Detective Ray Peters was both utterly irritated and had a sinking feeling of dread in his stomach, when his work cell phone rang at 10:40PM that night. Karen stirred beside him, raising herself on one elbow. "Thought you weren't on call tonight babes?"
"So did I," Peters muttered, reaching groggily for the phone. SGT. Hawkins' name was flashing on the caller ID. "What the hell?" He said aloud, the dread vanishing only to be replaced by utter fury as he picked up the phone and hit answer. "Yes?"
He didn't care how pissed he sounded, because that's exactly what he was, pissed. SGT. Hawkins had set him and James Rickets an assignment for the very next morning, they were supposed to be meeting up at 7AM for Christ's sake and as a result he wanted his sleep.
"Sorry Ray," Hawkins did not sound annoyed at Peters' rude response, just tired himself. "I'm calling to tell you that Dr Loomis has just cancelled our meeting with Hayward and Myers for tomorrow at the last damn minute."
Good, thank God for that! Peters thought. What he said was, "Oh, did he say why?"
"No," Hawkins said. "Damn that man. I've been trying to get Myers interviewed for damn years and he keeps cancelling on me!"
On you? You're not the one going! Motherfucker! "I'm sure he'll let you in at some point. I know we have this case to close out, but we can only do so when and if circumstances allow."
"It needs doing now!" Hawkins said angrily, causing Peters to glare at the wall. If Hawkins was yelling at him or Rickets, he'd have something to say about it. "We need to close this case out for the public image of Haddonfield, Ray. You know that."
Public image can kiss my ass! "Yes, Sir."
"I will contact Rickets, unless you want to?"
Oh, so now I'm your fucking secretary too? "I'll do it Sir, no problem. Good night." Peters put the phone down before his boss could say another word. "Son of a bitch," he muttered. Karen knew he couldn't stand Hawkins, so just nodded sympathetically and pulled him into a kiss. Picking up his phone again, Peters called his no pun intended, junior colleague.
"Thank God for that," Rickets said when he answered, and Peters explained. "Sorry Sir, but I was dreading that!"
"I wasn't too keen myself," Peters admitted, surprising even himself. "I'm sure Hawkins will have us go another time though, so don't get too relaxed."
"Jeez, cheers boss," Rickets said, and Peters could hear he was grinning. "Just what I needed to hear before sleep tonight. I will have a date with Michael Myers. Perfect sleep material!"
"Sarcastic, aren't you? Sorry James. But at least it means we don't have to be at Haddonfield PD at 7AM."
"True. Damn. I paid extra for super-fast cleaning of my suit and tie this afternoon, so I could pick it up at 06:30 sharp! Then I could just go home and put it on quick as I'd have showered before collecting it. Now I've wasted several bucks for a privilege I don't need and I sure as shit won't be there at 06:30!"
Peters chuckled. "Bad luck, I'm sure you'll get it back in your next pay cheque."
Rickets laughed with him. "Yeah, he should give us a damn pay rise for this inconvenience. Don't get me wrong I don't want to be within a thousand feet of Michael Myers, but to cancel now? I suppose it wasn't him, it was Dr Loomis. But…"
"I know," Peters said. "At least we can get some more sleep tomorrow. Are Sarah and the bump, ok?"
"Doing good, thanks."
"Glad to hear it. Good night to all of you."
"Good night, Sir." James hung up.
Peters slumped back in bed, privately more relieved to not be entering that hospital tomorrow than he'd ever tell anyone, maybe even Karen and their children. He remembered the case very early on in his career he'd just been a deputy when a criminal had axed murdered his entire family.
Anthony Atkins had been his name, and he had been convinced that his mother was in contact with aliens, out of space forces who she was instructing to spy on him, reporting all his movements back to her. After the murders, he'd claimed that his mother had a chip in her brain which was the device enabling her to contact these aliens. He said she'd been taken into outer space a few months before to have the device implanted. His father, brother and sister were not targeted, it was just him. When they had refused to believe his story about aliens working against him through their mother/wife, in a fit of rage and hatred Atkins had murdered his whole family in one night with an axe. The seen had been so brutal it still turned Peters' stomach now if he thought about it too much. Mrs. Atkins' head had been cut off, and it hadn't been a clean decapitation by any means. Compared to someone such as Myers, this guy was a total beginner at killing.
When asked about the massacre, Atkins had given a full and frank confession, not holding anything back. This had been the first sign that they really were dealing with a mentally insane offender. He'd talked about the non-existent aliens adamantly and had even passed a lie detector test confirming he at least believed a hundred percent he was telling the truth.
It'd been clear to the courts very early on that Atkins was not faking his insanity. He'd had numerous mental health evaluations and assessments, and all had proved he was legally insane. As a result, he'd avoided the probable death penalty his crime would've carried and had been instead sentenced to a maximum-security Psychiatric hospital for the rest of his natural life, with no contact with the outside world, possibility of release or supervised leave.
Peters had been the officer who'd driven him up to Smith's Grove, handcuffed in the back of a prison van in the secure cage, accompanied by three guards. He had been glad he hadn't been able to look into Atkins' eyes, his ice-cold piercing stare chilled him to the bone. He truly believed aliens were working against him and when his family had tried to get him help but in Atkins' mind disbelieved him, he'd massacred them in the most brutal and bloody way Peters had ever seen. He had been placed in the highest security cell the hospital had back then, until he had been transferred to Glass Hill.
'Anthony annihilator Alien Axe Atkins' the press had dubbed him which Peters thought was harsh. When the trial started, he was then dubbed the 5 A Killer, which Peters thought was just as bad if not worse, despite the terrible and horrific massacre Atkins had committed against his own family. He couldn't help but feel some sympathy for him, and it wasn't often he felt that way about an offender. Atkins was clearly a very ill man. He'd also claimed 'the voices' told him to kill his parents, adding that he was certain it was one of the aliens who'd turned against his mother, and now was goading him to kill her and the rest of his family for not listening. The heart-breaking reality was the so-called 'spying' his mother was doing was very probably trying desperately to get her son some help, and the rest of the family were trying to support both. Anthony was still their son and sibling; relatives had testified at the trial that his family loved Atkins very much. Some of the jury had been close to tears. All the while Atkins had sat calmly in the dock surrounded by guards, cuffed and shackled, no emotion on his face or in his eyes, just that cold, blank stare. Peters had been sure even the judge was trying not to shiver when looking into that terrifying gaze.
