"To Reign in Hell" (Written by Gansa & Gordon)
Catherinestood staring out of the large bay window in her room, one handsplayed against the pane of glass as if she could touch the sightsand sounds and smells of the world outside. She felt the tension andfrustration building within her; and slowly she took a deep breath,held it for a heartbeat, and then exhaled. With the exception of hersolemn expression and rigid stance, there were no other outward signsof the struggle she waged within. Within, Catherine was acutely awareof the passage of time. Summer would soon be over, giving way toautumn, and for the past several days, she'd felt a foreboding - aninexplicable sense of urgency that she could not afford to ignore.She had to return to Vincent, and she had to leave now before hisgrowing awareness and her own conflicting emotions alerted him to herpresence.
Quickly,Catherine reviewed her options for leaving Pinewillow. In the handfulof times that she had actually spoken with the head administrator,Dr. Tallenger, he had made it abundantly clear that in hisprofessional opinion, she was far from being recovered sufficientlyto warrant being released. With a snort of derision, Catherine's handagainst the window balled into a tight fist of frustration. She waswell aware of the doctor's professional opinion, and she knew it forthe lie that it was. Granted, she might not be one hundred percent inevery area, but she knew her body was fit. And even more importantly,she knew what the others did not - that her memories had returnedintact. As for Dr. Daniel Tallenger, it had been obvious for sometime that he was no advocate of her release. In fact, the man wasdownright antagonistic any time she was around. While she could onlyassume that Dr. Tallenger had concerns he felt were valid, it hadgotten to the point where frankly she didn't care what he thought.Yet in eliminating him as an option in authorizing her release, shewas left with having to escape the facility by more unorthodox means.
Catherinehad known, ever since Vincent's nocturnal visit in her dreams, thatin the end she might have to resort to breaking out of the facility;and while she had prepared herself as much as possible, to have itnow loom up as her only viable alternative, gave her pause. If shewere to be captured, what would prevent Dr. Tallenger from sedatingher into complying with his wishes? For that matter, what was thereto keep him from doing that right now - especially when he seemedmore irrational with each passing day? With a resigned sigh, sheaccepted that there was no way to put off her escape any longer. Thedanger was growing, from Dr. Tallenger within the center and fromVincent's burgeoning connection to her from outside of it. In theend, it left her with no decision other than to leave as quickly aspossible. Anything else was unthinkable.
Sotoday she had decided to bite the bullet and meet with BettyCarlisle. From the time that she'd returned to the land of theliving, Pinewillow's nursing supervisor had been a bastion of supportand encouragement, even during those difficult first weeks when shehad wanted nothing more than to return to that nameless void in hermind where nothing could touch her. Over the many weeks of dailycontact with the nurse, Catherine had come to respect and admire thiswoman who was doggedly determined to help her get back on her feet.Then, too, Catherine was not ignorant of Betty's intervention on herbehalf. She knew that on numerous occasions Betty Carlisle had goneto bat for her against Dr. Tallenger. Catherine had even piecedtogether that when necessary, Betty had used her own considerableclout to insure that she received the therapy and access tofacilities that had sped up her recovery.
Catherinefelt a deep sense of gratitude as she acknowledged that she owed alot to this woman who seemed to desire nothing in return other thanto see her patient whole and well again. She was a good woman whocertainly didn't deserve the added burden of helping Catherine out ofher current predicament. But it was because Catherine knew her to bea good woman that she had decided to ask Betty for her help one finaltime. And while she knew Betty Carlisle, the caring individual, hadfew qualms about bending Pinewillow's rules to assist a patient, whatshe would now ask of her was infinitely more. She would be askingBetty Carlisle, the professional and Supervisor of Nursing of thePinewillow Convalescent Center, to put her career and professionalreputation on the line; to violate virtually every rule establishedfor patient care; to break faith with Dr. Tallenger; and tocircumvent the security protocols for which the center was sorenowned. Catherine knew from personal experience how difficult adecision that would be for a woman who was truly good at heart. Itwas something that could not be broken down into a simple matter ofright or wrong. Remembering the past, Catherine shook her head. No -such decisions were far more complicated than they appeared.
