Redemption

Chapter 13: A Matter Of The Family

 Chapter 13: A Matter Of The Family

Two years prior...

"Yes, yes I understand that we didn't meet the requirements set by the city council but, if we could possibly get an extension on the deadline maybe we could....."

"Burns, listen I understand you've been under a lot of stress lately but, that doesn't excuse the fact that we gave you a deadline four months ago and you didn't make it."

Phillip Burns, Warden of Westbrook Asylum, fumbled with the phone in his sweaty palms as he worriedly shuffled through the hundreds of financial records that cluttered his desk.

"We're doing the best we can with what we've been given but, things aren't just going to change overnight. We need more time!" he exclaimed,his worn, tired face sweating profusely as he removed the royal blue handkerchief from his breast pocket and lightly dabbed his forehead.

"Look the best I can do for you right now is to cut more of your funding. That literally is your only option at this point. The council has already taken the precautionary measures to see to it that there will be a smooth transition, when it comes to the consolidation of your institution's inmate population with the state penitentiary's, in the off chance that the asylum does go under financially. Which is starting to look more and more like a plausible outcome."

"Cut our funding? You can't possibly do that! We have thousands of patients in our care. Another slash at our budget would hinder medical aid for these people. And don't tell me there is a possibility the city council will consider a merger between these two facilities, when I know fully well that that's not even something that could logically have been put on the table. Haven't they got a clue that would endanger countless lives, something I don't think the good people of Danville would stand behind. Putting our trust in one sole institution isn't going to make a difference on the criminal element in Danville!" Burns, retorted.

"Don't shoot the messenger, Burns. I know you would hate to see your hard work be reduced to rubble but, I'm just telling you what's already written on the wall. You have to find a way to turn things around or....or"

"Or what?"

"Just forget it. Good night, Warden."

Burns removed his glasses, pinching the skin between his eyebrows together, listening as the dial tone buzzed in his ear. He put the phone back on the receiver before, glancing over at the clock, expressing his utter disdain with a stress filled sigh. It was already past midnight.

He rose from his brown, leather chair as he quickly shutdown his desktop computer and dismissed the paperwork on his desk as something that could be handled first thing tomorrow morning. The warden made his way outside of his office and securely closed the door behind him.

Phillip reached into his pants pocket and retrieved his security badge before, swiping it along the access panel next to the door, triggering an electronic response from the device.

"Vocal Recognition Required"

"Warden Phillip Burns"

The device emitted a satisfactory chirp as the door bolted shut from the inside and the gentle hum of unseen security cameras sprang to life; hidden somewhere within the inner mechanisms of the door.

"Warden!" a voice called out from down the hall. Phillip turned to see one of the orderlies walking up to him with a thick stack of paperwork in his hands.

"Whatever, it is I'll deal with it tomorrow, Carlos." Burns said, as he attempted to make his way past the orderly.

"You don't understand. You need to look at these before you leave, sir," Carlos said as he held out the papers for the Warden to take.