The Omega Team: Death Sentence (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Tina Donahue Page B

announce what you’re planning to do? No? So who does that leave except you?”
    Dick blew out a breath, his face florid. “Don’t pin this on me. Edward knew about it, too.”
    Chase kept his peace and let those words sink in.
    Understanding crossed Dick’s features. What someone might call a lightbulb going off in his head.
    Chase drummed his fingers on the counter. “Does Edward like to play games? Mess with you? You know, punking between friends, for fun?”
    Dick frowned.
    “What do you know, I don’t see you laughing.” Chase faced the monitors. “Welcome to my world.”
    “Why would Edward do that? No.” Dick paced. “Doesn’t make sense.”
    “Whether it does or doesn’t, I know if it was me, I wouldn’t be doing anymore treasure hunts for a while, making myself look paranoid and out of control for no damn good reason. I’d wait until I knew who I could trust.”
    Dick halted. “You can trust me.”
    “Yeah?” Chase stood. “Prove it.”
    “How?”
    “Give me your snitch’s name. Tell me how you settled things…if you did.”
    Dick rubbed his neck. “Edward spoke to the person. He told me he fixed things.”
    “Funny, yesterday when Edward and I worked together, he told me the same thing about you.” Chase strode to the door. “You two should get your stories straight before pawning them off on anyone else.” He left the bubble.
     
    *****
     
    Anxious for information, Hallie found it difficult to bide her time with Patricia, but had no choice. Push her and she’d never talk.
    Given Patricia’s bulk and experience in lifting heavy rice or potato sacks, she had no trouble hoisting Ruth and Ynez.
    Hallie observed closely to make certain Patricia didn’t toss them around like inanimate objects. To her surprise, Patricia proved exceedingly gentle. During their sponge baths and feedings, she sang to them, choosing popular tunes from their youth that they responded to. Their agitation and lethargy decreased.
    When Shirl found out about their new helper, she wasn’t impressed. “Way to go, Hallie, bringing a murderer in here.”
    “The victim didn’t die.”
    “She might as well have. The news stories say she’s a damn vegetable.”
    “And Patricia’s life is basically over at twenty-four. She won’t get out of here until she’s an old woman. It’s either let her rot in her cell or have her do something useful. I opted for that.”
    Shirl scrunched her nose and huffed away. Didn’t matter. Patricia worked harder than the other inmates, kept things running smoothly, and handled the hardest tasks.
    To show her gratitude and build trust between them, Hallie put funds in Patricia’s prison account and told her the good news. “It’s not much, but I’ve heard how much you love those cupcakes the canteen sells. Take your break if you want and get a few.”
    Patricia stepped back, eyes narrowed. “Why are you doing this?”
    “You mean being decent to you as one woman to another? I’ll admit it’s for selfish reasons.”
    “No kidding.” She crossed her arms beneath her ample breasts. “What are you angling for? You’re bi? You want some of me and a guy? Maybe both of us at the same time?”
    Sorrow swelled within Hallie. Once, Patricia had been a child, enchanted by the world. Someone had crushed that hope and led her to this existence. “You’re doing a great job here, which makes my work easier. None of the other inmates have connected with Ruth and Ynez as you have. For a little while each day, you bring them out of their dementia, make their lives happy. I simply wanted to repay you for your kindness to them. Accept the funds or don’t. Up to you.”
    Hallie returned to her computer. She’d learned from Chase that giving a person space would bring them around. Certainly worked on her with him.
    Three days passed before Patricia glanced Hallie’s way. Eventually, she hovered close by.
    Hallie finished her notes and looked over. “Something you need to ask?”
    “I