you to fetch cook please? And then you can have the afternoon off.” It wasn’t missed by Mina that she looked a bit jumpy. But, Mina didn’t care.
She no longer trusted this woman, and until Thomas found evidence confirming that she was innocent or complicit, Mina would not leave her alone with Lullu.
“Do you think she suspects you no longer trust her?” Rochelle said.
“I hope not. But if it’s that obvious to you…”
“It’s only because I am privy to Thomas investigation.” Rochelle reassured her, “Cook is a good woman. Lullu will be safe.”
Ray didn’t bother confessing his innocence as he sat at the table while his sister prepared her needle and tubes. Her face spoke volumes, and if she thought he was guilty, well then …
A commotion from outside distracted them both from their dark silence.
“You don’t need bloods. They can do that back in prison. We found the evidence, and that’s all that’s needed,” Ben roared.
Ray bit his tongue. That goddamned prick had framed him. No wonder he didn’t want bloods and urine done here. He’d make sure Ben got his payday. He dreamed of planting a few choice jabs in the motherfucker’s face for upsetting Lullu the way he had. As for Mina? The pain in her eyes? Ray shook his head.
“Sit still, will you.” Rochelle gripped his arm and slid the needle in. “I’m still pissed at you. But the fact that that man’s arguing so hard to get you gone …” She removed the needle and shoved a cotton ball on the area she’d just pierced. “Hold this down.” She inserted the needle into a tube and injected his withdrawn blood into it. “I hope to fuck you’re innocent, ’cause if you’ve hurt that little girl and Pa …”
“I am.” He pushed down on the wad, not looking up at her.
Rochelle packed the clean kidney dish, sterile needles, tubes and other tools she needed back in to her medical bag. She proceeded to label the tubes as Thomas and Mina stepped inside. The urge to kneel at Mina’s feet and plead his innocence burned his insides as he looked into her dark, sad eyes.
“You’ll be safe in here. I have one of my most trusted men outside,” she explained as Thomas and Rochelle left them alone.
“I swear, baby …”
“Whatever the outcome, I won’t let you do this on your own, okay?” Her words were sincere but the fact that she didn’t come closer, wrap herself around him, cut deep and put the fear of the almighty in him.
“Lullu?” It was all he could muster.
“She’s okay for now,” Mina replied softly, “Look, keep your head down. As soon as we get the results, we can clear this all up.”
“You believe me?” Hope’s flame re-ignited.
Mina nodded, but her eyes still entertained doubt.
“I’ll come down before dinner,” she promised and slipped out.
Ray’s skin puckered at the sound of the lock snapping shut.
Here he was, once again in a prison, and this time it wasn’t of his own making.
He slumped onto his bed. Why now? Life had finally been looking up, and he’d been moving forward. Was this his fate? To always be the bad man? The down-on-his-luck man? The useless father?
His craving resurfaced and Ray groaned as he leaned forward, harnessing all his coping skills to fight it. He broke out in a cold sweat and his skin began to crawl. No! He wasn’t going to give in. Besides, there was nothing in his room to get high on in any case.
A thought struck. He stumbled over to his desk, opened it, and pulled out his writing pad and pen.
Writing had been like opening a floodgate; the words simply flowed. Perhaps sorting his thoughts out on paper might prove to be the elixir for his dilemma.
Bossy, loud, demanding,
His pen scribbled across the page.
Needy, hungry, angry
The devil seeks his due,
No longer will a bargain make do
Bridges built he yearns to burn,
One snort, one draw, one needles sanction …
The lock of his cabin door clicked, and the door swung open.
In the entrance stood Ben, wearing a smirk so wide Ray ached to wipe it off his face with the sole of his shoe.
“Here. I know this is all you need.” He chucked the baggy onto the floor and slammed the door shut. So much for Mina’s trusted employee.
Ray sat on his bed, eyeing the baggy as though it were a large spider about to pounce.
Writing forgotten, his hunger grew.
They’ve already taken your bloods. Who’s gonna know? Just one hit, boet. You