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Title: Riot
Author: Mary T. Kalnin
Email: Kalnin@seanet.com
Challenge #78: Steve gets caught in a prison riot
Summary: Steve goes into a prison to get a statement about an old
murder case and gets caught in a riot.
Rating: R for language, violence and threat of
rape
Warning: Prison slang is coarse
and prison riots are violent. Consider that
before you read this.
Disclaimer: The characters from the television show Diagnosis
Murder belong to CBS,
Viacom, Paramount and its creators and producers. They are: Lt.
Steve
Sloan, and Drs. Mark Sloan, Amanda Bentley and Jesse Travis. No
one is
making any money from this. The rest of the characters are mine.
The
characters of Avery Sutton and his sons, Captain Jack Herrera,
Dr. Elena
Martines and Eva Jackson are taken from the fan fiction Coming
Home. It is
not necessary to have read that to understand this. The clinical
trials
fictionalized for the story are in process and the names of the
drugs being
tested are real. California State Prison, Los Angeles County,
located in
Lancaster, CA, is real and part of the California Prison System.
Here is a dictionary of the slang that I've used:
Turn out: Force into sexual slavery
Shank: Sharp homemade prison weapon; also shiv, banger
Ad Seg: Solitary confinement for prison security or continual
rule infractions
Monster: HIV
Drop a dime: Inform on someone
Keep it real: Don't lie
12/12: To serve the whole sentence without parole
Fug: Cigarette
To be 187: Marked for death (Cal. Penal Code, sec. 187, murder)
Rat: Snitch
Rustle: Riot or disturbance
MTA: Medical technician
Convict: Prisoner who does his time with pride and integrity;
keeps his word to other prisoners; opposite to "inmate"
which is derogatory
Lockdown: Keeping the prison population locked in their cells for
a time to prevent a disturbance, or following one
Badge: Prison guard
The following URL is an online dictionary of cant (prison slang).
http://www.wco.com/~aerick/lingo.htm
The following URL is the information on the clinical trials.
http://excalibur.actis.org/cgi-bin/cqcgi.exe/@actis_10000.env?CQ_SESSION_KEY
=TTSHLBWRVHNF&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=4&CQ_AIDSTRIAL_LIST=YES&CQ_SAVE[GT]=G
Warning: Cant is coarse and
prison riots are violent. Consider that before
you read this.
Pt. 1
On Sunday, June 23, at 8:00 p.m., Los Angeles Police Lieutenant
Steve Sloan found himself on a downtown street corner. Narcotics
had received a tip and a phone number earlier that day, and
needed the help of a cop who wasn't well known among the dealers.
Steve was the only cop available; he had negotiated a buy over
the phone and was waiting to complete the transaction.
He saw Ed Curry approach and spoke softly into his mike:
"Heads up boys and girls; here we go."
Curry walked up and Steve made a textbook buy. As soon as the
money and drugs exchanged hands, Steve displayed his badge, and
his backup descended on the scene. Curry was arrested and taken
to the station for questioning. Since Steve made the bust, he was
unwilling to let the narcs interrogate Curry; he would do that
himself. Before he started he picked up the phone and called his
father, Dr. Mark Sloan:
"Dad, hi. I'll be home late. We made the bust and I'm about
to question the dealer, Ed Curry. See you tomorrow."
"All right, Steve. Tell me all about it tomorrow at
breakfast."
"I will. Bye."
Steve hung up and entered the interrogation room. "Here goes
nothing, he thought."
"All right, Curry, who are you dealing for?"
"Myself, pig."
"Yeah, right. That much snow? Try again."
"I told you, cop, myself. But I am willing to make a deal.
You want information on the Kingston murder seven years ago? I'll
give you the name of someone who knows, for the right
incentive."
"What's the right incentive?"
"Drop the charges."
"Hah! I don't need your info that much. We'll eventually
crack the case. You, however, need a deal right now, or it's five
years."
"Five years? Since when?"
"The laws got tougher. You keep forgetting your rap sheet
and that this is a whole lot of cocaine. I'll talk to the DA and
try for 18 months, and you give me this information you think is
so hot. Your choice. By the way, it' s Lt. Sloan."
Curry had hoped for a better deal, but he knew that he had no
choice.
"OK, Lt. Sloan, you win. Talk to Jonah Waters. He's doing
fifteen years in Lancaster."
"Jonah Waters? You've got to do better than that. He
couldn't possibly have done it. Waters is many things, but a
murderer is not one of them."
"I didn't say he did it; I said he knows about it. Hey, if
you don't want to solve an old murder, that's up to you. That's
my info. I kept my word; you keep yours."
Replied Steve distractedly: "Yeah, yeah." He left the
room and went to see his commanding officer, Captain Jack
Herrera.
"Captain, I got some interesting information from Curry, the
drug dealer I just busted. Says Jonah Waters knows something
about the Kingston murder seven years ago. You know the
case."
"Yeah, Sloan. That's the one we never solved. Every clue
turned into a dead end. What do you think?"
"I can't buy it. Waters never killed so why would he know? I
suppose that we should talk to him, though."
"You volunteering? Say, where is Waters, anyway?"
"Lancaster. At least it's not far from here."
"Steve, Lancaster is a powder keg. You know that it blew
three days ago."
"Yes, but it's in lockdown. I'll call the warden tomorrow
morning. I can get up there and back in about three or four
hours. Heck, I could be back in a couple of hours; Waters
probably won't rat anyone out anyway. By the way, who is the
warden?"
"Mike Johanson. Good man."
"Yeah, I heard that he runs a tight ship. It's funny that
things got out of hand. Well, the lockdown's a break and I'll
take a break whenever I can get it. Going into any prison isn't
my idea of fun, especially now."
"I understand. You want me to assign it to someone
else?"
"No, I'll do it. Oh, I told Curry that I'd see about a deal.
Will you take care of it tomorrow? I'm going to call Johanson
from home and leave from there."
"Be glad to, Steve. Take care. If you get up there and
something doesn't look right, don't go in. Among others you've
put behind bars, the Suttons are there."
