Page 13 of Fighting for Tawny

Bette, breathing hard, interrupted her thoughts. She bent over and tried to catch her breath. “I got it,” she gasped and reached into a pocket. “You want or need anything like a cell phone, you go to Grandma Mo. She’s the oldest inmate on our cell block. I think she’s in her seventies or something.”

“What’d she do to land herself in prison?”

“Story goes someone murdered her husband, and Mo went all Charles Bronson on them. Took out an entire gang of hoodlums. Seems like she was former military. Remember the original Death Wish? Bruce Willis’ remake was solid, but Charles Bronson was the man back in the day. Anyway, she’s been here so long no one considers her dangerous anymore. Mo basically runs the place but in a good way.” Bette handed the cell phone to Tawny. “Who are you calling? Your handler? I watch a lot of cop dramas.”

“Yes. Now hush, Bette.” Tawny called Teagan and prayed she’d answer the phone. When the agent’s strong, reassuring voice came on the line, she let out her breath.

“Tawny? Is this you?”

“It’s me. We have a problem. I’ve been made by Lucy’s cellmate, Bette Simpson. She has information that puts a target on her back. We have to get her out of here. What if we create a medical emergency?”

“Sounds doable. Wait a sec while I run it by SAC Cofield.”

Bette grew antsy. “Come on, come on. We ain’t got all day. The guards are gonna get suspicious.”

“Calm down,” Tawny ordered, then gave herself the same command.

Teagan returned to the call. “Listen, Tawny, we can use Dr. Sadler. She was sued for malpractice and lost in court. She was fired from San Francisco General Hospital and blacklisted from practicing elsewhere. Dr. Sadler is lucky that she didn’t lose her medical license.”

“So, how does that help us?”

“We’ll enlist her aid in bringing a CI to safety. She won’t know about you. We’ll promise her a position at a hospital of her choosing when this is over. The easiest way to create a medical emergency is to fake a heart attack.” Teagan outlined her plan. “Simple.”

“How will we know when it’s time?”

“You won’t. You cannot be associated with this in any way. Bette will know. When it happens, do nothing. Stand back and let the guards take the lead.”

“And if they don’t?”

“An inmate will.”

“Can you at least give me a time frame?”

“Within twenty-four hours.”

“That narrows it down,” Tawny remarked in a sardonic voice.

“You’re doing great, Tawny. In case you need a reminder, we’ve got eyes on you 24/7.”

“Thanks to Tex’s amazing technology. By the way, Bette is going to need Cameron McAdams to represent her.”

“Right. We’ll take care of our asset. And you need to take care of yourself.”

Tawny pressed the END button and returned the cell phone to Bette. “You’re on, Bette. Time to give an Oscar worthy performance.”

Bette’s face split into a wide grin. “I watch a lot of medical dramas.”

CHAPTER FIVE

It happened during recreation before lunch. In the middle of an ordinary basketball game, Bette collapsed. Tawny stood frozen in genuine shock when Bette foamed at the mouth. Was this part of the plan or something more sinister, like a drug overdose to keep her quiet? Jo and Yolanda reacted first. They yelled for help and turned Bette onto her side in case she vomited. One of the reliable guards ran to assist and held the crowd of women at bay.

“Give us room!” he shouted. He said something into his shoulder microphone and checked Bette’s pulse.

“She’s not breathing!” Jo cried.

The guard pushed her away and started chest compressions. Tawny squelched her natural impulse to offer aid and waited along with her fellow inmates for the outcome. A few of them formed a prayer circle and held hands. She heard their rhythmic chants as they sent them heavenward.

“Come on, come on,” she murmured. “What’s taking Dr. Sadler so long?” Had the doctor betrayed them?

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