if she had seen what he did. But as it was of course, she was totally oblivious of the pending danger.
…
Chancer tried not to laugh out loud. She'd only put her damn phone call on speaker phone! Stupid bitch! He'd heard every word of both sides of the conversation. He picked up his iPod and entered the password. He may not be able to get her number again yet, but this was almost as good. As he waited for the call to connect, he suddenly realised for the first time that Dawson's name had never been used in writing via the iPod. It was always "our client." Chancer now realised this was very probably deliberate to prevent a security risk.
He spoke softly. The microphone was so sensitive he didn't need to shout. "I need to speak to Mr. Dawson. Now." This time the man on the other end didn't question him and within seconds, Adam Dawson's voice was in his ears. "Hello?"
"Hello Mr. Dawson, I just thought you'd want to know that Charlotte is visiting her in Smith's Grove tomorrow at 11AM with the rest of her family. Not sure if or how you want to use this information but there it is."
"Great," Dawson said softly. "Thank you so much Mr. Chancer."
Chancer grinned as he hung up. He wasn't sure what kind of bomb he'd just set to go off, but he had the feeling Charlotte Avery was now in very grave danger. If she was as well with the information he'd just provided, even better. Perfect, in fact.
…
To Dr Loomis' and Dr Stark's surprise, Andrews didn't react at all when they both reached his office five minutes later. "Ah, Dr Loomis, Dr Stark come in," he said. Not rising from behind his polished desk. Dr Loomis felt another rush of dislike and hoped it didn't show. Glancing briefly at Dr Stark, he saw it also reflected in her expression. Without a word, the two consultants entered and sat down.
"Perhaps it is good you are both here for this," Andrews began. "I take it Samuel has filled you in Gemma. Regarding our meeting earlier this morning?"
"Yes Sir," Dr Stark nodded.
"Fine then. Since I spoke to you an hour ago Samuel, things have changed. It would appear at this moment; Glass Hill has no spaces, and this could possibly last for the next few months. This being the case, I am therefore unable to transfer Myers currently. So, I am ordering him to be placed in solitary with minimal food and water and no contact with anyone until he can be transferred to Glass Hill."
Dr Loomis had to fight every muscle in his body not to stand up and punch the suited little prick in the face. God this man truly didn't care about anything except money! Michael was just a number to him, not a person. Albeit Dr Loomis himself had considered Michael as "it," only months ago, "pure evil," even. But a woman named Danielle Hayward had changed all that… He forced himself back to the here and now.
"Sir, that won't work. Michael needs his therapy with me, and no contact would no doubt make his… urges worse."
"Well, you have already proved your guards can't protect anyone from him," Andrews said evenly. "Do tell me. Do I have any other choice? You'll just have to go down there to talk to him if he needs it so much."
Dr Stark spoke up. "Sir, putting him in solitary could do unspeakable psychological damage. Not just to him, but to others on the ward."
Andrews burst out laughing. "Do me a favour! He's a damn killer! How would his not being there damage others psychologically? If anything, they'll be glad he's no longer around! Psychological damage? Give me a break! That statement makes me question your own sanity, Dr Stark."
Dr Loomis tensed in his chair. Son of a bitch. But Dr Stark of course remained calm.
"Sir, as you know, we of course can't tell you what our patients have gone through or say to us. But I need you to trust me when I say putting Michael in solitary is a very, very bad idea."
"Seriously Dr Stark? Explain to me why. If Michael Myers had been in solitary already, those men would still be alive."
Not necessarily, Dr Loomis thought and just knew his colleague was thinking the exact same thing.
"Sorry Sir, but if we do this, someone else's life could be in danger. One of our patients has already attempted suicide once."
"Oh yes," Andrews interrupted. "The blind one. What's her name?" He consulted his files. Dr Stark felt a rush of anger. The blind one? How fucking dismissive and patronising. Not to mention he had to check for her name. "Danielle Hayward," Dr Stark snapped before she could stop herself.
"Right. Yes. Hayward. The one with the abusive boyfriend. Yes. But surely, you're not telling me her life could be endangered if Michael Myers isn't there? If anything, surely, it's the opposite? She'd be so easy to kill its almost laughable! She wouldn't even see him approaching for God's sake! Easiest kill he'd ever have."
"But he hasn't killed her yet," Dr Loomis said very quietly. "He's had his chance. She appears to be… bringing out his previously lost human side."
Andrews laughed again. "Seriously? And you are two of my best psychiatrists? I think you're losing your damn minds!
Prick, Dr Loomis thought. Selfish, uncaring prick.
"Sir," Dr Stark said quietly. "If you have so many questions about why Michael should not be in solitary, might I suggest you come down to the block sometimes? You might get the answers you seek, then you might understand why Michael killed those men a little better. Plus, how strong he is and how hard it is to regain control when he has the urge to kill, whether for a reason or not."
Andrews bristled. "How dare you talk to me like that? I am your boss, and you will respect the decisions I make."
"Sir, if those decisions compromise someone's safety, wellbeing and maybe even life, I'm afraid we can't do that. You employed us to care for the patients. We are experienced professionals, so might I suggest that you show us a little more respect when it comes to their daily care? Ok it's your choice to transfer Mr. Myers, again a huge mistake, but we can't change that.
But while you are unable to do so, he is in our care, and I can tell you know that putting him in solitary would cause tremendous damage. Plus let's not beat around the bush. Jefferson was a nasty sexual son of a bitch, and the guard… Well, he got too close to Myers, and we couldn't pull him back. God knows all the guards tried except Joanne who was looking after her. That is her assigned duty."
Andrews looked at her, his mouth opening and closing with indignation, she'd dared to speak to him that way! Dr Loomis gave Dr Stark a mental pat on the back. Well said! Plus, she was right.
"You haven't heard the last of this Dr Stark," Andrews said eventually. "Your insubordination. But for now, I will take your word for it and trust your albeit insane judgement. But I will be keeping an eye out. I will get some of my staff to come down and check on your ward every so often and report back what they see. If I see anything I shouldn't, I will not hesitate to act this time."
"Yes Sir," Dr Stark and Dr Loomis said together and almost ran out of the room.
"Great!" Dr Stark said bitterly. "Stupid idiot! His staff members won't know what's hit them! I'd like to hear them report that back! Michael Myers is holding her in his arms every night and he killed those people because they hurt her in some way. I certainly wouldn't want to be the person who gave Dawson Danielle's number. They're a dead man if Myers finds out and gets hold of them. I for one won't stop him."
Dr Loomis didn't answer, he just nodded. That said everything, he didn't need words this time.