Page 31 of Savagely Yours
“Well, keep an eye on him for me, would you?”
“An eye or tabs?”
“An eye. If the occasion arises for tabs, keep tabs. See, that’s why I like you, Dez. You don’t care about being recognized or loved. That keeps you objective. I prefer that. I’m not a fan of bias.”
My entire role at the safe zone existed because of bias, but there was no use in pointing it out. Around here, mental gymnastics was seen as more of a norm than what it truly was: fear of cognitive dissonance.
“Am I dismissed?” I asked.
He tipped his head toward the door. “Dismissed.”
I returned to the main corridor and ran into LaSalle. At first, he uttered a quick, “Sorry.” When he noticed who he’d collided with, he paused and looked as if he wanted to say something, but I watched him actively chicken out before walking away.
I followed him until we were outside, far out of earshot of Cerner, and grabbed his shoulder to turn him around.
“Where is she?” I asked.
“Where is who?” the liar deflected.
“Don’t fucking play around with me. Back there, you wanted to tell me something. I know it’s about Larke Tapley. What is it?”
He lowered his voice. “Okay, okay. I overheard you talking to the cook. I don’t know where Larke is right this moment, but I was the one who escorted her after intake.”
“Where was she placed?”
“Sanitation.”
I wanted to destroy something.
Someone.
Luckily, right then, LaSalle had value.
“Why Sanitation?” I hissed. “She’s a former federal prosecutor. They could’ve put her in Admin, at least. Hell, she can do intake in her sleep.”
“But she’s unmarried and childless, Dez,” he argued. “No spouse or kids? She’s too much of a flight risk, and it increases the likelihood she might rebel. No one depends on her, and that’s what makes people tick—knowing someone needs you. Knowing there’s a life out there more important than your own that can be threatened if you fall out of line.”
I hated that bullshit justification.
Her family needed her.
I needed her more.
“I see.” I released his shoulder. “Thanks for that information, then. I really appreciate it, LaSalle.”
Like I knew they would, his eyes lit up, and I momentarily felt sorry for him. At some point in his life, he’d been neglected so profoundly that he would have sold his soul for a teaspoon of favor and an ounce of approval.
“I can keep an eye out,” he offered.
“Would you? It would mean a lot. I’m worried about her. I just…I need to see her. I was the head of her private security before all this. Not knowing where she is now? It makes me feel like I failed. You know how that is, right?”
He nodded. “I do.”
“I appreciate it, LaSalle.”
I gave his shoulder a brotherly pat and walked away.
“I won’t let you down,” he called after me.
