Read Online The Archangel Drones by Joe Nobody - Free Book Online

Jail sucks, and the system doesn’t care about anybody’s race or income level or how many half-baths are in your fucking home.”
    They exchanged looks before moving to answer the next incoming call. “Oh shit,” the operator announced, covering the mouthpiece. “I’ve got a Latino grandmother trying to find her daughter. These are the worst.”

    It was the blowtorch someone was holding against his leg that made Jacob stir. Forcing himself to climb through the grey, swirling void of fog, he blinked his eyes and tried to move his screaming limb away from the fire.
    The effort induced more agony, streaks of electric fire climbing up his thigh, boiling into his head. He howled, and then started to vomit.
    The cop-sentry had fallen asleep, rousted from his upright nap by the animal-like clamor. Rubbing the fog from his eyes, he noted his prisoner’s reaction and understood something serious was going on. He pressed the call button and immediately rushed into the hall to secure assistance.
    Again, some luck was on Jacob’s side. The nighttime avalanche of patients and emergencies had subsided somewhat, and soon a team of medical professionals surrounded Jacob’s bed.
    If anyone had cared, it quickly became obvious to the gathered staff that somebody had made a horrible mistake. The John Doe now experiencing dry heaves into a plastic pan had somehow gotten lost in the shuffle. He should have received medical care long ago.
    The attending ER physician took one look at Jacob’s knee and asked the policeman what sort of automobile accident had caused the injuries sustained by the patient.
    “I don’t know anything about this detainee,” replied the cop. “I was just sent down here to make sure he doesn’t escape or cause any problems.”
    Grunting, the doctor pointed at the ugly joint and said, “He’s not going anywhere, and I doubt he’s going to beat us all up. Please do your best to find out who this child belongs to, I have a feeling we are going to have to make some difficult decisions in the next few hours.”
    The cop nodded and started to pivot away to seek a telephone. The doctor stopped him. “And remove these handcuffs, please.”
    Almost embarrassed at having forgotten the patient was still chained to the bed’s metal rail, the policeman did as ordered. “I’ll find out who he is,” he promised the doc.
    After watching the policeman leave, the physician returned to Jacob’s side and asked, “What is your name? Can you tell me your name?”
    “Jacob,” came the dry response. “Jacob Chase.”
    “And where do you live, Jacob Chase?”
    The teen managed to give the fuzzy, distant voice his address.
    “How old are you, Jacob?”
    “Seventeen.”
    “Is there someone I can call? I need to know your medical history and allergies before I can give you anything for the pain.”
    “Call my dad, please, sir. Gabriel Chase. His phone number is in my cell contacts.”
    The doctor turned to a nearby nurse and said, “See if you can find me a phone number. Given our illustrious police department, I’m sure this child’s parents have no idea where he is or his condition. It wouldn’t surprise me if Mr. and Mrs. Chase will probably end up with coronaries themselves.”
    “Yes, Doctor. I’m on it.”
    “I want every inch of this young man’s body x-rayed, high priority,” commanded the physician. “I’ll order something for his pain as soon as we get some information. That knee has got to be tearing this kid apart.”

    Gabe called Amanda, letting her know the bad news. They had yet to locate Jacob.
    “Chip finally called just ten minutes ago. We’re on our way down to post my husband’s bail…. I never thought I’d be saying that.”
    “Where is he?” Gabe asked, his voice growing hopeful.
    “He’s at the local precinct, but I asked him about Jacob, and he said he hasn’t seen him since they were being loaded into the squad cars. He’s pretty sure Jay isn’t at the same