This was someone who genuinely could not move his lower body. Dawson stood back up and looked at Reynolds with an expression that was no longer questioning. It was certain. Stay here. Don't move him.
Reynolds opened his mouth to say something, but Dawson was already walking toward the hospital entrance. Dawson pushed up through the automatic doors and walked straight to the front desk where a nurse was sitting behind the counter. He pulled out his badge and held it up. I need information on a patient, Leonard Vaughn. He says he had an appointment here today.
The nurse looked at the badge, then at her computer screen, and typed in the name. A few seconds later, she nodded. Leonard Vaughn. Yes, he had a physical therapy appointment this afternoon at 3:30. He's a regular patient here.
Has been for about 6 years. Dawson leaned forward slightly. Can you tell me why he's a patient here? The nurse looked at the screen again. Spinal injury.
He's paralyzed from the waist down. He's a veteran. The injury happened during his service. Dawson felt his stomach drop. He looked back toward the automatic doors, toward the park where Reynolds still had Leonard pinned on the pavement in handcuffs.
Thank you, he said quietly, and then he turned and walked back outside. When Dawson came back through the doors, Reynolds looked up expectantly, like he was waiting for confirmation that he had been right all along. But the expression on Dawson's face told him immediately that he was about to hear the exact opposite. Dawson walked straight to Reynolds and his voice was low, but hard enough to cut through a steel. Uncuff him right now.
Reynolds blinked. What? But Sarge, he I said uncuff him now. Reynolds hesitated for just a second too long and then Dawson's voice got louder. That's an order, Reynolds.
Uncuff him immediately. Reynolds finally moved. He pulled out his keys, crouched down, and unlocked the handcuffs from Leonard's wrists. Leonard brought his arms forward slowly, wincing as circulation came back into his hands. And Dawson stepped in to help him sit up.