To put the final nail in his coffin as it were, Atkins had calmly told the court at his sentencing when the judge asked if he wished to speak, that the reason his mother's head had been cut off so badly was because he'd been trying to get into her brain to remove the implanted device so people would believe him. There had been brain matter all over the bedroom floor, along with hair and other body parts. The living room had been even worse, as that was where the other three all died. After he'd finished the investigation, Peters had asked for two weeks stress leave and based on everything he'd seen, it had been granted by the Haddonfield PD.
When the time came for him to testify at trial, Peters had no problem recalling every detail of the gruesome, bloody and horrific crime scene he'd seen. It had lived in his nightmares for several months before. When it first happened, he'd needed some counselling to help with his night terrors from this incident. Although he hadn't heard the victims screams in person, they still were heard in his dreams. He was proscribed sleeping pills and medication for panic attacks by his doctor, and after the trial was over, he was given another two months leave by his department. He couldn't say they weren't compassionate to their own when needed and necessary.
At sentencing, (Peters had been there,) the judge had stated exactly what Peters personally had believed. That the so-called 'aliens' were in fact his mother, father and siblings, trying to help him get better. The whole thing was a terrible and very sad tragedy.
Now, Peters sighed and slumped back in bed. The last thing he wanted to be thinking about was Atkins, not when he wanted to get back to sleep. "Everything ok, babes?" Karen asked, pulling him into her arms. He nuzzled his nose against her neck, loving the comfort she provided.
"Hmm," he said, letting out a deep sigh. "Dr Loomis has cancelled our trip to Smith's Grove tomorrow, so I'll be home in time for tea," he leant in for a kiss. Their eldest daughter Kira who was 8 had found a love for cooking, and she was always in the kitchen helping her mother with meals. The family were already certain she would be a world-famous chef when she grew up. "What's Chef Kira cooking?"
Karen smiled. "We're doing chicken burgers with cheese and fries."
"Lovely," Peters smiled back at the woman he loved more than any other in the whole world. "I look forward to it."
…
Danielle was woken the next morning by Joanne knocking on her door to inform her breakfast was there. This made her smile, and she jumped out of bed, eager to see Jerry again.
"Hey, you," Jerry greeted in his cheerful Irish accent as she walked into the lounge. "Nice pyjamas. How are we today?"
Just hearing his voice made her smile and unable to help herself she moved to hug him. "Hey Jezz, it's really nice to see you again."
"You are too my girl," he hugged her back. "I hear you were a bit upset yesterday, anything I can help with. Are you ok now?"
"Oh yeah," she managed a smile. "But thanks, Jezz, that means a lot. Just a man being an idiot."
"Oh dear, you and Michael had a row?"
"Kind of," she hesitated, not wanting to tell him the whole truth, but he didn't press further. "That's a man for you, he'll come around don't worry! In the meantime, how about some sausages, scrambled eggs, hash browns, mushrooms and toast for breakfast, along with tea? Also…" he lowered his voice to a dramatic whisper. "I bought some more white chocolate muffins, just in case you um… ate them all last night!"
"Jerry!" She exclaimed. "After all that amazing food you brought over last night, how could you think that of us? Thank you for the pie, it was gorgeous! You made that?"
"I did, but don't say that too loudly or I'll never stop making it!"
She heard laughing behind her as Anne and Joanne entered. "Hi Anne," she moved towards her and couldn't help hugging her too.
"Hello Danielle, like Jerry said that's just a man being a man, he'll get over it and…" she whispered. "Will realise you're right, we women are always right."
"I heard that," Jerry warned. At this she couldn't help laughing along with the rest, as the two-kitchen staff set the food on the kitchen table, along with a pot of tea for her and coffee for Joanne. "We did sneak a cheeky muffin with tea last night," she admitted, causing the two to laugh.
"Yes, and it was scrumptious," Joanne agreed, grinning.
"Well, there's even more here now," Jerry said. "Joanne, put the stuff on the cart inside the main door and we'll come and get it in a bit."
"No worries I'll bring it back over with us."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep, no problem. Danielle can just hold onto the end, and I'll push her with it… I mean push it!"
"Hey!" Danielle complained, laughing as she punched Joanne's arm.
"One way to keep you quiet I suppose," Jerry clapped her on the back. "If there is a way to keep you quiet, that is!"
"Oh, shut up!" All four of them started to laugh.
"We would stay for a cup of tea," Jerry continued. "As you're a sweetheart and I know you'd offer, but I'm afraid we're so busy in the kitchens this morning we can't. But we will arrange one soon if you like."
"Yeah, that would be really nice."
"Ok, that sounds like a plan. For now, though, enjoy both of you."
"Bye," Anne called, and as they left Jerry once again started whistling which made Danielle smile. "They're good people," she said as she sat down in the seat she'd used the previous night.
"They are indeed," Joanne said. "Would you like a bit of everything? Or is that a stupid question?"
"Damn, is everyone going to make fun of me today?"
"It's only because we love you. So?"
"You know I'll have everything please, don't be mean." Chuckling, the two friends started to eat.
…
"Ready to head back?" Joanne asked two hours later after they'd finished their breakfasts, Danielle had dressed, and they'd taken time drinking tea and casually chatting. Danielle felt a flutter of apprehension over seeing Michael again. Not because of what had happened but following their text conversation the night before. She'd disclosed a little of this to Joanne including Michael's compromise, how she didn't want to accept it and was determined to fix the relationship today if possible.
"I understand," Joanne touched her arm sympathetically, serving her more breakfast. "I do. But you know what men are like, they can be so stubborn sometimes. But in all seriousness, the only thing I will say is listen to Michael's point of view, at least hear him out and let him explain where he stands and why he feels the way he does, that's only fair."
She nodded. "Hear him out? That'll be quite hard considering he hardly ever speaks!"
"Oh, be quiet! Read him out then!"
"Yeah," fair enough," Danielle grinned. "But seriously you're right, I will. But I know why, he's scared he said and doesn't want to risk it happening again, even though he's adamant it won't! How does that make any sense?"
"When he needs a kill he has no control, I think that's what he's afraid of. So, show him you love and are not afraid of him. Even something as simple as holding his hand will do that."
They packed up their things and Danielle took both bags over Joanne's protests, so she could easily push the breakfast cart. Even though it had been said in gest, Danielle did hold the end and followed as Joanne pushed it. They boarded a shuttle and within minutes were back at the Maximum-security unit. Dr Loomis was waiting for them at the doors.
"Good morning," he said cheerfully, as Joanne wheeled the cart towards the kitchens. "How are we? Did you enjoy that?"
"Very much so," Danielle hugged him. "Thanks, Dr Loomis."
"Don't thank me, I didn't organise it, Joanne did it all."
"Yeah, but you authorised it, I know how this works by now Doc!"
