“I know.I think that man spoke to you more than anyone else in this place combined.So the question is, why does Grayson care if you and Dr.Raven have a relationship?”
“I’m not sure.Unless…” I trailed off as a thought occurred to me.“Oh, my God.This is because I’ve been looking into accidents.The ones I’ve worked, anyway.Some are really accidents, but there have been several I questioned.”
“Let me guess,” Dr.Martinez began dryly, “Grayson is the common denominator?”
“You’ve seen it too then.”It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.I suspected, I just hadn’t had time to put it all together.”
“I was going to bring it to you when I had as much information as I could get.But Pain got released, and Grayson has been making more and more inappropriate comments ever since, but nothing overt until all this happened.”
“Miss Brentner?”From across the room, Chuck called to me.I glanced at Dr.Martinez before moving quickly to Chuck’s side.Johnson was like a silent shadow.Chuck glanced at Johnson and swallowed.“Never mind.”
“Son, if it has anything to do with Grayson, tell the lady.”Johnson’s tone was gentle, but there was still a bite to it.“The more information we have the better.Trust me when I tell you Grayson won’t touch you or anyone else again.”
Chuck nearly sobbed in relief before looking back at me wide-eyed.“Is he fuckin’ with me?Is this a test of some kind?”
“No.”I took his hand, which was now handcuffed to the bed.“He’s not fucking with you, Chuck.We know Grayson’s a bad guy.”
“He’s not the only one.”Chuck’s words sent a chill up my spine, but, honestly, it was expected.If something goes on for long enough, there will always be more than one person involved.
“Christ.”Dr.Martinez sat heavily in a nearby chair.“What the fuck is going on?”
“Grayson,” Chuck started.“He’s got a group of buddies, and they like to find a couple of the newer guys to pick on every few months.Me and Jermaine, they pick on both of us because we just came up from juvie.Jermaine got here before me, but we’re both young.I guess we were easy targets.”
My stomach churned as I listened, but I kept my face as neutral as I could.Inside, though, I was a hurricane of emotions.Horror at what this kid had been through, rage at the guards who’d abused their power, and fear.Bone-deep, ice-cold fear.Because I knew how dangerous this knowledge was.To myself, yes, but more so to Chuck and Jermaine.
I felt the tip of my tongue press against my teeth, a nervous habit I couldn’t shake.My mind raced, trying to process it all while maintaining my professional demeanor.“I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I promise I’m going to do everything I can to help you,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.
“Who else is in Grayson’s circle, Chuck?”Johnson faced the young man at an angle to make himself appear smaller and less threatening.He spoke softly but there was a note of command I knew Chuck would respond to.
I didn’t recognize the names of the guards he mentioned, but judging by Johnson’s face, he did.“Is there anyone else?”
“Not that ever came to me.Jermaine never mentioned anyone else either.”
“OK.I’m going to take care of this.Is there anyone other than you and Jermaine who are at immediate risk?”
Chuck shrugged.“I keep my head down, man.Jermaine might be able to tell you more, but we both keep to ourselves.”
The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, suddenly feeling oppressive.I glanced at the security camera in the corner, wondering if anyone was watching.The thought sent a chill down my spine.This situation with Grayson had really shaken my belief in the idea I was safe here.Maybe Dr.Raven was right.Maybe I should work in a hospital.
I couldn’t ignore this.But reporting it through official channels?That could make things worse for him.The prison hierarchy was a tangled web, and I didn’t know who was involved or how deep it went.
“Nadine,” Johnson’s deep voice cut through my musings, and I sucked in a breath.“Don’t even think about taking this on yourself.Me and Roberts have it now.We’ll take care of this.”
“I don’t know what to do!”
Johnson stared at me for a long time, holding my gaze with a hard one of his own.“I’m going to give it to you straight, Nadine.Grayson’s a raging lunatic.He got this job because of who he knows, not because he’s actually qualified or even suited to work here.It’s going to take us a while to clean all of this up.So, my advice to you is to leave.Now.Once Roberts comes back, he and I will walk you out.”
“What?But I need this job!”
“Do you want to die?”
I gasped, stepping back away from Johnson, all too aware I was ill-equipped to take on a man his size.Grayson was just as big.I was sure Johnson was hoping I’d come to that realization when he stepped back and softened his expression.
“Go home.Pack anything you need with you.Go to Nashville.I’ll give you a number to contact Pain, and he can make sure you’re set there for as long as you need.”
Everything in me stilled.“Pain?”
