Fic: The Art of Being Lost and Found (27/?), blue cortina, dakfinv
Title: The Art of Being Lost and Found (27/?)
Author: dak
Word Count: 1300 (this part); (39,115 in total, so far)
Rating: blue cortina
Warnings: none here
Summary: Post 2.08. When the Guv goes missing, CID is saddled with an inept "interim" DCI. To find Gene, and the truth, Ray must team up with a hated enemy.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15
Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26
“Absolutely not. It’s completely out of the question.”
“So you’d rather another one of your patients turn up dead? Good publicity that, ain’t it DC Skelton?”
“Aye.”
“There is absolutely no correlation between my hospital and these deaths.”
“But the public don’t know that, do they? And they just love jumping to conclusions, don’t they Chris?”
“Aye.”
Dr. Wynton appeared calm, but Ray could see her rage bubbling just beneath the surface.
“Mr. Williams is in extreme clinical danger. His mental state is rapidly deteriorating and he needs the care of this hospital now more than ever. If he were to be removed--”
“He wouldn’t get beaten to death,” Ray cut in.
“I have absolute faith in my staff and their abilities to protect our patients. However, if you do feel so strongly for Mr. Williams’ safety, I can suggest other mental hospitals here in Northern England which he can be transferred to.”
“No,” Ray shook his head. “These people are dangerous. We transfer Sam, they’ll know and they’ll have no trouble finding him.”
“And what people would ‘they’ be, DS Carling?”
“’Fraid I can’t tell you, Doctor. Ongoing investigation and all.”
The doctor turned her icy gaze on Chris. Chris shifted uncomfortably but kept schtum.
“Look, we have some local plod watching him at St. Catherine’s right now, but we need to move him fast ‘fore they figure out where he is, if they haven’t already.”
Dr. Wynton remained silent and uncooperative.
“Lady, we ain’t saying he don’t need this place and it’s not you or your staff that we’re trying to keep from him. We just need to protect him for a bit and we can’t do that if he’s not with us. We’ll bring him back soon as the danger’s gone.”
“And do you agree with your partner’s assumptions, DC Skelton?”
“Yes, ma’am. We don’t to see him killed, is all.”
Dr. Wynton looked down at her desk, briefly contemplating the situation. Then, she reached for a pad and began scribbling something down.
“While his ECT must temporarily be put on hold, there is no reason why he cannot continue on his medication.” She tore off the piece of paper and handed it to Ray. “I’ll give you what he needs. Those are the times the drugs must be administered.”
“Cheers,” Ray replied, stuffing the paper in his pocket.
“DS Carling, it is only because of my concern for Mr. Williams’ overall wellbeing that I am allowing this. As his doctor, I need not tell you that I am extraordinarily uncomfortable with this, albeit temporary, release. The minute this matter is settled, Sam must be returned to Fox Hollow to continue his full treatment. Do you understand?”
“Absolutely, ma’am. No need to worry ‘bout us. We’ll take good care of him.”
“Do not presume to tell me what should or should not worry me, DS Carling. I’ll have Joe collect Mr. Williams’ things and bring them to the lobby. Good night, gentlemen.”
*
It was after midnight before they returned to St. Catherine’s. Tyler was (thankfully), asleep in his bed, having not even attempted to run off, according to the officers watching him. While Sam’s doctor had rather he spend the night in hospital, after Ray and Chris explained Sam’s dangerous situation (which may or may not have been true), he reluctantly agreed to release him.
It was one a.m. by the time they roused Tyler from his sleep and had the nurses dress him for the ride back to Manchester.
“Ray, what’re we going to do with him?” Chris asked as they waited outside the curtain while Sam was dressed.
“What d’you mean?”
“Well, we’re supposed to be at work during the day. What’re we going to do with him when we’re at the station? We can’t leave him on his own.”
“I thought we could lock him in cells,” Ray answered honestly.
“Don’t think he’d appreciate that.”
“So? Least we’ll know where he is.”
“And how do we explain why he’s out? Everyone’ll ask questions and if Carter finds out we’ve been investigating the Guv...”
“We don’t have to say owt ‘bout the Guv. We’ll tell him we traced Bresson back to the asylum and found out then that he roomed with Tyler. Then, when Tyler had the shite kicked out of him, we decided it were all related and took him out for his own safety, like we told the doc. Makes sense, don’t it?”
“We can’t lock him in cells all day,” Chris mumbled.
“Then we’ll have Cartwright look after him.”
“But, they ain’t been getting along.”
“Dammit, Chris! What the hell should we do, then?”
Chris’ answer was a non-committal shrug.
“Let’s just get him home tonight and worry ‘bout the morning in the morning, alright?” Ray asked.
“Okay,” he agreed. “So, where is he staying tonight?”
“Thought he’d stay with you. Likes you better.”
“He can’t. Me mum don’t like nutters in the house.”
“Keeps you, doesn’t she?”
“I don’t want her angry with me. Me birthday’s coming up. You live alone. He won’t bother anyone.”