He chuckled. "Actually, I didn't. Because you are now voluntary, I didn't have to authorise anything. Joanne simply asked if the suite was free and could you and she use it for the night, that was it. She contacted the kitchens and everything, I had no part in it save for providing the extra cream if necessary. How is your throat speaking of that? Did you need the cream at all?"
"No," she pulled the tube out and made to hand it back, but he touched her hand to stop her. "No, keep it. You might need it later. Can you apply it yourself, ok?"
"Thanks, yes, I'll be fine. She pocketed the tube again. "How is it looking this morning?"
Dr Loomis gently put his hands either side of her neck and turned her head to look. "The bruising is coming up now, it's… quite nasty to look at. Does it hurt?"
"Actually, not as much as it did yesterday. As you can hear I'm still a little hoarse, but I can talk without too much pain."
"Ok, but I still stand by what I said yesterday. Don't push it. Text Joanne if you are struggling to talk, you also have my number, correct?"
"No, I don't."
"Well then let's change that right now." She smiled at him, pulled out her phone, tapped in and saved the number he read out.
"Got it," he confirmed as she sent him a text, so he'd have hers. "Just text if you need me, ok?"
"Thanks Dr Loomis. I really appreciate it. Just a question, do you know when Dr Stark is back off leave?"
"Oh, I see how it goes," he said in mock hurt. "You want her more than me, I understand! Even though I've got the "Nice ears!" Ow, my heart!"
"Give over," she started giggling, hugged him again and pulled his ears. "Yes, your ears are amazing, I'll give you that. But I'm just curious."
Chuckling, Dr Loomis hugged her back. "Ow, now my ears hurt as well! She's back in next week."
"Ok," she nodded.
As Joanne returned to Danielle's side, Dr Loomis became serious suddenly. "Danielle, Joanne, I need to tell you that one of our doctors has just returned from a year's leave, taking a career break. She's… he hesitated. Danielle took his hand and squeezed it, and he squeezed back, acknowledging her encouragement. "She's… she sticks to the rule book in every single way," he said slowly. "I mean, every way. Especially when it comes to security. I have explained your circumstances to her, but I just wanted to warn you. Her name is Dr Hazard."
"Ok," Danielle said uncertainly. "So, what does that mean for me? Follows every rule?"
"She won't be as relaxed as we are, Joanne, I've told her you are Danielle's assigned guard and that is not to change no matter what. She has accepted this, but that doesn't mean she won't… try to do things her way.
"You're… you're warning me she might chain me up, aren't you?" Danielle's voice was quiet.
"It's… possible." Dr Loomis sounded as though every word was causing him pain, and she moved to hug him again. "I really, really hope she doesn't, and I will be having serious words with her if she even tries, but that's not to say she won't."
"I'll kill her if she does," Joanne muttered. "Or get the expert to do it for me."
Danielle smiled, moving to hug her too. "Thanks both, I really appreciate the warning. She sounds like someone who would throw someone in solitary for the slightest little violation?"
"Correct," Dr Loomis said bitterly.
"Then why are you allowing her back in?" Danielle asked, but not unkindly. "You're the boss aren't you Dr Loomis? I greatly respect this fact. After everything you've done for me especially the rescue, I'll do anything you ask me in a second without hesitation."
"You're a sweetheart, thank you. Yes, I am, but she is training to become the same level as me."
"Great," Danielle groaned. "As qualified as you and a total jackass and job's worth to boot. Just what this place doesn't need. I appreciate it's hard for you because you don't want to speak ill of her, but thanks for telling me this at least."
"Warning them about Dr Idiot? I can't stand her," said Rick's voice as he arrived behind them. "We nickname her DR Death."
"Why?"
"Something to do with her initials, but we don't know what they stand for. We saw them on a staff notice board once and that was it, it stuck."
"Or Dr Hell," Jack said, stopping beside them. "Because that's who she is. She runs this place with a damn iron fist! If it's not in the rule book, it's a violation. Or if it's not done exactly as the rule book is worded, it's a violation no matter what."
"She sounds delightful," Danielle muttered. "I can't wait to make her acquaintance."
"You won't have long to wait," Rick said, a definite note of bitterness in his voice. "She's in charge out in the yard today."
"Oh, yay! The excitement is killing me!" Everyone smiled grimly at her sarcasm. "What do you mean she's in charge in the yard?" She asked, confused.
"Oh, sorry!" Dr Loomis said. "There's an area in the exercise yard, which is not accessible to patients, or should I say normally it isn't, because I will show you as soon as I can. Where a doctor can stand and observe anything that goes on if they wish. But… normally we don't use it, that's why you didn't know of its existence. Dr Hazard however does like to."
"Oh fantastic," Danielle was starting to dislike Dr Hazard more and more with every word Dr Loomis spoke and she hadn't even met her yet. "Bet she doesn't go anywhere near a certain yellow line, right?"
"You would be correct," he nodded.
She snorted. "Of course not! She's either scared like everyone else, or so high and mighty that being even close to someone like Michael Myers is out of her league thank you very much!"
"That about sums her up," Jack muttered, then looked apologetically at Dr Loomis. "Sorry boss."
"Quit with the "Boss," Dr Loomis said to his guard. "Also, don't apologise to me, just be careful who hears you say that." Jack sighed but nodded.
…
Dr Hazard walked out into the exercise yard notebook and pen in hand, a thick rule book under her arm. Though she had memorised it backwards, she still liked to carry it just in case. It looked impressive and authoritative if nothing else, which was its main purpose as far as she was concerned. Moving into the doctors only observation area, she watched closely as the patients were let out for their exercise shortly after breakfast. Yes, there she was, the blind one, Hayward. What was her first name? Denise? Dana? She knew it was something like that, but it didn't really matter. She would be referred to as Hayward if she had to talk to her. She was being guided by Turner, her assigned guard. That was the only thing Dr Loomis had explained to her that she would let stand unchanged. But the fact Hayward was unchained, that was not ok. She looked up at them sharply as she saw Turner guiding Hayward towards the yellow line behind which Michael Myers stood, the most dangerous killer here. What the hell was she doing? She turned and walked brusquely towards them. "Oh shit," Joanne breathed, as they reached Michael's line and crossed it quickly. Michael was securely chained to his concrete block and immediately Danielle felt his hand on her arm. She didn't see it of course, but he also shot a look of reassurance to Joanne, and she smiled at him in acknowledgement.
"Turner, may I ask you exactly what you think you are doing? This warning line is here for a reason."
Immediately Danielle felt her anger spike. Dr Loomis hadn't been lying when he warned her. Bitch!
"Excuse me, are you Dr Hazard?"
