Song of the Blackbird (Albatross Prison #1)

by DB Michaels

  “I’m not that hungry.” She kept her eyes down. “Please. I want to go home.”

  Maxim tried to persuade her to stay but Emma insisted. No way was she going to be able to concentrate with him close. She drove off, her mind swirling. True, they loved each other but maybe sometimes love wasn’t enough. Her brother should be her number-one priority. She was at the prison only because of him. How could she abandon Sam for his jailer? How could she sit there enjoying dinner in a mansion by the ocean when Sam was hunkering down in his paltry bunk?

  Yet how could she break it off with Maxim? She loved him and couldn’t bear the thought of life without him. Toward midnight, Emma finally drifted into a fitful sleep, dreaming of Sam paroling, his gentle brown eyes shining with hope. She waited on the other side of the gate and initially Maxim was with her but then he disappeared. She ran through the thick fog in vain to find him, her heart pounding with fear.

  When she turned back, Sam had vanished and she stood alone, trapped in the mystifying fog. Suddenly her attacker, nasty Ransom with the ugly tattoo, materialized out of nowhere and grabbed her throat. She screamed and screamed but no one heard or responded. She woke up drenched in sweat, her heart beating a mile a minute. What did it all mean? Was she destined to lose both of the men she loved?

  Chapter 29

  “Where’s Morris?” Emma asked Madison a couple of hours into her shift the next morning. The nurse had told her some of the inmates had eaten canteen food in the dorms so those inmates were now officially off the strike. Hopefully, Sam was among them but he hadn’t reported to work yet.

  “Not sure.” Madison continued to enter their last patient’s information into the computer.

  The two were sitting in the back office next to the Urgent Care, taking a mini break before the next set of patients rolled in. Madison punched in a last number and logged off.

  “I heard some of the inmates aren’t showing up to work as part of the strike. Maybe he’s one of them,” Madison said.

  “What?” Emma pushed her chair back. “We need to call him in. If he didn’t eat yesterday, it’d be three days in a row.”

  “Don’t worry. He’s probably sneaking in some food. All of them are, you know.” Madison gave her an odd look. “How come you’re so concerned about him?”

  “What do you mean?” Emma clutched her clipboard, her heart rate picking up a notch.

  “Don’t get me wrong. I like Morris. He’s a great porter.” Madison bit down on a granola bar as she relaxed back in her chair. “And he has to put up a lot with those panic attacks. So I’m kind of glad you look out for him. I wish more doctors did the same.”

  “Me too. Let me go check if he’s okay.” Thank goodness the nurse didn’t seem to suspect anything, but where the heck was Sam? Emma walked out to the treatment area and flagged down Peterson. “Sergeant, can you bring me Morris, our porter? I want to know if he’s still on the strike.”

  The sergeant gave her a strange look before scanning a large spreadsheet. He combed his finger down the page and then shook his head. “Looks like he hasn’t eaten yet. You want Dr. Pan to see him? He’s the regular PMD.”

  “No. I can see him.” Emma forced out a smile. “I saw him yesterday, remember? It’s better for continuity of care.”

  “Okay. I’ll call him in right now.” Peterson picked up the phone and started dialing.

  About fifteen minutes later, Sam shuffled into the clinic, his hands clenched tight. There was a wild look in his eyes that Emma didn’t like one bit.

  “Morris, have a seat. Have you eaten yet?” she asked.

  Sam shook his head and plopped down on the gurney. He stayed silent while Madison applied the blood pressure cuff and put the thermometer probe in his mouth. Emma’s eyes swung to the monitor. The cuff expanded for what seemed like hours before the air finally hissed out. Ninety over fifty, heart rate one twenty.

  “You’re dehydrated.” The familiar gnawing clutched at Emma’s stomach. “How many meals has it been now?”

  Her ever-present guard Gonzalez stepped closer. “Talk, Morris, before I make you talk.”

  Poor Sam dropped his head and hunched his shoulders, his knuckles white as he gripped the gurney’s railing.

  “It’s okay, Morris.” Her poor brother. He was a complete wreck. “You can tell me. I want to help you.”

  Sam kept silent, his eyes fixed on the floor.