"Oh, God. Well, I shouldn't run into them. See you later.
I'm going home and figure out how to tell dad."
"I'd almost like to hear that conversation."
"Want to join us for breakfast?"
Herrera replied with a chuckle: "No, thanks, I'm not up for
Mark Sloan, volcano."
"Chicken," said Steve with a smile.
"You bet. Good-night, Lieutenant."
"Good night, Captain."
As Steve left the precinct, he saw Curry on the phone.
"About time he called someone," Steve thought. Then he
shrugged and headed home.
"It's me, Curry. Yeah." Curry then allowed the jailer
to take him to his cell.
Night settled on a peaceful Malibu home and on a prison just
coming off lockdown.
Pt. 2
On Monday, June 24th, at 7:00 a.m., Steve Sloan's alarm clock
sounded its wake-up call. He reached out and silenced the
annoying beep, and lay in bed until he was fully awake. He
showered and dressed, all the while debating how to tell his
father that he was going into a prison to get a statement about a
seven-year old murder. Knowing that he would stay in the
administrative offices would not alleviate his father's fears;
Mark knew about prisons. Steve could tell Mark straight out and
hope that the shock would render his father speechless; he could
fidget and hem and haw, thus ensuring that Mark would see his
case of nerves. He decided to try the direct approach and headed
for the stairs. Mark had just sat down to breakfast as Steve
entered the kitchen:
"Hi, son. How are you this morning? Did the questioning go
well, last night?"
As Steve took his breakfast and some coffee he replied: "Hi,
Dad. Fine. Yes. It was a good bust and I got some interesting
information from the dealer."
"Oh? What kind?"
"Possible lead on a murder case from seven years back."
"Which one?"
"Kingston murder. Remember it? We could never solve it. Even
you were stumped."
"I do remember that. As I recall, you didn't stop needling
me for a month."
"Yeah, that was fun."
"Smart aleck. So what was the information?
"The dealer said that a convict by the name of Jonah Waters
knows something about it."
"A convict? Just a minute, son, are you telling me that you
are going into a prison? Steve, don't; they're hell on
earth."
"Dad, I don't have a choice. It'll be all right. I'll be in
the administrative offices."
"Which one?"
"The prison up in Lancaster. At least it's close."
"Lancaster? They had a riot three days ago! What's the
matter with Herrera?"
"Dad, it's in lockdown."
"So what? Something can go wrong."
Steve shrugged and said: "Dad, I interrogated the drug
dealer. He gave me the information. There's nothing I can do. I'm
going to call the warden now and see if I can talk with
Waters."
Steve dialed the warden's number and heard:
"California State Prison, Los Angeles County, warden
Johanson's office. May I help you?"
"This is Lt. Steve Sloan, LAPD. May I speak with Mr.
Johanson, please?"
"One moment, sir." After a short wait, Steve heard:
"Mike Johanson. What can I do for you, Lt. Sloan?"
"I have to talk to one of your prisoners, Jonah Waters. We
busted a drug dealer last night, and he says that Waters has
information about a murder."
"That's odd, Sloan. Waters is a burglar with a couple of
robbery beefs. Why would he have information about a
murder?"
"Yeah, I'm having trouble buying it, but I have to check.
Any chance of seeing him this morning?"
"Well, we have him in a single cell because he dropped a
dime on the ringleader of the riot."
"Waters ratted out a fellow prisoner? This is getting
stranger by the minute. Can you bring him to the administrative
offices? I really have to talk with him and I'd just as soon get
it over with. Prisons aren't my favorite places."
"Yeah, I bet. I'll have him up here around 10:00. You do
know that the Suttons are here?"
"Yeah. No chance that I'll run into them, is there?"
"No. Just wanted you to know."
"OK. I'll see you at 10:00. Thank you, Warden
Johanson."
"You're welcome. Glad to help. Good-bye."
"Good-bye."
Mark looked at his son and said:
"I take it that the warden agreed to this."
"Yes, dad. It would be odd if he hadn't."
"Steve, please rethink this."
"Dad, I can't and you know it. I won't be there all that
long. Even if Waters does know something, he won't tell me. I
should be in and out of there by 10:15."
"Steve, did you say Jonah Waters?"
"Yeah, why? Do you know him?"
"If I'm right, I treated his wife many years ago. He always
treated me with respect."
"Why did you say that Waters won't tell you anything?"
"He's a convict."
"So."
"A convict is a prisoner who does his time with pride and
dignity and keeps his word to his fellow convicts. I thought
you'd know that."
"I was on death row and I had other things on my mind, like
your life."
"And yours."
"Yeah. If Waters isn't going to give you anything, why
bother?"
"Have to, you know that."
"You know, I thought that we were through with this prison
business. Anybody you know in there? I heard you tell the warden
that you didn't want to see someone."
"Dad, there's always going to be somebody I put away in any
prison I go into. It was nothing."
"Steve, I heard you. It wasn't 'nothing.' Tell me."
"Dad, forget it."
"Steve, now."
"The Suttons are up there."
"Steve, if something goes wrong and they find you ... I
don't even want to think about it."
"Nothing will go wrong. I'll be careful. See you early this
afternoon, or maybe even before."
"I'll be at the hospital."
"Bye, dad."
Steve noticed that his father did not respond, but he had to get
on the road so he put it out of his mind. He took a couple of
bottles of water for the drive and left. Mark left for the
hospital about five minutes later, intent on telling his friends,
Drs. Amanda Bentley and Jesse Travis, about Steve's little trip.
Maybe they could help him stay calm.
At 8:30, Mark arrived at Community General and went directly to
the ER, hoping to find Jesse. He was there and, as luck would
have it, so was Amanda. Mark joined their conversation:
"Hi, Amanda, Jess. Are you two free for a little
while?"
"Sure, Mark, why?" replied Amanda. Jesse nodded
agreement.
"Come to the lounge with me." Mark walked off and they
followed, noticing that he was slightly agitated. As they entered
the lounge, Jesse questioned:
"Mark, you look troubled. What's wrong?"
