Case # 88 Page 3

Finn stared in disbelief as his best friend since the police academy aimed a gun at him, approaching slowly, a pair of handcuffs shining in his hands. “It’s okay, they told me everything. I know that everything that happened is not your fault. There are people here who want to help you. You’ll get better!” Doug cocked the gun and extended his arm. “Just come with me. Please don’t resist.”

  Finn was still trying to make sense of the surreal situation when he felt a sudden stinging pain in his shoulder, and the world lost its solidity and melted into oblivion. All he could see was flashing red and blue lights as multiple hands bound him to a stretcher. “Good job, boys! Let’s pack him up and get outta here.”

  Finn woke up still feeling pain from the apparent concussion. He looked around slowly, the white room coming into focus with all its beeping electronics. This was a hospital of some sort. He was struck by an alarming realization as he sat up. He was not alone.

  “Good evening, Mr. Peterson. My name is Dr. Russo. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

  Chapter Five

  Dr. Trussel was pacing angrily around his surprisingly spacious camping van. It was a peculiar vehicle, combining his living quarters with a fully equipped science lab.

  “I can’t believe you had Finn Peterson, and you let him go! Such a shame, Miss Ramirez! Such a shame!”

  “Look. I’m sorry, Doctor. But I didn’t exactly have a choice! He ran off to meet his friend before I could say anything….”

  “I know, I know.” Dr. Trussel sat down opposite Alexa, rubbing his forehead. “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. But he doesn’t know the kind of people he’s dealing with. We have to find a way to get him to safety. He’s in grave danger!”

  Finn was sitting up in the bed, watching Dr. Russo write in his notepad.

  “Let’s start at the beginning, Mr. Peterson. Or do you prefer Finn?”

  “With all due respect, I’d prefer you get to the point, Doctor.” Finn didn’t trust Dr. Russo one bit. The guy’s shifty eyes made him look like a snake trying to mesmerize its prey before springing in an attack. But to get out of here, Finn needed to find out as much as possible about his current situation.

  “Now, now, Finn. I know it can be hard to swallow. Trust me, I work with guys like you all the time—a regrettable situation. But don’t worry. The first step is recognizing there’s a problem. After that, we have all kinds of well-tested treatment plans in this facility, and we’ll do our best to help you.”

  “Meaning?” Finn felt like he knew where Dr. Russo was going with this, but he wanted to let him speak as much as possible.

  “You’re sick, Finn.” Dr. Russo paused, studying Finn’s face. “Don’t believe me, do you?” He opened a folder of documents and photos. “Well, don’t worry. It’ll all become clear to you soon.” He began placing several images, one after another, in front of Finn.

  Finn looked in disbelief as he recognized his parents’ house in a few of the larger printouts, except that now it was engulfed in flames. In the following images, the fire had been put out. An empty shell of soot was standing where the house once had. Several pictures of his car were there too. Some were apparently from a security camera overlooking the neighborhood. These photos must have been taken during his first visit to the house yesterday afternoon. Some pictures were from the explosion scene. Not much was left of the car and his unfortunate friend inside. He felt bad for Max. He didn’t deserve to go like this.

  “Do you remember these, Finn? Your fingerprints were found in the house after some neighbors reported a possible break-in early this morning. And, just a couple of hours later, it goes up in flames! Coincidence?”

  Finn was about to say something in his own defense, but the doctor continued in a firm but reassuring tone. “Finn… Do you remember this car? It was yours, wasn’t it?” He picked up two before and after photos.

  “You had a manic episode and faked an elaborate attempt on your life. All to get rid of a perceived enemy that was, what was it, following you because you were trying to visit your parents in a house where they never lived? Your parents are dead, Finn. I’m sorry, but they have been for a while. And you know that. Deep down, you do. Trust me, I’m only trying to help you. You’re confused, and your actions are irrational, and you have to stay here with us until you get better. Our hospital specializes in rehabilitating ex-police officers with PTSD and related disorders. We will take good care of you here.”

  Finn picked up a few of the photos silently, studying them one by one. “You expect me to believe that I, unknowingly, made a bomb and planted it in my own car?” He smirked. If anything, he was now sure beyond the shadow of a doubt that someone was after him. Only someone dedicated would go so far as to burn his house down and blow up his car. Was Dr. Russo a part of it, or was he really just trying to help, misled by the elaborate setup prepared by Finn’s unknown adversary?

  “If you think hard, you might remember when it all began. Think back on your last assignment on the force. You received a serious brain injury and barely survived. That’s right, I know all about you. And I’ve seen countless good cops, like you, fall prey to their own damaged psyches.” Dr. Russo sighed tragically.

  “I’m sorry, Doctor. It’s true that I was injured and couldn’t go back to work. I’ve been suffering from migraines ever since the accident, but I know I’m not crazy. You’ll have to do more than show me a couple of photos to convince me otherwise.” Finn crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for the doctor’s next move.

  With another heavy sigh, Dr. Russo opened his folder again, regarding Finn with a pitiful gaze. “I wish there were another way. I know it won’t be easy to accept what you’re about to see, but trust me when I say that the sooner you accept my help, the better for you and everyone involved.”