  “Can you give us some time alone?” Emma asked the guard. “Maybe he’ll talk if you aren’t here.”

  “Mr. Chambers won’t like it, Doc,” Gonzalez said, refusing to budge. “I’m supposed to be here when you see all your patients. You shouldn’t have seen him yesterday without me.”

  “He’s our porter, for goodness’ sake. I don’t need you in the room. He’s not going to hurt me.”

  “No, I’m not moving,” the stubborn man insisted. “If something were to happen, the warden would have my head.”

  “You’re not staying.” Emma raised her voice and headed to the door. “I’m the doctor here and I want you out of my patient’s room. Now.”

  “Calm down, Doc. Fine, I’ll leave. But if something happens…”

  “Nothing’s going to happen. And I’ll take full responsibility if it does.”

  Madison shot her a sympathetic look and exited. Peterson and the other officers in the hallway shook their heads at her, looking none too happy. Tough. She didn’t give a damn. Sam seemed like he was hanging on by only a thread. Emma slammed the door after Gonzalez and rushed back to her brother.

  “Okay, Sam. Listen to me.” She put both hands on his shoulders. “You have to eat or you’re going to get very sick. It’s been three days.”

  “I can’t. They’re going to kill me, Em. They’re watching me all the time.” Her brother’s frantic eyes scanned the room. “Help me, Emma! You have to help me.”

  “Of course I’ll help you. Come on.” She ushered him into the back office, secured the lock, and sat him down on the chair behind the desk.

  “They’re going to get me.” Sam licked his cracked lips, his eyes still darting around the room.

  “Nobody’s going to see you in here.” She pulled down the window blinds. “See? We’re all blocked off. Here, have some of my lunch.” She grabbed her sack lunch from her bag and handed him the tuna sandwich and a can of apple juice.

  “I can’t.”

  “Come on, Sam. Eat. You need to get your strength back.”

  Sam stared at her for a moment before extending a trembling hand to grasp the juice. Slowly he brought the can to his mouth. He tilted it and finally swallowed. Emma exhaled. At least it was a start.

  “Easy.” Sam was guzzling down the juice. “Take it slow. Your stomach has to get used to eating again.”

  After that, Sam wolfed down the sandwich and drank half a bottle of water. His eyes appeared less dull by the time he finished, but he still looked scared and restless.

  “What is it?” Emma touched his shoulder. “Nobody will know that you ate. Don’t worry.”

  “Peterson was out there, right?” he asked out of the blue.

  “Peterson? The sergeant? Yes.” Emma handed him a napkin. “Why do you ask?”

  Sam stood up abruptly, went around the desk, opened the door, looked out to the treatment room, closed the door again and locked it, his eyes wide. “You need to be careful around Peterson. He’s in it with the PALIs. I didn’t want to tell you but…”

  “Sergeant Peterson? The older officer?” A shiver chased down Emma’s spine.

  “Yes. Peterson is a drug dealer,” Sam hissed out. “He was the tall man Peter and I saw selling that day. They sold to a guy named Nate. You wanted names. Now you have them. Peterson’s very dangerous, Em. Yesterday the PALIs cornered me in the bathroom and ordered me to stay away from you.”

  “What? Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Emma tugged at her pendant, almost snapping at the chain.

  “They threatened to hurt me if I tell you. But that’s not the
worst part, Em.” Sam paused and took another gulp of water. “They warned me if I snitch, they’re going to hurt you, too. And there’s a third guy I saw that day too, remember? I don’t know his name. He has a nasty snake tattoo on his arm. He’s Nate’s buddy—he said he’ll be watching your every move. They got connections everywhere, Em, maybe even on the outside. You have to leave this place. Get away from here while you still can.”

  “I’m not leaving you.” No wonder the sergeant had been giving her those odd looks. How dare he wear that uniform and call himself an officer? She was going straight to Maxim right now and get that man arrested.

  “You have to go, Em. If you get hurt, I’ll never forgive myself.” Sam grasped her hand, his face bleak. “You’re always trying to rescue me. And sometimes you just can’t. Let me do the rescuing this time. Go. I’m begging you.”

