"Do you have someone in mind?" He had no energy to sound civil.
"Think about it: the jail nurse, Saperstein. She OD'd. My guess, someone shot her up with pure heroin. No evidence in her autopsy she used—your people likely have the information. Trudy made one interesting call—she called Elizabeth Reed's office. Now, since Elizabeth is with you—a SEAL, big man in a security company and DHS—I’d think the lead detective would be happy with that tidbit."
"No, huh?" Martin said.
"No. Logan was more interested in the duration of the call."
"He was worried she told Elizabeth something."
Nodding, Young pulled a water bottle from his pocket and swallowed a pill. "I started to snoop around. Logan always hangs out with a tight group—he’s sleeping with a girl, Naomi Sanchez. She's a clerk in Horizon medical records."
A light bulb went off in Martin's head.
"Before Lamb was a cop, he worked corrections at the jail. Before Mathias took the job, he worked for Salem Security. They ran protection for Governor Reed. Mathias is also engaged to the Assistant Corrections Director Thibodaux Spooner's daughter. Ferguson is a pig, likes his girls barely legal. What did your lady step into?"
Martin gazed out into the parking lot before sharing, "Elizabeth sent letters to the Department of Corrections about potential prisoner abuse. She also treated a drug mule who confirmed abuse and claimed she was raped by a corrections officer."
"Girl got any real proof? People lie."
"She was twelve weeks pregnant. She was in Silverton Jail for six months."
Young huffed out a breath. "Was? Where is she?"
"She lost the baby, but we have the DNA from the fetus. She's in a coma in intensive care.”
"Well, you got me. What can I do for you? I might as well go out with a bang," Young said.
"First, you're going to eat a decent meal." Martin acknowledged his personal security, "Food and bring him home. Stay with him."
Martin stayed on the bench when Julian slid beside him. "I heard."
"That was fast. You shouldn’t be here." Martin held his head between his hands.
"Pete reached out. I’ll stay scarce.Mon frère, remember that day in Al-Nasiriyah?”
Martin dropped his head to his chest. "I told you I was checking out. You told me to think of something to live for. Then you stabbed that needle into my chest."
"Your eyes glazed over, but your breathing eased. You thought about Elizabeth, didn't you?"
Martin turned to his friend. "How'd you get so wise, old man?"
Julian draped his arm across his shoulders. "Don't hide from her."
Tucker Hanlon came rushing out of the front sliding glass doors. "Get your butt back upstairs. You flew out so fast, you missed me knocking that fellow on his ass. We don't play into delusions. We’ll talk her through this."
Julian gave Martin a hug. “You’re not alone.”
Monday, July 24th
Pete rolled up the window shade. "I'm about to wake her. We’re trying to orient her to a normal clock." He stroked her arm. "Elizabeth, time to wake up. How about we set you up for some breakfast?"
Groggy, she swatted Pete away.
Tucker shook out a yellow gown. "Martin, wash your hands and put this on. Sit. She needs out of this bed." Pete guided the tubing, helping Tuck place her in Martin's arms.
The way she was positioned, her ear rested on his heart. Martin placed his lips against her head. "We need to put some meat on your bones. You’ll blow away in the wind."
Elizabeth snuggled up to him. "No, I won't, silly. You’re holding me. Mmm, you smell good."
