Page 28 of Echoes

I can't lose it again.

"We will be moving to weekly meetings until further notice," Damon tells everyone. "I require regular updates on the operations and you can be sure your tasks will increase. We're at a critical point, so keep all eyes on things. We'll also need to re-evaluate the groupings. Grey and I will create an alternate system over the next week and report back. In the meantime, the guards will continue to notify us of any plans from Lilydale staff."

I look over at Damon, wondering if he's going to tell everyone about his little deal. I doubt it—it's a secret that he's kept forever. And while the two worlds have never collided before, it's not the right time.

I'm still bewildered that he stepped in and did it. I trust he will give me answers soon. But upon reflection, I think I already know the reason partly. But it's never a case of what meets the eye with Damon. Sure, I probably know one of the reasons—but I bet there's at least three more.

"Will Whittingham issue any punishments?" Byrone asks.

I laugh, jumping into the conversation. "No. We've spoken to the old bat. He's not in a position to exercise that poor excuse for power. Punishing the patients for a suicide would reflect badly on them."

Damon nods. "I suspect that Hallman's death has probably brought some attention to the facility. While it's not uncommon for untimely deaths to occur, two suicides in close proximity will have hurt their precious mission statement. They will be doing damage control."

Avery's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Sometimes, I forget how new she is. It feels like she's been here forever, but in retrospect, she's still just a newbie.

It was a different time back then. The last suicide rocked the facility—staff and patients—and I don't think anyone is going to forget it any time soon.

Especially not me.

"Do we think it will trigger anything else?" Jillian asks carefully.

Damon shoots her a warning glance, even though she's chosen her words well. "Not at this time, no. However, I'm keeping a close eye on things. I certainly think the board is trying to shake things up though. At this stage, we're not sure what their next plan is."

She nods quickly, putting her head down. Typing away on her laptop, my eyes narrow suspiciously. I know Damon trusts her somewhat, but you never know with Lilydale.

"What do you need us to do?" Jemison speaks up. "Will you approach us individually?"

"Yes," I answer casually, answering for Damon. "I'll be paying a few of you visits tomorrow."

Damon throws me a smile which I return before lazily glancing off around the room.

"That's all for tonight. I'll have more to report tomorrow. You'll be escorted back to your rooms in an hour, so make use of everything before then." Damon pauses, nodding toward the red curtain. "I believe Grey was able to line someone up tonight."

A few people murmur excitedly, standing as the meeting finishes. I spot Jemison eagerly strolling to the exhibition entrance, followed by a couple of others. Laughing to myself, I walk over to the alcohol I sourced, grabbing a bottle of whiskey to myself.

Swigging a quick mouthful, I head over to Damon, ignoring the fact that Avery is still sitting at the table awkwardly, like she doesn't know what to do.

"Good call on this," I tell him.

"Not quite what I had in mind in terms of venting your frustration, but whatever your poison," he replies coolly. "Maybe take a trip behind the red curtain."

He says it loud enough that Avery looks up at us in surprise, a brief flash of hurt crossing her face. It has the exact reaction he hoped for, small tears pooling in her eyes. But she doesn't cry though, only shoving back her chair to head over to the food.

I give him a knowing look, but he just shrugs, unfazed.

"Don't play with fire," he warns, and I know it's aimed at me.

"But the pain feels so good," I taunt back.

Damon rolls his eyes. "I'm serious. I let you have your little one-on-one. Hopefully that has cleared your head now. But stay focused. You know what you need to do tomorrow."

I nod. "I'll send Christopher your best. Or worst. Whatever you feel."

"You can send him to the grave for all I give a shit," he retorts. "Don't forget to pay a little visit to Markel. The docile fuck can barely practise these days but I wouldn't put it past Arthur to go to the least obvious."

Handing Damon the whiskey bottle, I laugh. "Give it a few more years and he'll have dementia. That's if he doesn't fuck himself into a heart attack."

He takes a sip, deep in thought. "Grab Capello's file while you are there. I have a few things that need to be confirmed."

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