Tin Man Fic: Sin District Slayer 6/6
Title: Sin District Slayer 6/6 + Epilogue
Author: gatechic
Characters/Pairings: Wyatt/Adora, baby Jeb, and some OCs.
Rating: PG-16
Summary: Just a few years on the force, Tin Man Wyatt Cain becomes the next target of Sin District’s notorious serial killer.
Spoilers: Pre-series. None for the mini-series - that I know of - yet.
Word Count: 2,891
Disclaimer: Tin Man characters belong to the SciFi Channel, RHI, Steven Long Mitchell and Craig W. Van Sickle. The OCs are mine. No copyright infringement is intended and I’m not making a penny off of this.
A/N: This is a completed WIP. I would like to thank erinm_4600 for her mad beta skills and her comments for they make me laugh.
Prologue||Chapter 1||Chapter 2||Chapter 3||Chapter 4||Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Two police cruisers rushed down the streets of Central City, with sirens blaring and the blue lights casting a pulsing hue on the buildings as they passed by. Adora sat in the back of one of the cruisers, oblivious to the sirens and the voices trying to speak comforting words to her.
She felt numb and disconnected from the world around her. She was in a nightmare and she was scared. Could she be strong for him? Would he be strong enough to survive? What would she and Jeb do without him?
From a distance, Adora saw the lights of the hospital and then she spotted all the police cars, also with flashing blue lights on the tops. It was common to see officers descend on the hospital, like flies at a picnic whenever a fellow officer was injured, but she never imagined there would be so many.
The patrol car stopped at the entrance to the emergency room and, when the door to the patrol car opened, officers were at her side as soon as she was helped from the back seat, and then they rushed her inside the emergency room.
There was a sense of chaos inside the room and officers lined the hallway, giving her nods, words of encouragement, a soft touch on her shoulders that conveyed sympathy and support as she walked past them. Someone was speaking to her, but she didn’t pay attention to the words; her world was spiraling with confusion and fear.
“We have the suspect,” the moderate voice repeated.
“What?” Adora asked, confused, looking from one officer to another, trying to figure who spoke. “What did you say?”
“The suspect, he’s in custody,” the lieutenant said.
“Oh, okay,” Adora answered with a nod. She knew what they were saying, she knew where she was, but her mind was focused only on Wyatt.
Adora was ushered into the waiting room, where Lieutenant Gregory helped her to sit. “Wyatt is in the operating room and someone will be by, shortly, to let you know about his condition,” he said and took the seat next to her. Adora nodded and thought back to their wedding day. As she thought about that wonderful day, she heard her father’s voice warning her about marrying a Tin Man. She closed her eyes to his voice, willing it to be gone, but, she knew what he would say when he arrived.
“Missus Cain,” a voice said, taking her away from her father’s voice, which she was very thankful for.
Someone squeezed her hand and she turned her head. Adora saw a man in a white coat standing and then he kneeled to be face to face with her.
“I’m Dr. Morgan, I saw your husband when he first came in. I just wanted to update you on his progress, but I need to know if you understand what I’m saying,” he said to her.
Adora nodded. “I do, doctor.”
“Good. Your husband suffered a concussion, was stabbed in his shoulder and the knife missed his axillary artery, which is a good thing. He was also stabbed in the upper left quadrant of his abdomen; we took x-rays and did some tests which revealed internal injuries to his stomach and ascending colon, and he was apparently drugged-”
“Drugged?” Adora asked, interrupting him. “Why?”
“We think that the suspect wanted to subdue Wyatt, make him compliant. We have officers and detectives searching the suspect’s home for more answers,” Gregory said, rubbing her back.
“How is he?” Adora asked, beginning to look pale.
“He lost a lot of blood in the struggle. His adrenaline was pumping, which caused his heart to beat faster, which pumped more blood out of the wounds and into his abdominal cavity. He’s in surgery now, for the knife wounds. He’s a strong young man, Missus Cain, he has a good chance to pull through. He has a good team working on him. If there’s anything we can get for you, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“How long will he be in surgery?”
“That’s hard to tell, it depends.” The doctor looked at the lieutenant and then back to Adora.
“Depends? Depends on what?”
“Missus Cain, there’s always the chance of complications, especially with stomach wounds, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. We’re doing the best we can, Missus Cain,” the doctor stood up, glanced at Adora, nodded and then turned to walk away.