Inher former life as a Helper to Vincent's world and an AssistantDistrict Attorney in her world Above, Catherine had found herselfroutinely confronted with the gray areas of what was "right" to do.It still pained her to think of her role in sending Kanin back Aboveto pay for his role in a drunken driving accident that had occurredbefore he had ever become a part of the community Below. Then therewas her aid to Elliot when his father had been targeted forassassination. And inexorably she was pulled back to the memories ofthe deaths caused by Vincent to protect her life. No, there were noclear cut rules to govern all of life's exigencies. To balance thegreater good and survival of the tunnel community against rules ofthe world Above was a constant battle, and she had come to realizethat rules in and of themselves served only as a guide for achievingjustice. They seldom constituted justice in and of itself, for in thehonest pursuit of doing what was right, one was compelled to considerthe people and circumstances. And now she would be placing a goodwoman in the position of having to do just that.
Catherinehad no idea if Betty would be willing to make a decision to help herwhich would force her to cross professional lines and compromiseethical values of a lifetime. Yet, her need to escape Pinewillow andreturn to Vincent before it was too late outweighed all otherconsiderations. The alternative was simply too devastating as sherecalled what the Vincent of her dreams had predicted would happenonce Vincent came to the full realization that she lived. This darkside of Vincent who could transverse the physical properties ofreality and enter her dreams knew his other side very well. And sodid Catherine. She had no doubt that should he sense the truth of herexistence, Vincent would come to rescue her at full roar, with littleto no consideration for the consequences to himself. So regardless ofthe remorse she felt at having to approach Betty Carlisle with herdifficult proposition, she knew she had no alternative other than touse every resource she had available to make her way back to Vincentbefore circumstances took all choices out of her hands.
Thus,with the difficult decision made to enlist Betty's aid - a decisionwhich would ultimately, if all things worked out, lead her back intoVincent's arms - Catherine expected to feel a modicum of relief.Instead, she now found herself mired in a kaleidoscope of unexpectedemotions: Anger
"Justgive me a moment,"Betty called out to Caitland who stood waiting for her in the outeroffice. Quickly Betty scanned her desk one last time to make surethere was nothing that couldn't wait until she returned, and thengrabbing her keys off the desk, ushered Caitland back out into thecorridor. Looking at Caitland's somber expression, she was glad she'ddecided that they would meet in the center's arboretum. Aside frombeing the most private place for them to talk, the naturalenvironment was soothing, and from her looks, Caitland could benefitfrom a calming environment. Frankly, Betty wasn't the least surprisedthat they were having this meeting. She had been expecting Caitlandto seek her out for more than a week - ever since the afternoon ofher last physical therapy session. Janet Kelly, the center's physicaltherapist, had signed off on Caitland's individualized treatmentplan, certifying that Caitland had attained each milestone and wasphysically fit to be dismissed from p.t. In fact, in her closingevaluation, Janet had written that there were no limitations toCaitland's physical activities. Betty still could not fathom howJanet's intention to exit Caitland from further physical therapy hadslipped pass Daniel's notice. Regardless of how it had happened, thebottom line was that Caitland had been certified physically fit, andthis was simply one more indication that the young woman was well onher way to being fully recovered.
Ofcourse, Daniel was still furious over the incident, but just asbefore when Caitland first awoke, there were already too many of thestaff now aware that she had been released from that portion of herrehabilitation program. There was nothing the illustrious Dr. DanielTallenger could do to change that, and this time there was no one forhim to fire for incompetence. For Betty, there was still a problem inthat she knew Daniel would have liked nothing more than to havestopped Janet Kelly. In fact, Betty had just talked with Daniel thatmorning about Caitland's case, and as usual, he had summarilydismissed all of her recommendations - especially the one that dealtwith initiating exit procedures for Caitland's discharge fromPinewillow. His attitude wasn't logical. It wasn't ethical. And itjust made no damn sense. Betty could no longer excuse the doctor, andthus she had agreed to meet with Caitland today. As they entered thearboretum, she was pleased to note that they had the place tothemselves. Good. If, as she suspected, Caitland was going to enlisther aid in obtaining her release, the fewer who witnessed theirmeeting, the better.
