Burkard snapped his fingers. “Then this cannot be a coincidence. That is the place, Crowley. The Main Institute… that is where this whole affair is going to come to a close!”
Chapter X
The sun was beginning to settle behind the darkening clouds when the ferry made its way to Wolf Island. Jasper Williams shifted his ponderous weight from one foot to the other as the vessel approached the dock. The ferry only came twice a week, once on Monday and again on Thursday. Typically, it brought with it medical and food supplies, enough to sustain a hospital housing some seventy-five patients and nearly that many doctors, nurses, orderlies and armed guards.
The Main Institute was a private facility and in most circles it would have been deemed an asylum. But given the wealth of its clientele, it was usually referred to by the more polite title of ‘mental health clinic.’ Jasper been an orderly here for just under two months and he liked it well enough — even though many of the patients were violent — and more than a few were handy with a racial slur when angered. But Jasper was used to that… being a Negro born and raised in the Deep South, he’d encountered more than a few who couldn’t abide him just because of the color of his skin. Still, he’d managed to become a fairly reasonable sort, with no real hatred of any particular group of people. He was in his early thirties and well educated, despite only having a high school education. He read voraciously and still held out dreams of becoming a doctor someday, though he knew that those were little more than fantasies. But the desire to help those in need had led him here, even though things hadn’t turned out quite like he’d imagined.
Standing on the dock with Jasper were four other orderlies. Like him, they were Negroes and all wore identical white shirts and white slacks. Even their socks and shoes were white. Dr. Thaddeus Main, the man for whom the Institute was named, stood with them. He was rail thin, with jet-black hair and pale skin. His face was cadaverous and seemed to be set in a perpetual frown. Jasper had learned to avoid the man’s wrath, which was legendary on the island.
As the rope lines from the ferry was tossed to the dock, Jasper and the other orderlies jumped to work, tying them off and then rushing onto the ferry itself. The galley had been stripped down to just the metal and Jasper’s shoes clanked against its surface. There were no furnishings on deck save for a few wrought iron benches that were bolted to the floor. Jasper spotted several boxes of supplies and went to begin loading them onto the dock but he came up short when he saw the hospital’s newest patient being led off the boat.
The patient was just less than six feet tall with dirty brown hair that fell in a mess over his forehead. He wore a black suit and tie, which accentuated the paleness of his skin. A large cold sore just above and to the left of his mouth was eye-catching and his hands were handcuffed in front of him. He wore a bit of foundation on his face, along with a bit of what looked like eyeliner. With the man was a lovely young brunette woman with a peaches and cream complexion. She looked as fragile as a Dresden doll and her lovely face was currently etched with concern. Following them both was Atlanta Police Chief Will McKenzie, who had personally escorted the patient, befitting the man’s importance.
Main stepped forward to greet the new arrivals. Just before he spoke, a rumble of thunder rolled across the sky and everyone glanced up to see that the clouds were hanging heavy above, as if in warning. “Welcome to Wolf Island. I am Doctor Main.” He smiled in a condescending manner at the handcuffed man. “And you must be Clint Jacobs. I look forward to working with you during your stay.”
Jacobs said nothing though he stared at Main with murderous intent. Jasper was close enough to know that if Jacobs hadn’t been bound, he would have most likely tried to strangle the doctor.
Main glanced over at McKenzie, who gave him a quick nod. “Good to see you again, Doctor Main. It’s been awhile.”
Looking at the Police Chief, Main smiled coldly. McKenzie was in a dark suit today, looking trim and handsome, like a matinee idol. Main’s distaste for him was almost palpable. “Not since last year’s charity dinner in Augusta, I believe.”
The girl spoke up then, offering a hand to Main. Violet was wearing a color other than black for the first time in years. She wore one of Abby’s dresses, which had been altered by Violet’s favorite seamstress so that the differences in their body types weren’t noticeable. “Hello, doctor. I’m Miriam Jacobs. We spoke on the phone.”
“Of course. You’re just as lovely as your voice indicated.”
Violet blushed slightly, bringing color to her ivory cheeks. She was trying her damndest to remember all of Abby’s nuances, consciously trying to mimic the girl’s vulnerable appeal. “I appreciate you taking my uncle in at such short notice… his behavior has gotten simply dreadful lately and… I’m afraid he’s going to hurt someone. Badly. His penchant for… indecent behavior has always been something of an embarrassment to the family but he no longer seems able to control himself. And the addition of violence to his personality… well, that’s something new and quite horrible.”
Main nodded, ignoring the orderlies who were moving crates of supplies all around them. “Unfortunately, mental disease can affect even the wealthiest members of our society. I know that Mr. Jacobs was a very successful businessman before the recent downturn in his health. I’ll do everything I can to restore him to full health… and do so very discreetly. No one will know that he is here.”
Raindrops began to fall and Main snapped his fingers, motioning for two of his men to escort Jacobs towards the hospital. “If you don’t want to be stuck here on the island for the next 72 hours, I’d advise you to leave on the ferry immediately, Miss Jacobs. We’re expecting a terrible storm and we’re liable to be without radio contact for the duration.”
“Could I stay?” Violet asked. “I know it would be a dreadful inconvenience for you but I’d feel so much better if I could be here for his first few days in the hospital.” Main’s reluctance was obvious so Violet lowered her voice and added, “I’d certainly be willing to pay extra.”
Doctor Main finally relented, spreading his arms in surrender. “Very well. But I must warn you that the storms here can be quite frightening.”
“I’m tougher than I look,” Violet replied, drawing a smile from Main. “Is it okay if Mr. McKenzie stays with me? I confess that I’ve become rather fond of him on the trip over from Atlanta and he’d make me feel much safer.” Violet lowered her eyes shyly, eliciting a humorous wink from McKenzie and a painfully tortured sigh from Main.
“Of course. We would be honored to play host to Chief McKenzie.” His tone suggested he was anything but happy about this turn of events.
The doctor stepped back and watched as Mr. Jacobs and his entourage moved towards the hospital. The three brick buildings lay atop a manicured hill and were ringed by a protective fence, topped by razor wire. Armed guards moved through the grounds, watching as patients tended to the gardens and the lawn. Main knew that it was an unusual image and not one usually associated with asylums. In many ways, it looked more like a prison… but given the violent tendencies of many of his patients, it was well deserved.
Main noticed that Jasper was hanging back, also watching the group. “Get back to work,” he snapped, sending the Negro scurrying towards the hospital, carrying a box of supplies.
Violet and her companions were led to a combination bedroom/holding cell, where Clint Jacobs was to live. It was sparsely furnished with only a bed, a small table and two chairs. The walls were bare and there were no windows. Violet and McKenzie were to be set up in rooms across the hall but as the orderlies and Dr. Main left them, Violet requested that she be allowed to stay with her uncle for the time being.