Lieutenant Gregory took her hand in his. “The doctor is right about one thing: he’s strong and a fighter, he proved that tonight.”
Adora looked into Gregory’s eyes. “What happened?”
Gregory looked around and then shifted in his seat. “I can’t tell you everything, Adora, because it’s an ongoing investigation. But the suspect is claiming to be the Sin District Slayer.”
Adora put her hand over her mouth. “Oh gods,” she whispered, covering her mouth with her hand, and then cried.
~*~
It seemed like an eternity for Adora as she sat there, waiting for an update. Every time the door opened, she would sit up and stare, but the person would walk by. She would let out a frustrated sigh and then had to remind herself that Wyatt was not the only patient. Officers kept asking her if she wanted tea, but her stomach would threaten her with revolt at the mere mention of food or drink. She would shake her head and politely say: ‘Thank you’.
Lieutenant Gregory informed her that he made sure Wyatt’s family and her parents were contacted. Some of the officers’ wives stopped by, ready with a list of volunteers to help with the baby, chores and meals. Adora had to admit, the police officer wives were far more organized than her mother’s social club was. Unfortunately, some of them had been in Adora’s situation and, others, worse.
She pushed that thought from her mind and heard someone say her name. Glancing up, Adora saw her mother and father.
“Adora, darling,” her mother said, holding her hands out to comfort her daughter. “Oh, darling,” Estelle said, holding her daughter tight, as mother’s do when they wish they can take the pain away. Sidney ran his hand up and down her back.
Adora braced herself to hear her father say “I told you so”, but, he didn’t. She guessed it was because there were too many officers around, so that meant he was saving it for later.
“How is he?” Estelle asked, helping Adora to sit down.
Adora wiped her tears away with a handkerchief. “He’s in surgery. A doctor said that he was stabbed and suffered a concussion. He lost a lot of blood in the scuffle. They say the suspect confessed to being the Sin District Slayer…” Adora watched as her father stood up, ran his hand over his face and then started to pace.
“Sidney, please don’t start. Not here and certainly not now,” Estelle said, warning him to keep his tongue.
“I knew this would happen-” Sidney was never one to take advice from a woman.
Adora stood up, interrupting him. “Dad, if you start on me about marrying a Tin Man, I’ll ask one of these gentleman to escort you out,” her voice was resolute. “I don’t need this now. In fact, I don’t need it - ever.”
“Missus Cain, everything all right here?” Lieutenant Gregory asked, glancing from Adora to Sidney.
Adora breathed deeply with anger. It’s a good thing the Lieutenant showed up when he did; she might have killed her father. Her fists clenched and Adora held them stiff at her sides. Through gritted teeth, she responded: “Yes, Lieutenant Gregory, everything is fine. Isn’t it, dad?” Her eyes seared into him like hot pokers.
Sidney took in a deep breath of his own. “Yes,” he answered simply and then walked away.
Estelle reached up with her hand and took Adora’s hand. “Please, sit.”
The Lieutenant nodded and then walked back to the other Tin Men.
“Why does he have to do this? Why can’t he at least attempt to accept Wyatt?” Adora’s hands cupped her head as she leaned forward. An exasperated sigh pushed its way from her mouth and Estelle rubbed her shoulder.
“Because, he didn’t dance with Garrett at your engagement party or your wedding.”
Adora’s head popped up and she glanced at her mother, surprised.
“What?” Estelle asked.
“Mom, you just said a joke,” Adora said, a hint of a smile pushing her lips upward.
“I happen to be very funny - when your father isn’t around.”
“You did it again,” Adora said, smiling. “Thanks, Mom.”
“For what? Saying two jokes?”
“Well, that, but for accepting Wyatt.”
“Well,” Estelle began, as she removed her stole from around her shoulders, “not completely.” She glanced at the smile fading from Adora’s face and put her hand up to it. “But, I’m trying.”
“Well, I guess that’s more than what dad is doing.” Adora sat back on the seat and continued staring at the door.
~*~
The door swung open and a doctor appeared. Adora stood up when he approached; Estelle stood with her, and took her daughter’s hand to hold.
“Missus Cain?” the doctor asked.
“Yes, oh gods, doctor…how is he?” Adora asked, gripping her mother’s hand. The officers approached, all wanting to hear the news.