“He’ll bother me,” Ray snorted.
“C’mon, Ray. Just for tonight. Then I’ll see if I can convince me mum and dad.”
“Fine. But tonight only. And if he breaks owt, it’s coming out of your pay packet.”
The curtain was pushed aside, revealing a dressed Tyler dozing in a wheelchair.
“He’s all yours, gentlemen,” the nurse smiled. “Take good care of him.”
Both Ray and Chris muttered unintelligibly.
*
Sam slept the entire way to Manchester. Ray figured the doctor must have given him something to knock him out. That was fine with Ray. He was too tired to deal with a conscious nutter right now.
After dropping Chris off at his house, Ray finally made it to his own home. He parked the car at the curb, switched off the engine and glanced in his rearview mirror. Sam was still sleeping.
“Oi! Twonk! Wakey, wakey.”
Sam grumbled, but didn’t open his eyes.
“Bloody berk,” he cursed, then climbed out of the car and wrenched open the back door. “C’mon, Tyler. Out.”
Sam still didn’t move, so Ray poked him hard in the shoulder.
“Ow,” Sam muttered, finally opening his eyes as he massaged his sore shoulder.
“Let’s go,” Ray ordered.
“Where’re we?” Sam asked, rubbing his uninjured eye.
“Manchester. Out of the car. It’s late and I need some kip.”
“How’d we get to Manchester?” he yawned.
“We drove. Now. Out. ‘Fore I drag you out meself.”
Sam stretched his arms, then carefully slid across the backseat to the open door. He shifted his legs out the side, and struggled to stand. When it became clear he wouldn’t be able to rise on his own, Ray grabbed him under the shoulder and hoisted him up.
“Careful,” Sam winced.
“Just keep moving.”
Once they made it inside, Ray led him to the staircase.
“Can you make it up?”
Sam looked at the wooded staircase with a glazed eye, the other still swollen shut.
“Ha,” he muttered.
“Fine. I have a back room. You can sleep there.”
Ray near-carried him down the hall to his junk room. There was an old, ratty couch in there that had been his father’s. It would work fine as a bed. He set Tyler on the slightly foul-smelling furniture and got him a blanket from the upstairs linen closet.
“I’ll wake you in the morning for your pills. Then, we’re going to the station. Understand?”
Sam nodded, though if he really did understand, Ray had no clue. Switching off the light, he shut the door tight, then grabbed a spare chair from the kitchen. He shoved it securely underneath the doorknob. While Tyler looked like he could barely remain conscious, let alone escape again, Ray wouldn’t be taking any chances.
Author: dak
Word Count: 1300 (this part); (39,115 in total, so far)
Rating: blue cortina
Warnings: none here
Summary: Post 2.08. When the Guv goes missing, CID is saddled with an inept "interim" DCI. To find Gene, and the truth, Ray must team up with a hated enemy.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15
Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26
“Absolutely not. It’s completely out of the question.”
“So you’d rather another one of your patients turn up dead? Good publicity that, ain’t it DC Skelton?”
“Aye.”
“There is absolutely no correlation between my hospital and these deaths.”
“But the public don’t know that, do they? And they just love jumping to conclusions, don’t they Chris?”
“Aye.”
Dr. Wynton appeared calm, but Ray could see her rage bubbling just beneath the surface.
“Mr. Williams is in extreme clinical danger. His mental state is rapidly deteriorating and he needs the care of this hospital now more than ever. If he were to be removed--”
“He wouldn’t get beaten to death,” Ray cut in.
“I have absolute faith in my staff and their abilities to protect our patients. However, if you do feel so strongly for Mr. Williams’ safety, I can suggest other mental hospitals here in Northern England which he can be transferred to.”
“No,” Ray shook his head. “These people are dangerous. We transfer Sam, they’ll know and they’ll have no trouble finding him.”
“And what people would ‘they’ be, DS Carling?”
“’Fraid I can’t tell you, Doctor. Ongoing investigation and all.”
The doctor turned her icy gaze on Chris. Chris shifted uncomfortably but kept schtum.
“Look, we have some local plod watching him at St. Catherine’s right now, but we need to move him fast ‘fore they figure out where he is, if they haven’t already.”
Dr. Wynton remained silent and uncooperative.
“Lady, we ain’t saying he don’t need this place and it’s not you or your staff that we’re trying to keep from him. We just need to protect him for a bit and we can’t do that if he’s not with us. We’ll bring him back soon as the danger’s gone.”
“And do you agree with your partner’s assumptions, DC Skelton?”
“Yes, ma’am. We don’t to see him killed, is all.”
Dr. Wynton looked down at her desk, briefly contemplating the situation. Then, she reached for a pad and began scribbling something down.
“While his ECT must temporarily be put on hold, there is no reason why he cannot continue on his medication.” She tore off the piece of paper and handed it to Ray. “I’ll give you what he needs. Those are the times the drugs must be administered.”
“Cheers,” Ray replied, stuffing the paper in his pocket.
