The Cover Up Novel Part Eleven

The Cover Up Part Eleven

Peter Harkness arrived at Rick's office.

“Hello sir, how are you doing?” asked Rick holding out his hand to offer Mr. Jennings a chair close to his.

Bret's father seemed to collapse in the leather covered blue easy chair in Rick's office. The chair was purchased recently and still had that new leather smell.

“I still can't believe it Rick. My son was so young,” said Peter Harkness as he began to sob softly.

Even though I have children myself, sir, I can only imagine your grief, “ said Rick while gently putting a hand on Peter's shoulder.

“A cardiac arrest at Bret's age?”

“The medical examiner said that they found significant traces of cocaine, methamphetamine and some marijuana in Brett's system,” Rick noted.

“When did Brett start using drugs again?” asked Peter.

“Very recently from what we can tell. He started seeing his old high school friends, Derek and Randy again.”

“Those two hoods!” exclaimed Peter. “Why couldn't you stop them from seeing Bret?”

“I would have loved to have done that but all our clients are over eighteen and we are very limited in what controls we can legally enforce upon our residents,” answered Rick.

“ I understand that you were on duty the night that Bret passed away. How come you were working an overnight shift?”

“I couldn't find another staff who could fill that shift,” answered Rick.

“Which other staff were on duty with you that night?”

“No one sir. We're only allocated one staff per shift.”

“What? That's not adequate or safe for a facility like this, “ said Peter becoming more animated.

“I fully agree with you sir. That has been what I have been telling our executive administrator ever since I got here.

“And what does your administration tell you? asked Mr.Harkness.

I keep getting told that we only have enough funding for our department to employ one staff per shift in our department,” said Rick.

“I want to meet with your administration now!” Rick.