"Yes Hayward, I am. But do not interrupt me when I am speaking again. Well, Turner?"
How Joanne kept her voice friendly but professional, Danielle would never know. Her love and respect only increased for her guard if that was possible. "Dr Hazard, I believe Dr Loomis has updated you on things that have taken place in your absence?"
"That is irrelevant and not at all your business or concern. Move Hayward back to the other side of this line and away from it please."
You just don't want the paperwork if I get attacked! What the hell do you know? Jesus! How stupid can you be? That would be a really, bad idea. Judging by Joanne's touch to her arm, they were both thinking the exact same thing. Instead of stepping back from Michael Danielle stepped closer to him, reaching for his cuffed hand. Fuck what Dr Hazard said, Dr Loomis and Stark were the only ones she would obey.
"Dr Hazard," Joanne said mildly. "I would like to take this opportunity to give you just one warning. Separating Danielle and Michael would be a very, very bad idea. For you, that is."
"Do not speak to me that way, Turner. I have the training, you do not. I am a qualified doctor, you are not. Hayward, you have one chance to move, before I implement force."
"Don't you dare," Joanne didn't sound quite so professional anymore. "I mean it, don't you dare!"
"You are out of order Turner! I will report you for this. I can and will go above Dr Loomis to Mr. Andrews himself."
"Andrews?" Danielle snorted derisively, unable to stop herself. "Good luck! He's not CEO anymore!"
"You don't know what you're talking about Hayward. How would you know? You're a patient, not privy to staff business. Erick Ainsworth, over here, now!"
Jesus, this bitch really is clueless! If Dr Loomis has told her even half our story, she either doesn't believe it or is too arrogant to care. Probably the latter. Danielle had to hand it to him, Erick Ainsworth was fast. Before she could as much as move, she felt the cold steel of handcuffs click into place on her wrists, before her legs were shackled and her hands chained to her waist. Immediately the panic threatened to take hold in full force.
Fight it, Avery! You must fight it! Come on girl, you're not the girl you once were! Adam's dead remember, Adam's dead! You won't be sexually assaulted in these chains! Come on, hold it together! Michael loves you as stubborn as he is, he told you that just last night! They're only chains, Joanne's right next to you as is Michael. Don't panic, come on!
"You," Joanne said very softly. "Have just made the worst and possibly last mistake of your life, Dr Hazard." She put her arm around Danielle and held her tightly. She could tell by Danielle's face she was fighting off the panic attack and doing a damn good job. "Keep going girl," she whispered in her ear. "Don't panic, you're doing great!"
As Erick Ainsworth moved past her, Danielle moved faster than even she would've believed possible and grabbed his radio from its pouch. Thanks to Jack, she knew exactly where it was and how to use it. As fast as she could she hit the number 3, which would tune the radio to her block's channel. Anyone who heard this was her friend. Erick was already moving to take it from her. Why she hadn't grabbed Joanne's she wondered later, she didn't know. Adrenaline was coursing through her along with growing panic she could not fight off for much longer. She shouted as loudly as she could, trying to ignore the fire which shot into her injured throat as a result.
"JACK, RICK, Dr Loomis! I NEED YOU OUT HERE NOW, PLEASE! I… I'M IN TROUBLE!"
"Well done girl," Joanne whispered, and Danielle could feel her shaking. "Fuck me, I'm so glad my name is not Hazard or Ainsworth right now. I can't even look at Michael, his gaze is colder than ice. Oh, shit. Michael is angry. It's all for you Danielle, told you he loves you."
"How dare you Hayward," Dr Hazard's voice was soft but angry, as Erick grabbed his radio from her. "You will be put in solitary for this! Ainsworth, separate them, now!"
The guard hesitated and Danielle couldn't help grinning. She wouldn't want to go near Michael Myers either in his shoes.
"NOW!" Dr Hazard shouted, and Danielle knew Ainsworth was terrified. Good!
"Myers is CHAINED, HE CAN'T HURT YOU! MOVE!"
That's what you think, Danielle grinned again to herself. You're a braver man than I give you credit for if you do try.
"Don't know why you're grinning Hayward," Dr Hazard said acidly. "You're in very serious trouble."
"Oh, I'm just terrified and by the way so are you," Danielle said before she could stop herself. "But the trouble you're in is much more serious than mine Dr Hazard. I guarantee it." As she was speaking though, she started wondering if her radio transmission had been heard, or even sent to the right channel. Her hands had been shaking as she'd dialled. Later she'd remember Joanne had been wearing an earpiece, so would've heard it through that. But right then it didn't occur to her. She knew only seconds had passed since she'd sent it but, in her panic, fuelled state, it felt like hours. But that was when the block doors crashed open and the three, she'd called so desperately for ran out. Affection choked her throat. She wasn't a guard and had used their radio system to call for help, something patients should not be able to do, yet they were treating it as if she was a guard in distress. Damn, she loved every one of them!
"WHAT THE HOLY FUCK?" It was Jack, and his shout only made her blink back tears as he ran to her and put his arms around her. She didn't of course see the look he and Michael exchanged along with a nod; they were on the same side. She understood why he'd moved so fast. He'd fake shackled her safely when she'd asked, showed her how to use the equipment including the radios and now he was here for her when she really was in trouble.
"I'm so sorry Dr Loomis," Dr Hazard said, clearly thinking Dr Loomis would agree with her in punishing Danielle for grabbing and using a guard's equipment. "Hayward will be going to solitary momentarily for using my guard's radio. I apologise for the needless disturbance to you and your guards. I can only assume you thought it was Turner who was calling hence the fast response, when it was in fact a patient messing around! Again, I sincerely apologise for the needless inconvenience."
"Dr Hazard," Dr Loomis' voice was soft but dangerous. "Remove those chains from Danielle immediately."
If Dr Hazard was taken aback by his as far as she saw it totally unexpected response, she didn't show it. "This is my watch Dr Loomis," she said coldly. "I will run it as I see fit. I ordered her to be chained, and I am not removing them. The rules state all patients are to be always chained while using the exercise yard. The rules also state that a patient will be locked in solitary if they assault a guard and/or attempt to use their equipment. Hayward did this, so that will be done. Ainsworth, separate them. Now! Jameson, Goodall, back him up! Hayward, I will give you one more chance to comply and come with me to solitary quietly."
"You dare," Dr Loomis voice was ice now, probably as cold as Michael's eyes. "You dare talk to my patient that way. Danielle, ignore her order, I am overriding it."