The doctor glanced around at the crowd, smiling. “Right now, he’s recuperating in the recover room. He suffered lacerations to his stomach and ascending colon, but we were able to repair the damage. These next forty-eight hours are critical. He’ll be in critical care for a few days, until he gets past the hump…”
“When I can see him?” Adora asked, anxiously. She didn’t even want to hear what else he had to say, she just wanted to see Wyatt.
“Right now. But, only immediate family can see him,” the surgeon said, looking at all the faces staring at him. “He’s not out of the clear yet, but he did well during surgery, so I’m optimistic that he’ll recover.”
Estelle glanced at Adora as she held her hands. “Give him a kiss for me.” Adora hugged her mother and nodded before walking with the surgeon. He spoke to her as they walked and Adora tried to concentrate on every word he said, but she was focused on preparing herself to see Wyatt. “He also sustained an injury to the back of his head and suffered a concussion. The occipital lobe may have been affected, but we won’t know if there’s any damage until he wakes up. His vision maybe impaired or he may not be able to see at all…”
“What? You mean, he might be blind?” Adora was horrified.
“There is a slim possibility. We call it ‘cortical blindness”. It could be permanent or transient. Most people, after there’s time to heal - usually anywhere from three weeks to an annual, depending on the extent of the injury - are able to see.” He stopped walking, turned and laid his hands on her shoulders. “Missus Cain, what I’m telling you is worst-case scenario, but you need to be informed of all the complications with his injuries. All we can do is hope for the best. I was told he was able to fight off his attacker, which means, the blow didn’t affect his vision at that time. I’m going to take that as a good sign and you should, too.” The surgeon smiled and then nodded. “Let’s go see him, okay?”
This was too much for her to take in all at once, but she had to be strong. “Is there anything else you need to tell me?”
“He’ll have full use of his left arm. He’ll need rehab, and it may hurt at first, but I see no reason why he’ll have any complications in regaining full use of his arm. He’ll need plenty of rest.” He opened the door to the recovery room and Adora’s heart pounded from nerves. She looked around and saw Wyatt.
Apart from the bandage around his head and all the tubes going into his body, Wyatt looked as if he was sleeping. “Kelly, this is Missus Cain,” the surgeon introduced the nurse to Adora. “If you need anything, or have any other questions, you just notify Kelly. She’ll be here until your husband is moved.”
Adora glanced to the surgeon. “Thank you, doctor.”
“Missus Cain, I have a chair for you,” Kelly motioned towards the chair next to Wyatt’s bed.
“Look at him,” Adora said, sorrowfully, seeing how he looked paler than normal.
“There’s blood going into him, so he should look better soon,” Kelly said, giving Adora a reassuring smile. She wanted to say that she had seen people in worse condition survive, but she has also seen the opposite. Sometimes, a smile, a comforting hand or a warm hug was all people needed.
~*~
A team of detectives inspected Gary’s home. They found a chair sitting in the middle of the living room and, next to it, were bindings, gags and a blindfold. On a nearby table, they found a case of knives, with one missing, and other objects that could be used for torture.
“Son-of-a-bitch,” one of the detectives said, looking at the pictures of Cain on the wall. It was evident that the Slayer’s last victim was going to suffer and, knowing that he had chosen a fellow Tin Man, made the officers angrier than usual.
“We’ve got a poppy plant here. And looks like some of the pods have been scored,” the second detective said. “This is what he probably used to subdue Cain.”
“Probably is. The manager at the restaurant said Cain was acting unusual.” The detective looked around the apartment, collecting more evidence. “Cain’s a fucking bear, good thing he misjudged the dosage,” he said.
“No shit. I played in a game of kaskana against him when he was a rookie. The guy knocked me flat on my ass. Thought I was hit by a damn truck,” the second detective said while placing the poppy plant in a box to take to the station. “You know, I accept drinks from folks all the time, guess I’ll stop now.”
“Yeah, you’re not the only one,” the first detective replied. He knelt down next to the chair to inspect the rope then shook his head and dropped the rope back in the box. He stood to his feet, let out a sigh and said: “Sick bastard. I’m sure the boys back at the station are taking real good care of him.”
