Redzone by William C. Dietz Page A

came out. A hand touched her shoulder and suddenly she was there, at the surface, sucking air. “It’s all right, Cassandra . . . Everything is all right.”
    As Lee looked toward the sound a face came into focus. The man’s hair was cut short. That served to emphasize a high forehead. He had a straight nose, even features, and was wearing a suit. “There you are,” the man said. “That’s better . . . I’m Dr. Kane. How are you feeling?”
    Lee was scared. But she couldn’t say that. Not and maintain her rep. Images stuttered through her mind. Pictures of her father being murdered. She clutched the sheets. “Fine, I feel fine.”
    Kane smiled. “Denial isn’t going to work, Cassandra . . . What you saw was real, and so were all of the emotions you felt. The first step is to acknowledge that.”
    Lee frowned. “What are you? A shrink?”
    Kane smiled. “Yes.”
    â€œAnd I’m in an insane asylum?”
    â€œNo. You’re in the Buena Vista Treatment Center. It’s located on the ocean. Once you feel better you can go out and walk on the beach.”
    â€œScrew that . . . I have work to do.”
    â€œEventually, yes. Once your recovery is complete you can return to duty. But not until I say so.”
    â€œWho says?”
    â€œChief Jenkins put you on medical leave with full pay.”
    â€œHow long have I been here?”
    â€œTwo days.”
    â€œAnd I was unconscious?”
    â€œPart of the time, yes. But you were sedated as well.”
    Lee’s eyes narrowed. “On whose authority?”
    â€œIt seems that you don’t have a next of kin on file. So Chief Jenkins agreed to make decisions on your behalf until such time as you can make them for yourself.”
    Lee felt sorry for herself. Everyone was against her . . . Even Jenkins. “Go away.”
    Kane nodded. “Get some rest. Press the red button if you need anything. I’ll drop by this evening.”
    Lee continued to lie there for a while, too exhausted to get up. Now some memories were coming back. Snapshots really . . . An ambulance. Concerned faces. A dimly lit room. And a haggard face in a mirror.
Her
face? Yes.
    Lee thought about that. A mirror. A bathroom. She needed to pee. Slowly, like a woman twice her age, Lee sat up and put her feet on the floor. Her feet were bare and the tiles felt cold. The room was large, well decorated, and the sunlight was attempting to find a way past the heavy drapes.
    Lee stood, felt dizzy, and paused. Then, by placing one foot squarely in front of the other, she tottered into the bathroom. She winced when she saw the woman who looked back at her from the mirror. The creature’s hair was matteddown, there were dark circles under her eyes, and a small bandage was visible on her forehead. Had she fallen when things went black? Probably.
    Lee did what she needed to do and left the bathroom with plans to open the curtains. According to Kane she was near the ocean. Could she see it? But before Lee could complete the journey to the window, a wave of anxiety swept over her. The bed beckoned and the sheets took her in. Lee awoke to the sound of a knock and a female voice. “Miss Lee?”
    She opened her eyes to see a young woman standing just inside the door. She was dressed in khaki slacks and a dark blue polo shirt. “Yes?”
    â€œDeputy Chief Jenkins is on the phone. He would like to visit you at four o’clock. Is that okay?”
    Lee wondered why the people who ran the place would send someone to tell her that. Then she glanced at the bedside table and realized that there was no telephone. And her cell phone was nowhere to be seen. She sat up. “What time is it now?”
    The girl glanced at her watch. “Five after three.”
    â€œTell him yes, thank you.”
    The woman nodded, indicated that she would return at 3:55, and