on the rolling annual donation, but that’s all of my involvement.”
“Do you attend any fundraisers publicly where PC is the majority donor for this facility?”
Another head shake. “No. I make it a habit to not go to functions.”
He smiled. “I wish I had that luxury.”
I shot him a wolf’s grin. “One of the few benefits to being in charge.”
He acknowledged that with a dip of his chin. “If we can show that no favoritism or quid pro quo has been established or is ongoing, then we should be fine, legally. If any of that status changes, I need immediate updates.” He drilled me with a stern look.
I nodded. “Agreed and understood.”
He nodded, turned. He made a note on one of the pads he had littering the credenza behind him.
Amatucci came back. “She’s agreed on the condition it not be at GMH and that the nurse is a female. She asks that a rape kit not be done due to no sexual contact.”
Wright nodded, made some more notes. “That’s fine. The rape kit is in conjunction with the forensic exam in most cases. But it can certainly be left out. Does Ms. Chase have a preference in the age of the nurse?”
Amatucci shook his head. “No, but I would say send your most empathetic but not overly touchy-feely one. Will doesn’t do well with pity and casual touching.”
Wright wrote some more. “Anything else?”
Amatucci sat quiet for a moment. “The nurse needs to talk to Will while the exam is going on. No silent observer bullshit. Willow will either shut down or run out of there. Neither is to happen if you want those photos.”
Wright nodded. “I think I know who to request for the court order. I’ll see if she’s available and then write up the request. I should have an answer by the end of day.” He looked up again. The intelligence and the thrill of the hunt lit his eyes. “Anything else, gentlemen?”
Amatucci and I looked at each other. Looked back at Wright. “No.” We said it in unison.
Wright smiled, stood.
We stood as well. Another round of hand shaking. Wright walked us to the door. “You two make an odd pairing in legal matters. But damn if you aren’t efficient with it.”
I could feel the scowl on my face. Looked at Amatucci’s. He had a matching one.
Wright laughed. “Have a good day, gentlemen. I’ll call as soon as I have an answer for you.”
We nodded and took the elevator back down to the ground floor.
We slid into the car and the driver pulled us away from the curb.
“How is she?” I asked Amatucci.
He snarled. “She’s not your concern, Penn. But since you’re helping with Errington and Cavendish, I’ll share. She’s fine. Understandably upset about everything, but Rafe’s with her. He’s the best of us, he’ll get her through whatever trauma this is bringing up for her.”
Chapter 12 – Willow
I could feel the bile pushing at the back of my throat. “Hurry, Rafe.” We were standing outside the door of my apartment after the prep shopping we’d done for my parties this weekend.
Finally, he got the door unlocked. He dropped our stuff and picked me up and rushed me to the bathroom. We made it just as my stomach gave its last shove towards victory.
“Fucking Nico,” Rafe said as he held my hair back as I emptied my stomach into the toilet again. I barely had time to wipe my mouth before more came gushing from me. He held me tight against his body. My abused legs were unable to support me or allow me to bend.
Finally. Finally, he was going to pay. Granted, I didn’t want it to be this way, but if this whole thing could be over? I’d submit to the rape kit even. They could poke, prod, take pictures of anything they wanted if it meant he would finally be stripped of his medical license and put behind bars.
Another round of heaves shook my body as the five years of horror and terror played in my mind like it was on a big screen. I squeezed my eyes shut, tried to push the thoughts away.
“Will?” Rafe asked, his voice low.
I shook my head as tears trailed down my cheeks. “Help me.”
He sucked in a breath. “Aw, baby. I can’t. Not like that.”
My heart broke. “Please, Rafe. Please.” I brought my hands up to cover my face, shame and guilt drowning me.
“Fuck.” He squeezed me tighter. But not tight enough.
The huge yawning wound in my mind tried