~*~
The walls in the room were dark grey; there were no windows; a single light from the ceiling illuminated the room; and there was one piece of furniture: a chair in the center. It was also sound-proof. This room was reserved for special interrogations. This room was reserved for rapists, those who hurt children and of course, cop-killers or those who attempted to kill cops.
The handcuffs bit painfully into Gary’s wrists; blood dripped from his nose; his right eye swollen nearly shut, and his lip was swollen. He did confess to killing the other four men and attempting to kill Officer Cain, but that didn’t dissuade some of the men from taking out their anger.
Jerry gripped Gary’s hair and pulled his head back. “You’re going to be headcased, left out on the street and every Tin Man in Central City is going to know what you tried to do to one of our own. You think you have it bad now? Just wait.” Jerry released his hair. “Get this asshole to his cell.”
~*~
Adora’s fingers glided gently over the bandage covering Wyatt’s head. She held his hand in her right hand as she sang softly into his ear:
"My heart is yours, love, yours alone, love.
And should you wander, there I’ll be.
For where you go, love, I will follow.
My heart is yours, love, and yours alone.
My heart is yours, love, yours alone, love.
And should the storms rise, there’ll I’ll be.
I’ll fight for you, love…"
Her voice cracked as she began to cry. Adora kissed his cheek and then laid her head on his right shoulder. She squeezed his hand, pulled it closer to her face and kissed his hand. He felt so cold and all the emotion she had been holding in broke through the barrier she put up.
She cried from the fear of coming so close to losing him; she cried from seeing him in this condition; and she cried, realizing that, once he was back out on the streets, it could happen again.
Wyatt wasn’t going to quit, she knew that, and she wouldn’t want him to leave the force. He worked so hard in becoming a Tin Man and he was so happy. This was the chance he took every time he reported for duty. She knew this and they had talked it about it when they first started dating. She knew it when he knelt down on one knee at his graduation party and proposed to her. She knew her ‘Yes’ was more than just accepting his proposal to be his wife, she was going to be the wife of a police officer.
She lifted her head, wiped her tears and placed a feathery kiss on his lips. “I’m here, Wyatt, and I’m not leaving you.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________
The song, 'Yours Alone' that Adora sings is from Heartless - The Story of the Tin Man.
Here's a vid of the song.
Author: gatechic
Characters/Pairings: Wyatt/Adora, baby Jeb, and some OCs.
Rating: PG-16
Summary: Just a few years on the force, Tin Man Wyatt Cain becomes the next target of Sin District’s notorious serial killer.
Spoilers: Pre-series. None for the mini-series - that I know of - yet.
Word Count: 2,891
Disclaimer: Tin Man characters belong to the SciFi Channel, RHI, Steven Long Mitchell and Craig W. Van Sickle. The OCs are mine. No copyright infringement is intended and I’m not making a penny off of this.
A/N: This is a completed WIP. I would like to thank erinm_4600 for her mad beta skills and her comments for they make me laugh.
Prologue||Chapter 1||Chapter 2||Chapter 3||Chapter 4||Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Two police cruisers rushed down the streets of Central City, with sirens blaring and the blue lights casting a pulsing hue on the buildings as they passed by. Adora sat in the back of one of the cruisers, oblivious to the sirens and the voices trying to speak comforting words to her.
She felt numb and disconnected from the world around her. She was in a nightmare and she was scared. Could she be strong for him? Would he be strong enough to survive? What would she and Jeb do without him?
From a distance, Adora saw the lights of the hospital and then she spotted all the police cars, also with flashing blue lights on the tops. It was common to see officers descend on the hospital, like flies at a picnic whenever a fellow officer was injured, but she never imagined there would be so many.
The patrol car stopped at the entrance to the emergency room and, when the door to the patrol car opened, officers were at her side as soon as she was helped from the back seat, and then they rushed her inside the emergency room.
There was a sense of chaos inside the room and officers lined the hallway, giving her nods, words of encouragement, a soft touch on her shoulders that conveyed sympathy and support as she walked past them. Someone was speaking to her, but she didn’t pay attention to the words; her world was spiraling with confusion and fear.
“We have the suspect,” the moderate voice repeated.
“What?” Adora asked, confused, looking from one officer to another, trying to figure who spoke. “What did you say?”
“The suspect, he’s in custody,” the lieutenant said.
