Between Dusk and Dawn (24 page)

LaShaun opened the passenger door.
“I’m prepared.”

Chase walked around the front of the
truck and helped her down, though she didn’t need him to. LaShaun
gathered more strength from the firm grasp of his large hand. She
smiled at him reassuringly. He led the way wearing a grim set to
his jaw. They went through the security checks with no
problems.

The Forensic Unit housed adults who
had been admitted via court order for various reasons, mostly
related to criminal cases. After signing in, Chase and LaShaun
waited in a neat, but dreary waiting area. Chase walked around
restlessly and stared at the pictures as he tapped the side of one
thigh with a fist. LaShaun sat down in one of the vinyl covered
chairs. Someone had attempted to lighten the atmosphere with
plants. Yet the unit itself seemed to fight back, as if defying
attempts to disguise the bleak reality. Dozens of violent men and
women had to be contained to keep the public safe. LaShaun tilted
her head to one side in a listening pose. When Chase approached
again with a question in his dark gaze, LaShaun nodded.

“
He knows we’re here,” she
said quietly.

Before Chase could respond a short,
plump woman wearing a white jacket walked out. She walked up to
them briskly with a smile and stuck out a hand, first to Chase and
after he let go she shook hands with LaShaun.

“
Good morning. I’m Grace
Norris, Mr. Young’s treating psychiatrist. Glad to meet you. Can we
get you anything? I’m sure you had to get an early start from
Vermillion Parish. We have excellent biscuits from the dining
room.”

“
No thanks. We ate on the
way,” Chase said. “This is Miss Rousselle.”

“
Manny has talked about you
quite a bit since his grandfather told him you were coming.” Dr.
Norris studied LaShaun carefully.

“
That’s interesting. I’d
heard he wasn’t much of a talker.” Chase’s grim expression deepened
into a frown.

“
He’s not usually.” Dr.
Norris started to go on, but looked around. Employees stared at
them in frank interest. “Let’s go to my office. Manny is visiting
with his grandfather. We’ll take you in once Mr. Young
leaves.”

She led them down a long hallway with
offices on both sides. After turning another corner they went to a
larger office. Mesh wire covered the windows. The pattern created
checkerboard squares of sunshine on the window sill. Dr. Norris had
managed to brighten the backdrop with plants and colorful ceramic
figurines. She closed the door.

“
Sure about that offer of
refreshments? Contrary to stereotypes, my assistant makes delicious
coffee.” She waited for them to sit down before settling in the
chair behind her desk.

“
A cup of coffee sounds
good.” Chase glanced at LaShaun.

“
My throat is a little dry.
Something cool would be nice,” LaShaun said.

“
What kind of beverage
would you like? We have fruit juices, iced tea or soft drinks.” Dr.
Norris picked up the handset of her white desk phone.

“
Apple juice is fine,”
LaShaun replied with a smile of gratitude.

Dr. Norris nodded and spoke warmly to
a woman named Ellie. She put the handset back on the cradle.
“She’ll be here in a minute. So Manny seems to be looking forward
to meeting you. He doesn’t get visitors, except for Mr. Orin of
course.”

“
Of course,” LaShaun
echoed.

“
Manny seems to think
you’ll understand what he’s been through, and help in some way.”
Dr. Norris assumed the listening pose of a trained
therapist.

“
His grandfather may have
over sold what I can do.” LaShaun could tell Dr. Norris had a skill
for inviting trust, and that she would honor it. “Manny’s
grandfather says your treatment has made a big
difference.”

Dr. Norris gazed back at her intently.
“He’s not violent, so you shouldn’t worry. A security officer will
be in the room with you.”

“
That’s great,” Chase said
before LaShaun could reply. The tight expression around his eyes
eased, and he relaxed against the back of the chair. “I wasn’t too
crazy about letting her be in there alone with a guard outside. A
lot can happen in a few seconds.”

“
We’re a strange hybrid, a
combination of treatment and correctional facility. Security is
always a consideration.” Dr. Norris leaned forward with both elbows
propped on her desk. “Manny is...”