Inthe far corner of the room, there was a concrete bench where theycould easily observe the entrance to the arboretum, while severallarge plants conveniently obscured them from the casual glance. For amoment, neither woman spoke, but it was a comfortable silence whichgave Betty time to take a long hard look at her patient. Even theseriousness of her expression could not distract from the fact thatthe pale, withdrawn woman of four months earlier was now gone.Groomed in the standard workout garb that she preferred, Caitland hadregained most of the weight loss during her illness. Her skin glowedand the added weight was reflected in a toned figure, compliments ofthe weeks of regimented aerobic workouts. The sunlight filtering downfrom the arboretum's skylights highlighted the mixture of gold andbrown in hair that now fell in natural waves past her shoulders,rather than the stringy, tangled locks of weeks past. No one couldlook at this young woman and deny that she was the picture of health.No one, that is, except for Dr. Daniel Tallenger
"It'sabsolutely beautiful, Betty. This is my first time coming here."Caitland finally said, looking around in frank admiration.
"Really?I've spent many a lunch hour here, Caitland. I'm surprised you hadn'tvisited the gardens before now."
"Well,let's just say I've had other priorities occupying my time," Caitlandresponded with a hint of a smile.
"Don'tI know!" Betty responded while returning her smile. "Still, it'simportant to maintain balance, whether you're recovering from anillness or just planning out your day. But again, we're not here totalk about how you've been managing your time. I think there areother things we need to get to?"
"Betty,you certainly know how to cut to the chase, but you're right, thereare other things we need to talk about. As you might have guessed bynow, I'm quite anxious to get released from Pinewillow, but I havethe distinct impression that regardless of what I do to prove myselfready, nothing short of an order from the President will get Dr.Tallenger to authorize my discharge."
Bettywas silent for a moment, and then she slowly nodded. "I think you'reprobably correct on that score, Caitland. Still, he does have somevalid concerns about you - for example, your missing memories. Howwise would it be for you to leave Pinewillow before you understandcompletely what brought you to us so ill in the first place? Youcould leave here only to fall victim to the same circumstances again,but this time you might not recover."
Hatingto have to drop the truth on her so unexpectedly, Catherinenevertheless looked at her directly and told her, "That's not aconcern any longer, Betty. You see, my memories have returned."
Withthe exception of a widening of her eyes, Betty did not immediatelyrespond to this announcement. Instead, inwardly she pondered on whyCaitland's news hadn't really surprised her. Perhaps it was becauseon a subconscious level she had known all along. Months ago Caitlandhad ceased to appear as a person lost from her identity. On the heelsof that thought came the sudden realization that even as far back aswhen Caitland's abrupt change had occurred, she had obviously trustedthe young woman. Except for a comment here or there as to Caitland'sdramatic turnaround, she had ceased to badger her with questions.More surprised by this inner revelation than Caitland's disclosure,she nodded her head for Caitland to continue.
"Betty,my memories returned several months ago . . ." Caitland began.
"Whenyou suddenly began to progress in your treatment plan," Bettymurmured more to herself than to Caitland.
"Well,yes. That's when it happened - but you must believe that I neverwanted to deceive you. You've been one of few people I can trulycount as a friend here. But what I learned about myself and why I wasso badly injured made it necessary for me to keep those memories tomyself. Even now I can't actually divulge all that I've rememberedwithout putting you at risk. All I can really say is that you wereright all along. My life was in great danger, and my arrival here wasthe result of a failed attempt to kill me. I can only hope that thekillers believe I am dead. Still the possibility remains that theymay be out there - somewhere. As long as that possibility exists, theless you know about my past, the safer you and everyone here willbe."
"Butwhat does all this have to do with your need to leave Pinewillow?"Betty interjected.
Thenand there Catherine decided to tell Betty as much of the truth aspossible. She deserved that much at least. Yet, frustrated by whatshe was trying to say, while simultaneously trying not to say toomuch, Catherine felt her calm begin to slip as she rushed to explain.
