by Erin Wade
“We’ll pay what you’re asking,” Val declared. “It has to be a closed deal. No information pertaining to this agreement can be leaked to the press. If it is, Dr. Fairchild must return the money.”
“More than the money,” Libby said, “Dr. Fairchild wants you to go on national TV and declare her innocence. She wants a half page ad on the front page of the major newspapers and—”
“That’s not going to happen,” Val said, fuming. “I’ll agree to your monetary demands, but I’m not admitting to any wrongdoing.”
Libby stood. “You and Mr. Frick need to put your heads together. Send me your proposal for handling this situation. It must contain ways to exonerate my client publicly. Frick and I will negotiate in the future. Warden, don’t try to contact my client.”
Frick and Val stood silently and watched their adversaries leave the office. Val was furious. She was so close to obtaining her goals, and Dawn Fairchild could bring it all tumbling down.
“Fix this,” Val growled to Frick. “You’re the lawyer. Fix this!”
“Warden, there’s a JJ on the phone for you,” Val’s receptionist called through the open office door.
Val gestured for Frick to leave. “Close the door behind you,” she said to him.
She took a deep breath, counted to ten, and picked up the phone. “Java, I wondered when I would hear from you again.”
“We need to meet,” Java began. “This keg of worms you dropped into my lap has crawled all the way to the governor’s office.”
“Okay. When and where?”
“Tonight, at the Italian Inn on Camp Bowie. You know, the place where you can slip into a booth and close the door for privacy?”
“Yes, I’m familiar with it. What time?”
“Six okay?” Java asked.
“I’ll be there.”
Maybe the day wouldn’t be a complete waste after all. She had grown fond of the FBI agent as they worked together on the corruption in the TDCJ. Java could almost drive Dawn from her mind.
Chapter 45
Java stood as Val entered the restaurant. The shadowy darkness of the candlelit dining room made it difficult to identify others. She made it easy for Val to find her.
“I ordered your favorite wine,” Java said, smiling as she waited for Val to slide into the booth. “If you’d prefer something different—”
“No, this is perfect and thoughtful.” Val smoothed the skirt of her dress and settled in the booth. Java followed and pulled the door closed.
“Val, this VitaMaxPro thing is getting scary. I’ve linked senators, state reps, and more bureaucrats than I can count to this scandal. When we start arresting people, it’s going to hit the fan.”
“Can you keep my name out of it?” Val asked. “I fear repercussions, and God knows I don’t need that in my life right now.”
“Yeah, I saw the newspaper article on Dr. Fairchild. That’s a shame. She’s lucky she survived prison unscathed. She’s a looker.”
“I did everything I could to keep her out of the general population,” Val pointed out. “But the whole thing is coming back to bite me in the butt. Damage to her reputation and all.”
“The hospital did reinstate her, and it looks like she’ll be their new chief of staff,” Java said as she sipped her wine. “That documentary you made on her was a boon to her legend. Rumor has it some big filmmaker is trying to sign her to produce her life story. I don’t see how her reputation has been damaged.”
Val wanted to tell Java that it was more than that. She wanted to confess that she had tried to kiss Dawn and been rebuffed. That she had committed the cardinal sin for a prison warden: she had made sexual advances to an inmate.
Java pulled a flowchart from the file folder she had placed on the table. “Look at this.”
“The problem begins with Buddy Craft then creeps out to the prison board members. It slimes its way to a couple of senators, and its tentacles wrap around at least ten bureaucrats I’ve identified.
“The owner of VitaMaxPro is clean. He even admits he would never recommend feeding anyone his product three times daily seven days a week under any circumstances. Craft is the sole architect of the scheme. I will need your dietician to testify.”
“I have a copy of the letter Craft sent to all the prisons, directing them to incorporate the meat substitute in their meal plans,” Val volunteered. “Would that be enough? I promised Sue I’d keep her out of this if possible.”
