Seth and Hook walked down the tracks toward the supply shed. The morning sun struck their shadows across the rails.
“Don’t seem right walking down line with a yard dog,” Seth said.
Hook paused to light a cigarette, offering one to Seth. “How do you think it makes me feel?” he said, striking the match on the track.
“Did you talk to Division?” Seth asked.
“You don’t really talk to Eddie Preston,” Hook said.
“What did he say?” Seth asked. “Or is it a national secret?”
Hook looked out from under his brows. “I can still run you in, you know?”
“Is hanging with a yard dog illegal? Probably ought to be,” Seth said.
“Eddie’s getting political heat, if you got to know, from the California governor, or the Barstow mayor, or the mayor’s cousin. Who the hell knows? They’re running scared that those inmates out to Baldwin’s going to cost them a vote. Crazy folks got less rights than criminals like yourself.”
“But we got yard dogs to contend with,” Seth said. “And you bastards carry firearms.”
At the supply shed, Hook popped the pickup hood, took out the oil dipstick, and dripped a little oil onto the joint of his prosthesis.
“Maybe it’s time you took it in for an oil change,” Seth said.
“Damn thing freezes up once in a while. Other than that, she’s just like new.”
Dropping the hood, Hook said, “Division needs to come up with a special train. They can’t put inmates on the Chief. All those celebrities out of Los Angeles might not like the competition. And then there’s soldiers and equipment. There’s no trains left for moving mental patients halfway across the country. It’s going to be hell making up a special on this short notice.
“To make matters worse, Baldwin figures the employees out there aren’t going to pack up and move for a job no one wants in the first place. I figure he’s right.”
“What are they going to do?”
“Another fire like that last one, and they aren’t going to have to do anything except hire another dozer to push over their problems.”
“That’s an army answer,” Seth said. “No answer at all.”
“Look, I’m just a yard dog. I got half the country bumming my trains, like you for instance, and Division’s got me out here dealing with an insane asylum. As far as I’m concerned, Baldwin could turn the whole bunch loose. I figure no one would ever know the difference.”
Seth got inside the pickup and waited for Hook to get in. Starting the engine, Seth said, “Which comes first, being a jerk or being a yard dog?”
Hook looked over at him and grinned. “Get me out to Baldwin before I change my mind and run you in.”
In the Baldwin parking lot, Seth waited for Hook to get out.
“Wait here for me,” Hook said.
“All the same to you, I think I’ll go on back.”
Hook smiled. “Be here about three and don’t let anything happen to this truck. The disciplinary board’s after my ass as it is.”
“I was thinking to strip her down and sell her for junk,” Seth said, pulling out.
After checking in with security, Hook made his way to Baldwin’s office, where he found the receptionist with her head in the files.
“Oh,” she said, pulling down her skirt. “May I help you?”
“Hook Runyon, Santa Fe Railroad,” he said. “Doctor Baldwin, please.”
“One moment, Mr. Runyon. I’ll see if he’s available.”
When she came out, she left Baldwin’s door open and directed Hook in.
“The doctor has an appointment in thirty minutes,” she said, as he passed by her.
Baldwin rose to greet him. His hair had not been combed, and his clothes were rumpled.
“Mr. Runyon,” he said, drawing his fingers through his hair. “Have a seat. Forgive my appearance. Things have been a little hectic around here.”
“Thanks,” Hook said.
“Excuse me for one moment, please,” he said, stepping out.
Hook took in the doctor’s office: a few volumes on his book shelf, medical books by the looks of them, and diplomas hung on the wall behind the desk. A small bronze of Einstein sat on the table under the window. Hook took another look, decided it wasn’t Einstein but Sigmund Freud instead.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Baldwin said. “I’ve sent for Nurse Andrea Delven to show you around the institution. Perhaps it will give you a better idea of what we are dealing with here.”
“Doctor Baldwin, before we get into this thing too far, you and I should talk about some practical matters.”