“DS Carling, it is only because of my concern for Mr. Williams’ overall wellbeing that I am allowing this. As his doctor, I need not tell you that I am extraordinarily uncomfortable with this, albeit temporary, release. The minute this matter is settled, Sam must be returned to Fox Hollow to continue his full treatment. Do you understand?”
“Absolutely, ma’am. No need to worry ‘bout us. We’ll take good care of him.”
“Do not presume to tell me what should or should not worry me, DS Carling. I’ll have Joe collect Mr. Williams’ things and bring them to the lobby. Good night, gentlemen.”
*
It was after midnight before they returned to St. Catherine’s. Tyler was (thankfully), asleep in his bed, having not even attempted to run off, according to the officers watching him. While Sam’s doctor had rather he spend the night in hospital, after Ray and Chris explained Sam’s dangerous situation (which may or may not have been true), he reluctantly agreed to release him.
It was one a.m. by the time they roused Tyler from his sleep and had the nurses dress him for the ride back to Manchester.
“Ray, what’re we going to do with him?” Chris asked as they waited outside the curtain while Sam was dressed.
“What d’you mean?”
“Well, we’re supposed to be at work during the day. What’re we going to do with him when we’re at the station? We can’t leave him on his own.”
“I thought we could lock him in cells,” Ray answered honestly.
“Don’t think he’d appreciate that.”
“So? Least we’ll know where he is.”
“And how do we explain why he’s out? Everyone’ll ask questions and if Carter finds out we’ve been investigating the Guv...”
“We don’t have to say owt ‘bout the Guv. We’ll tell him we traced Bresson back to the asylum and found out then that he roomed with Tyler. Then, when Tyler had the shite kicked out of him, we decided it were all related and took him out for his own safety, like we told the doc. Makes sense, don’t it?”
“We can’t lock him in cells all day,” Chris mumbled.
“Then we’ll have Cartwright look after him.”
“But, they ain’t been getting along.”
“Dammit, Chris! What the hell should we do, then?”
Chris’ answer was a non-committal shrug.
“Let’s just get him home tonight and worry ‘bout the morning in the morning, alright?” Ray asked.
“Okay,” he agreed. “So, where is he staying tonight?”
“Thought he’d stay with you. Likes you better.”
“He can’t. Me mum don’t like nutters in the house.”
“Keeps you, doesn’t she?”
“I don’t want her angry with me. Me birthday’s coming up. You live alone. He won’t bother anyone.”
“He’ll bother me,” Ray snorted.
“C’mon, Ray. Just for tonight. Then I’ll see if I can convince me mum and dad.”
“Fine. But tonight only. And if he breaks owt, it’s coming out of your pay packet.”
The curtain was pushed aside, revealing a dressed Tyler dozing in a wheelchair.
“He’s all yours, gentlemen,” the nurse smiled. “Take good care of him.”
Both Ray and Chris muttered unintelligibly.
*
Sam slept the entire way to Manchester. Ray figured the doctor must have given him something to knock him out. That was fine with Ray. He was too tired to deal with a conscious nutter right now.
After dropping Chris off at his house, Ray finally made it to his own home. He parked the car at the curb, switched off the engine and glanced in his rearview mirror. Sam was still sleeping.
“Oi! Twonk! Wakey, wakey.”
Sam grumbled, but didn’t open his eyes.
“Bloody berk,” he cursed, then climbed out of the car and wrenched open the back door. “C’mon, Tyler. Out.”
Sam still didn’t move, so Ray poked him hard in the shoulder.
“Ow,” Sam muttered, finally opening his eyes as he massaged his sore shoulder.
“Let’s go,” Ray ordered.
“Where’re we?” Sam asked, rubbing his uninjured eye.
“Manchester. Out of the car. It’s late and I need some kip.”
“How’d we get to Manchester?” he yawned.
“We drove. Now. Out. ‘Fore I drag you out meself.”
Sam stretched his arms, then carefully slid across the backseat to the open door. He shifted his legs out the side, and struggled to stand. When it became clear he wouldn’t be able to rise on his own, Ray grabbed him under the shoulder and hoisted him up.
“Careful,” Sam winced.
“Just keep moving.”
Once they made it inside, Ray led him to the staircase.
“Can you make it up?”
Sam looked at the wooded staircase with a glazed eye, the other still swollen shut.
“Ha,” he muttered.
“Fine. I have a back room. You can sleep there.”
Ray near-carried him down the hall to his junk room. There was an old, ratty couch in there that had been his father’s. It would work fine as a bed. He set Tyler on the slightly foul-smelling furniture and got him a blanket from the upstairs linen closet.
“I’ll wake you in the morning for your pills. Then, we’re going to the station. Understand?”
Sam nodded, though if he really did understand, Ray had no clue. Switching off the light, he shut the door tight, then grabbed a spare chair from the kitchen. He shoved it securely underneath the doorknob. While Tyler looked like he could barely remain conscious, let alone escape again, Ray wouldn’t be taking any chances.