I jump up to obey her, sensing that Iron Jack and Merrick are looking our way.
When I pass through the kitchen, several people have gathered by the center island.
“How are they?” Celia asks. “Are they totally fried?”
“One seems all right,” I say. “The other is sleeping, I think.” I hope. “I have to get sheets.”
When I pass back through, everyone’s still talking. I head into the bunkhouse.
“This one’s coming to,” Betz says. “Give me a sheet.”
I pass her a fitted sheet and get the surprise of my life when she expertly attaches it on the first two corners, rolls the woman onto it, and affixes the other two.
“How did you know how to do that?” I ask.
“I worked in a nursing home for years before I left it for Low Joe.”
Betz is a revelation a minute. Jami stands up while Betz swiftly makes the other bed. Betz gives her a packet of Ritz crackers and a water bottle. “See how this goes down, and we can get you something more substantial.”
“Thanks,” Jami says.
“You trafficked, or were you fool enough to go with those fuckers?” Betz asks.
The woman shrugs. “Halo seemed charming.”
“A member of Lucifer’s Kin named Halo,” Betz says. “What a fucking lark.” She aims a thumb at Crystal. “What’s her story?”
“She was already living at the house when I got there a week ago. She hits the needle kind of hard.”
“Looks like it.”
“She used to be the girlfriend of Taz,” Jami says. “But she’s been a pass around.”
Betz lets out a low harrumph. “She ever sober?”
Jami shrugs. “Sometimes.”
“When was the last time?”
“Maybe a week ago.”
Betz steps to the end of the bunk. “I don’t know about detoxing them here,” Betz calls, stopping his conversation with Merrick. “That one might be more than we can chew.”
“I’ll call Julie,” he says. “She’ll check on them, and we’ll do what she says.”
“Who’s Julie?” I ask.
Betz turns to me. “Hoss’s mother. She’s a nurse practitioner, you know, one of those fancy nurses that do what doctors used to.” Betz assesses the women. “Go find them something to wear from the bunny closet.”
That’s where we’ve been fetching some of my outfits, although most are too big for me. And for these women, given their forms.
But I head to the back of the room. “Excuse me,” I say to the men. “I need in here.”
They step away from the closet door. I open it and jerk the string for the light.
“What do you think?” Iron Jack asks.
I assume he’s talking to Merrick, so I continue sorting through the shelves for something soft and clean. Most of the items are completely inappropriate.