"Steve just left for the prison up in Lancaster. He has to
interview a prisoner who supposedly has information about a
seven-year old murder."
Amanda interrupted: "Lancaster! You mean he's going into a
prison that just had a riot? Why now?"
Mark replied: "He said that now is the best time because the
prison's in lockdown. Steve also said that this guy is a convict,
which evidently means that he won't give Steve any information.
Steve said he figures to be in and out of there by 10:15, which
makes me wonder why he's making a hot drive for nothing. What's
even worse is that the Suttons are in there."
Jesse stared at Mark and said: "The Suttons? Oh, Mark, Steve
shouldn't be going anywhere near them. If something goes wrong
."
"That's what I said, Jess. Steve said that he shouldn't run
into them since they're all in their cells. Now you know why I'm
so nervous. Keep me company when you can?"
Jesse and Amanda replied together: "Of course, Mark."
They no more than said that when Amanda was called to a murder
scene and Jesse to the ER. Mark went with Jess, happy to be
needed and busy.
Pt. 3
Jonah Waters was about 6'5" tall, bald and muscular. He
commanded respect from prisoners, and when he spoke, they obeyed.
At 8:00, as he was eating breakfast in his cell, warden Mike
Johanson walked up and said:
"Waters, I got a call from Lt. Steve Sloan, LAPD, this
morning. He made a drug bust last night, and the dealer told him
that you have some information on an old murder case. Wants to
speak with you this morning. I told him that he could meet with
you in the Administrative Offices at around 10:00. We'll be back
around 9:45. I sure hope that he doesn't come all the way up here
for nothing."
Waters answered: "His business. He wants to come up here and
jaw at me, I can't stop him. You want to take me up to see him, I
can't stop you."
After Johanson and the guards left the area, Waters shook his
head. "Shit," he said to himself. "How the hell
did Sloan get into this? It should be a narc coming up here.
Well, he'll be in my custody before the next rustle."
While Steve was still fifteen minutes from the prison, an eerie
feeling crept over him. Something was not quite right. Waters
shouldn't know anything about a murder, and he sure as hell
shouldn't be ratting out fellow prisoners. Steve's every instinct
told him that something else was going on in that prison, and
that he should turn around. He chose to continue; he would decide
after he arrived whether or not he should interview Waters. Steve
turned the car radio to an "oldies" station and buried
his instincts in the music of his adolescence.
At 9:45 Warden Johanson and several guards returned to Waters'
cell and took him to the prison Administrative Offices. Several
of Waters' men had reported ill and were at sick call, as
arranged. Other prisoners were out in the recreation yard waiting
until the cop was admitted and in the offices; unfortunately the
chosen ringleader had relocated near the entrance to the
administration building and out of sight. Steve reached the
prison at 9:55 and pulled into the visitors' parking lot. He saw
the prisoners in the yard and was disturbed:
"What's going on? Oh well, I don't know anyone in the yard
so there shouldn 't be a problem. I'll talk to the guard at the
entrance." As he approached the guard at the entrance point,
he pulled out his badge and said:
"Hi. Lt. Steve Sloan, LAPD. I called this morning and I'm
here to see Jonah Waters."
The guard replied: "Good morning, Lieutenant. Your name is
right here. I need your weapon, badge, ID and cell phone."
As Steve surrendered them he said: "Why aren't you still in
lockdown?"
"We lifted it last night. Everything was quiet and we had
the ringleader. There was no reason to continue it. It's quiet,
don't worry."
Even as the guard was reassuring Steve, Avery Sutton and his sons
stood by the entrance to the administration building. Just as the
guard buzzed Steve through, Sutton dropped a cigarette and
signaled the start of another riot. The tumult took everyone by
surprise, giving Sutton and his sons enough time to grab Steve
and force him out of the building and into the building next
door. They locked and barred the door to an office and shoved
Steve against a wall. Sutton walked up to him and slapped his
face and said:
"Welcome to my place, Sloan, nice to see you. When I found
out you were coming to visit, I just had to change the plans a
little. I had to have a little welcome party for you. You'll be
delighted." Sutton turned to his sons and said: "Strip
him down to his shorts."
**************************
During the commotion at the entrance, Johanson and Waters were
looking out the window. Johanson turned to Waters and said:
"You better not be responsible for this. If that cop dies,
I'll kill you myself."
At that moment, Waters' henchmen burst into the office saying:
"What happened? We thought the rustle wasn't supposed to
start until Sloan was up here. Sutton dropped the fug
early."
Waters grabbed Johanson and shouted: "Sloan wasn't even
supposed to be here. It was supposed to one of the narcs. How the
hell did he get involved?"
Johanson said: "He was doing Narcotics a favor; they needed
a cop that none of the dealers knew and Sloan was the only one
available. He did the interrogation. You mean that you engineered
that buy? Johanson suddenly turned to Waters' man:
"Did you say Sutton started that riot?"
"So what?" replied Waters.
"You better hope Sutton doesn't have him, or you've just
signed Sloan's death warrant."
Waters flashed a look of inquiry to his buddies and they shook
their heads yes. He then said:
"Let's go. Do we know where they are?"
His right hand man, John James, answered: "First floor I
think. After they grabbed him, we lost them."
"We'll split up. If you find him get him up to the medical
unit. I'm not going to have my plans ruined." Then he
grabbed Johanson and said: "You're coming with us.
Move."
Waters, Johanson, James, and two more of Waters' men ran for the
first floor, while another group started to search the rest of
the administration building.
The guards put the riot plans into motion and called the
Department of Corrections offices in Sacramento. Once that call
was made, the media got wind of it. Every TV and radio station in
and near Lancaster and LA sent crews to the prison, and every
newspaper sent a reporter. Within one-half hour all stations were
breaking into their daily programming with the news.
***********************
Unfortunately, at that moment Mark and Jesse chose to take a
break, and Amanda had returned from the scene of the crime. Mark
picked up the remote and turned on the TV in the hospital
doctors' lounge to see what mindless entertainment was playing.