“That should do for now. I just want you to be aware that everyone will be questioned when this lands on my boss’s desk and then on the governor’s. Your refusal to serve VitaMaxPro to the inmates in your prison was the catalyst that caused Craft’s plan to unravel.”
Val nodded.
“Are you hungry?” Java asked as she lifted the latch and pushed open the door on their booth. They ordered and Java pulled the booth door closed.
“I’ve looked into your background.” Val blushed as she admitted that she had stalked Java on the internet.
The agent laughed. “Please don’t believe everything you read on the internet.”
“You don’t exist on the internet, but you have quite a dossier in the federal records. You’ve had a colorful career.” Val smiled. “Often decorated and frequently reprimanded.”
“Um, my sins have found me,” Java said.
“Not sins.” Val searched the sky-blue eyes that danced with laughter. “More like, ‘Damn them all! Justice will be done.’”
Java snickered. “You can read between the lines. I’m not exactly a rule follower, but I don’t break them either.
“I have to admit, I did my background check on you too,” Java told her. “You have been quite a supporter of prison reform and have made strides in that direction. I know your self-defense programs are being initiated in other prisons, and your decent food initiatives have been applauded.
“The cleanup sting you ran in your own prison caught everyone off guard. They’re still talking about how you kept it quiet and pulled it off without outside help.”
Val wanted to tell Java that it wasn’t a sting. It was a reaction to an attack from within her prison. That prisoners had helped her gain control of the situation and emerge smelling like a rose.
How many skeletons do I have in my closet? she thought. How much of my success is based on Dawn Fairchild?
Chapter 46
Zeb Lewis was excited at the thought of spending the day with Dawn Fairchild. He impatiently thumbed through her file again. Damn, she’s a good-looking woman, he thought. He was glad Richard Wynn was out of the picture. Wynn had married the hospital trollop. Zeb hadn’t bothered to confront Wynn. He knew it was just a matter of time until the police showed up to arrest him for vehicular manslaughter. He silently cursed the man for letting Dawn serve prison time for a crime he committed.
“Good morning, Zeb.” Dawn burst into his office like a breath of spring on a cool morning. “I appreciate you taking the time to show me around and introduce me to the new people. A lot has changed in eighteen months.”
“I’m delighted to do it.” Zeb held out his elbow, and Dawn slipped her arm through his.
“I wanted to give you an opportunity to get settled into your life,” Zeb said, “so I put you on rotation beginning next Monday.”
“That’s perfect.” Dawn squeezed Zeb’s arm against her body.
They visited the nurses’ stations, and Dawn met new and old head nurses. “We opened the new surgical wing while you were in . . . uh, away,” Zeb stammered.
“I’d like to see it.” Dawn’s enthusiasm was contagious.
##
“And last, but not least, this is our new emergency room.” Zeb’s proud smile pleased Dawn. An administrator should be proud of his facility.
Just then, a slender nurse approached them and smiled at Zeb. “What brings you to our part of the world?”
“Darcus Martin, this is Dr. Dawn Fairchild. She is now on staff here. Darcus is the head nurse over the emerge
ncy room.”
“You have a marvelous facility,” Dawn said to the woman. She chatted with Darcus for several minutes and was pleased to find that the facility was state-of-the-art.
“A doctor could perform surgery in this room,” Darcus said proudly. “Of course, it would have to be a last-ditch effort to save the patient, but it would work.”
“That’s good information to know,” Dawn responded. “I rarely work the emergency room, but it helps to know what’s available.” She thanked Darcus and followed Zeb into the hallway.
After the tour Zeb led her to the new doctors’ dining room. “You’ll love this,” he said with a grin as he led her into the state-of-the-art kitchen. “We even have our own chefs. Open twenty-four hours a day.”
“Very nice.” Dawn surveyed the stylish dining room and read the daily menu. “This is making me hungry.”
“We’ll have lunch here today.” Zeb beamed. “Give you a chance to try our cuisine. It’s delicious.”
“I’d love to,” Dawn said, “but I have to pick up someone at one. Maybe another day this week?”
“What day?” Zeb asked.
