Page 54 of The Captive Missing

Once he was gone, Finn released Jason, who whirled away and slammed a fist into the wall. Senior came up behind him then, murmuring quietly as Jason shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

The attorneys were speaking loudly into their cell phones, demanding this and citing that. All of them were scrambling to make some sort of difference in this complex situation. But the truth of it was, none of them had any control.

With a tug on his jacket, Agent Finn dictated instructions to the police officer who then ushered the remaining guards out the door. The nurse, finally able to collect herself, pulled a chair up to face Val and sat. Methodically, she began removing equipment from her bag and arranging it in some sort of order on the table. Val watched her, eyes flicking around every so often. Where were the cameras? They were in here somewhere, most definitely.

When Jason had calmed down, he walked back over to Val’s side and knelt once more. Glancing at him briefly, Val saw the redness of his eyes, the sharp helplessness that filled them. He had been crying. She looked away.

Shoving back from her, Jason paced about the room. A heavy tension rose into the air.

Ignoring it, the nurse began her procedure. She started with vitals, took Val’s temperature, oxygen level, and blood pressure. From there she produced a portable scale. Val had lost fifteen pounds.

Occasionally, Jason would stalk over. Arms crossed over his chest, he would stare down at her, then bury his face in his hands and walk away. Taking out a syringe, the nurse cleaned a spot on Val’s wrist and drew several vials of blood. After that, the questions began.

“Are you on any medication?” The nurse watched her carefully.

“Yes.”

“Do you know what it is?”

“No.”

“How does it make you feel?”

“Numb.”

“Have they withheld meals from you?”

Val didn’t answer.

“It’s okay honey, you can be honest, they’re gone.”

“They’re never gone,” Val whispered.

The nurse glanced up at an attorney, who made notes. Agent Finn stood, leaning up against a wall, watching Val. He was in a spot where he could analyze her face and she could see him clearly, if she wanted.

Jason approached her again. Crouching down, he begged, eyes pleading.

“We need you to tell us the truth. Please.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking me to do,” she hissed.

“We’re filing an injunction to stop them from booking you clients. If it’s granted by the judge, then they won’t be able to touch you. It will prevent them from withholding meals, forcing medication, hurting you in any way. I’ll make sure that it includes… training.” Jason choked on the word before continuing. “But we need you to be honest with this nurse right here, right now.”

Val looked over at Agent Finn. His eyes were steady. Following her gaze, Jason swiveled to see who she was looking at and lost it.

“Why are you looking at him? He’s the one that delivered you to the devil! He’s the reason why you’re here!”

On their feet once more, Senior and the lead attorney strode over to intervene. Together they had to drag Jason into the far corner of the room. She could hear their calming voices and her husband’s panicked responses. He was a man on the edge and she had put him there.

The nurse waited quietly, making no promises one way or the other. Val glanced up at her, then dropped her head in acceptance.

“Have they ever withheld meals?”

“Yes.”

“Have you been confined to one room for more than twelve hours.”

“Yes.”

---