Page 44 of Disciplining Dana

Mr. Hawkins’ personal assistant approached them. “After we spoke, I called Doctor Carter. He and Nurse MacIntosh are waiting for Ms. Aziz in the infirmary.”

“Erika”—Mr. Hawkins closed his eyes briefly—“remind me to give you a raise; you’re a blessing. Thanks, darlin’.”

The woman smiled and dipped her head.

Dana made a dismissive gesture. “I… I’m fine. I don’t need to see a doctor. I just want to go to my room.”

Mr. Hawkins turned back to her, his face suddenly cold. “I’m going to be blunt with you right now, Ms. Aziz, because my impression is you need a healthy dose of that. Listen closely: I don’t care what you want. Right now, you’re gonna do exactly what I tell you and let my doctor give you a once-over. And if you don’t do that, my next step will be to call Dan Forrester and have him come out here and arrest you for breaking and entering, trespassing, theft, and—I don’t know, I’m sure I’ll come up with some other charges.”

Dana swallowed. “You don’t intimidate me, Mr. Hawkins,” she said softly, but unlike normal, there was little conviction in her tone.

“Not trying to intimidate you,” he rumbled, “but I am trying to make you see sense. Let me be clear; this isn’t negotiable. The doctor, or the detective—your choice.”

He paused, waiting for Dana to continue arguing. When she didn’t, he continued. “Alright then, you let Dr. Carter look you over, and if he doesn’t find any issues, then you can go to your room and get cleaned up. Once you’re done, I expect you to come see me in my office.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m going to give you one chance to try and convince me why I shouldn’t call Detective Forrester and have you hauled away. Not only that, I’ll give you the chance to explain to me why I shouldn’t contact your boss and get you fired. Because if you can’t do that, Ms. Aziz, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.”

Now Dana bristled like her old self. “I don’t take orders from?—”

Kurt rounded on her, his eyes flashing. “Dana, stop. For once in your life, could you please just do what someone tells you to.”

For a moment the room went still.

“Fine,” she whispered, but her eyes burned at him. However, Kurt couldn’t help but notice it wasn’t with the fury he’d seen her display in the past. There was a tremor at the corners, a look that seemed to indicate the same tone he’d heard in her voice back in the mine.

Fear.

Erika took Dana gently by the arm. “Come with me, Ms. Aziz. The infirmary isn’t far, and Dr. Carter’s waiting.”

Dana nodded wordlessly, and Kurt made to follow as the two women began to leave the room. Before he could get far, Mr. Hawkins’ low voice stopped him.

“I need a word with you, Mr. Ellery.”

Kurt gazed after Dana, but he turned to face Derek Hawkins as the women slipped away.

“I want you to know your friend’s damn lucky to be alive.”

“I’m aware,” he said. “I’m very grateful for what you and Mr. Jaeger did.”

Mr. Hawkins gave him an appraising look. “You care for that young woman a great deal, don’t you?”

Kurt pursed his lips. “Yeah, I do.”

“I can tell, just like I can also see she’s a very intelligent person. Too intelligent for her own good if I’m any judge of character.”

Kurt smiled grimly. “She certainly has the power of her convictions.”

“I’ll bet she does. And there isn’t anything wrong with that. I’m betting as smart as she is, and good as she is at what she does, people have given her a lot of leeway in the past to do things her way and her way alone.” He gave Kurt a meaningful look. “Including you.”

“I’d be lying if I said no.”

Mr. Hawkins stood silent in thought for a moment. “I want you to know I have no intention of bringing Dan Forrester out here, nor calling your boss. I’m telling you this, but I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t say anything to her until she’s had a chance to try and explain why in the hell she did what she did.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Thank you.” Mr. Hawkins rubbed his chin. “I also think you and I should have a little chat when you have a free moment.”

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