She swallowed.“Can I ask why you’re helping me?”
He meets her eyes square on.“Because I don’t know where I’d be if my chief hadn’t pushed me to get help.He saved my life.I see youstranded in the same boat, and you’re too young to let your life get derailed.”He paused.“And if I may, I’m sure your grandmother would never have wanted to see you like this.”
Rachel broke down then, gasped at the cool air through the sobs.Sometimes all it takes to pull us back from the brink is for a good person to just give a shit.To see you struggling from the shore, and throw out a life preserver, to offer a bit of thankless, genuine compassion, make sure you don’t drown.
Detective Stevens reached out a hand.Without hesitation, Rachel grasped it, felt the unfamiliar sensation of fatherly support course through her as she gripped the rough skin, calloused with experience.Those hands had helped people, she knew.And maybe they could help her, too.
CHAPTER 35
EMILY
December 18, 1961
Day 182 (1 to go)
Emily’s heart pounded on her collarbone like a judge’s gavel as she stood in the interminable queue outside the infirmary.
It was the morning before she was due for release.She’d had a poor sleep the night before, spent most of it preparing the speech she was about to give Stone and considering what the doctor’s response would be.She was sure to be angry, and unhappy.Emily had no delusions that she would snivel and cry and beg.But she might be savvy enough to actually strike the bargain: Emily’s silence on the drug trial in exchange for Annie’s release.As she’d told Annie and June, Emily had no qualms about reneging on the agreement.Neither she, nor any of the other inmates, owed Eris Stone a damn thing, least of all their honour.They’d all been tricked to benefit the doctor’s own financial needs; now it was Emily’s turn to do the tricking.She’d had enough.She was exhausted and resentful, full of rage at Stone and the entire institution, at the laws that made it all possible, that gave Stone all the power.
When it was finally her turn, Emily took a deep breath and entered the bright white room, as she had so many times over the past several months.It felt empowering to have the upper hand for once while visiting the infirmary, instead of lying spread-eagled on the dirty sheets while the doctor assaulted her in the name of medicine.
“What’s the gripe, Radcliffe?”Matron Smith asked dispassionately.
Emily steeled, stood up straight.“Nothing.I just need to speak to Dr.Stone.”
The matron blinked.“Radcliffe, we’ve got a lineup outside.If nothing’s—”
“She’ll want to speak to me.I have information I’m sure she’d like to be aware of.”
Matron Smith sighed.“What sort of information?About another inmate or—”
“Please just let me speak to her.I—”
At that moment, Dr.Stone emerged from her office, crisp white lab coat billowing overtop her usual black skirt and blouse.She took Emily in with a piercing stare.
“Radcliffe has something to say to you, apparently,” Matron Smith said, rolling her eyes.
“Yes, I’m sure she does.Come over here then, Radcliffe,” the doctor said, beckoning.She disappeared back into her office and Emily followed as Matron Smith looked on, curious.
Emily entered and shut the door behind her.Stone surveyed her, leaning back against the broken desk, hands clutching the edge of it, nails painted crimson as blood.Emily had already decided there was no point in preamble, so she took a breath and launched right in.
“I’m a journalist, Dr.Stone.”
She watched for the doctor’s reaction.Stone’s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing her.“Am I really supposed to believe that?”
“Yes.You are.”Emily let the claim settle on her.
Stone shifted her feet.“Prove it.”
Emily’s gut squirmed with a self-consciousness that she quickly dismissed.Stone could believe her or not, but if Emily could convince her, she could secure Annie’s release sooner.But either way, her friend was getting out.Emily would make sure of that.
“I can’t,” Emily said.“Not right now.But I work for a magazine.We received a note from an inmate here alleging all manner of poor treatment,so I set out to confirm the story.As you can imagine, I’ve discovered it’s all entirely true.”
Stone bit down on the inside of her cheeks, making her face look more hollow and unsettling than ever.“Ifwhat you say is true, which I highly doubt—”
“Why do you doubt it?”Emily challenged.“I’m sure Warden Barrow told you a journalist called, back in the spring.That’s why the outdoor time was suspended.”
Stone was very still.“Who do you work for?”
