Page 52 of The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

Dr. Baldwin looked like the top of his head was going to blow off. “What were you doing down there? Helping her run away again?”

“After we show you the body,” Eddie said, “I’ll explain.”

“Jesus Christ,” Dr. Baldwin said. “I don’t need this shit right now. A bunch of damn reporters just broke into House Six and you were fucking around in the tunnels instead of doing your job? What the hell were you thinking?”

“If you give me a chance, I’ll—”

“Just shut up,” Dr. Baldwin yelled, his face scarlet. “I don’t want to hear it!”

“What do you want us to do, Doc?” Wayne said.

Dr. Baldwin turned on him. “For Christ’s sake,” he snarled. “You saw what just happened in there. It was chaos! I’ve got bigger fish to fry than someone trying to escape again! Do as you’re told and put her in the pit.” Then he glared at Eddie. “You. Come to my office. You’ve got some explaining to do.”

“No!” Sage said. “Please! Don’t send me to the pit! We’re telling the truth. My sister is dead. We can show you where she is!” She started to say Wayne had killed Rosemary, but stopped. If he was taking her to the pit, letting him know she suspected him was a bad idea.

Dr. Baldwin ignored her and started toward the New Yorker, raking his hands through his hair and straightening his collar. Wayne and Marla pulled Sage toward House Six. She dug in her heels, but Wayne tightened his grip and walked faster, nearly dragging her and Marla up the stairs. She looked over her shoulder at Eddie. He was standing on the sidewalk next to the car, watching her being taken away, his face lined with anxiety. There was nothing he could do. He turned and got into Dr. Baldwin’s car. Sage started to struggle again, desperate to get away, but it was a waste of energy and she needed to preserve what little strength she had left to get through the next few hours. After Eddie showed Dr. Baldwin Rosemary’s body, everyone would know the truth and they’d let her go. She had to believe that. The alternative was unthinkable.

Inside House Six, Wayne and Marla led her across a tiled lobby into a wide hallway where Wayne unlocked a riveted steel door leading to the left wing. After the door slammed shut behind them, the metal bang echoing along the empty corridor, Wayne locked it again, then took them through two more locked doors into the main hall leading to Ward D. When they reached the nurses’ station, Nurse Vic got out of her chair and stared at them from behind the counter, her eyes wide.

“What the hell is going on?” she said. “Did she slip out with the reporters?”

“We’re not sure,” Wayne said. “But Eddie was with her.”

Nurse Vic sucked air in between her teeth. “That little shit. What was he thinking?”

“That’s the problem,” Wayne said. “He wasn’t thinking. Baldwin took him to his office. I’m pretty sure his ass is in a sling.”

“All our asses might be in a sling,” Marla said, worry edging her voice.

“Is Eddie the one who let the reporters in?” Nurse Vic said.

“I don’t know,” Wayne said. “But I wouldn’t put it past him.”

Nurse Vic shook her head in disbelief, then addressed Marla. “You better get back to Ward D and do damage control. Those cameramen scared the shit out of all of us, and the residents are going nuts.”

She gestured toward Sage. “Take her with you and restrain her. We’ve had enough excitement for one day.”

“Dr. Baldwin wants her in the pit,” Wayne said.

Sage shook her head. “You don’t have to put me there. I won’t try running again, I promise. After Eddie shows him Rosemary’s body, Dr. Baldwin will have to let me go. You’ll see.” An image of Rosemary flashed in her mind again: her slim, naked corpse; her eyes staring; her legs and chest and abdomen covered in dark blood. “Please,” she said around the growing lump in her throat. “I’m begging you.”

Nurse Vic looked confused. “What’s she yammering about now?”

“She and Eddie claim they found a body in the tunnels,” Wayne said. “If you ask me, they both need to be locked up for a few months.”

“Are you shittin’ me?” Nurse Vic said.

“Nope,” Wayne said. “I heard them say it.”

Marla nodded in agreement.

“Well, that’s a new one,” Nurse Vic said, incredulous. “I’ll get the meds and meet you in the pit. Get back to your ward, Marla. Don’t make me say it again.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Marla said, and started down the hall, limping toward Ward D.

“Please,” Sage said to Nurse Vic. “You don’t have to do this. I’ll behave, I promise.”

No one listened to her.

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