A knock interrupted her. The
assistant, a woman with bright auburn hair piled high, came in with
a small tray. “Here you go, Doctor.”

“
Thanks, Ellie.” Dr. Norris
waited for assistant to leave. “Manny is eager to have a different
visitor. The officer has been instructed to look for any signals
that he’s getting agitated. I have nursing staff on stand-by in
case more help is needed.”

“
More help than
correctional officers?” Chase asked.

“
PRN medications,” Dr.
Norris replied. “Ativan and Haldol injections have been effective
before.”

“
You said he wasn’t
violent,” LaShaun said.

“
Dr. Norris means recently.
We know he has the potential for serious violence. That’s how he
got here.” Chase looked at the psychiatrist.

“
He’s been calm and
compliant for months,” Dr. Norris said. “He can be a very pleasant
and interesting guy to talk to.”

“
Yeah, when he’s not
hacking people to pieces,” Chase mumbled.

“
I’m sure your treatment
techniques are very effective,” LaShaun rushed to put in as Dr.
Norris squinted at Chase. “We’ll try not to upset him or cause any
problems.”

“
Judge Trahan insisted this
visit should take place, so... we’ll see.” Dr. Norris studied them
both as seconds of silence on both sides ticked by. Her friendly
manner slipped enough to allow LaShaun to see the iron will
beneath.

“
You didn’t agree with us
coming then.” LaShaun raised an eyebrow.

“
No, I didn’t at first. Our
main goals are treatment, security and following court orders. Not
always in that order depending on the situation, but court orders
trump treatment recommendations.” Dr. Norris’s thin lips pulled
down at the corners for a few seconds. Another knock made her sit
up straight. “Come in.”

A correctional officer entered. “Hey,
Doc. I just took Manny’s granddaddy to the lobby. All clear for the
next visitors. “

The tall man had arms that bulged
against the short sleeves of his uniform shirt. His smooth skin had
the look of African ebony wood. He sized up Chase, seemed satisfied
and nodded to a fellow enforcer of laws. When he looked at LaShaun
his eyes widened just for a second before his professional mask
clicked back in place.

“
Only Miss Rousselle,
Roosevelt. We’ll be with you in a minute,” Dr. Norris
said.

“
Okay.” The big man
withdrew, closing the door with a soft thump.

“
Miss Rousselle, Mr. Young
is convinced you and Manny will establish some kind of connection.”
Dr. Norris’s expression clearly showed she found such a thing
implausible, but worrisome.

Chase spoke first. “Manny left some
pretty big unanswered questions about the murders he committed.
He’s willing to talk to Miss Rousselle. The reasons don’t really
matter at this point. Maybe if Manny gets some stuff off his
conscience he’ll get better, well at least be less dangerous for
the other inmates.”

“
And the criminal justice
system can lead him to that lethal injection gurney even quicker,”
Dr. Norris raised a palm and cut off his response. “I’m not Manny’s
defense attorney. If Manny gets agitated, or the officer says it’s
time to end the interview please follow his
instructions.”

“
Agreed,” Chase said with a
sharp nod.

“
Excellent. I’m actually
quite interested in the way local cultural beliefs in the
supernatural interrelate with mental health issues. I wrote an
article for a journal. I’m originally from upstate New York. I’ve
found the subject of hoodoo or voodoo fascinating in the twelve
years since I moved to Louisiana.”

LaShaun smiled at her. “You explored
the boundary between madness and belief in the
supernatural.”

“
Very much so. A patient
comes to the hospital convinced that snakes are in her stomach. Is
she psychotic, or does she believe that an adversary has put a bad
mojo on her? Before I came here the answer would have been obvious
I thought. My diagnosis would have been swift and certain, paranoid
delusions. Not now.” Dr. Norris looked at LaShaun. “Mr. Young is
convinced that Manny was possessed. Oh he hasn’t said so in those
words, but...”

“
We’re just here to talk,”
Chase said firmly.