Dawn laughed. “I know this sounds like an excuse, but I’ll need to check my calendar.”
They turned to leave the dining room and ran into Richard Wynn.
“Dawn?” Richard gasped. “Dawn, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be—”
“Serving time for your crime?” Dawn scoffed. “I’ve been exonerated, Richard.”
“How? When?” Richard ran his finger around his shirt collar as a bead pf sweat trickled down his cheek. “May I buy you a cup of coffee for old times’ sake?”
Zeb came to her rescue. “Dr. Fairchild was just leaving. She has another engagement.” He took Dawn’s arm and steered her toward the elevator.
“Call me and we’ll have lunch,” Zeb whispered in her ear as he urged her into the elevator. He watched until she disappeared behind the closing doors.
“You’ve always wanted her,” Richard barked behind him. “Were you sleeping with her before she went to prison?”
Zeb clenched his fists. “That’s really none of your business, Dr. Wynn.”
“I wonder how many people were on her dance card in the pen,” Richard snarled.
“Probably not as many as you’ll have where you’re going.” An evil grin twisted Zeb’s face. “I understand they love pretty boys like you.”
Zeb knew he was being cruel but took joy as he watched the blood drain from Richard’s face. “They’ll probably have several dance cards for you, buddy.”
Chapter 47
Dawn parked her car in front of the building that housed the Harris College of Nursing at Texas Christian University and went inside to meet Niki outside her classroom. She had thought about the pretty redhead all day.
The classroom door burst open, pouring a horde of noisy young women and men into the hallway. Dawn was swimming against the crowd and decided to stand against the wall and catch Niki as she walked by.
The hall quieted as students left the building. Only a few women remained, studying messages posted on the bulletin board. Dawn pushed open the classroom door and walked in.
Niki and her instructor were arguing with two muscular men who were insisting that Niki go with them. The fear in Niki’s eyes was unnerving.
“Is there a problem here?” Dawn asked as she moved closer to the group.
“No, we’re fine,” Niki croaked.
“Are these men bothering you?” Dawn kept her distance from the two men but watched them carefully.
“Yes, they are,” the instructor said. “Please call the campus police.”
One of the men moved swiftly to block the door. “We’re here for our sister,” the other man countered.
“She doesn’t want to leave with them,” the instructor bellowed. “Please call security.”
“Do you know these men?” Dawn asked.
“They’re my brothers, Renfro and Willard,” Niki replied. “But I have no desire to go with them. Frankly, they scare me.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Willard scoffed, continuing to lean against the door.
“Then you won’t mind moving and opening the door,” Dawn said. “She doesn’t want to go with you. She’s leaving with me.”
The man looked Dawn up and down. “I don’t think so,” he grumbled.
Dawn moved toward the door and reached for the handle. The man was fast but not fast enough. As he stepped forward to grab her arm, Dawn took one step to the side, leaving her right foot planted solidly in front of him. She grabbed the arm reaching for her and yanked the man forward, tripping him over her foot.
“Bitch,” he screamed as he grappled for her legs.
Dawn stomped his outstretched hand and landed a solid kick to the side of his head, rendering him unconscious. She turned to face Renfro who had a choke hold on Niki.
“Just back off,” Renfro growled, “and no one gets hurt. We’re taking our sister home. She isn’t well. She has mental problems, and we need to get help for her.”
Dawn pulled her leg back, aiming the toe of her boot at Willard’s head. “Release her, or my next kick will turn your brother into a vegetable,” she threatened.
Renfro hesitated.
“Now! Or I’ll leave you with someone who will really have mental problems, and you can change his diapers for the rest of your life.”
Renfro released his grip on Niki, and the redhead ran into Dawn’s arms. “Mrs. Prater, come with us,” Niki said to the instructor.
The three women backed out of the classroom as Renfro fell to his knees to check on his brother. “Can you lock this door?” Dawn asked.
“Yes,” Mrs. Prater said.
“Then lock it and contact security to pick up those two.”
