Nevada Confidential

The Sergeant

"It's no use," Brinley said weakly, tears building in her eyes. It had all been going to plan- she was sure that everything would work out. Until now, when it had fallen to pieces.

Eli was sitting beside Simon, patting his back awkwardly. "Maybe we can just see if he gets better on his own," he suggested doubtfully.

"It's too risky," Brinley muttered, pacing back and forth between two bunks. "I'm not going to have him dying or something just because I was too afraid to-"

"More risky than having some big problem with the government?" Eli retorted.

Brinley thought for a moment, tightening her hands into fists to stop them from trembling. "Eli, imagine that it was your sister. Would you rather risk her life?"

Eli's gaze dropped to the floor, and Brinley knew that she had won. "Alright," he finally sighed.

"Can you carry him?"

Eli eyed Simon for a moment doubtfully. "I can... try," he finally muttered. "Simon, please don't puke on me, okay?"

Simon groaned in response.

Eli heaved Simon over his shoulder slowly, finding his footing before walking in the direction of the elevator. Brinley walked quickly behind, her heart beating a million miles per hour against her ribcage.

"Click the arrow, will you?" Eli said, his voice low as he strained to keep Simon up.

Brinley pressed the circular button in one swift movement, before stepping back to give Eli room. It was lucky that Simon had always been so scrawny, or Brinley wasn't sure that Eli could have lifted him.

The elevator door slid open a few moments later, and the Eli stepped inside with Brinley a step behind him- hitting the button that would take them to floor 1. She stood on the right side impatiently as the floor beneath them rose, not wanting to jinx herself further by standing on the left.

When they'd reached the designated level, Brinley and Eli exchanged a worried glance. Eli nodded in reassurance, his lips set in a tight, anxious line. Brinley's feet wouldn't seem to work as she willed herself to walk out into the hall. It was nearly a minute before she took in a sharp breath, and stepped from the enclosed, secure space.

No one seemed to notice them as they walked through the hall. There had been so many outbreaks of PAHs, no one bothered about the sick being carried toward the hospital wing.

It wasn't until they reached the room that someone payed them any attention. Eli laid Simon on a hospital bed, and Diana hurried to his side to see the patient.

"Who...." Diana trailed off, her brow furrowed. She knew everyone there, Brinley had noticed, and it wasn't surprising that she was confused by Simon's presence.

"It's a long story... will you please help him?" Brinley pleaded.

A look of conflict passed over the young nurse's face. "I.... I don't have files on him, so I don't see how he could be given-"

"Please, Diana. Please just help him- any way that you can," Brinley persisted, her eyes wide and imploring.

Diana sighed. "I.... I'll do what I can."

Relief washed over Brinley. Simon was safe- for now. Maybe there was a possibility that Diana wouldn't tell, and everything could go on as planned. It seemed unlikely, but Brinley let the false hope calm her.

Eli held the wastebasket under Simon's face, looking up at Brinley and frowning.

Sorry, Brinley's eyes told her friend. He had put everything on the line to help her.

Eli forced a smile. It's okay, it told her.

Brinley didn't leave Simon's side for three hours. She didn't care about where she had to be, what she had to do- it was over, anyway. She waited anxiously for someone to come take her away for interrogation, but no one did. Eli stayed as well, and only left to get the two of them something to eat for lunch.

"Thanks," Brinley sighed when Eli handed her half of his sandwich.

Eli settled onto the ground beside her, eyeing Simon sadly. "Nothing?" He asked quietly.

She shook her head. "He's been out since Diana started medicating him."

Eli was quiet for a few moments. "You know... she could get in big trouble for that. All of us could. You must mean a lot to people if they'd risk so much to help you."

Brinley shrugged. "No... people just aren't heartless."

"I don't know, Brinley..." Eli sighed. "Not many people would be willing to give up so much just out of the kindness of their hearts."

"So what are you trying to say?" Brinley asked, almost defensively. "I'm 'special?'"

"Well yeah, but that's not what I meant," Eli said, a smile flashing across his face. "I just mean... you move people more than you know."

Brinley wasn't sure what this meant, exactly. She shook her head to clear away the thoughts from her mind.

"Emelda?" a voice called from the doorway of the room.

Brinley turned, her stomach sinking as she recognized the voice. She knew by the authoritative tone of the voice that it was the moment she'd been dreading, and also waiting apprehensively for. She stood slowly, her knees threatening to buckle and send her crashing to the ground. She forced her back to be straight, her pace to remain even, and her face confident.

She met Sergeant Rogers at the door where he stood, holding the clipboard she'd never seen him without.

"If you'd follow me, please," he said in his gruff, assertive tone.

Brinley knew that she didn't have a choice.