“
I see.” Dr. Norris’s gaze
didn’t shift from LaShaun.

“
I didn’t come to play mind
games so that he’ll confess to more crimes.” LaShaun looked back at
the psychiatrist.

“
Manny isn’t susceptible to
mind games anyway.” Dr. Norris stood to signal she’d finished all
she had to say.

“
I know. Manny is good at
reading people, and not as gullible or simple-minded as folks
think, including his grandfather.” LaShaun stood also.

“
We’re not trying to trap
Manny. We have plenty of evidence for the murders he’s already
convicted of committing.” Chase continued to talk as Dr. Norris
nodded. They left the office to join the powerful officer waiting
in the hallway.

Roosevelt pointed down another long
hallway. “We set up a room for the visit. My captain thought it
would be better security wise. Just follow me.”

Chase put a protective hand under
LaShaun’s elbow as they walked. He glanced over his shoulder and
LaShaun followed his gaze. Dr. Norris still stood outside her
office watching them. When LaShaun waved at her she waved back.
Then they rounded a corner. Roosevelt led them to a large room with
a table and two chairs. The window looked out onto an enclosed
area. Men were outside smoking and milling around. Several laughed
and talked to themselves.

“
Be just a minute. Uh,
Manny mentioned he was only going to visit with the lady.”
Roosevelt raised an eyebrow at Chase.

“
Right.” Chase scanned the
room and turned to LaShaun. “Be careful.”

“
Manny wants something from
us as well. Harming me won’t suit his purpose.” LaShaun squeezed
Chase’s arm.

Roosevelt’s black eyebrows went up as
he noticed the gesture. “The lady gonna be just fine.”

“
Thanks,” Chase replied and
left.

“
Another officer is gonna
bring Manny from the locked unit. We decided he’ll stay in the room
with you. I’ll be right outside. Don’t give him anything, no matter
how small. No touching either. He’s been told all this, too.
Okay?”

“
I understand,” LaShaun
said.

“
You’re not nervous at all,
I can tell. That’s good. Be back in a minute.” Roosevelt
left.

LaShaun took in the room. The walls
were a pale green. Tan vinyl tiles had been mopped and polished. A
slight scent of pine oil lingered from the last time the room was
cleaned. No hint of emotion seemed to linger. LaShaun wondered at
the typical use of the room. She guessed that it had been cleared
out for this purpose. Then she felt a shift in the air pressure
around her. Anticipation, pleasure at the break in routine and
curiosity reached out to her. Animated voices sounded muted but
grew clearer as the seconds passed. The rubber soles of shoes
swished and squeaked on the vinyl floor. Suddenly the sound stopped
outside the door.

“
Okay, we cool?” came
Roosevelt’s voice, muffled by the door and walls.

“
No worries, sir,” came a
reply.

When the door opened Roosevelt came in
first. He swung it wide.. Emanuel “Manny” Young stopped for a few
seconds before he took a couple of steps into the room. He looked
around as though he expected to see more people. His greenish brown
eyes lit up as his gaze settled on LaShaun’s face.

LaShaun felt as if tiny electrified
needles covered her arms and pricked the back of her neck. An
unassuming man wearing a shy smile and with the manners of a polite
country boy looked back. Yet a cunning assessment came through in
the way he eyed her. Seeing her examine him as well, a veil dropped
and once again Manny looked ordinary. She instantly knew how he had
gotten close to his victims.

“
Good mornin’, ma’am. I
appreciate you comin’ so far to see me.”

Chapter 14

LaShaun couldn’t answer him right
away. The correctional officer directed Manny to sit in the chair
on other end of the table with his back to the window. LaShaun sat
down in the chair closer to the door. The room was wide enough to
be spacious, but LaShaun suddenly had the sensation of feeling
crowded. Yet four and half feet of table was between them. There
was no other furniture in the room. The security guard stood about
six feet away. He leaned against a wall looking relaxed, but he
also had the appearance of a strong man with speed of light
reflexes. He observed every move Manny made without seeming to
stare, or intrude.