Chapter Four
“Here you go, Curly.” He lay her in the turned-down bed against fluffed pillows. “How are you doing?” He removed her shoes.
“I’m tired,” she admitted.
Kenny followed up the stairs with a large medical bag and passed it to Wes. “After I check your vital signs, I will stop bothering you for a little while, but I need to wake you up every few hours to check on your head. If you hurt, let me know. If you need to use the bathroom, I’ll be nearby, just call me. And just in case, if I don’t answer you right away, press this.” He hung a panic button necklace around her neck.
Ellie yawned and nodded. “Thank you.” Her eyes closed.
Wes walked into the hallway with Ken. “Thank you. I’ll call you if I run into trouble. I know the vitals and pain med parameters. Finish dinner. Help yourself to anything. And, Ken, before you head out, make sure Troy is settled.”
Wes returned to his room, grabbed a pair of sweats from his drawer and headed into the bathroom. A quick shower later, he stood at her bedside. The bruises on the side of her face and beneath her left eye were darkening.
A tap on the door drew his attention. He opened the door to find TJ Poole, one of his new deputies, holding a tray. A pitcher with water and two glasses, plus a steaming cup of black coffee and a sandwich sat on it.
“Thought you may want this. Troy is in bed working on his laptop. Ken is grabbing a change of clothes, and then he plans to stay if you need anything. Try to get some sleep. I can stay with her if you want.”
“Thanks for this. Don’t worry, I’ll catnap. No sense both of us being sleep-deprived; I need to wake her every two hours anyway.” He looked over his shoulder at Eleanor.
“Okay.” TJ headed down the stairs.
Wes pulled a throw over his legs as he sat in a recliner chair beside a big bay window. He opened his laptop to do some work. Starting with day shift supervisor reports, he was interested in any issues that occurred with the new staff arrivals. He hated knowing them as sheets of paper. Tomorrow, he’d ask Yvonne to create an appointment schedule for face-to-face meetings. He’d also meet with each division within the week.
He pulled up the security supervisors’ report.
03-19 1800 hours. Submitted by Cabe Baldwin, Level-Three Supervisor 0600-1800 hours.
Received report from Jeanette McDowell, Level-Three Supervisor 1800-0600. Facility secure. Issues found attached. Roll call held at 0545. All personnel assigned were present. Alerted them to be aware of the influx of new personnel. South gate staff (doubled) reminded to turn around all incoming except senior executive staff and escorted facility deliveries. North gate staff was tripled to ensure ID verification. Attached gate sign-ins.
Wes read over the names. No unusual patterns or comments from gate staff stood out.
All assigned supervisors and staff were dispersed to duty stations. All check-in times were on time.
Issues of note: Access to south fence line, west of south gate with adjoining property blocked by construction vehicles installing new perimeter fencing. Additional foot patrol was added. Advised night shift of the same. Terrain is dangerous. Construction team was reminded they need to allow safe access after dusk.
Wes rocked his jaw from side to side as he texted TJ to assess the situation and suggest a permanent remedy.
The report continued with another area of note.
Incoming medical staff seem to misunderstand where and how to park. It appears some of the staff believe they are unable to walk from rear parking lot into facility. Incident reported to Mr. Paulsen. Mr. Clarke dispatched. Believe situation remedied. No issues with any other new staff.
Wonder if security at medical clinic should be increased to Eagle’s Talon-level team due to presence of narcotic medication and other high-value materials.
Two-person security staff assigned to each building. Rotating relief also assigned.
Report to Level-Three Supervisor, Blaine Sutherland.
Wes signed off. The remaining reports did not raise concern until he read Ken’s.
Request meeting to discuss supervision of civilian medical, teaching and counseling staff. First review demonstrates a lot of vying for position and attention. Request a delineation of their supervisory staff as well as where my line is.
Wes chuckled as he sent Ken a text:Parenting issues. Will discuss in AM meeting.He forwarded the message to Troy.
Troy messaged back:Perhaps they need a spank from Master Ice, or a little attitude adjustment from Master Alamo. Ugh. Need to discuss. We have to nip this ASAP. How’s patient?
Wes:Sleeping peacefully.
Troy:TTYT.