  “I can’t. Not while you’re still here.” Emma hugged him with all her might. “I’m going to tell Maxim and he’s going to help us. We’ll be okay.”

  “Maxim?”

  “Yes. Mr. Chambers.” Emma bit her lip. Should she tell him? Maybe it’d ease his mind knowing the warden was in their corner. “We’re friends. Actually, we’re dating, Sam. I really like him.”

  “You’re dating the warden?” Sam gasped. “Jesus Christ, Em. He’s so nasty. What the hell are you doing with him?”

  “He’s not nasty.” Not by a long shot. She had to make Sam understand somehow. “He comes across that way, but inside he’s pretty decent. I’m going to tell him about Peterson and get that crook arrested.”

  “Chambers doesn’t know I’m your brother, does he?” Sam gripped her hand.

  “No. I haven’t told him.”

  “Don’t tell him. Everybody knows how he feels about inmates. He’s going to go bonkers if he finds out.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not going to tell him.” Emma handed him another bottle of water. “Here, drink this while you still can. I’ll go up to his office right now.”

  “Are you sure? They’re dangerous, Em. You should quit.” Sam tightened his grip on her hand. “Get out of here before you get hurt.”

  “And leave Peterson to do more damage?” She squeezed his hand in return. “No way. I don’t want you to be afraid anymore. You can’t live like this, every day fearing for your life.”

  “It’s the way it is.” His voice was defeated, broken. “That’s how our lives are in prison. The gangs control everything.”

  “Well, they shouldn’t. Stay away from Peterson until you hear from me. I’ll ask Maxim to transfer you to SNY.”

  “And be with those child molesters?” Sam visibly shuddered. “Are you sure, Em? I’ll hate it up there.”

  “You know it’s not just for the child molesters.” Emma touched his cheek, desperate to reassure him somehow. “It’s for anyone who needs extra protection. And you definitely need it.”

  “Alright.” Sam let out a long sigh. “I hope we’re not going to regret this.”

  “We won’t.” Emma hugged him again. “Now go. Don’t worry. Maxim’s going to take care of everything.”

  Emma opened the door, glad the main treatment area remained empty. She led Sam out into the main corridor. Thank goodness, Peterson wasn’t around. Gonzalez, however, was there and scowled at her before turning away. The other officers at the table threw her nasty looks, too. Great. All she needed was for Custody to hate her. Still, what else was she supposed to do? Abandon her brother when he needed her most? She told the officers she had to attend an emergency meeting. They grunted and went on with their business.

  At least Maxim was still on her side. He was in charge of all of them. He’d understand and help her out. Emma strode outside to the main yard and rushed up the hill.

  Please let Maxim be in his office. God forbid if he was stuck in some long meeting. She raced up the steps to the administration building and ran down the hall to his office. It’d only been yesterday that she’d been here. He said he loved her. He had to help her out. He was her only hope.

  At last she came to his door. The next few seconds felt like torture. Nobody answered her knock. Darn it. Was he out? She turned the knob and pushed the door open.

  “Maxim, thank God.” His dear familiar face met hers from behind the desk. “I need to talk to you.”

  “I’m in a meeting,” he said, his tone frosty. And why did he look so grim?

  Emma entered. “This can’t wait.”

  “Hello, Doc.”

  That voice. Emma shuddered and took a step back. “Sergeant,” she forced out. What the heck was Peterson doing here? The officer sat in a far corner of the room, his evil eyes gleaming at her.

  “I’ll head off.” Peterson stood and shook Maxim’s hand. “I didn’t want to come, but I felt you needed to know.”

  “Thanks for coming.” Maxim’s voice was like ice.

  Emma nodded at the sergeant as he waved good-bye. Her hands were trembling so hard she had to clasp them together.

  “So you wanted to see me?” Maxim said when they were finally alone. He didn’t get up from his chair but waved her over to Peterson’s old seat.

  Where was all the love he’d showered on her yesterday? True, they hadn’t parted on the best of terms last night but she’d been certain of his affection. Now he looked as remote as a statue. Emma swallowed the lump in her throat and sat down.

  “I need your help,” she blurted out. “Please, I need a big favor.”

