“What do you think happened?” Christopher snorted, “I got sick. And you know they couldn’t have no AIDS infested faggot on their team.”

“You have WHAT?” Nick was turning greenish grey now.

Christopher laughed bitterly. “That’s right,” he said, watching Nick carefully, “I have AIDS. Caught it from a pretty, pretty boy, like you.”
“OK, that’s it!” Gail was looking impatient. “One last time before the medics get here, please take your hands out from under your blankets and put them where I can see them.”

She winced visibly as Christopher’s hands came to rest on his stomach. He was wearing nothing but a baggy t-shirt, his hands and arms were covered in livid, open sores.

“Happy now?” He asked tersely

“Thank you.” She replied, lowering her gun slightly “Do you have any more weapons or sharp objects we should know about? If so, I need you to produce them now.”

“OK Gail, “ Christopher sighed, “Don’t freak out.”

He reached under his blanket and produced a large kitchen knife, six more hypodermic needles, four of them still brand new and sealed in plastic, and one small lock blade.

“Is that it?” She asked

“That’s it.” He sighed, looking suddenly tired. “If you are going to arrest me, just do it. I’m beginning to need my beauty rest.”

“Christopher Johnson, you are under arrest for assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon.” She replied, not getting any closer.

“Aren’t you going to handcuff me?” He asked.

“No, “ She replied slowly, “We are going to stay here and wait for the medics to transport you to the hospital, where you will be under police guard until you are transferred into the prison system.”

He laughed, “I should live so long.”

“Hey,” Holly’s voice came up from behind them, “What’s going on here? Traci said you needed someone from forensics, now!”

Christopher coughed and shifted. “Great. And who is she?”

Holly shot Gail a quizzical look.

“This guy has AIDS and stabbed Nick with a dirty needle.” Gail shrugged.

“Oh.” Holly replied quietly, a look of concern replacing the somewhat annoyed expression on her face from seeing him standing there. She rummaged in her red forensics lunchbox.

“Nick,” She said calmly, “Can you please put that hypodermic into this tube?” She produced a large plastic test tube with a screw on cap.

“Ok.” He took it from her with shaky hands, but managed to complete the task and return it to her. She labeled it and stowed it neatly in her bag.

Just then the medics arrived. They searched him gently, but given that it turned out all he was wearing was the t-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts, held onto his body by a piece of rope, it was mercifully brief.

As they wheeled him away on the gurney, Holly turned to Nick and said. “You need to go to the hospital ASAP and explain what happened. If you get onto PEP protocol anti-viral medication within two hours of getting a dirty needle stick, there is an eighty percent reduction in the risk of contracting HIV. The longer you wait, the greater the risk. They will explain it to you when you get there.”

“Um, thanks Holly!” Nick replied sheepishly, “And I’m really sorry about the other night…”

“Well that’s a start.” She replied coldly

“I had better take him. So we have to go.” Gail said, “Can you tell Traci what happened?”

“Sure.” Holly replied “And I will call you just as soon as I get the results from testing this needle for genetic material.”

“Thanks Holly!” Gail kissed her on the cheek. “See you later?”

“You bet.” Holly replied and watched them dash off in the direction of Gail’s cruiser.