"Theproblem is that along with my memories came the realization thatthere were people I left behind, some good people, who alsoundoubtedly think I'm dead now. But there's one person in particularwho I must return to - someone who will soon know that I'm alive andwhose actions will set in motion a chain of events which may endangerthe people I left behind, as well as the people here - not to mentionhimself. I wish I could say more, but this is the most I can explainabout it! I asked to meet with you today, Betty, because Idesperately need your help to leave Pinewillow and return to thatperson before it's too late."
Bettyraised an eyebrow at Caitland's sudden outburst. "You do realize thatwhat you just said made absolutely no sense to me; and if I were todo what you're asking, I'd be violating virtually all of the center'srules as an employee without really understanding why."
"Ofcourse I do," Catherine replied with obvious anguish. "I'd never askthis of you if I thought there were any other way for me to leavewithout your help. But my talks with Dr. Tallenger have pretty muchconvinced me that he has no intention of discharging me any timesoon. He has his agenda, and Betty I have mine. The difference isthat time is running out for me, and unless I leave soon, I risklosing everything that has ever meant anything to me. I'll losewhat's left of my life outside of Pinewillow."
"AndI suppose you can't tell me exactly what the danger is?" Betty askedfinally.
"No,I'm afraid I can't. I can only ask that you trust me when I tell youthat my presence here could endanger not only me, but everyone here.Betty, I must leave immediately."
"Buthow will you survive? Where will you stay? How will you protectyourself this time?"
"PleaseBetty don't worry. I have somewhere to stay, and it's a place whereI'll be safe with people who I love and who love me. I'll beprotected, Betty, and what's even more important, I'll finally bereunited with my son."
Bettystared at Caitland for a long moment, and finally whispered, "Youreally do remember everything."
"Yes,"she replied quietly.
"ThenCaitland . . . is that even your name?"
"No,but it's probably better that we continue to use it."
"Alrightthen . . . Caitland. I guess we need to make some plans to get youout of here."
Catherinecould hardly believe that she had heard her correctly - that Bettywas agreeing to assist her on the terms she'd laid out. Suddenly, shedesperately needed to understand why Betty would put herself on theline for a patient she'd hardly known for more than a year.Certainly, such generosity of spirit was not unusual for those wholived in Vincent's world, but for Betty Carlisle to put herprofessional reputation, not to mention her career, on the linewithout the benefit of knowing the complete story. It was unreal . .. and so hesitantly, she looked at Betty and finally asked.
"Why?"
Bettyhad the generosity to not pretend that she didn't understandCaitland's question, but for a long while she said nothing, simplystared out at the rows of plants where the sunlight that filteredthrough the taller trees threw patterns of light on floor beforethem. Then she looked up at Caitland and smiled.
"It'sstrange, but I just assumed you'd figured it out since you've finallycome to me for help - but no matter - you deserve to know the truthabout everything. But Caitland, once I have explained what I know,including my reasons for helping you, I'll need you to give me yourword that you won't pursue this any further. It will be a closedchapter in my book, and I need it to be closed with you, as well. Canyou agree to this?"
"Betty,no matter what the problem may be, I'll always be grateful to you andPinewillow for sheltering me when my needs were so great. So yes, Iagree. You, Dr. Tallenger, and Pinewillow need never fear that I willreveal anything that may come from our conversation. You have my wordon that."
Releasingthe breath that she hadn't realized she was holding, Betty said, "Ibelieve you, Caitland, and thank you. This is difficult enough totalk about as it is without the worry that what I'm divulging mightbe used against the center, and ultimately the patients. So I guessthe first thing I should tell you is where I fit in to all of this.I've worked hard for the past fifteen years to establish myself as agood nurse at Pinewillow, especially after the deaths of my husbandand daughter. Then when the promotion came, I worked even harder tobe a good supervisor."
Catherinestarted to interrupt, but Betty raised her hand to stop her. Standingup she took a few steps away and whispered, "No, please just let mecontinue."
