Page 13 of No Escape

“Son,” Charlie said. “I’m going in there with or without your permission. My partner is in there. Understand?”

The officer nodded slowly. “Yes… Sorry. Go right ahead, but please don’t tell my sergeant I let you in.”

“Our lips are sealed,” Will said above the rain and clattering thunder.

As they stepped out of the car, they were immediately pummeled by the storm’s fury, the wind tearing at their clothes and rain stinging their faces. Will felt it taking his breath away, but he watched Charlie march through it like he was made of stone.

The exterior of Shady Pines loomed before them, a formidable structure shrouded in darkness and illuminated only by sporadic flashes of lightning. The trees surrounding the building swayed violently, their branches clawing at the night sky as if in agony.

Blue and red lights from the police cars cast an eerie glow across the scene, their colors merging with the rain to create a nightmarish landscape. Will’s pulse raced, his mind filled with worry for Valerie as he and Charlie made their way inside, the storm continuing its assault on the world around them.

Will and Charlie ventured further into the dimly lit corridors of Shady Pines, their footsteps echoing eerily in the otherwise silent building. They approached a forlorn-looking woman at the reception desk, her face a mixture of fear and exhaustion, her hands shaking.

“Who’s in charge here?” Charlie asked, his voice firm but gentle.

The woman hesitated for a moment, then answered, “The director, Quincy Jensen.”

“Take us to him immediately,” Will demanded, his worry for Valerie evident in his voice.

The receptionist led them to the director’s office, her steps slow and heavy. They knocked on the door, but there was no response. Charlie turned to the receptionist, his brow furrowed. “Are you sure he’s in there?”

She nodded, her eyes wide with uncertainty. “Yes, I think so.”

Charlie hesitated for a moment before turning the handle and opening the door. The director’s office was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from a solitary desk lamp casting long shadows across the room. Quincy Jensen sat in his chair, his head in his hands, his body trembling ever so slightly.

Will and Charlie entered, the door creaking shut behind them.

“Director Jensen?” Will asked.

He did not look up.

“FBI,” Charlie said forcefully. “Director, we need to ask you some questions. One of our own is among your patients.”

Finally, the man looked up, his face ashen.

Will’s voice was tight with anxiety as he asked, “Is John Murphy behind all of this?”

The director’s lip trembled, his face pale and haunted. “Possibly. We know he’s escaped, but we’re still trying to piece everything together.”

Charlie’s voice was tense as he asked, “What about Valerie Law? Where is she?”

Jensen shook his head, his eyes filled with despair. “I… I don’t know. The police and staff are doing a head count, but it’s chaos out there.”

Will’s anger flared, his eyes blazing with fury. “We’re here because Valerie knew this would happen! I bet she told you…”

The man stared vacantly, but Will could see in his eyes that guilt had set in.

“Valerie warned you about that patient! She told you he was dangerous!” Charlie shouted.

The director seemed defeated, his shoulders sagging. “I know. I… I’m so sorry. We thought she was overreacting.”

“Overreacting?” Will now said. “Whoever gave the go ahead for a killer and an agent to share a facility should be out of a job by the morning.”

“There… There was a slipup,” the director conceded. “They were processed around the same time. If we’d had more time… we’d have sent them to different places.”

“Not good enough!” Will said.

Will had never felt so angry. For once, it was time for Charlie to play good cop.

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