Page 91 of Petals and Strings
“She’s usually playing in the conservatory around then. After your call, go listen. She’s incredible.”
“Listen to what?” I asked, confused. What would she be playing in the conservatory?
He smiled. “Just wait. It’ll be better if it’s a surprise.”
With that I shook my head and stood, heading out to get through this day. The call with our chief was weighing on me. We’d been studying this place for years.
Ever since the third disappearance.
It never made sense that a place with security like this could simply lose patients. There was never a struggle, a sign, or a trace of them.
We knew there were secrets to uncover. It started with Holden stepping in. Hired by the Omega Network thanks to one of our own on the inside.
The board was corrupt. We smelled that one from a mile away.
The reality was this facility had become a prison of shame, a place the wealthy could hide their embarrassments.
Anything that could tarnish their reputation.
I had a hunch that was the reality behind the changes in medications and constant setbacks. Though, according to Cross, he was unsure who all was behind it and just who had reach beyond him.
He admitted that it felt like someone was working in the shadows. I was here to sniff out who it was.
Now, my focus was on saving my own pack. Every one of them spoke today. They trusted me with their trauma and were giving me a chance to help fix it.
From the pack Cross described and the one I met today, something had shifted. I’d find out just what had changed, and form an alliance that would ensure our escape.
If all else failed, I had contacts and could eradicate the infestation in this place the not-quite-legal way. Though, that was a last resort.
All I knew, was that Audrey was going to be safe now. I’d make fucking sure of it.
As I walked back to the therapists’ offices, I felt eyes on me. I was subtle as I looked around. It didn’t take long to spot the doctor. He watched me with narrowed eyes. The man was creepy as fuck, and likely livid after finding that I’d be prescribing them meds, he’d just be filling the orders.
He’d lost control, even if only a fraction of it, and clearly, wasn’t happy.
I continued walking, not sparing him a real glance. The man couldn’t know that I was here to watch him and the others. To figure out who was corrupt and just how far they were willing to go.
Nancy was waiting outside the wing, typing away at her computer. She looked up at me, eyes widening, but she tried to hide it.
“Can you send me some orderlies or guards to help move furniture around, by chance? Or is that something I need to see the director for?”
“I can handle it,” she said easily, pulling out a comm and putting it in her ear. “Hey, I need someone, or a few someones, to come help move some furniture for the new therapist. He’s outside the West Wing. Director Cross has already approved the move.”
“Thank you, Nancy,” I said, giving her a salute before walking into the wing to start clearing out two of the rooms. With all the recent switching around and my group’s refusal to separate, they were all recently cleaned and ready to go.
I chose the first room on either side of the common area, closest to the doors. It didn’t take long for orderlies to start walking in and I directed them to take the extra furniture from the office space into storage, then start bringing in what I needed.
This wasn’t exactly conventional but convincing the board they needed twenty-four hour observation by someone with the credentials to do it wouldn’t be hard. Outside of Holden and my pack, no one would know our secret.
I spent the afternoon moving in my things once the furniture was in place. In just a few hours the office was taking shape. Knowing my pack would be in here often, I tried to make it a little cozy. The bookshelves were lined with books, the armchairs comfortable and arranged nicely.
My desk wouldn't be where I spoke to them. It was impersonal. No wonder they were all still such a mess after being here for years. Apparently, Theo liked to use intimidation and discomfort to keep them in line.
I’d asked around and they were lucky I didn’t walk right out to cause even more pain than Rydell did.
Though, I was subtle with my questions. I didn’t know quite who I could trust. The turnover rate of this place was abysmal. Between that, the closely acting board, the payoffs we’d uncovered, and the disappearances, this was a sinking ship.
Chief seemed particularly invested in this project. I never asked why, but I had a feeling he wanted it shut down. Permanently. Not just purged and re-opened.