Catherinesimply nodded her head and waited. A frown now marred Betty'scountenance, and as if to separate herself even further from what sheneeded to divulge, she turned away from Catherine. Then, after amoment, she began to speak.
"There'slittle enough prestige in heading the nursing team at a convalescentfacility like Pinewillow, but I've always gotten a certain amount ofsatisfaction in knowing that I made a real difference in the lives ofpeople who have lost and suffered so much. It's never mattered to methat they may not know my name or face, only that IknewI was making their lives - such as they are here - better. And thenyou arrived, Caitland, a mysterious Jane Doe in the middle of thenight. You should know that I had some serious reservations about Dr.Tallenger admitting you at all, but then I got my first look at you.Just one look, and I knew that I could never be the voice to turn youaway. You were so seriously ill that frankly, I didn't believe youwould survive the night. But Caitland, you did, and the next morningit just wasn't in me to withhold my care merely because you came tous under suspicious circumstances. That was the beginning, when itwas easy for me to turn a blind eye to those aspects of your carethat didn't go by the book."
"Afteryour medical condition became stable and it was apparent that you'dfallen into a semi-comatose state, there still wasn't much about yourcase to concern me. No offense is intended, but you were just like ahundred other patients I'd seen and cared for over the years; butthen you awoke from your dream world, and nothing about you has beenlike any other patient I've ever had since. You were so despondentthose first weeks, and then it was as if a light came on inside yoursoul and you began to make real progress. I was, quite frankly,surprised. The other staff were amazed. And there was Dr. Tallengerwho I'm sure you know has had a difficult time accepting your rathermiraculous recovery."
"That'san understatement," Caitland mumbled under her breath.
Bettynow turned around to look at Caitland, and then simply nodded herhead with an amused smile that conveyed her shared sentiments. Butthen she grew serious, and more as an afterthought, she added, "OnDr. Tallenger's behalf, let me just say for the record that I'veworked with him for more than a decade, and he's always been a caringdoctor and an efficient administrator."
Facedwith Caitland's look of blatant disbelief, Betty's gaze remainedsteady as she continued.
"It'strue, Caitland. Daniel Tallenger has been an advocate for the humanetreatment of patients with long-term disabilities for as long as I'veknown him. And this is the reason that I found his reaction to you soout of character. The Dr. Tallenger we've both confronted over thepast several months is not
Bettystopped suddenly and once again turned away, and for the first timeCatherine realized the toll it was taking on her to admit theproblems with Dr. Tallenger. Even though Betty was doing the rightthing in facing up to the doctor's faults, Catherine knew it wastearing her apart inside, and she imagined how it would feel to be inBetty's shoes - forced to expose the wrongdoing of someone she feltshe knew - someone like Joe in the D.A.'s office. At that moment,Catherine's respect for Betty Carlisle rose another notch. That shewould put her patient's welfare above years of friendship and loyaltyto Dr. Tallenger - and possibly risk her job and reputation to boot -humbled Catherine. Tentatively, she reached out for Betty's hand andsqueezed it in reassurance. Betty looked down at the woman she knewas Caitland and saw the compassion and understanding in her eyes.Then with a shaky smile of her own, she took a deep breath andcontinued.
"AfterJanet Kelly approved your release for physical therapy two weeks ago,I decided to have a talk with Dr. Tallenger to set up exit proceduresfor you. Needless to say, the conversation didn't go very well. Infact, it was the first time I really believed I might get fired, butit also made me face up to the truth. I did a lot of thinking abouteverything: about how you came to us and how you've fought so hardand come so far to get well. And then, last week I finally beganlooking into another aspect of your case. I can tell you now, forsure, that Dr. Tallenger is in no big hurry for you to get out ofhere."
Thebitterness in her voice caused Catherine to look up sharply. Withoutconscious thought, the analytical mind of the attorney who had becomerenown for sniffing out the smallest leads came to the forefront.Catherine focused on everything the nursing supervisor had shared, aswell as what she had not spoken aloud, and as her thoughts flowed oneto another, the pieces began to fall into place.