He saw the "Breaking News" logo for Channel 6 come on
the screen and turned up the sound so that they could hear:
"This is Peter Trent in the Channel 6 newsroom. There has
been another riot at the California State Prison in Lancaster.
All we know is that it started at 10:00 this morning. We have a
crew on the way, and we will begin continuous coverage as soon as
they arrive. Until then, we'll break in with news as we receive
it. Now back to our regular programming."
Amanda and Jesse glanced at each other and then turned to Mark,
who had turned white and was shaking. Jesse said:
"Mark, take it easy. We don't know what's happening. Steve
might have been delayed and might not be there. Maybe he sensed
something and didn't go in."
Mark arose and went to the window: "He'd have called me by
now, Jess. No, he's in there. Damn it, I told him not to go. I
might never forgive him for this one."
Amanda's mouth dropped open in shock: "Mark, you don't mean
that! You can't mean it!"
"Amanda, he knew that the Suttons were in there. I told him
it was dangerous. I told you that he said that the con he's
supposed to interview probably wouldn't say anything. I told him
not to go. I can't take this constant worry anymore." With
that Mark sank back into his chair: "This might be the one
that tears us apart. It'll be a long time before I get over
it."
Jesse said: "Mark, if the worst happens, you won't have to
worry about it."
"Jess, if the worst happens, you can bury him." Mark
left the room and went to check his patients. Jesse and Amanda
didn't see the tears.
Jesse said: "Amanda, do you think Mark means it? What are we
going to do?"
"I don't think so but we'll have to stay near Mark. When
this is over, we' ll have to play peacemakers. I'd guess that
Mark is worried and is using this for a shield. There'll be some
friction between them, but I think that we can see them through
it."
"Yeah. I'll go find Mark."
"Good idea, Jess. While you're doing that, I'll call Captain
Herrera. Maybe he knows something more." Amanda punched the
number for Herrera's office and heard:
"Captain Spencer. May I help you?"
"Captain Spencer? This is Medical Examiner Amanda Bentley
but I thought that this was Captain Herrera's number?"
"Dr. Bentley, it is. However he's working night shift this
month. Anything I can do for you?"
"Do you know anything about the riot at Lancaster? Lt. Sloan
is up there this morning and I want information. Don't stonewall
me or you'll regret it."
"Right now I only know what you know. Herrera's on his way
to the prison now. We don't know whether Sloan was inside or not.
I do know that his cell phone is off. I'll keep you informed, but
you'll probably get just as much information by watching TV.
What's your number?"
"213.555.6666. I want you to call me with all the
information that is not released. Good-bye."
She hung up and went to find Jesse and Mark.
Pt. 4
While Waters and his men were searching for Steve, Sutton was
beginning his assault on him. As his sons finished stripping him,
Sutton grabbed Steve and shoved him against the wall again. He
gently ran the side of his finger down Steve's cheek and said:
"Nice. Fresh meat. Clean, too. We'll all have a great time.
What's the matter, Lieutenant, cat got your tongue?"
Steve didn't reply so Sutton cuffed him.
"Talk, Sloan! Aren't you having a good time? Maybe I should
be a better host." Sutton picked up a shank and ran it
across Steve's chest, deep enough to draw blood. "There, now
we've made you welcome."
Steve still refused to speak. He figured that he wouldn't make it
out alive, so he resolved to remain as silent and as
uncooperative as possible. Steve thought about how much he loved
his dad, Amanda and Jesse; he hoped that Jess would remember the
envelope and do what he had asked. That decision made, he spat at
Sutton and took a fist in the abdomen in return. Sutton then
kicked him, sending a wave of pain through his body and forcing
him to his knees.
"Now, Sloan, aren't you having a good time?"
Steve spat again and Sutton kicked him again.
"You know, Sloan, you are a most ungrateful guest. All
right, boys, spread him on the table. We'll have our fun and then
we'll turn him out."
Joseph said: "Dad, Waters will kill us."
"Waters isn't here. I'm in charge. Sloan pays." He
pulled the cord from a desk lamp and whipped Steve with it and
his sons hit Steve once or twice with nightsticks. Then Steve
felt Sutton's hand on his shorts and he steeled himself for what
would follow.
"ENOUGH."
The sound of breaking glass and Waters' booming voice startled
everyone. Waters sprinted to the table and pulled Sutton away
from Steve, and pushed him into a wall. He helped Steve up,
taking stock of his wounds and bruises, and had James help Steve
into his slacks. He turned to old man Sutton and said:
"You miserable, fucking son of a bitch! I thought you were a
convict! You' re an inmate and a lousy one at that! You turn your
back on your fellow prisoners for a little revenge!"
Sutton replied defiantly: "Sloan put my son in here, and
then his old man put me and my other sons in here. He dies."
"Like hell he does. I have plans for him. Sloan, I can see
the wounds and bruises, did anyone rape you?"
Steve looked at Waters, unsure if he should trust him, but he
took a chance. He replied:
"No. Sutton and his sons hit me, cut me, whipped me, and
kicked me. Just before you came in I felt Sutton's hand on my
shorts; they were going to gang rape me and let anyone else who
wanted me have me."
He turned to his men and said:
"James, Jones, take Sloan up to the medical unit and have
the MTA check him over and dress his wounds. Draw a blood sample
to send for testing with the rest of them. Then let him rest.
I'll be up and we'll get on with it."
Steve hesitated a little but James said to him softly:
"Come." For reasons he didn't quite understand, Steve
felt at ease and went with him. After they left the office,
Waters turned to the rest of his men and gave an order that made
them shudder:
"Take names. Put the word out that Sutton and his boys are
187. Also tell everyone that Sloan and Johanson are hostages and
that we'll call with demands later. Make sure that Channel 6 out
of LA is here, and get the word out that I want them involved.
Sloan's old man should be watching. Now, boys, bring these
bastards along and get blood samples from each of them.
Then you can let them go. We'll see how long they last."