“For example?”
“This move you’re proposing is a high-risk venture at best. I have serious doubts we can come up with a special train in time for your needs. There’s a shortage of equipment.
“And then there’s the matter of security. This is a particular problem since firearms can’t be used. As for men, I doubt seriously if we could come up with enough. Even if we did, they would be untrained in dealing with mental patients.”
He looked up at Baldwin, who hadn’t moved. “Frankly, my best advice is for you to reconsider this whole plan.”
Baldwin took his glasses off and rubbed at his face. “I appreciate your advice, Mr. Runyon. I suspect that you consider me to be a little naïve, but let me assure you that’s not the case. I’ve a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and my experience in these matters is considerable.
“As a young doctor, I spent three years in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, a state institution, where I worked with some very challenging patients. From there, I worked as a psychiatrist with the Texas Department of Corrections. I’ve seen the worst this world has to offer. But I believe in what I am doing, and I believe I make a difference.
“In short, I have no intentions of giving up here. If you can’t help me, I’ll find another way.”
Hook laid his prosthesis across his lap. Dust had gathered on the hinge where he had dripped the oil. The damn thing looked like the tie rods on a junked car. Taking out his handkerchief, he wiped it away.
“Doctor Baldwin,” he said, “have you considered the possibility that the fire here might have been arson?”
Baldwin’s brows lifted. “No matches or flammable materials of any kind are permitted on the wards. The wiring in these old buildings is quite inadequate. It’s pretty clear the fire started in the wall of the orderly’s room. Unfortunately, it effectively cut the inmates off from escape.”
“There was no other egress?” Hook asked.
“Even though we are not a prison, we have to maintain tight security. Too many exits lead to problems.”
“Then shouldn’t an orderly be on duty at all times, Doctor Baldwin?”
“Frankie Yager was on duty, but he also made rounds downstairs, where the less troublesome inmates were housed. This never took more than a few minutes.”
“One orderly for two floors?” Hook asked.
“Help is very difficult to come by out here, Mr. Runyon, and then with the war. In any case, most people are frightened by mental illness.”
Hook rose and walked to the window. From there he could see the burned-out building and the fresh grave up on the hill. He could see the young nurse working her way toward the office.
Baldwin had nailed it. There was something frightening about the mentally ill. With criminals he always knew where he stood. They were the enemy. They wished him harm. He watched his back, and he trusted no one. But here, the rules weren’t clear. These people were not the enemy, though they could be just as dangerous.
He turned. “Alright, Doctor Baldwin,” he said. “I’ll do what I can, but there are no guarantees.”
“Thank you, Mr. Runyon. In my business, I’m accustomed to no guarantees.
“Oh, here’s Nurse Delven now.”
She smiled at Hook as she came through the door. She struck him as prettier than what he remembered from the funeral, petite, and with a spray of freckles across her nose. Her mouth turned up at its tip, and behind her round glasses were eyes the color of gunmetal.
“Nurse Delven,” Doctor Baldwin said. “This is Hook Runyon, special agent with the Santa Fe.”
She held out her bandaged hand and then withdrew it.
“Sorry,” she said. “I forget.”
Hook held up his prosthesis. “I’ve carried this chunk of iron around for years, and I still forget sometimes.”
“We call her Nurse Andrea around here,” Doctor Baldwin said. “She volunteered first among the few to help us out with the move.”
“Just Andrea,” she said. “Will you be involved in the transfer, Mr. Runyon?”
“It looks that way,” he said.
Baldwin came around his desk and put his hand on Hook’s shoulder.
“Mr. Runyon would like a tour of the place, Andrea. I’ll get someone to cover for you if you’ll show him around.”
“The security ward, too?” she asked.
“I’ll arrange for Doctor Helms to be there,” he said.
“Alright,” she said. “If you’ll follow me, Mr. Runyon, I’ll introduce you to Baldwin Insane Asylum.”