Catherine'sexpression was one of deep concentration as she softly said, "Butwhy? I can understand that I'm not the doctor's favorite patient, butthat should make him more anxious to get me released from the center- not more determined to keep me here. And if his objections wereactually due to reservations about my fitness to be discharged, hewould have no problem with me completing my physical therapy. So whatcan Dr. Tallenger get from my being here when all I'm doing isoccupying a bed . . ."
Abruptly,Catherine's voice trailed off into silence, and Betty looked back ather. Deep regret shone clearly in her eyes as she said softly, "Yousee now, don't you? We're not a big facility, Caitland. We have someinfluential clients, but the expense of providing long-term care atthe level that we provide it at Pinewillow is not cheap, and to behonest, the cost of your care was a welcome addition from thebusiness end of our operations. So instead of looking any furtherinto your medical records, I checked the accounts payable files foryou."
Bettytook a deep breath. She didn't know if Caitland would understand thepersonal grief that the truth had brought her, but she knew it wouldhave to be said aloud, if only this once. "Caitland, it appears thatDr. Tallenger has been charging your sponsor double what wecustomarily require for individual long-term care, and a substantialportion of those funds have been diverted . . . I'm not sure where,but it's certainly not going into the center's revenues. I personallysuspect our good doctor has an account, or some such thing, wherehe's siphoning the money. With you being nearly comatose andinstalled here secretly by a sponsor who chose to remain anonymous,who was there to care enough to question any discrepancies? Certainlynot our center staff. As you probably noticed, they're completelyunder Dr. Tallenger's thumb. Then there's the fact that payment foryour care is conducted through the electronic transfer of funds,making it that much easier to divert monies without raising thecustomary red flags."
Bettypaused to rub her temples, feeling the beginning of a migrainelurking just behind her eyes, but pushing aside the growing pain, shecontinued. "I suspect Daniel felt he had everything well in hand,until you had the audacity to awaken, to recover, and to insist onbeing discharged. So in light of all that, when you look at Dr.Tallenger's behavior it's perfectly rational, for someone who'sembezzling the center's funds. Caitland, you're his cash cow, mydear, and he doesn't want to let you go."
"Andthis is why I'm willing to sacrifice my job and my reputation to helpyou leave. What's happening to you makes a mockery out of everythingmy professional life has stood for, and I can't stand by while you'recaught in the middle. Your recovery has been a one of a kind miraclethat deserves to be celebrated, not manipulated, denied, andsabotaged for the sake of personal greed. For me, to not assist youwould be the true breech of my professional ethics and the cruelestbetrayal of you as my patient. So you have my wholehearted support,Caitland. And you were right: it is time for you to get on with yourlife, and you deserve to be with your child. While I wish it weren'tunder such desperate circumstances, I can't help but trust that ifsay you have to leave immediately and that you have a place to gowith people who love you and can keep you safe, then this is theright thing for you to do."
Fora moment, there was only silence, and then Caitland rose and moved toface Betty. With so many emotions filling her, there were no wordsshe could say and so she reached out and once again touched BettyCarlisle's hand, this time in gratitude. The older woman smiled andreached out to embrace Caitland warmly.
Releasingher, Betty took a second to compose herself. Finally looking up, shesaid. "Caitland, you're a very special woman, and you deserve everyhappiness, and now I think we have some very careful plans to make sothat we can get you out of here before your special someone comeslooking for you."
ByFriday evening at dinner, the maelstrom of emotions were back in fullforce, and Catherine found it impossible to drum up an appetite. Itwas only when one of the aides came over to ask if she was feelingalright that she realized the dinner hour was nearly over and shehadn't touched her plate. Hurriedly, she began to eat, alternatelychiding herself for being so obviously preoccupied and remindingherself that she needed the energy the food would provide for thechallenges she would face later that night. Putting her plate andglass away, she went immediately to her room. While that wasn't herusual routine either, she knew it wouldn't raise undue attention fromthe night staff. Then too, she needed the time alone to think beforeBetty came by. Looking at the few personal items she had to pack, shewas amazed at how little got by with now. She could remember the dayswhen her clothes, cosmetics, and jewelry could easily fill severalrooms. Now, she only had the couple of workout uniforms and a fewpersonal toiletry items. Then, too, even the workout uniforms werestamped with Pinewillow's logo. She'd arrived in this place wrappedonly in the sheets that had covered her, and now she'd have to findother clothing as soon as she was away from the center. Quickly, shestripped a pillow and bundled the few items inside. There was nothingelse for her to pack, no one she needed to bid a final farewell, andall that was left was to wait for Betty's arrival.