Joanne would never know what Dr Hazard's guards were thinking, but they moved in and grabbed Danielle, pulling her away from Michael. Joanne was sure the killer could've easily stopped them but didn't want to hurt Danielle by doing so. Jack and Rick ran to Danielle's side, and she almost started to cry when they and Joanne drew their guns. "BACK THE FUCK OFF," Rick shouted. "LET GO OF Danielle RIGHT THIS INSTANT! YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO TOUCH A PATIENT AND CERTAINLY NOT TO USE FORCE UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!"
Danielle reached out as far as her chains would allow feeling only empty air. Shit, where was she? Her orientation was completely gone, a blind person's worse fear. But immediately she felt her hand taken. "Sweetheart I'm here," Jack murmured. "Right here, we've got you."
"Remove, her, chains," Dr Loomis repeated slowly. "If you refuse to comply, I will not stop my guards from using force against you."
"You can't do that Dr Loomis," Dr Hazard countered immediately. "These are my guards; they follow my command."
"They are also from a lower ward," Dr Loomis said smoothly. "They do not have as much training in using force or defence as my guards do. Please don't make them test that? Rick, can you radio Ryan for the master?"
"Already have," Rick said.
"Jack, please?" Danielle pleaded to him, knowing he would understand. Of course he did, immediately.
"Oh sweetheart," her friend sounded close to tears. "Don't you think if I could I already would have? The keys from a lower ward are different. Dr Loomis, can you get the master?"
"Already on it," Dr Loomis said as right on queue, Ryan ran out with the master key which unlocked all chains the hospital used.
"What do you think…" Dr Hazard began. "I will report this to Andrews, and you will lose your job, Dr Loomis."
"On the contrary," Dr Loomis said mildly, as if the two of them were talking in a bar. "I think you will find you will be the one whose job is in jeopardy, Dr Hazard. I am the head doctor here, my orders go obeyed by anyone under me, this includes doctors such as yourself. Oh, and did I not tell you that Andrews is no longer our CEO?"
"I told you so," Danielle said unable to stop herself.
Ainsworth, Jameson and Goodall had released Danielle as soon as Rick, Jack and Joanne had drawn their guns. Now Jack gently guided her forward, back over Michael's yellow line. Instantly, the killer had taken her arm pulling her protectively back to him, his cuffed hands softly holding her shoulders. As best she could through her own shackles, she took his hands in hers.
"I love you, Michael Myers, she whispered to him. "I love you so fucking much it hurts! I'm not afraid of you, although I would be if I was Dr Hazard right now!" His hand briefly tightened around hers and she understood. He was thinking about clenching his beloved knife, considering what it would be like sinking the blade into the flesh of Dr Hazard's throat. "I know," she breathed. She was still feeling some panic due to the chains but hoped it didn't show on her face. But this was proved wrong when Michael leant down and kissed her lips. It wasn't a brief kiss either. Joanne, Rick, Jack and Dr Loomis all cheered. For once, Dr Hazard was speechless, but recovered quickly. She was either stupid, or so arrogant she was certain her job was safe, and she could do nothing which would jeopardise it. "Ainsworth, Jameson, take Hayward down to solitary. You've earned a week for this violation. It starts now! Go!"
Now Danielle did start to cry, this time out of fear, as the two guards again grabbed her. It would be totally silent, empty, lonely… she'd never been there before as she knew Dr Loomis or Dr Stark would never have put her down there, now…
There was a CRACK! It took her a few seconds to realise one of her friends had fired their gun but must have missed their target, as neither guard stopped. Before she knew what was happening, she was in an elevator, being taken down below ground. Panic was now building in earnest, now she was trusting Jack, Rick and/or Joanne in every sense of the word, completely. While she was certain they'd get her out very soon, it didn't stop her terror. She was led still in her shackles into a dark corridor, then pushed into a cell and onto a hard bench seat while the guards unshackled her and emptied her pockets. Danielle started to panic in earnest as her phone was taken from her. Then with a THUD of total finality, the door slammed closed and the silence she'd feared pressed in. Completely and utterly empty, hostile and terrifying. Once again, she was under soundproofing, but this time for totally different reasons. Once again, she was locked in a tiny room against her will. Adam had locked her in his house but compared to the small space she now found herself in that'd been luxury. She took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself. For right now there was nothing she could do, a panic attack was the last thing she needed. She had to take control. There was no one anywhere near her, she was underground, locked in and completely alone.
…
During his whole 20 years of being a Psychiatrist, Dr Samuel Loomis had never felt total and absolute fear of one of his patients, and he'd worked with some of the most dangerous people in the whole of the United States and even the world. Right now, though, that had just changed. He could hardly look at Michael Myers as his ice-cold gaze remained on Dr Hazard, who was now marching back into her block. What made this whole situation even more infuriating was that she currently worked on the medium security ward. It was clear however that she didn't care about this and believed she ran the show. Dr Loomis would soon show her how wrong she was.
"Michael," he swallowed audibly, and Jack and Rick even stepped back, almost stumbling in their efforts to move away as fast as possible. "We've got this under control, I promise you. We'll get her out as soon as we can. You need to try and… control it. Please, I'm begging you."
"What do you mean as soon as we can?" Joanne demanded. "We need to go down there now!"
"We… we can't," Dr Loomis sounded as if he was in agony when he spoke. "The… the rules in fact do state a patient can be locked in solitary if they grab a guard's radio and… and that's what happened."
"YOU ARE FUCKING KIDDING ME?" Joanne exploded. "YOU ARE SURELY NOT SAYING WE HAVE TO LEAVE HER THERE ON THAT… THAT WOMAN'S SAY SO?"
"No," Dr Loomis said. "But this is a rule breach. Wait, please," he almost begged as Rick, Jack and Joanne started glaring at him along with Michael. God knew how much danger he could put himself in if he didn't explain fast. "I am the boss of Smith's Grove this is true, but… but because this is indeed a rule breach, I… I can't wave it without permission. I can bend rules, but if a rule is clearly broken then… then I need to speak to those above."
"FUCK OFF!" Jack yelled. "Dr Loomis I EXPECTED BETTER OF YOU!"
"So did I," Rick said quietly. "You've never chained Danielle, even though that's a rule. So, what's the difference now, eh? You'd better explain and quickly if you don't want to be at risk of…" he glanced at Michael. "You know."
"Guys please! Listen to me?" now Dr Loomis sounded like he really was begging. "I could change those rules because nothing had been breached. But Danielle has now actually breached a rule. Every time she had your radios Jack, Joanne, it was with permission. What she has done is indeed a violation, I can't change that."
