Page 22 of Hell Breaks Loose

“Breathe in. Out.” He listens for a few moments. “You may have a bit of fluid. But the rest of these wounds, you already got stitched up. Why the fuck are you really here?”

“I need a favor.”

“I don’t do favors.”

“Even for… this?” I slip the pill case out, spilling two of the three dozen tablets onto the table.

I see his eyes light up instantly.

Right before they narrow on me maliciously. Suspiciously.

“How did you come by so many, so new?”

“Guy who stitched me up. He worked in a pain clinic in Montana. Just got fired, took the place for everything they had on hand and filled a pad before he left.”

“Damn. I’d almost believe you if that could be remotely true. Cops would have been on him in a second.”

“Town in the middle of nowhere. Family pharmacy. But you don’t really care where I got these, do you?”

Doctor Oxy sighs, leaning back, eyeing the pills. “Tell me what you really want.”

“I need to get in to see your patient out at the mansion on the water.”

His eyes instantly go wide, his lip quivering slightly.

“No way. Those guys find out I had anything to do with anything against?—”

“Marco. I know,” I grunt, leaning forward and dropping the act.

Oxy sniffs disdainfully. “Who the fuck… nah. I don’t care. No way you get into that place.”

“I do if you send me on your behalf the next time they need you to check on her.”

It’s a gamble, a risk revealing even that much. But I see the glint of recognition in his eyes, just a flash.

“I can get you another three dozen.” If I can get ahold of my guy in Portland…

The tiniest gasp slips through his dry lips.

Got him.

“All I need is a way in. I want to check on her, get the lay of the place.”

“And you ain’t taking anything? Not trying to sneak her out?”

“Not your concern.”

“It is if they figure out what you did. That I sent you there and you do something stupid.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Doc. I won’t be going in as myself. As far as they know… It’ll be you.”

4

HELLENA

Idream in the darkness.

Of Tell, of Evan, of Gavin.

---