Atalmost ten, Debbie, the night shift nurse, stopped by to make surethat Caitland was in for the night. They called it bed check,but since Catherine had awakened, none of the staff expected her toactually be in bed by ten o'clock. As usual, Caitland was sitting atthe bay window, gazing outward. Debbie came in and sat down besideher, and though Caitland was careful not to let her agitation show,she could only groan inwardly that tonight, of all nights, Debbieseemed to want to engage her in conversation.
Cognizantthat there were no other patients on the floor for the young woman toconverse with and that the night shift at Pinewillow was customarilya very dull affair, Catherine was normally content to let the chattyyoung woman drone on about her boyfriend, her continuing education,her parents and siblings, and whatever else she happened to bring up.if Catherine made the appropriate nods in the right places andpunctuated her responses appropriately, Debbie would soon wind downthe talk, taking notice of the time and telling Caitland that she hadto get back to her rounds. Tonight, Catherine wanted nothing morethan for her to leave quickly, and so she tried to put the regularinterjections in the appropriate places. It was glaringly apparentthat she'd failed, though, when Debbie mentioned her younger sisterin highschool who had just discovered she was pregnant, and Caitlandsaid, "that's great!"
Obviouslyinsulted that Caitland hadn't been listening, Debbie gathered herclipboard and left. As the door shut behind the aide, Catherine letout a sigh of relief. She hadn't meant to offend Debbie, but hernerves were on edge, and tonight she just didn't have it in her tocare very much about Debbie's hurt feelings. Now that her presencehad been verified, there would be no more checks until around eightthe next morning,
Shortlybefore midnight, Caitland heard the door to her room open. Unable toknow for certain if it was definitely Betty, she pulled the sheetshigher around her to hide the fact that she was still wearing herworkout clothing, rather than the plain white gowns that most of thepatients slept in. It was with a grin of pure relief that she sawBetty's tall, commanding presence silhouetted against the backgroundlight of the hall. Quickly, Betty shut the door and motioned forCaitland to come. Dressed in casual slacks and a sweater, Bettylooked Caitland over quickly, noticing the half-filled pillowcasethat she held. Her expression asked if she were ready, and mutelyCaitland nodded. Betty opened the door and peeked through, lookingdown the hall. Nodding she motioned to Caitland again, and they bothslipped out.
Together,the took the first stairwell exit, going down one floor, to arrivedat the hall below Caitland's room. Bed checks had already beenperformed on that floor, and so they were free to walk the hallwayaround to an emergency exit located to the rear of the building.Quickly, Betty punched in a code to disable the alarm and theyslipped into the seldom used emergency stairwell. Within minutes,they had descended the two flights of stairs to the ground floor.This time using her key card, Betty unlocked the back emergency exitdoor, and both women slipped into the world outside. With Betty'sguidance, they crossed the main service road behind the building andslipped, unnoticed, into the woods that bordered the center.
Suddenly,Caitland pulled at Betty's arm, pointing toward the outside securitycamera that monitored the back end of the building and thesurrounding grounds.
Hervoice barely above a whisper, Betty patted her arm and said, "No onebut Daniel and Security are supposed to know, but those cameras havebeen offline for the past sixteen months. There's no security film ofus exiting the building." And with that they walked deeper into thewoods until the trees obliterated Pinewillow from Catherine's directline of view. After only a half hour's walk, they came upon anunpaved road where an old model Ford Escort
"Itwas Frank's car - the one he used to drive to work. I've had it foryears so it's not new, but it does run, and I've kept the tagcurrent. You'll find the keys inside."
Catherinewas obviously shaken and looking at her, she whispered, "How can Iever thank you?"