The instructor was on the phone with security as Dawn and Niki pulled from the parking lot.
“What’s going on, baby?” Dawn caught Niki’s hand in hers and kissed her fingers.
“I don’t know,” Niki said as she fought back tears. “This is the second time they’ve tried to make me get into their car. They say Mother is dying and wants to see me, but I know that isn’t true. She was at a fund-raising dinner two nights ago. I saw the write-up in the newspaper.”
“Would they harm you?”
“I think so,” Niki whispered.
Dawn pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’s been a long day. Can we do something decadent, like order in pizza tonight?”
“I’d love that.” Niki brightened. “You can tell me about your day. How did the meeting with Zeb go?”
They discussed their day until Dawn pulled the car into the garage and pushed the button that closed the door. Her seat slid back when she turned off the engine. She caught her breath as Niki scrambled over the console and landed in her lap.
“God, I’ve missed you,” Niki murmured between fervent kisses. “I’ve wanted you all day.”
Niki straddled Dawn, caught her face between her hands, and kissed her as if there would be no tomorrow. Dawn’s heart pounded as her lover took her breath away.
“You are so gorgeous,” Dawn whispered, kissing the small scar on Niki’s cheek.
“You’re not just saying that?” Niki whispered. “You think I’m pretty now?”
“More than pretty.” Dawn kissed the soft spot in her throat. “You’re breathtaking.”
Dawn knew Niki was still uncomfortable in her own skin.
She slid her hands beneath Niki’s skirt and caressed her firm round buttocks. Niki began to grind into her as she smothered Dawn’s moans with soft, sweet kisses.
“Is it wrong that I’m so turned on by the beating you gave Willard?” Niki pressed her lips firmly against Dawn’s and wrapped her arms around Dawn’s neck. She rose onto her knees and pulled Dawn’s head to her breasts. In a frenzy, Dawn released Niki’s bra and removed it with her blouse.
“Yes, baby,” Niki urged her. “Suck me. Harder!”
The world
fell away. Niki was all she was aware of. Niki’s scent, her softness, her lips, her heat. “I can’t get enough of you,” Dawn groaned as she slipped her hand between Niki’s legs.
“All of me.” Niki moaned loudly. “You own all of me. Do whatever you want to me. I’m your bitc—”
Firm lips silenced her.
“No,” Dawn whispered. “You’re my woman. Don’t ever use that word with me. You’re better than that.”
“Yes, I’m your woman,” Niki said, awed by the very thought of it. “Your woman.”
Dawn watched in amazement as Niki threw back her head and arched her body harder against Dawn’s hand. She chanted Dawn’s name over and over until she couldn’t catch her breath and could only make little mewling sounds as Dawn took her higher and higher.
Niki collapsed against Dawn with a whimper. “So good, baby. You’re so good.”
Dawn caressed Niki’s back as the smaller woman rested her cheek against Dawn’s chest. “I love you,” Dawn whispered as she buried her face in soft red hair. “I love everything about you. Damn, you smell good.”
##
Dawn scooped up Niki’s bra and blouse and followed her into the house. “It’s hardly fair that I’m half naked and you’re fully dressed,” Niki said with a wicked grin.
Dawn dropped the things she was carrying on the dresser as Niki wrapped her arms around the blonde from behind. She slid her hands beneath Dawn’s pullover and pushed it over her head. “But I can fix that.” She kissed down Dawn’s back and reached around to unzip her jeans. Dawn pulled Niki around to face her and kissed her.
“Umm, I should beat up men more often.” Dawn gasped as Niki wrapped her arms around Dawn’s neck and lifted herself to wrap strong legs around Dawn’s waist. Dawn slid her hands beneath Niki’s hips, providing her a place to rest in her arms.
“Take me to bed,” Niki whispered.
##
“It’s almost midnight.” Niki wiggled onto Dawn’s stomach and ran her hands down Dawn’s arms. “You’re so strong. Your strength amazes me.” She shuddered. “I love it when you make love to me and grip me tight and crush me to you. I love—”