"I don't fucking believe this," Jack spat, turning on his heels and making to walk away. "I thought the man I trusted was a good one, how wrong was I? I'm going down there right this minute and God help you if you try to stop me! Rule fucking book? Jesus Christ! Who are you afraid of, Dr Loomis, more than doing what is right? You afraid of your job? What?" Dr Loomis looked as if he was suffering a lot of pain. When he spoke, he hardly sounded like himself.
"No, I'm afraid of all of you going to prison."
The three spun to look at him. "What?" Rick demanded.
"I… I might not like it, but she is indeed a doctor and has decided. If I try to override it without appropriate authority, she could take it to a court of law and if we lost, you'd all be sent down and never get your jobs back."
"Fine!" Jack snarled. "So, fucking be it! I'd go to prison for Danielle!"
"So would I," Joanne said instantly.
"Guys, please listen! I'm saying we can't let her out… yet! I can get the authority within the hour though. I need Oliver Cutter's permission. There are cameras in the exercise yard, which record both in video and audio and will have captured the whole thing. If he gives the ok for Dr Hazard's order to be overridden, there is nothing she can do in a court of law. I can override it I have the authority, but it's too risky without the top man's say so. Please you need to understand?"
"I don't understand shit," Jack fumed. "Except for the fact I'm seeing you in a whole new light Dr Loomis, and I sure as hell don't like it! What the fuck is the point of you being the head doctor if you can't override another's orders?"
But Joanne looked at Dr Loomis, now beginning to understand. "Jack, I think I get it. It's because there's written rules stating Danielle can't do what she did, there is recorded footage of her doing it and Dr Hazard would be able to take it to court and win. If Dr Loomis goes to Mr. Cutter, he can sign a piece of paper which overrides it and protects all of us."
"A PIECE OF FUCKING PAPER?" Jack shouted. "YOU ARE HAVING A FUCKING LAUGH! A PIECE, OF, PAPER? GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK! YOU'RE PRIORITISING CHECKING A DAMN BOX OVER DANIELLE'S SAFETY AND WELL BEING? My FUCKING GOD!"
"Unless you want to get arrested," Dr Loomis' voice was very quiet now. "I can tell you to let her out right now, but without protection we would all lose our jobs and go down for a long time. Do you really want people like Dr Hazard being in charge? If I lost my job and so, did you, she'd put her guards at the top of the ladder before you could blink. How would Danielle be treated then, I ask you?"
There was a long, long silence. Eventually, Jack sighed. "I still don't like it," he said, but now he sounded resigned more than angry. "What the hell do we do?"
"Go down there and comfort her, I am going to contact Mr. Cutter right now."
"Did you deliberately not tell her Andrews' wasn't CEO anymore?" Joanne asked.
"No," Dr Loomis now sounded very tired. "I figured she'd find out soon enough. Like now, for example."
"Well, I'm going down there right this minute," Joanne said, turning to head inside, Rick and Jack right beside her.
"Of course," Dr Loomis said softly. "I'll ask Ryan and William to watch the block in the meantime. Don't… don't rush back, ok? She needs her friends right now." Slowly, he looked at Michael, who's eyes were still cold, black ice. "We… we'll get her back to you as soon as we can," he said. "I promise you that, Michael. Rick, please could you take Michael back to his cell first?"
"Um, sure," Rick said. "Long as I live for trying it." He approached Michael and unchained him from his block, but the killer made no move to hurt him. "I'll see you down there in a sec," Rick said to Joanne and Jack, as they almost ran through the doors.
…
Rick escorted Michael back into the block and towards his cell unable to relax. This time, Michael offered him no assurance as he had done the day before when walking to the office to speak with Josh. His ice was black, cold, emotionless. Number one danger sign. Despite his fear, Rick could not blame the other man whatsoever for his rage. What Dr Hazard had done was bang out of order. But now he thought about it, he could start to understand why Dr Loomis was doing as he was and could also see it was ripping the Psychiatrist apart. They reached Michael's cell and Rick gave him a very gentle push inside. Michael did not resist.
"For what it's worth," Rick said to him. "I totally, totally understand pal. I love Danielle too, albeit in a different way than you do of course. What Hazard has done is out of order, but Dr Loomis must protect us, that includes Danielle. God knows how bad life would be for her in here if he doesn't. I… I don't like it any more than the others do, but he… he's right. I'm going down to solitary to speak to Danielle right now, and we'll get her out as soon as we're able you have my promise."
The killer gave him nothing and Rick closed and locked the door. When he walked away, he was without realising it, moving as fast as his legs would carry him.
…
Once Danielle had herself as much under control as she was likely to get anytime soon, she stood up and checked out her tiny surroundings. There was the bench seat, then a tiny toilet and sink area behind a screen. On the bench was a thin blanket, sheet and pillow and she realised it was also her bed. At least the linin was clean. There was a small hatch in the door, which she supposed was for the small amount of food and water she would be allowed while down here, just enough to keep her alive probably.
"Not exactly a five-star hotel," she muttered and managed a tiny smile to herself. God she was glad her name was not Dr Hazard right now, she was quite probably never mind in serious trouble, dead trouble might be more accurate if Michael got hold of her. Danielle couldn't say she'd be very sorry if that happened either.
She'd just put the sheet on the bench then the pillow before putting the blanket on top, when she heard a voice through the tiny hatch. "Danielle? Sweetheart I'm here." It was Joanne.
She stood up and walked to the hatch. "Joanne? Where are you?"
"I'm here sweetheart," her guard sounded close to tears as she put her hand through the hatch and grasped hers. "I'm so sorry, are you ok?"
"Oh yeah just fabulous," Danielle snapped and immediately hated herself. Joanne was the last person she should snap at. But now she'd started, all her fear was pouring out. "So glad to be in this fucking five-star hotel for the next 7 days, oh yes, I'm awesome. Are you here with my wine and three course meal?"
"Sweetheart," it was Jack's voice. "We are going to get you out as soon as possible, but please will you do me a tiny favour and use your ears, ears, to listen to me for a minute?" Danielle couldn't even bring herself to smile. "Yes."
"Thanks sweetheart. Now please, just hear me out for a second, will you do that?" Again, she nodded curtly. She hated her life right then.