Waters picked up the shank and everyone moved to the prison
medical unit.
*******************************************************
The clock in the Community General doctors' lounge struck 11:00.
Mark had returned and flipped on the TV. Channel 6 was just
breaking in again with news. Mark turned up the volume and heard:
"This is Peter Trent for Channel 6 news. Reporter Joyce
McGill is now on the scene at the prison in Lancaster and we'll
start our continuous coverage. Joyce, do you have any more
information on the riot? Are there any hostages?"
"Peter, we've just had a statement from a Department of
Corrections spokeswoman. The riot started at 10:00. Nobody knows
what started it. The spokeswoman said that a Los Angeles police
officer was just entering the administration building when the
disturbance began. He was taken hostage but we know nothing
except his name. He is identified as homicide detective Lt. Steve
Sloan. Corrections officials think that Lt. Sloan is alive and
unhurt. The prison warden, Mike Johanson, is also among the
hostages. Other hostages are in the medical unit and are unhurt.
The word is that the ringleader, one Jonah Waters, will be
calling with demands, but we don't know when. I understand that
it may be some time before he calls. I have been told that Waters
wants to us to be the intermediary, and I have told the prison
officials that we will do as he wishes. The hostages' lives
evidently depend on it. Peter, I see Captain Jack Herrera from
the Los Angeles Police Department; let me try to get a statement.
Captain Herrera, why have you come? Can you lend some specific
aid in this situation?"
"Ms. McGill, I'm here because Lt. Sloan is one of my men. He
came up here to get a statement from Waters about an old murder
case. I have no more information than you have. I'll be here
until this ends but leave me alone. If I have news that I can
share with you, I will, but my only concern is Lt. Sloan's
life."
Mark laughed in derision, "Yeah, Jack. Sure it is."
Amanda and Jess entered the lounge and decided to stay with Mark
throughout the ordeal. Mark turned his gaze to the outside;
Amanda and Jesse continued to watch the coverage.
Pt. 5
It was 11:30 before Waters and his coterie finally reached the
prison medical unit, dragging Sutton and his sons along. When
they entered, Waters told one of the medical technicians to take
blood samples from the "Sutton gang" and prepare them
to be sent with the others, and to send the shiv as well. Since
the MTA was a prison employee and not a prisoner, he looked
quickly at Johanson. Johanson signaled "yes" and said:
"The samples have to go with Lt. Sloan's. It's a medical
matter."
Waters saw James emerge from the infirmary and asked:
"Sloan OK?"
"Yeah. He's lying down. He's in some pain but we didn't give
him anything."
"Later. Right now I want to talk to him."
"He's not saying much. He only gives one-word answers."
"No surprise. Let's go, Johanson. We'll talk to him
together."
"Waters, before I help you, what are you going to do to
him?"
"Nothing. The cop was never a target. Since it is Sloan,
however, it will be easier to get his old man's attention, which
is what I want."
"What's going on here?" replied Johanson.
"When I'm ready. For all I know you're part of it, and if
you are, you go down."
"Part of what?"
"Faking test records on the clinical trials and selling the
drugs."
"What?"
"Later, let's go."
They entered the hospital area and pulled chairs next to Steve's
bed. Johanson started the conversation:
"Lieutenant, I'm sorry. Are you all right?"
"No." He looked at Waters and said: "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why engineer all of this to get me up here?"
"You weren't supposed to come. It was supposed to be a narc.
And whoever came sure as hell wasn't supposed to end up in
Sutton's hands."
"What made you so sure that Narcotics wouldn't turn it over
to Homicide?"
"I was counting on the narc wanting the information so that
he could gloat when he gave you the solution to the case."
"You really don't know anything about the Kingston murder,
do you?"
"No. Don't worry. As long as nobody gets trigger happy,
you're not in danger anymore."
"Why did you stop Sutton?"
Turning away from Steve's gaze, Waters replied: "That
bastard was screwing up my plans. I gave my word that I would get
to the bottom of it and I needed a cop. Simple as that."
"All right but there's something else or you would look me
in the eye. What is it?"
"I owe your old man. Leave it at that."
"All right. What is the 'it' you want to get to the bottom
of?"
Johanson responded: "Some of the prisoners are taking part
in clinical trials for a new HIV treatment. Waters says that
someone is faking the results and selling the drugs. Where, on
the outside?"
"Yeah. We got no beef about those brothers who were supposed
to get the placebo. We knew going in that some would. But
everyone is getting that fucking sugar pill. No matter what the
results say, nobody is getting better. I gave my word to them.
I'll keep it."
Just then they heard a gunshot. Johanson and Steve looked at
Waters and Steve said:
"What was the gunshot?"
Johanson replied: "Probably one of the Suttons. Waters put a
contract on them. It's started already. But with what?"
"Weapons from the badges we have in custody. Those bastards
turned their backs on us. Now they pay. Johanson, you telling me
that you aren't happy knowing the Suttons are going down? After
this morning?"
"No. But you never heard it from me."
"Deal."
Steve said: "How do you know about the trials? Don't tell me
that the doctor was stupid enough to keep two sets of
records?"
"No, but one of the prisoners assigned up here saw the real
drugs going out of here in the doc's briefcase. Then he started
checking the pills and we' ve got those records. Plus, we have
blood samples from those involved."
"When were they taken?" asked Steve.
"This morning. That's why I needed a cop. The plan is to get
your old man up here. Him I can trust to do the right thing. When
he gets here, you and I are going to take those samples and
records out to him. Once he gets them analyzed he'll see that I'm
right. We'll also take your sample and the Suttons' and the shiv
and he can get those tested, but I don't think you have to worry.
None of them have the Monster. I know that your old man will come
back with enough cops to make this right. When he does, you go
home."
Steve questioned again: "How far up you figure it
goes?"
"I thought to Johanson here but now I'm not so sure. You in
on it, Johanson? You might as well keep it real. We'll find out
if you're lying."
"No, I'm not. I just read and sign the results. Assistant
Warden Pike is my liaison to the doctor."
