Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
I’d read his file from the outside hospital, of course. He still hadn’t admitted to the rape, saying simply he’d been in a fight and, no, he didn’t know who did it. As I moved closer, I noticed his knuckles were unmarked. Odd for someone who supposedly threw punches.
“Can you tell me what happened?” I asked, gently probing the bruise on his cheekbone. He winced, and I muttered a quick apology.
“Just a fight,” he mumbled, not meeting my eyes.
I hummed noncommittally. “Well, you’ve got two more days of IV antibiotics. I’ve talked to Dr. Martinez and she agrees we should keep you here at least until you’ve completed the medication. I don’t want to have to stick you twice a day when you can keep that IV intact. We can also give your pain meds by that route.”
Chuck didn’t respond, staring at me blankly. I heard footsteps in the room, turned my head to see who’d joined us, and froze.
“Hey there, Chucky.” Grayson leaned against the door, his shoulder braced on the steel frame. “You ‘bout ready to go back to your cell? I bet if you talk real sweet-like to Nurse Nadine there, she’ll sign you out.”
Chuck trembled, breaking out in a sweat. His gaze darted briefly to the door where Grayson stood, grinning like a maniac. I kept my movements slow and deliberate as I finished hooking up his medicine.
“Oh, Mr. Smith will be in the infirmary for a few more days yet. After the antibiotics, there’s still the matter of his shoulder and the leg he had surgery on. He’s not going to be able to maneuver well in gen pop. Also, given the jaw dislocation, he’s going to have trouble eating.” I smiled kindly at Chuck. “I haven’t talked with Dr. Martinez yet today about her plans for you in the near future, but I don’t anticipate you going back to your cell for at least two more days. Possibly longer.”
Chuck kept his gaze down, not looking at me or Grayson, but the kid was sweating now, having a visceral reaction. I didn’t have to wonder why. Grayson was a creep on most days, but I knew he could get mean. I’d also linked him to several -- at least eight -- prisoner assault incidents. It’s not unusual for inmates to be brought to medical after fights or being ambushed. The strange part was that Grayson was in some way connected to every one of them. What I needed to do was match up the dates and times of each incident with times Grayson was at work.
“Aww. Too bad, kid. I was thinkin’ about decorating your cell. Jermaine won’t be back for a couple’a days yet. Thought we might have a party or something to celebrate your release from medical.” The smile Grayson threw Chuck’s way wasn’t friendly or pleasant. In fact, I was pretty sure it was a threat.
“If you’ll excuse us.” I stood and opened the cabinet above the sink and pulled out some dressing supplies. “I need to redress Mr. Smith’s wounds and look at his shoulder again. It’s not healing the way it should and I’m afraid he might have dislocated it again.”
“I think I should stay.” Grayson didn’t move from his perch, his gaze fixed on Chuck. “Wouldn’t want Chucky boy here to decide he wants some primo pussy from naughty Nurse Nadine.”
I stiffened. “Excuse me?” My gaze narrowed on him. Since I’d started here two years ago, I’d never truly felt unsafe. Like if there was danger, the guard closest to me would absolutely keep me safe. Right now, the closest guard to me was also the threat.
Every employee with direct inmate contact has a body alarm. Kind of like a panic button. If I was in a bad situation, I could hit my body alarm and it would let everyone know I needed help immediately. I needed to push it, but I was frozen, unbelieving he’d actually called me naughty Nurse Nadine. And right out in the open.
“Now, now, Nadine.” The look on Grayson’s face was wholly evil. I knew in that moment he was going to hurt me. Likely rape me. Right here. “I didn’t mean any harm. I was just makin’ sure Chucky here understood what I meant. Don’t worry, though. If he makes a move, I’ll be your bodyguard.” He emphasized the word body.
The crudeness in everything about Grayson was the trigger I needed. Immediately, I hit my body alarm. Several times, just in case someone thought it was on accident. The alarm sounded and a red light flashed in the halls outside the room, much like a fire alarm, as security protocols were triggered by the audiovisual alarm.
“Oh, God.” Chuck whimpered his prayer. I had an ingrained need to check on the young man, but I didn’t dare take my eyes off Grayson.