“Oh, okay,” Adora answered with a nod. She knew what they were saying, she knew where she was, but her mind was focused only on Wyatt.
Adora was ushered into the waiting room, where Lieutenant Gregory helped her to sit. “Wyatt is in the operating room and someone will be by, shortly, to let you know about his condition,” he said and took the seat next to her. Adora nodded and thought back to their wedding day. As she thought about that wonderful day, she heard her father’s voice warning her about marrying a Tin Man. She closed her eyes to his voice, willing it to be gone, but, she knew what he would say when he arrived.
“Missus Cain,” a voice said, taking her away from her father’s voice, which she was very thankful for.
Someone squeezed her hand and she turned her head. Adora saw a man in a white coat standing and then he kneeled to be face to face with her.
“I’m Dr. Morgan, I saw your husband when he first came in. I just wanted to update you on his progress, but I need to know if you understand what I’m saying,” he said to her.
Adora nodded. “I do, doctor.”
“Good. Your husband suffered a concussion, was stabbed in his shoulder and the knife missed his axillary artery, which is a good thing. He was also stabbed in the upper left quadrant of his abdomen; we took x-rays and did some tests which revealed internal injuries to his stomach and ascending colon, and he was apparently drugged-”
“Drugged?” Adora asked, interrupting him. “Why?”
“We think that the suspect wanted to subdue Wyatt, make him compliant. We have officers and detectives searching the suspect’s home for more answers,” Gregory said, rubbing her back.
“How is he?” Adora asked, beginning to look pale.
“He lost a lot of blood in the struggle. His adrenaline was pumping, which caused his heart to beat faster, which pumped more blood out of the wounds and into his abdominal cavity. He’s in surgery now, for the knife wounds. He’s a strong young man, Missus Cain, he has a good chance to pull through. He has a good team working on him. If there’s anything we can get for you, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“How long will he be in surgery?”
“That’s hard to tell, it depends.” The doctor looked at the lieutenant and then back to Adora.
“Depends? Depends on what?”
“Missus Cain, there’s always the chance of complications, especially with stomach wounds, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. We’re doing the best we can, Missus Cain,” the doctor stood up, glanced at Adora, nodded and then turned to walk away.
Lieutenant Gregory took her hand in his. “The doctor is right about one thing: he’s strong and a fighter, he proved that tonight.”
Adora looked into Gregory’s eyes. “What happened?”
Gregory looked around and then shifted in his seat. “I can’t tell you everything, Adora, because it’s an ongoing investigation. But the suspect is claiming to be the Sin District Slayer.”
Adora put her hand over her mouth. “Oh gods,” she whispered, covering her mouth with her hand, and then cried.
~*~
It seemed like an eternity for Adora as she sat there, waiting for an update. Every time the door opened, she would sit up and stare, but the person would walk by. She would let out a frustrated sigh and then had to remind herself that Wyatt was not the only patient. Officers kept asking her if she wanted tea, but her stomach would threaten her with revolt at the mere mention of food or drink. She would shake her head and politely say: ‘Thank you’.
Lieutenant Gregory informed her that he made sure Wyatt’s family and her parents were contacted. Some of the officers’ wives stopped by, ready with a list of volunteers to help with the baby, chores and meals. Adora had to admit, the police officer wives were far more organized than her mother’s social club was. Unfortunately, some of them had been in Adora’s situation and, others, worse.
She pushed that thought from her mind and heard someone say her name. Glancing up, Adora saw her mother and father.
“Adora, darling,” her mother said, holding her hands out to comfort her daughter. “Oh, darling,” Estelle said, holding her daughter tight, as mother’s do when they wish they can take the pain away. Sidney ran his hand up and down her back.
Adora braced herself to hear her father say “I told you so”, but, he didn’t. She guessed it was because there were too many officers around, so that meant he was saving it for later.
“How is he?” Estelle asked, helping Adora to sit down.
Adora wiped her tears away with a handkerchief. “He’s in surgery. A doctor said that he was stabbed and suffered a concussion. He lost a lot of blood in the scuffle. They say the suspect confessed to being the Sin District Slayer…” Adora watched as her father stood up, ran his hand over his face and then started to pace.
“Sidney, please don’t start. Not here and certainly not now,” Estelle said, warning him to keep his tongue.
“I knew this would happen-” Sidney was never one to take advice from a woman.
