Page 89 of Two for Joy

He shoved open a door and led Romeo to the white tube in the middle of the room. He put the clipboard Zander gave him on the bed, then turned back to Paul.

“And no one can be in the room while it takes place.”

“Let me get this straight.” Paul said. “You want me to undo his cuffs and leave the room.”

“That’s right.”

“No chance.”

Romeo looked down at the clipboard, the tempting pencil. No bigger than the ones used in betting shops. He could hide it in his closed fist. He turned to face Paul and Thomas squaring up against each other.

“The cuffs will interfere with the results.”

Paul glanced at Fred. “There’s no way.”

“The governor has authorized this.”

“I’m not leaving the room.”

“Fine.” Thomas said. “You can stand in front of the door, but the rest of you need to get out, and the cuffs need to come off, all the metal on you as well.”

“Like what?”

“Phone, keys, change,” Thomas pointed at Paul’s belt. “The pepper spray, the baton.”

“No way.”

“Hundreds of people rely on this machine every week. I won’t risk it breaking.”

“Fine.” Paul said, unloading the contents of his pockets and belt to Fred. “Happy?”

“I’m over the moon.”

“Do you have any cable ties?” Paul asked.

“No, I don’t, and he needs to be lying flat.”

“Bed restraints then?”

“Look,” Fred said. “Let’s just get this done quickly, then we can get the cuffs back on him, and leave Doctor Thomas to get back to his patients.”

Paul slumped, then nodded. Five officers left the room, leaving Romeo with just Paul and Thomas.

“Take his cuffs off.”

Paul cursed, then manhandled Romeo until he could get to his wrists. He leaned close as he undid them, breathing by Romeo’s ear. “Don’t try anything stupid.”

The cuffs were off. The weight of them gone.

“Right, Romeo, lay down on the bed.” Thomas said.

He whirled around, pencil in his grip and plunged it straight into Paul’s arm. He cried out, gripping the wound, and Romeo got behind him, hooking his arm around Paul’s throat, tightening the grip.

“Hurt’s doesn’t it.”

Paul struggled, clawing at Romeo’s arm, but he didn’t loosen his hold. He pointed the bloodied pencil at Thomas.

“Anyone come in, and I’ll break his neck.”

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