"What you have done is in fact a violation from the rule book, Dr Hazard is correct about that, whether we like it or not. Please," he added, as Danielle opened her mouth furiously. "Please, I promise you that you are not in any trouble at all from Dr Loomis or us for it, you had damn good reason and justification for doing it! But just listen to me. So that means if we were to let you out right now, Dr Hazard would have ample evidence to take to court. There is audio and video footage of the incident in the exercise yard and a rule in writing stating you can't do what you did. Dr Loomis is contacting Mr. Cutter right now the new CEO, to secure your immediate release. By doing so, he can override Dr Hazard's order, wrong order I might add and prevent her from going to court over this, which she would do. Surely you realise that from just your one interaction. She's rule crazy! It's different than with the chains. Dr Loomis can decide not to chain a patient. You've never caused us any trouble, so we've never had any reason to chain you. It is a rule that all patients should be chained in the exercise yard, but Dr Loomis was able to bend this because of your circumstances. He was furious when you were chained, I mean furious. But once he gets the go ahead, you'll be released immediately. If we did it now, we'd all lose our jobs and possibly go to jail. God knows what hell you'd go through then, imagine if Dr Hazard got promoted and was in charge? I… I don't like it at all, but I realise now Dr Loomis is trying to protect all of us, that includes you."
"Wait, so now you're defending him?" Rick's voice said as he appeared beside Jack and Joanne.
"Hell fucking no! I'm just explaining to Danielle the… unfortunate situation we find ourselves in."
"That's one word for it," Rick muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Fucking hell," he lowered his voice. "Michael's… I don't think angry covers it. Right now, he's fucking terrifying. He was scary enough before, but… but something has changed just now. I… he just feels so much more dangerous than ever before. I'm… I'm really scared of him right now if truth be told. Hell scared? I'm fucking shitting myself!"
"No crime in that," Joanne said.
"I'm serious," Rick shook his head. "Something in him has… changed, worse than any of his previous desires to kill. I think this is worse even than when Adam… you know. I could be talking crap, but I… I don't think so."
Although it would be pointless for Danielle, Joanne and Jack activated the flashlights strapped to their shoulders. It was pitch black down here and privately Joanne hated it. She shouldn't be down here at all, more importantly neither should Danielle. If she could get some kind of revenge, God help her she would.
"Hey, guys?" Ryan's hesitant voice suddenly came over their radios, behind a heavy layer of static this deep underground. "Rick, you put Michael back in his cell next to Danielle's, yes?"
"I did, why?"
"I…" Ryan cleared his throat. "He… he's not there."
"What do you mean he's not there? Did someone let him out?"
"I…" Ryan sounded like he was about to be sick. When he completed his sentence, the other three immediately understood why. "No, the door is still closed and locked, but he's not there!"
"What the fucking hell?" Rick turned and bolted for the elevators. Danielle hadn't heard this as they were all wearing earpieces. Joanne felt as though the temperature down here had just dropped to minus 10. She was shivering uncontrollably. Now, she was as terrified as Rick was. Jack put his arm around her. "Uh oh," was all he said.
…
"What happened? Are you guys still there?" Danielle heard running feet and hushed voices and was terrified they'd left her for some reason.
"Yes, sweetheart we're here," Joanne said, putting her hand back through the hatch. She pulled out her work cell and sent a text to Dr Loomis, making it as cryptic as she could as they were work cells and could be checked.
Not changing, but please authorise.
The doors in solitary confinement were controlled by a computer system, which generated a new code each twelve hours to open the doors, only the doctors knew it or could override and reset it. It changed every twelve hours precisely to stop a corrupt guard from letting a patient out without permission, because they liked them or maybe even on a bribe. Joanne hated it. They were all trustworthy and she hated having to beg Dr Loomis for the code, purely so they could get in and hug Danielle. Seconds later he replied. The text read just two words.
Check other.
Joanne was confused for a second, then it clicked. Pulling out her personal cell she looked and sure enough there was a text from a number she didn't recognise. She realised with a rush of affection and respect that this was his personal cell number, he'd been thinking exactly what she had. Of course, he was, he was a damn clever man. His personal text read:
Danielle deserves at the very least a hug, I agree. 5276.
Quickly, she stepped towards the keypad and tapped in the code. Immediately the door buzzed open, and she and Jack ran in. With three of them in the tiny space designed for one it was a squeeze, but Joanne didn't care. Reaching out, she pulled Danielle tightly into her arms, as finally the young woman gave into her tears.
"We're here," Joanne soothed, as Jack began to stroke Danielle's back.
"Yeah," he said, me with the small ears!" He knelt in front of her where she was sitting on the hard bench and placed her hands on his ears. Finally, she gave him a very small smile as she gently pulled them. "Ow, ow! My ears, my tiny ears!" Jack exclaimed in a squeaky voice, and now she did laugh a little. "That's more like it," Joanne stepped back and now he was hugging her. She noticed he wasn't wearing his equipment vest.
"Where's your stuff, Jack?" She croaked; her eyes still wet from crying.
"Ah, that. Well, you see, I took it off, it's on the bench outside this door. as is Joanne's."
"Why?"
"Well, why on earth do we need our equipment when we're down here to see our friend?" He hugged her again. Danielle was more touched by this than she could ever tell them and for a moment could not speak.
"I wish these were Dr Hazard's fucking ears," she said, touching his again. "I'd pull them right off her head!"
Jack mock winced. "Ouch! Well in that case I'm so glad they're not!"
"Me too," Joanne said fervently. "Not that I'd mind if you did, though."
"Oh, me neither," Jack assured. "Hell, I'd hold her down for you!"
…
"What the hell do you mean he's…" Rick began as he burst into the corridor and stopped dead. Ryan was right, Michael's cell was empty. Immediately he started to doubt himself. Had it been this cell? Stupidly, he opened the door, like that would show him anything. His mind had gone blank. What the hell?
Rick recalled how Dr Loomis had told him about the time in 1978 Michael had just completely disappeared after the Psychiatrist had shot him six times. He hadn't believed it at first but now…
"Where the fuck is he?" Ryan was white as chalk.
"We need to tell Dr Loomis," Rick said. "Now."
…
Oliver Cutter stared in horror as he listened to the audio of the footage in the exercise yard. Dr Hazard had crossed so many lines, moral if nothing else. She'd been on leave for a year, then she just burst back in thinking she was in total control. He could hardly believe his eyes or ears. He could see the panic on Hayward's face when she was chained, then again when she was dragged towards solitary by two of Dr Hazard's guards. What made him even angrier was the fact that Dr Hazard worked on a lower ward from where Danielle was. She knew nothing about her, hadn't even spoken to Dr Loomis about why she wasn't chained, she'd just leapt into action without hesitation based on words in a textbook! He was seriously considering first a formal reprimand, but maybe even that was too soft? She probably should lose her job for this.
"Sir," Dr Loomis said, pulling him out of his thoughts. "I… I'm sorry, but I need authorisation to release Danielle from solitary, or she could take it to court and…"
"Say no more!" Cutter said. "Leave this with me, I'll deal with this. As for letting Danielle out, of course you can, but I think Dr Hazard should do it, with a damn grovelling apology. She loves putting people in solitary, she should see how bad it is down there for herself! Do you think Danielle will be ok to hold on for a few more minutes while I do what needs to be done?"