Placingher hands firmly on Caitland's shoulders, she turned her back towardthe car. Briskly, she said, "There's nothing to thank me for, and Irefuse to let you fall to pieces on me out here on this dirt road.Look ahead, and you see that the road bends just up ahead. Stay onit, going south. You'll have to keep your lights off until you leavethe road, but thank God there's a full moon tonight. You'll do fine,and this ole road will empty out onto the main highway some 10 milesbelow Pinewillow. Then you just pick your direction and drive. I'veplaced a road map and a few dollars in the glove compartment, andthere's a change of clothes in the back. Now go grab that life you'vebeen longing for."
Andwith that, she gently nudged Catherine in the direction of thewaiting car. Digging in her heels, Catherine whirled around andembraced Betty one last time.
"I'llnever forget everything you've done for me."
"AndI'll never forget you," Betty replied as she returned the hug andthen stepped away. "Now God speed, and hurry. You should be able toget halfway across the state before they even realize you're gone.
Withoutlooking back, Catherine got into the car and on the first turn, theengine started. As she made the first turn into the bend that Bettyhad shown her, the first tear slowly trickled down her cheek.
Thenext morning, Jennifer, the weekend nursing supervisor, walked intoCaitland's room at 8:15 to find it immaculate and empty. Caitland'sabsence, however, wasn't cause for alarm since it was well known thatshe preferred to do her workouts at the fitness center in themornings. So closing the door, she left without raising an alarm andcontinued on her rounds. It was near the end of her shift, just afterone that afternoon, that she was notified that Caitland had missedlunch. By two o'clock, she had talked with all the night staff,including Debbie who could verify that Caitland had been in her roomfor bed check. By four that afternoon, Jennifer was reasonably surethat Caitland was no longer on the grounds. Her first preferencewould have been to contact Betty Carlisle, but since this was herweekend off, she was reluctant to bother her at home. Then, too,given the severity of the situation, she didn't see any alternativeother than to notify the chief administrator of the problem. Thus, itwas with a great deal of apprehension that she paged Dr. Tallenger.When he called in, she explained everything she'd pulled togetherabout Caitland's absence. Suddenly Jennifer held the phone away fromher ear. If there was anyone nearby who wondered at what his reactionmight be, the sound of his angry cursing could be heard for severallong minutes . . . stopped only when Jennifer simply hung up thephone and walked out.
Inrecord time, Dr. Daniel Tallenger plowed through the door of an emptyroom 48-D. A full facilities search was then ordered, and by fouro'clock that afternoon, it was apparent to everyone that the youngcomatose patient, recently recovered and given the name of Caitlandwas nowhere on the premises. When Dr. Tallenger was satisfied thatCaitland was no longer within Pinewillow, he cancelled the search andreturned to his office, leaving orders not to be disturbed. Inside,he opened a wall safe that, along with other items, held a slip ofpaper with only the name of Eliott Burch and a phone number writtenon it. Slowly, the doctor dropped into his chair and for a while juststared out the window. Then he picked up the slip of paper and begandialing the numbers. When a woman's voice greeted him andsubsequently informed him that Mr. Burch was unavailable, the doctorgave her curt instructions that he would hold while she mentioned hisname to Mr. Eliott. The tone of his voice left no room for argument,and within seconds Eliott's voice boomed over the receiver. "Daniel,it's Elliott. What's this all about? Is she alright?"
"She'sfine Elliott, but I have some rather serious news I need to discusswith you." The silence on the other end stretched for an long period,but the doctor was unwilling to say more until he heard the otherman's response.
"Look,Daniel, things are better on this end, so give me a couple of hoursand I can be up there where we can talk face to face. We're wayovertime for a meeting about her anyway. Then you can tell me whatthis is all about."
"Acouple of hours is fine, and it won't change a thing. I'll be here,"Daniel Tallenger said softly and hung up the phone.
Acouple of hours would make no difference to the message he had todeliver - that the unknown woman left in his care was gone - and evenworse, that she was gone with no memory, no past, and no way to knowif her steps would lead her back into the same danger that hadbrought her to their facility over a year ago.
"Damn