Chapter Thirty-Six

“Why don’t you believe me Steffy?” the older woman says from her bed. Her voice is slightly cracking.
“I’m sorry, mom,” Stephanie begins, “but there is no way that these can be dad’s. These have to be fake.” Stephanie shakes her head in disgust. “Who would do such a thing like this to you?”
Stephanie’s mom begins to tear up as Dr. Winters steps into the room, “Oh dear, what seems to be the problem?” she asks.
“My daughter thinks that I’ve lost my mind.”
“Mrs. Task, you have not,” Dr. Winters begins, but is cut off.
“Will you please call me Violet?” the woman asks while giving a bright smile.
“Why sure, Violet,” Dr. Winters says, “You are fine. You were, however, extremely dehydrated from being out in the sun wandering on the highway. Dehydration can do wonders on someone’s thinking ability at the time.” Dr. Winters turns to Stephanie and gives a wink.
“See mom, I told you that you were fine,” Stephanie says but her mom does not believe she said any such thing.
“You think I’m crazy,” Violet says as she reaches her hand out to Stephanie, “Give me those back!” The woman is clearly agitated.
“Hey,” Dr. Winters is surprised at the quick turn, “Now calm down. You don’t need to get all worked up again.”
Stephanie hands her mother the dog tags.
“What have you got there?” Dr. Winters asks.
“They are my husband’s dog tags. He gave them to me yesterday,” Violet looks at Stephanie as if posing a challenge and her daughter takes it.
“Dr. Winters, my father has been dead for years,” Stephanie says.
“Oh, I’m sorry dear.”
“You don’t understand,” Stephanie is not sure how to move forward, but just does anyway, “My dad is dead. He was buried with his dog tags around his neck.” Stephanie can see that Dr. Winters is starting to get the picture. “My mom here says that my dad gave those to her….yesterday.”
“I see….” Dr. Winters says, her voice trailing off.

Billy approaches the nurse’s station again and nods towards the guard, Ryan. “You’re all set, Ryan. Thank you. I’m good now.”
“O.K., no problem,” Ryan begins walking away, and adds, “if you need anything else just page me.”
“Will do,” Dr. Ramsey says before making his way over closer to Claire. “So, you left out the part about tampering with files, huh?”
Claire looks at the doctor and smiles, “So you talked to Officer Kirkland, huh?”
“I did.”
“Since I was not charged with anything , nor the fact that there is anything proving I tampered with files,” Claire looks Billy in the eye, “There is no immediate cause to fire me.”
“We will see about this,” Billy says. “I think the board here will have something to say about you being here at the Institute.”
“Well, until then,” Claire baits, “Enjoy your day Dr. Ramsey.” The woman smirks.