Dr Loomis hesitated. "Yes, she's a damn lot stronger than she was when she arrived here, but please don't make it too long, I don't want her down there for any longer than necessary, when it's so undeserved and she's probably scared. It's cold down there, quiet and for a blind person I'd imagine it would be terrifying. I asked Joanne to stay with her, but still…"
Say no more. "Ok then," Cutter stood up. It was clear this meeting was over. "Your guards can go down with Dr Hazard if they want, but I won't blame them if they don't," he muttered.
"Ok Sir," Dr Loomis nodded and left. Cutter headed at a fast walk out of the office. Dr Hazard was going to have some serious questions to answer and would be very lucky indeed if she still had her job by the end of the interview.
…
Dr Hazard stepped out of the therapy room at the end of one of her sessions, feeling very pleased and self-satisfied with how she'd handled the incident with Hayward that morning. That was how it should be done, and she knew Dr Loomis knew this too. The very fact he hadn't tried too hard to have her released was because he knew as well as she did that Hayward had indeed actually broken a rule and she had made the decision to punish her with solitary. Dr Loomis could not override that without the authority of the CEO, and why would he go to the CEO for something as stupid as this? Smiling to herself, she headed back into her office.
…
"Dr Loomis," Rick said, catching him as soon as he re-entered the block. "Michael's not in the cell I put him in! We don't know where he is!"
"What are you talking about?" Dr Loomis followed Rick fast towards the cells.
"We've looked everywhere Sir," Ryan appeared beside them. "He's… he's not there."
They stopped outside the cell Michael had been put in and Rick and Ryan stared at each other, unable to speak. Because Michael was standing right beside the door, his eyes fixed on them.
"I say again," Dr Loomis said. "What are you talking about? He's right here."
"He… he wasn't," Ryan stammered, but lacking conviction in his voice. "I swear Sir! I went to the cell he was in and he… he was gone!"
"That's impossible," Dr Loomis said, but Rick saw him turn pale. "I know you had that incident with Gregory and suffer both mentally and physically because of it, could you possibly have taken something… um, unusual and…"
"I'm not damn tripping!" Ryan said furiously. "He damn well wasn't there!"
Dr Loomis glanced at Michael now and was it his imagination, or was there a definite look of amusement on the killer's face? He felt himself shiver a little. If Michael Myers found something funny, it was a very bad sign. God knew his humour was dark and twisted enough.
"For Christ's sake man," Rick turned to Ryan. "You almost caused full on panic! I echo Dr Loomis. Have you taken something you shouldn't have?"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Ryan yelled. "I'M NOT FUCKING TRIPPING GOD DAMN IT; I KNOW WHAT My EYES SAW! WERE YOU THERE? NO, SO STOP FUCKING JUDGING ME! HE, WAS, NOT, IN, THIS, CELL!"
Dr Loomis stepped forward and touched Ryan's shoulder. "Go and get some air," he murmured. "Calm yourself down. There's been no harm done, so whatever happened doesn't matter now. Go on, go." He looked back at Michael and there was absolutely no doubt to him this time, the killer was silently laughing at them. This whole thing amused him. Rick looked at him too then, and Dr Loomis was certain he shivered.
Ryan stormed away, as Rick and Dr Loomis now looked at each other. "Are you saying…" Rick whispered. "That he…"
"I don't know," Dr Loomis still looked pale. "But judging by the fact he's laughing at us… I really, really don't want to find out."
"I told them below ground that I thought something in him had… had changed. He seems angrier even than when Dawson…" Dr Loomis nodded grimly. Rick glanced briefly at Michael again but had to look away. The killer's blank, emotionless gaze was too cold, intense, fucking terrifying to hold, as was his cruel, amused smirk. Right then, Rick Evans was sincerely glad he wasn't Myers enemy. Judging by the look on Dr Loomis' face, his boss was thinking the same thing.
…
"I'll be right back," Jack said to Danielle a few moments later. She felt panic threaten to take hold again. "No sweetie," he soothed. "We bought you a little something. Through the hatch, he handed Danielle back her phone a clear rule violation, but he didn't give a shit. "There's no cell service down here of course, but listen to some music, read a book or something to keep calm and I'll be back to let you out as soon as I can, I promise!"
"Please don't leave me alone down here," Danielle whimpered, and normally she would be ashamed but not here, not now.
"No chance kiddo, Joanne's going nowhere," Jack said, squeezing her cold hand before releasing it. "She is your assigned guard after all. You're not going to be left alone we'd never do that to you down here, no way in hell."
Joanne sat on one of the seats outside Danielle's door, designed for doctors to sit on as they talked to a patient they were considering letting out. They were not in the least comfortable, but she didn't care. She'd sit there all week if she had to. "I'm going nowhere. Still use your phone if you want, but I'm right here."
"At least I have Michael's kiss for comfort," Danielle muttered, seeming not to hear what Joanne had said. "That's the only part of him I'll have for a while." Lowering her head, she started to cry again. Joanne heartedly wished she hadn't let the door close. Jack had kept it open with his foot to avoid this, but she hadn't moved fast enough to stop it. The light on the control pad had just flashed red then green at that precise moment, indicating the code had just been changed. "God fucking damn it," Joanne muttered. Hearing Danielle crying was breaking her heart. Putting her hand through the hatch again, she coaxed her to take it. The tears were pouring down her face and Joanne didn't think she'd ever seen her looking so wretched, beaten. Was this how she'd looked when Adam had been putting her through hell? Joanne tried hard to blink back her own tears so as not to cry with her, but failed and within seconds was silently crying her eyes out too.
…
"Dr Hazard," one of the personal assistants said, knocking on her office door. "Oliver Cutter wants to see you in his office now."
Probably to promote me for following the rules correctly, she thought with a smug grin. About time, I might add.
She gave the woman a dismissive nod, after all what was she but a secretary, not worth her time and headed down the corridors towards an elevator up to Cutter's office. She'd looked back through her Emails while in her office earlier and had read one about how Andrews had indeed been replaced by Cutter, who had previously been his deputy. She didn't know why but this saddened her, and she was determined to find out. Maybe Cutter would tell her what had happened? After he'd shaken her by the hand and promoted her, of course.
Heading into the elevator, Dr Hazard headed up to the top floor of the main reception, which was where the CEO's office was. It still felt wrong to her that Andrews wasn't sitting behind the polished wood desk though. When she knocked, Cutter's clipped voice spoke. "Dr Hazard, please come in."