Adora stood up, interrupting him. “Dad, if you start on me about marrying a Tin Man, I’ll ask one of these gentleman to escort you out,” her voice was resolute. “I don’t need this now. In fact, I don’t need it - ever.”
“Missus Cain, everything all right here?” Lieutenant Gregory asked, glancing from Adora to Sidney.
Adora breathed deeply with anger. It’s a good thing the Lieutenant showed up when he did; she might have killed her father. Her fists clenched and Adora held them stiff at her sides. Through gritted teeth, she responded: “Yes, Lieutenant Gregory, everything is fine. Isn’t it, dad?” Her eyes seared into him like hot pokers.
Sidney took in a deep breath of his own. “Yes,” he answered simply and then walked away.
Estelle reached up with her hand and took Adora’s hand. “Please, sit.”
The Lieutenant nodded and then walked back to the other Tin Men.
“Why does he have to do this? Why can’t he at least attempt to accept Wyatt?” Adora’s hands cupped her head as she leaned forward. An exasperated sigh pushed its way from her mouth and Estelle rubbed her shoulder.
“Because, he didn’t dance with Garrett at your engagement party or your wedding.”
Adora’s head popped up and she glanced at her mother, surprised.
“What?” Estelle asked.
“Mom, you just said a joke,” Adora said, a hint of a smile pushing her lips upward.
“I happen to be very funny - when your father isn’t around.”
“You did it again,” Adora said, smiling. “Thanks, Mom.”
“For what? Saying two jokes?”
“Well, that, but for accepting Wyatt.”
“Well,” Estelle began, as she removed her stole from around her shoulders, “not completely.” She glanced at the smile fading from Adora’s face and put her hand up to it. “But, I’m trying.”
“Well, I guess that’s more than what dad is doing.” Adora sat back on the seat and continued staring at the door.
~*~
The door swung open and a doctor appeared. Adora stood up when he approached; Estelle stood with her, and took her daughter’s hand to hold.
“Missus Cain?” the doctor asked.
“Yes, oh gods, doctor…how is he?” Adora asked, gripping her mother’s hand. The officers approached, all wanting to hear the news.
The doctor glanced around at the crowd, smiling. “Right now, he’s recuperating in the recover room. He suffered lacerations to his stomach and ascending colon, but we were able to repair the damage. These next forty-eight hours are critical. He’ll be in critical care for a few days, until he gets past the hump…”
“When I can see him?” Adora asked, anxiously. She didn’t even want to hear what else he had to say, she just wanted to see Wyatt.
“Right now. But, only immediate family can see him,” the surgeon said, looking at all the faces staring at him. “He’s not out of the clear yet, but he did well during surgery, so I’m optimistic that he’ll recover.”
Estelle glanced at Adora as she held her hands. “Give him a kiss for me.” Adora hugged her mother and nodded before walking with the surgeon. He spoke to her as they walked and Adora tried to concentrate on every word he said, but she was focused on preparing herself to see Wyatt. “He also sustained an injury to the back of his head and suffered a concussion. The occipital lobe may have been affected, but we won’t know if there’s any damage until he wakes up. His vision maybe impaired or he may not be able to see at all…”
“What? You mean, he might be blind?” Adora was horrified.
“There is a slim possibility. We call it ‘cortical blindness”. It could be permanent or transient. Most people, after there’s time to heal - usually anywhere from three weeks to an annual, depending on the extent of the injury - are able to see.” He stopped walking, turned and laid his hands on her shoulders. “Missus Cain, what I’m telling you is worst-case scenario, but you need to be informed of all the complications with his injuries. All we can do is hope for the best. I was told he was able to fight off his attacker, which means, the blow didn’t affect his vision at that time. I’m going to take that as a good sign and you should, too.” The surgeon smiled and then nodded. “Let’s go see him, okay?”
This was too much for her to take in all at once, but she had to be strong. “Is there anything else you need to tell me?”
“He’ll have full use of his left arm. He’ll need rehab, and it may hurt at first, but I see no reason why he’ll have any complications in regaining full use of his arm. He’ll need plenty of rest.” He opened the door to the recovery room and Adora’s heart pounded from nerves. She looked around and saw Wyatt.
