Simon Says_. Walk (Kate Morgan #6)(26)
Author: Dale Mayer

 

Annie turned to look at Kate. “I couldn’t bring in the money anymore. … My looks are going. Stone said my attitude sucked. … According to him, I wasn’t producing as much or as well as the others. So I would always be the one who was treated roughly. I think that’s probably why I ended up sick.”

 

“Maybe. Did you stay in bed when you got sick?”

 

“No, he sent me back out on the street because I hadn’t done enough work for the day,” she replied dispassionately, with no bitterness in her tone. It was almost as if she believed Stone.

 

“So obviously a lot of healing needs to happen, both physically and emotionally,” Kate stated gently. “I need to get you into a safe place, once you’re released from here.”

 

“I won’t be safe from him, not unless you do something official-like that gets me away from him.”

 

“What do you think official-like means in this case?” she asked.

 

Annie shrugged. “I don’t know. You should talk to Patricia’s brother about it. He seemed to figure it out.”

 

“I think he was such a pest that Stone was happy to get rid of him.”

 

Annie studied Kate for a long moment and then nodded. “That sounds like Stone. He’s really not a bad man. He’s just got high expectations. If you don’t meet them, well, let’s just say, life isn’t quite so nice.”

 

The doctor came in then and did a quick check of Annie. As he stepped outside, Kate joined him to ask a few questions.

 

He was honest when he told her, “Annie’s not out of the woods yet. She’s still severely dehydrated. Whatever situation she was in, returning there will likely kill her,” he stated bluntly. “Nobody was looking after her, even when she got this bad. So anything that can be done to keep her away from there is a good idea. I get it. It’s not necessarily your job,” he admitted, cutting off what response Kate might give. “I don’t know if anybody out there gives a crap, but Annie needs a place to stay, while she recovers. It took a bit to sort out, but we think she has Lyme disease.”

 

Kate nodded. “How long do you think she needs to be in the hospital?”

 

“At least another day, if not two.” With that, the doctor left.

 

Before she had a chance to sort through what the doc had said, she received a text from Simon. Yes.

 

She looked over at Annie and said, “I’ll step out for another few minutes. Be right back.”

 

Annie shrugged and didn’t say anything.

 

Kate also needed to get her correct name, which meant, chances were, that Annie needed to be fingerprinted too. Kate expected that to also upset the poor girl, but sometimes you had to do things in order to get the truth, especially if they refused to talk. Back in the hallway, she sent Simon a text. Yes to what? Her phone rang almost immediately, and she launched into him without preamble. “That’s great that you can send texts like that,” she noted in exasperation, “but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

 

“But you do,” he corrected her. “I’m the one who has no idea what I’m talking about.”

 

She snorted at that, but a reluctant grin crossed her face. “I think that’s … that’s always a great line for you, isn’t it?”

 

“Not so much,” he admitted, “but I’m supposed to say yes to something, so I gave in without a qualm, and I’m saying yes.”

 

“This is in regard to what?” she asked, confused.

 

“I don’t know, but I see a woman who needs help.”

 

“Oh, shit.” Kate turned back to the hospital room to see Annie huddled under the blankets. “It’s an awkward case, and it could be a lot of work.”

 

“Yes, of course it is.” Simon chuckled. “Thankfully I do know some people.”

 

She felt some relief sweeping through her at that. “Some people?” she repeated in a cheerful tone. “You know some people.”

 

“I do know some people,” he teased, and then his tone turned frustrated. “But I can’t help if don’t know what the deal is.”

 

“I told you about the teenager we brought to the hospital, right?”

 

“Yes, how is she?”

 

“She’s sick. Lyme disease. Recovery will take a while, as she’s exhausted, dehydrated, and has pneumonia, with that cough I hear. If she goes back out in the streets, it’ll likely kill her. She also doesn’t feel safe from the asshole who owned her up until now, and we’re not sure what department to call to get her back on her feet. Of course funding is … it’s there, but it’s not there.”

 

“Of course it’s not there,” Simon confirmed, with a light chuckle. “She’s one of a million in need, which is the next problem. We can’t solve this problem for everybody all the time. However, … let me make a couple phone calls, and I’ll see if I can get her a room.”

 

“Where would this room be?” she asked curiously.

 

“A center that deals with ex-junkies and, in this case, also a lot of streetwalkers, both male and female, but we keep them in separate wings.”

 

“Of course you do,” she said, with a note of humor.

 

“Hey, believe me. It’s a necessity in this case,” he added, with laughter in his tone. “It’s too easy for them to get things in their life by plying their old trade. We’re trying to get them past that and into something else.”

 

“Right. That makes sense too,” she admitted. “Anyway, if there’s anything you can do to help, its much appreciated.”

 

“I’ll call you back soon.” With that, he disconnected.

 

Not sure that Annie was even interested in getting some help, Kate walked back into the teen’s hospital room. “I have somebody interested in helping you.”

 

“Of course someone is.” She coughed again, then collapsed back down. “He will want something for that help, won’t he?”

 

“He doesn’t want anything for that help.” At least she hoped not, but Simon had never done so in the past. “He’s been helping a couple centers already, so it’s quite possible that he’s thinking about one of those.”

 

Annie frowned at her. “You mean, like a women’s shelter?”

 

Kate nodded cautiously.