“Mick told me the guard tried to rape him.”

Foletta pinches the bridge of his nose with two stubby fingers, grinning sheepishly as he shakes his great head back and forth. “He set you up, Intern Vazquez. I told you he’s clever.”

Dominique’s stomach flutters. “You’re saying it was all a lie?”

“Of course. He’s preying on your maternal instincts, and he hit a grand slam.”

Dominique stares at her lap, dumbfounded. Was Mick lying? Was she really that gullible? Idiot! You wanted to believe him. You set yourself up.

“Intern, you’re not going to get very far with your patients if you believe everything they tell you. Next thing, he’ll have you convinced the world is coming to an end.”

Dominique sits back in her chair, feeling foolish.

Foletta sees the expression on her face and laughs out loud, causing his plump cheeks to turn red and dimple. He takes a breath, wiping tears from his eyes as he reaches into a cardboard box at the foot of the desk. He removes a bottle of scotch and two coffee mugs, pouring them each a shot.

Dominique drains the cup, feeling the liquid sear its way through her stomach lining.

“Feeling better?” The words, whispered and grainy, are spoken in a fatherly manner.

She nods.

“Despite what he tells you, Intern, I happen to like Mick. I don’t want to see him in solitary confinement any more than you do.”

The phone rings. Foletta answers it, eyeing her. “It’s one of the security guards. Says he’s waiting for you downstairs.”

Shit. “Could you tell him I’m tied up in an important meeting? Tell him I can’t make it tonight.”

Foletta relays the message, then hangs up.

“Doctor, what about Mick’s annual evaluation. Was that also a lie?”

“No, that was the truth; in fact it’s on my list of things to discuss with you. I know it’s a bit unusual, but I’ll need you to sign off on that.”

“What are you recommending?”

“That depends on you. If you can remain objective, then I’ll recommend that you stay on as his clinical psychiatrist during your stay here.”

“Mick’s suffering from sensory deprivation. I’d want him to have access to the yard, as well as the rest of our rehab facilities.”

“He just attacked you—”

“No he didn’t. He just got a little excited, and I panicked.”

Foletta leans back and stares at the ceiling as if weighing a great decision. “All right, Intern, here’s the deal. Sign off on my annual evaluation, and I’ll restore full privileges. If he improves, I’ll assign a full rehab team to Mick in January. Fair enough?”

Dominique smiles. “Fair enough.”

SEPTEMBER 22, 2012
MIAMI, FLORIDA