Apart from the bandage around his head and all the tubes going into his body, Wyatt looked as if he was sleeping. “Kelly, this is Missus Cain,” the surgeon introduced the nurse to Adora. “If you need anything, or have any other questions, you just notify Kelly. She’ll be here until your husband is moved.”
Adora glanced to the surgeon. “Thank you, doctor.”
“Missus Cain, I have a chair for you,” Kelly motioned towards the chair next to Wyatt’s bed.
“Look at him,” Adora said, sorrowfully, seeing how he looked paler than normal.
“There’s blood going into him, so he should look better soon,” Kelly said, giving Adora a reassuring smile. She wanted to say that she had seen people in worse condition survive, but she has also seen the opposite. Sometimes, a smile, a comforting hand or a warm hug was all people needed.
~*~
A team of detectives inspected Gary’s home. They found a chair sitting in the middle of the living room and, next to it, were bindings, gags and a blindfold. On a nearby table, they found a case of knives, with one missing, and other objects that could be used for torture.
“Son-of-a-bitch,” one of the detectives said, looking at the pictures of Cain on the wall. It was evident that the Slayer’s last victim was going to suffer and, knowing that he had chosen a fellow Tin Man, made the officers angrier than usual.
“We’ve got a poppy plant here. And looks like some of the pods have been scored,” the second detective said. “This is what he probably used to subdue Cain.”
“Probably is. The manager at the restaurant said Cain was acting unusual.” The detective looked around the apartment, collecting more evidence. “Cain’s a fucking bear, good thing he misjudged the dosage,” he said.
“No shit. I played in a game of kaskana against him when he was a rookie. The guy knocked me flat on my ass. Thought I was hit by a damn truck,” the second detective said while placing the poppy plant in a box to take to the station. “You know, I accept drinks from folks all the time, guess I’ll stop now.”
“Yeah, you’re not the only one,” the first detective replied. He knelt down next to the chair to inspect the rope then shook his head and dropped the rope back in the box. He stood to his feet, let out a sigh and said: “Sick bastard. I’m sure the boys back at the station are taking real good care of him.”
~*~
The walls in the room were dark grey; there were no windows; a single light from the ceiling illuminated the room; and there was one piece of furniture: a chair in the center. It was also sound-proof. This room was reserved for special interrogations. This room was reserved for rapists, those who hurt children and of course, cop-killers or those who attempted to kill cops.
The handcuffs bit painfully into Gary’s wrists; blood dripped from his nose; his right eye swollen nearly shut, and his lip was swollen. He did confess to killing the other four men and attempting to kill Officer Cain, but that didn’t dissuade some of the men from taking out their anger.
Jerry gripped Gary’s hair and pulled his head back. “You’re going to be headcased, left out on the street and every Tin Man in Central City is going to know what you tried to do to one of our own. You think you have it bad now? Just wait.” Jerry released his hair. “Get this asshole to his cell.”
~*~
Adora’s fingers glided gently over the bandage covering Wyatt’s head. She held his hand in her right hand as she sang softly into his ear:
"My heart is yours, love, yours alone, love.
And should you wander, there I’ll be.
For where you go, love, I will follow.
My heart is yours, love, and yours alone.
My heart is yours, love, yours alone, love.
And should the storms rise, there’ll I’ll be.
I’ll fight for you, love…"
Her voice cracked as she began to cry. Adora kissed his cheek and then laid her head on his right shoulder. She squeezed his hand, pulled it closer to her face and kissed his hand. He felt so cold and all the emotion she had been holding in broke through the barrier she put up.
She cried from the fear of coming so close to losing him; she cried from seeing him in this condition; and she cried, realizing that, once he was back out on the streets, it could happen again.
Wyatt wasn’t going to quit, she knew that, and she wouldn’t want him to leave the force. He worked so hard in becoming a Tin Man and he was so happy. This was the chance he took every time he reported for duty. She knew this and they had talked it about it when they first started dating. She knew it when he knelt down on one knee at his graduation party and proposed to her. She knew her ‘Yes’ was more than just accepting his proposal to be his wife, she was going to be the wife of a police officer.
She lifted her head, wiped her tears and placed a feathery kiss on his lips. “I’m here, Wyatt, and I’m not leaving you.”
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The song, 'Yours Alone' that Adora sings is from Heartless - The Story of the Tin Man.
Here's a vid of the song.
Click to view