Janelle's heartbeat sped up as Boris and Rick entered her hospital room one day with serious expressions on their faces.
"Oh no," she said. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Rick said quickly. "It's just that we've been discussing something that we feel is in your best interest for your safety, and we know you're not going to like it."
"Not going to like what?" Janelle asked, her heart still racing.
"Well, first, let us assure you that you will not be treated as a typical inmate."
Janelle dropped the magazine she'd been reading onto her lap with a heavy thud. "What do you mean?"
"Because this is such an incredibly high-profile case, we don't feel you would be safe in a regular home, like a typical safe house. At least not yet."
"So you're going to throw me in jail?"
"Yes, but no. It would be back in Santa Fe, where you could have friends visit, and you would have your own cell. You wouldn't be treated like an inmate."
"What the hell do you mean I wouldn't be treated like an inmate? If you're in a jail cell, whether alone or not, how else can you be treated? And since when are witnesses jailed in the first place?"
"Janelle, I know it sucks and it's not fair, but we would rather have you live to testify than risk having you in a home, apartment, or hotel where those cult lunatics could find and ambush you."
"Well, if they could come after me in a house, apartment, or hotel, then why not here in a hospital? If that's such a risk, why haven't they stormed this place and taken me out?"
"Because hospitals have a lot more security, though not as much as jails. The economy isn’t great right now, and the department has been strapped. We simply don't have the funds for the manpower to protect you properly in a hotel or residence of any kind."
"So instead, I have to suffer in a cold, hard jail cell, eat slop, wear a uniform, and basically have no freedom or life?"
"No, no. You'll be able to wear regular clothes."
Janelle smiled sarcastically.
"We know it isn't much, but the officers will be told upfront exactly who you are and what's going on, and I'm sure we can sneak in some better food for you too."
Janelle looked at Boris, who hadn't said a word the entire time. "What have you got to say about this? I mean, why so quiet, Boris?"
Boris briefly looked at Janelle and said, "It's like he says, Janelle. It's all about your safety. It would only be temporary, and then the detective you met would have no problem taking you in until you got on your feet and found a place of your own. Once you're done testifying, there wouldn't be any need to keep you there."
Janelle didn't like the way Boris avoided eye contact as he spoke or how he casually stepped back from the hospital bed when he was done.
Rick, having agreed with the others that making Janelle feel like she had a choice might make her more compliant, added, "We can't make you do anything you don't want to do. If you really want to take a chance out here, that's up to you, but I seriously believe you would be not only putting yourself in danger but also whoever you're staying with. You wouldn’t want that, would you?"
"I get what you're saying, but after the testimony and the trial are done, how do I know I would be safe anywhere?"
"Well, you don't, unfortunately. But there's a hell of a lot more risk of you getting harmed before you can provide any damning testimony that can convict these monsters for life."
"So I would get my own cell, my own clothes, and some better food, but I'd have to remain locked in the cell all the time?"
"No. Besides showers and things like that, we’ll make sure you get some fresh air in a way that won't put your life at risk."
Janelle looked thoughtful for a moment or two, and then, with much hesitation, she said, "Well, I don't like this idea one bit. It all just feels way too weird. But if this is what I have to do to live to testify, then that's what I'll do. But I want everything in writing. Just like I got our deal in writing, I want the jailhouse setup in writing as well. I don't care as much about the food, but they're not going to throw me in with any inmates, and I am going to wear my own clothes."
"Sure, sure," Rick said.
"Furthermore, I am going to get a daily dose of fresh air and be allowed to change my mind if I decide to at any time along the way, and that's non-negotiable."
"Aye-aye, boss," Rick said, saluting Janelle. "You got it."
Boris made a sound that was a cross between a chuckle and a snort. Janelle wasn't sure which one it was.
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