Waters studied Johanson's face and decided that he was telling
the truth. Then he said:
"All right, Johanson. Work with me and prove it."
Johanson replied: "OK, Waters. If what you say is true, I
want it stopped."
Steve said: "You're right about my dad. He won't like this
one bit, and he 'll stop it. Let me see the information on the
trials."
Waters called for Jones who brought it in. Steve read: "A
blind study to determine if the addition of capravirine (AG1549)
to a regimen of Viracept (nelfinavir mesylate) and 2 nucleoside
reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTs) not previously taken will
increase the percentage of patients achieving plasma HIV-1 RNA
levels below 400 copies/ml at week 24. Group 1 receives a low
dose of AG1549, Group 2 receives a high dose of AG1549 and Group
3 receives the placebo. The doctor knows who is in each group but
the participants do not."
"OK. I don't understand the meds, but I get the idea of the
study. What week of the study are the participants in, and how do
we know that there should be some improvement?"
"We're at week 28. Results from all the other test sites
show improvement. I'm going to call Channel 6 now. In a half-hour
they'll have a crew at the hospital. He is there isn't he?"
"He should be."
"Good, they'll relay what I say. I want to see your father
on camera. Then I'll let you rest until he gets here. After you
deliver the blood samples, I'll let the MTA give you a painkiller
and you can sleep until he's back. It'll be hours."
At 12:05 pm Waters picked up the telephone in the medical unit
and dialed the number to reach the Department of Correction's
negotiator. Upon reaching him, Waters said:
"Let me talk to McGill. I have my demands ready."
"Waters, this is Dan Page from the DOC. Let the hostages go.
We'll talk. At least let Lt. Sloan go. He can't help you."
"He's the only one who can. Put McGill on now or you'll
regret it. Johanson's up here, too."
Waters turned on the TV and saw Page hand the phone to McGill.
"This is Joyce McGill, Mr. Waters. What do you want?"
"I want you to relay what I say next, and I want to see
it."
"All right."
"The situation is this. We hold the prison and we'll keep it
no matter what. I'm holding Sloan with me in the medical unit,
and he's been hurt. Johanson is up here, too. Some of the
brothers are participating in clinical trials for a new HIV drug
and they're being screwed. Everybody is getting the sugar pill
and I can prove it. I want your station to send a reporter and
camera crew to Community General Hospital and talk to the cop's
old man, Dr. Mark Sloan, on camera. I want him up here to receive
the proof and have it analyzed. He'll see I'm right. When he does
the right thing, I 'll release Sloan. Not before."
Herrera handed McGill a note and she said:
"Mr. Waters, let me speak with Lt. Sloan and Warden
Johanson. I have to hear their voices before we go further."
"All right." Waters handed the phone to Johanson who
said:
"Ms. McGill, this is Johanson. I'm fine. Do as he
says." Johanson then handed the phone to Steve.
"Ms. McGill, this is Lt. Sloan."
"Are you all right, Lieutenant? Waters said that you were
hurt. Are you badly injured?"
"I'm hurt, but not badly. I'll live. Please do as Waters
asks. I don't know how long he'll wait."
"We will, Lt. Sloan. A crew is on the way to Community
General now. They'll speak with your father."
Waters took back the phone and said: "I'll be watching the
proceedings from now on."
"We'll do as you say, Mr. Waters. It will take a little time
to set up, but we'll do it as quickly as possible.
Good-bye."
Waters hung up and turned to Steve. "What was with that last
sentence? I told you that you are in no danger."
"I know, but they don't know that. If I hadn't said it they
might have thought that they could stall. If what you say is
true, those samples need analysis."
"Not to mention the fact that you'd like to get out of
here."
"Does that surprise you?"
"No. I don't blame you."
Johanson interjected: "Waters, you're going to end up in Ag
Seg for this, not to mention the extra time on your sentence. And
you will do 12/12 for sure. You know that."
"Once this is over it don't matter where you put me. I kept
my word to those men. They may be cons, but they deserve to have
the trials run straight."
"True," responded the warden.
*************************
At Community General Hospital in Los Angeles, Mark, Amanda and
Jesse snapped alert when McGill started to relay Waters' message.
Jesse and Amanda gasped when they heard of Steve's injuries, but
Mark said nothing. When the report ended and the station returned
to rehashing the day's events, Amanda turned to Mark and said:
"You'd better get ready, Mark. That crew will be here
soon."
"Who cares?" replied Mark. "I told you that this
was the last straw. I told him not to go."
"Mark," said Jess, "you really aren't going to
leave him there! Besides, you know that you're intrigued by the
accusations about the clinical trials. You can't stand that kind
of dishonesty."
"You deal with it, Jesse. I can't take this anymore. I'm too
old."
"Mark, Waters specified you. If I try, Waters might kill
him."
"He'll die anyway. If he's been hurt there was probably
blood and maybe rape. If any one of the cons has AIDS, Steve will
eventually get it."
Amanda said: "And you don't want him around. Too dirty,
huh?"
"You said it."
"Gee, I see all those HIV/AIDS patients you treat with
compassion and care. Guess your son doesn't even count as one of
those."
Jess erupted in anger: "Mark, if you're going to keep up
this stupid charade instead of admitting that you're scared to
death for him and desperately want him home, at least give me a
chance to pull this off. Let me put you in a room with a security
guard and say that you're incapacitated. I won't let him die in
that godforsaken place."
Mark turned on Jess in anger. "How dare you assume you know
what I feel, what I think! I told him not to go!"
"Mark," said Amanda, "we've been together too
long. You love him and you know it. If you are too upset to go,
fine, but don't prevent Jess from getting him back. You know as
well as I that you want him home."
Mark finally sighed and said: "You win, Amanda. You know me
too well. But he and I are going to have a long talk when this is
over. I really can't take too much more of this. And, Jess,
you're right about those trials. Let's go. That crew is probably
here by now."