  “What is it?” His voice was curt, his eyes like chips of ice.

  The gnawing began in her stomach. She pulled hard at the pendant. What did Peterson tell him? She swallowed and licked her lips.

  “Last night you told me if my patient tells you who’s threatening him, you’d take care of it.” She dug her nails into the palms of her hands to still their trembling. “Well, he just told me, Maxim. And it’s so awful. You wouldn’t believe it. I need you to protect him. Send him to SNY or something.”

  Maxim continued to look at her, his face an emotionless mask. “Let me guess. Your patient is Morris, right? The porter?”

  “Yes.” She braced her hands on her seat. “He told me there’s a guy named Nate who’s dealing drugs, who’s threatening to kill him if he snitches. Nate belongs to the PALIs, the same gang that’s forcing him to do the hunger strike.”

  “I see. And why do you care so much about Morris?”

  “What?” Emma squeezed her hands together. “He’s my porter. My patient. I want to help him.”

  “That’s it?” Maxim asked, his wolfish eyes unblinking. “He’s just your patient? Nothing else?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m asking you about Morris. Is he your patient or is he more than that?”

  “I don’t know what you’re getting at.” Emma bit her lip, the gnawing eating through her stomach.

  “Just answer the damned question!” Maxim bellowed, slamming his hand on the desk. He came around and grabbed both of Emma’s upper arms, pulling her up. “Is there anything going on between you and Morris that I should know about?”

  Maxim’s eyes bored into hers. What did he know? Why was he so upset? Maybe she should confess, let the burden off her chest, but she couldn’t bear to be separated from Sam. Her brother was still her number-one priority. If she wasn’t around to protect him, who would?

  “No.” She forced herself to stare Maxim in the eye. “He’s my patient. That’s it.”

  “Liar!” Maxim pushed her away, his face like thunder. “How could you lie to me like that?”

  “What?” The breath whooshed out of her chest. “What are you talking about?”

  “I saw the video. I know you’re involved with him.”

  “Video?”

  “In the closet in the OHU when you first started,” he said, his voice bitter. “Before we even started dating. You were hugging him.”

  “It’s not what you think.” It was when she’d gotten those blankets. What had she said? Dear God, what was on that vide
o?

  “Don’t lie to me, Emma.” Maxim stalked away and looked out the window. “I can’t even bear to look at you.”

  “Please.” He had to believe her. She took three steps forward and touched his sleeve. “You have to believe me, Maxim. I love you. I would never betray you like that.”

  “Love?” He scoffed, swinging around to face her. “How could you say that? You lied to me. You cheated on me.”

  “I didn’t cheat. Please, Maxim. You know me better than that.”

  “Peterson said he saw the two of you together. Making out.” Maxim looked tortured and disgusted at the same time. “He’s an inmate, for God’s sake. What were you thinking?”

  “Peterson’s a liar,” Emma said as calmly as she could. It was tough considering inside she felt like screaming. The nerve of that weasel! How dare he spread such lies about her? “He’s in cahoots with Nate. He’s part of the PALI gang and he’s selling drugs to the inmates. That’s what Morris told me just now. I ran up here to tell you. You have to get rid of him.”

  “Get rid of one of my best officers? Are you kidding me?” Maxim sneered. “He was my mentor. He taught me everything I know about the prison system. He’d never sell drugs. He’s a grandfather, Emma. Your boyfriend is lying to you.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend,” Emma shouted, not caring if she sounded hysterical. “Can you trust me on that? Morris needs protection. Peterson and Nate ganged up on him yesterday. They threatened him. They told him they’d kill him if he snitches. Please, Maxim, you have to help him.”

  “I don’t have to do anything,” Maxim said, his eyes blazing. “I don’t trust anything you say anymore.”

  “Please.” He didn’t believe her. How could this be happening? Emma choked back her tears. “I’m begging you. Please protect Morris. He’s going to die if you don’t help him.”

  “I don’t believe you.” Maxim straightened to his full height and glared down at her. “Peterson is accusing you of having sex with an inmate. Because he told me, I’m bound by law to launch an investigation. I’m removing you from all your clinical duties. You can’t see any patients until the investigation is over.”