I was trained for both. And I was good at my job. But this case was unique, for obvious reasons.
“I trust this with you, Kloe,” James said, gaining my attention away from the photographs. “You do understand how much this could further your career if you get it right?”
I had to bite my bottom lip to stop my mouth from falling open at his statement. This wasn’t about my career; none of my cases ever were. But James only seemed to want to better his career, his selfish reasons of cash bonuses and glorification for taking cases more important than the person we were trying to help. I’d never really liked James. From the moment I’d started working for the private clinic four years ago he’d always come across as selfish and creepy, his wandering eyes making my skin crawl. But I loved my job. The joy that came with each successful outcome made the leers and the red tape involved more than worth it.
To watch a once violent or repressed person rehabilitate, regain their confidence and begin their lives again, some going on to have families and jobs was the best feeling in the world. Knowing I’d helped them to cope with their demons was worth more than my wages alone.
And, without sounding conceited, I’d achieved just that with all the men and women under my care. To me, failing them wasn’t an option. I couldn’t and wouldn’t let them down. And I’d had some tough cases over the years. Some that had tested me to my very limits.
But none would ever test me like Judd Asher.
BETTY SMILED WIDELY AT ME when I flashed my badge at the security guy and stepped into the hospital room accommodating my newest patient, Judd Asher, the man everyone wanted access to going by the size of the crowd that had gathered outside the hospital.
Judd’s name, face, life story – or what was known of it – and even speculation over his condition was on every TV news show and internet site, and every newspaper and radio station in the country. It was big news, people wanting to know what he was like and what the Dawsons had done to that four-year-old boy for the past twenty-one years. However, when my gaze slowly found the popular man, it wasn’t intrigue or even curiosity I felt. It was anger and grief.
“I’m glad you’re taking him, Kloe,” Betty said, directing my stare away from the sedated man laid peacefully on the hard hospital bed. I had to wonder, though, if he’d ever slept in a bed before. “He needs someone willing to give him patience. You’re the only one I know that handles all their patients with that level of composure.”
I smiled genuinely at the nurse I dealt with often, many of my cases first starting in her care before they moved on to mine. “How’s he doing?”
She blew out a breath, her sad eyes moving back to Judd as she shook her head. “He’s a mess, Kloe. I’ll admit, never seen anything like this one. The poor love.”
I nodded, agreeing with her. “Your initial assessment?”
She handed me some papers to glance over as she shared her observations with me. “Extremely withdrawn but violent, hence why he’s currently under sedation for both his safety and ours.”
I nodded again, grimacing at Judd’s basic obs, his weight especially. The poor man was seriously underweight.
“He’s awfully malnourished. I’d even go so far as to say he’s never had a proper meal in his life. When he was brought in he was struggling to walk. Whether that was due to weak bones from lack of nutrients or just because he’d been locked up we have yet to determine. X-rays show a total of fourteen broken bones that have healed over time without medical attention.”
I hissed out a swear word under my breath, taking a step closer to Judd. Frowning, I gently ran my fingers over the bandages around his wrists, my gaze slipping to identical ones around his ankles.
“He was found chained up, Kloe.”
I shot her a glance. “Wrists and ankles?”
She nodded. “Yeah, skin and flesh is severely infected. As is his back.”
“His back?”
She inhaled deeply through her nose, the faint whistle loud in the silence that had descended around us. “Various welts. Some old, some new.”
“He’s been thrashed?” I couldn’t keep the shock out of my voice and Betty flinched.
“Yeah. We’ve been pushing antibiotics into him, but it’s the deeper wounds I’m more concerned for.”
My stomach twisted with anger. My mind was full of the horrors of what that poor four-year old boy had gone through over the years.
“There’s something else,” Betty whispered, the chilling tone her voice had dropped to making my skin break out with goosebumps.
She came to stand beside me, her fingers curling around my wrist as she looked sorrowfully at her patient. “His anus is severely bruised. There were hints of old semen present as well.”
Closing my eyes I groaned in frustration. “Jesus.”
“I have a feeling his rehabilitation is going to test you, Kloe. But I have every faith now I know you’ll be the one taking his hand and guiding him to the other side.”
“You make me sound like an angel.” I couldn’t help but chuckle as I wrapped an arm around my friend and hugged her with appreciation.
“You are,” she replied with a soft smile. “To so many you really are.”
I wasn’t sure I agreed with her but I returned her smile. “I’ll say something, Betty. If those bastards who had him weren’t already dead, I’d gut them myself.”
“You and me both,” she answered as I placed my bag onto the bed table and rolled up my sleeves.
Knowing what I was doing, Betty proceeded to fill a small bowl with warm water and handed me a washcloth, soap and a towel. I always preferred to wash my patients myself, with Betty’s supervision as was hospital policy. To me, it was the start of my care and the beginning of their recovery. It also allowed me to study any injuries, old or new, that each had.
Yet for some strange reason, seeing Judd dirty and the revolting smell of his body odour saddened me even more. He was a grown man. He would have his pride, battered or not.
His long blonde hair was the first of my careful bathing. Usually, the hospital or clinic hairdresser would come along and cut it, but strangely, I liked Judd’s long, thick hair, even if it was dirty and matted. After washing it twice then brushing through it the best I could, I fixed it on top of his head in a trendy man bun. I had to question if he was even aware of what was fashionable – I doubted it.
I trimmed his long beard, leaving quite a bit still embellishing his extremely handsome face that had been hidden underneath. He had the longest eyelashes I had ever seen. They fell onto prominent cheekbones, of course due to his lack of nourishment. His pale lips were full, and somewhat surprisingly, his teeth were exceptionally white and healthy. Betty said it was due to never having sugar or acidy food and drinks. I understood that, but I couldn’t help smiling at the small positive for him.
Washing his body made my jaw clench in agony when I came across different wounds. His skinny form was covered in bruises, scars and recent injuries, each one trying to tell me his story and bringing out a rage I’d never felt before.
What the hell had those people done to him?
Eventually, with fresh sheets and pyjamas and smelling a whole lot better, Judd looked a damn sight more human.