Pt. 6
Mark, Amanda and Jesse walked into the hospital lobby just as the
crew from Channel 6 arrived. They approached the reporter, Marty
Hauge, who said:
"Good afternoon, Dr. Sloan. I'm Marty Hauge from Channel 6
and my camera operator is Linda Tucker. Have you seen the
reports? Are you aware of your son's capture and Waters'
demands?"
"Yes, Mr. Hauge. I'd like you to meet Medical Examiner Dr.
Amanda Bentley, and Dr. Jesse Travis, head of Community General's
ER."
"Hello, Dr. Bentley, Dr. Travis. May I ask why you are
here?"
Jess replied: "We're friends of the Sloans and we're here
for moral support."
"All right. Dr. Sloan, Linda is ready. Let's go." Hauge
raised his mike and, when the camera's light went on, said:
"This is Channel 6 news broadcasting from Community General
Hospital in Los Angeles. I'm Marty Hauge and with me are Dr. Mark
Sloan, father of Lt. Sloan, and Dr. Amanda Bentley and Dr. Jesse
Travis, friends of the family. Dr. Sloan, are you aware that your
son is a hostage and of the demands from Jonah Waters?"
"Yes, Mr. Hauge, I saw the broadcast from the prison."
"Are you going to comply with Waters' demands and go to
Lancaster?"
"Yes, but I want Dr. Travis to accompany me. I'm too upset.
Waters, if you're watching this, do you agree? Jesse will be of
help in this. Call me at 213.555.6688 now."
In the prison, Waters looked at Steve and said: "Is your old
man telling the truth? This Travis is a doctor and a friend? He's
not really a cop?"
Steve replied: "Yes, Waters, he is a friend and he is a
physician. He's a trauma surgeon and the head of the ER at
Community General. If dad says that he's upset, he is. Let Jesse
come. There won't be any funny business."
"There better not be." Waters picked up the phone and
dialed the number Mark gave him. Mark's cell phone rang and he
picked it up:
"Sloan. Waters, is that you?"
"Yeah, Doc. OK, bring the kid. No funny business or your son
pays the price."
"There won't be any funny business. Thanks."
Hauge finished the interview: "Dr. Sloan, we know that you
are anxious about your son's condition and would like to get to
Lancaster as quickly as possible. We are making the Air6 news
helicopter available to you. It will arrive shortly."
"Thank you, Mr. Hauge. I appreciate it, but I don't think
that Waters will like anybody else with us."
"There won't be anybody in the chopper except you, Dr.
Travis and the pilot. We are not interested a scoop. We only want
you to have the fastest transportation possible."
"Thank you very much. Let's go to the helipad. I want to
leave as soon as the helicopter arrives."
They relocated to the helipad just as the Air6 chopper landed.
Mark finally turned to the camera and said:
"Waters, I'm on my way. I want to see him when we arrive.
Then I'll take your proof and have it checked. If you are right,
I'll see that it's fixed." Mark and Jesse got into the
copter and it took off.
Hauge signed off: "There you have it, ladies and gentlemen.
Dr. Sloan is en route to Lancaster. We return you now to Joyce
McGill in Lancaster."
***************************
Inside the prison Waters and Johanson arose and left Steve to
rest. They went into the exam area and began to talk and keep an
eye on the coverage. Within thirty seconds another shot rang out.
Johanson shuddered and shut his eyes for a moment.
"Who was that?"
"Joseph, probably."
**********************************
McGill heard Hauge send the story back to her, so she picked up
her mike and turned to the camera.
"This is Joyce McGill reporting from California State
Prison, Los Angeles County in Lancaster. We are awaiting the
arrival of Dr. Mark Sloan, the chief of Internal Medicine at
Community General Hospital, and the father of hostage Lt. Steve
Sloan. Waters has told us that he will not communicate with us
until Dr. Sloan arrives. Then he will tell us what to do. We'll
take this time to recap for those who have just joined us. This
morning, at 10:00, a second riot broke out at the prison here in
Lancaster. Lt. Steve Sloan, from the Los Angeles Police
Department, had just entered the prison and was taken hostage.
Warden Johanson is also being held hostage, as are medical and
secretarial staff. Lt. Sloan has been injured, but has assured
this reporter that he will be all right. The response team from
the Department of Corrections has secured the area outside the
prison and we are in the middle of a standoff. We have heard two
gunshots within the hour, but do not know who the victims were.
Here is Dan Page, the negotiator for the state. Let's see if
he'll give us a few minutes:
Mr. Page, can you answer a few questions for the viewers?"
"Yes, Ms. McGill."
"Mr. Page, do you know anything about these accusations of
dishonesty in the clinical trials?"
"Ms. McGill, I know only that some of the prisoners were
involved in a study for a new HIV treatment. Today is the first
time that I have heard of irregularities in that study. The
reports submitted by Dr. Harvey Lincoln, prison physician,
indicated that the results are in line with the rest of the study
groups. I'm afraid that I'll have to wait until this is over and
Dr. Sloan's tests are complete. I can tell you that, if there are
irregularities, the Department of Corrections will investigate
and prosecute the guilty parties."
"Do you have any further information on Lt. Sloan's
condition?"
"I know only what you know. We have called the medical unit,
but Waters does not answer."
"Do you know anything about the gunshots?"
"No. Ms. McGill, I understand that everyone is interested in
these events, but I have no other information. I will certainly
give a press conference when I have information, and, of course,
when the standoff has ended and the hostages are released."
"Thank you Mr. Page. We have been speaking with Dan Page,
the negotiator for the Department of Corrections. I have just
been informed that Peter Trent has prepared a profile of Lt.
Sloan. We return you to the studio. Peter, are you ready?"
"Yes, Joyce. We have a short profile of Lt. Sloan, for you.
Lt. Steven Sloan is a native Southern Californian. He was raised
in Malibu and he and his father still reside there. Lt. Sloan was
educated at UCLA and was a member of the football team for
several years. He served in the Army in Vietnam in 1972.
Following his discharge, he spent several years on the racing
circuit and was moderately successful. He joined the police force
sixteen years ago and rose quite quickly through the ranks to his
present position as a homicide detective. His father, Dr. Mark
Sloan, is a consultant to the Los Angeles Police Department and
they have solved a number of high-profile cases. Several years
ago, Lt. Sloan was almost killed in a violent attack, and his
father unjustly convicted of murder, in a twisted tale of revenge
and theft. Lt. Sloan has survived several other murder attempts.
He has received numerous citations for bravery and courage under
fire. He is known as a "straight arrow" and
incorruptible. On the lighter side, Lt. Sloan, his father and a
friend, Dr. Jesse Travis, are the owners of BBQ Bob's, a
wonderful little restaurant. This reporter speaks from
experience. Best ribs this side of Texas. For you ladies, the
Lieutenant is still very single and very available. I have just
had word that Dr. Sloan has arrived at the prison. We now return
you to Joyce McGill in Lancaster. Joyce, can you hear me?"
"Yes, Peter. Drs. Sloan and Travis have just arrived. They
are getting out of Air6 now and walking to the prison entrance.
The guards are stopping them there. Mr. Waters, if you are
watching, please contact me. Let us know what happens next."
Inside the prison Waters and Johanson arose and went into the
hospital area. Waters said:
"Sloan, your old man is here. It's time. Johanson, call off
the guards. You are going with us. No tricks or Sloan dies."
"Waters, I'm not likely to play games now. Make your call
and then I'll talk to Page."
Waters picked up the phone and dialed McGill's phone.
"McGill, this is Waters. Sloan, Johanson and I are coming
out to meet Dr. Sloan. We'll turn the evidence over to Dr. Sloan
only. Tell Page to keep those tower guards under control. CHP
better not interfere, either. Here's Johanson."
"Ms. McGill, this is Warden Johanson. Let me talk to Mr.
Page." McGill handed Page the phone.
"Mike, this is Dan. Are you OK?"
"Yes. Dan, you know that Lt. Sloan was injured, but he
should be OK. Sloan, Waters and I are coming out. Waters will
have a shank at Sloan's back. No tricks, Dan. No shooting. Sloan
will be carrying the evidence for his father and Dr. Travis. Let
him be."
"Mike, I can ."
"Don't. Or you can explain to Dr. Sloan just why his son is
bleeding to death in the yard. Then you can explain it to Sloan's
boss. Then you can kiss your job good-bye. Besides, I think
there's something to the accusations. Track down Assistant Warden
Pike and Dr. Lincoln and sit on
them. We'll be out shortly."
"Right, Mike."
Within five minutes Steve, the warden and Waters exited the
medical building. They walked through the yard to the entrance
where Mark and Jesse were waiting. When they arrived, Mark began
the conversation:
"Steve, are you OK? How badly are you hurt?"
"I'm not OK now, but I will be when you get back. The
Suttons heard that I was the officer coming and the old man
changed the plans. He was supposed to wait until the cop was with
Waters before the starting the riot. He started early and grabbed
me. He took me to another building and cut me enough to draw
blood. He took a lamp cord and whipped me with it. He hit
me and kicked me."
Jesse interjected: "Steve, where?"
"Where do you think? Then he and his sons started to beat me
with nightsticks. They were going to gang rape me and let anybody
who wanted to get a cop have me. There was blood around."
"Son, were you?"
"No. They had me spread eagle on my stomach, stripped to my
skivvies, and had just stopped hitting me with nightsticks; the
old man had just put his hand on my shorts when Waters and his
men broke in and stopped it. Waters sent me up to the medical
unit where the medical technician dressed the cuts and lashes.
I've been resting ever since."
"Steve," asked Jess, "Are you in pain?"
"Some. After you and dad head back to Community General,
he'll let me have a painkiller so I can sleep until you return.
I'm kind of drained."
"I'll bet."
"Jess, the envelope?"
"I remember, but only if it's necessary. It won't be."
"Son, what envelope?"
"Something I asked Jess to do for me if I were ever
killed."
"Steve, please don't scare me."
"Don't worry about it. Somehow I believe Waters when he says
that, as long as nobody tries anything, I'm not in danger."
Steve handed Mark a container of blood samples, instructions on
the clinical trials, the results of the analysis of the pills the
prisoners were receiving, and a list of prisoners and their
medical files."
"Steve," said Jess, "what's in the other case of
blood samples?"
"One from me and from each of the Suttons."
"I thought you weren't raped."
"I wasn't. Precaution. The shiv is what Sutton used to cut
me. The blood is mine. I'm not quite sure what Waters expects you
to find on it, but I think he wants it checked for HIV."
"Steve ." said Mark.
"I know, dad, but do it anyway."
"OK. We'll be back as soon as we can. What's your take on
the accusations?"
"I think they might be true. Water seems awfully intent on
your being involved and doing the analysis."
"Son, I want to talk to Waters."
Waters walked up to the gate and his eyes met Mark's. "Hi,
doc. It wasn't supposed to be your son. It was supposed to be a
narc."
"I know. We'll be back as soon as we can. Let him sleep,
please."
"I will. He'll be OK. Nobody will hurt him. Anybody who
wants to try goes through me and my men."
"What happens to you after this is over?"
"Ad Seg at least. Probably another five years. But it don't
matter. I kept my word."
Just then a third shot rang out. Mark jumped and his eyes focused
on Steve. "Jonah, what was that?"
"Payback. Don't worry, your son isn't the target."
"OK. Steve, we'll be back."
"I know, dad."
Mark and Jesse turned to leave, and then Mark looked back. Father
and son exchanged looks. As always, they let their eyes do the
talking, but Steve wasn't quite sure what he saw there. Mark was
about to enter the helicopter when Captain Herrera approached
him.
"Dr. Sloan ."
"Herrera, don't say anything. Just make sure that nobody
gets trigger happy."
"All right."
Mark and Jesse entered the helicopter and it took off for
Community General. Steve, Waters and Johanson re-entered the
medical unit. As promised, Waters had the MTA give Steve a
painkiller and he drifted off. Waters and Johanson sat near
Steve's bed and talked.