  He slowly pulled out another photo and handed it to Finn, who took it with a shaking hand. He looked in disbelief as the meaning of the scene captured on the colored printout slowly dawned on him. Could it be? No, it was impossible. But there was little room for doubt. In the picture, he, Finn, held an ambiguous package, crouching in front of the open door on the driver’s side of his car. He was wearing his brown leather jacket. It was the same outfit he’d worn for the past eventful days. The photo was taken in Manhattan, in the parking lot of his apartment building. And he was placing what looked inexplicably like an explosive underneath the seat of his own car.

  “Luckily, we were able to act quickly and get in touch with your friend, Douglass Garnetti. He understood the situation and helped us apprehend you peaceably and deliver you to safety. Otherwise, who knows where your delusional fantasies could have led you? Trust me, I’ve seen many patients going down this road throughout my career. You’re lucky, Mr. Peterson. Very lucky.”

  Finn was still holding the photo, trying to find anything in it that would convince him that Dr. Russo was lying. He had to be!

  “What about the bomb mechanism? If I was the one who planted it, and in Manhattan before heading out to Alexandria, how come it didn’t explode until a day later?”

  “It was a time bomb.” Dr. Russo took out a crime scene investigation report from the bomb squad. “People in your condition are capable of unbelievable mental and physical fits. You had timed the mechanism precisely to make it look like someone else was coming after you. And you timed the explosion precisely to the best moment to do that. You even made sure there would be plenty of witnesses. All to satisfy your fantasy and justify your paranoid actions. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth.”

  Finn tried to keep his cool and meet Dr. Russo’s statement with a counterargument, but his confidence was rapidly leaving him as a scary realization slowly descended on him. Was it really true? He’d seen all kinds of mental disorders during his time as a police officer. If left untreated, many of them could take extreme forms, resulting in violent behavior. The unlucky sufferers would do horrible things to themselves, their loved ones, or complete strangers—all the while remaining absolutely convinced that t
hey’re saving the world from some unknown enemy only they could perceive.

  “And, speaking of witnesses, there was someone else with you at the time of the explosion. Wasn’t there, Mr. Peterson?”

  Alexa was still sitting at the table of Dr. Trussel’s camping van. Holding her head in both hands, she was frantically trying to think of what to do next. Finn was supposed to get in touch more than an hour ago, but her phone remained ominously silent.

  “They got him. There’s no doubt about that.” Dr. Trussel was pacing again. “But there’s nothing we can do to help him at this point. If only we knew where they were holding him.”

  Alexa was about to reply, but she heard the familiar notification sound of a text message arriving at that instant. She picked up her phone, hoping to see a long-awaited update from Finn. Instead, a cryptic message showed up on the screen: Good evening, Alexa. I’m a friend, and that’s all you need to know about me right now. Finn is in danger, but I can help you save him. You have to move now. Find a vehicle. Go to the attached address and await further instructions. T.

  Alexa frowned and handed the cell phone to the doctor.

  “T? Who could that possibly be?” Dr. Trussel handed the phone back to Alexa and rubbed his forehead again.

  “I’m checking the address. Looks like it’s a hospital in Manhattan.” She looked at Dr. Trussel with a mix of hope and concern. “Do you think it’s a trap?”

  Finn was carefully reading a document, still trying to make sense of the whole situation. Could it really be true? As much as he didn’t like the obvious conclusion, it was all adding up—it was plain to see. It was very likely that his injury was more severe than he’d thought. He needed professional help. The kind of help Dr. Russo was so patiently offering. And there was another thing.

  “Alexa Ramirez. That’s right, Finn. I know it’s hard to believe. Charismatic as she is, whatever the crazy story she came up with was, she was only feeding it to you to gain your trust. She was going to use you for her anti-government propaganda purposes. She’s been arrested multiple times during violent anti-government protests. She’s not your friend, Finn. She was trying to take advantage of you.”

  “I see, doc.” Finn felt tired. His thoughts were thick and sluggish. He knew he was under the influence of sedatives and whatever else they’d given him for what he was now almost wholly convinced was his own protection.

  “We believe she’s had her eye on you for a while—a mentally unstable ex-cop, living alone, recovering from a brain injury. Your meeting was not an accident. She planned it to gain your trust.”

  “I see how that could make sense,” Finn agreed reluctantly. “But there’s just one thing I don’t get. How did she know I’d come back to the house that night?”

  Dr. Russo paused. Suddenly, a Code Blue alarm sounded in the hallway. He was urgently needed by another patient.

  “I’ll be back in a moment, Finn.” Dr. Russo placed his hand on Finn’s shoulder reassuringly for a moment. Then he got up and headed for the door. “We’ll have time to talk about everything, and I’ll answer all your questions. But, right now, just relax and let the medicine do its job. Have some rest.” He left, closing the door behind him.

  Left alone, Finn was considering following the doctor’s advice when one of the several monitors installed in the dimly lit room caught his attention. It beeped several times persistently as a text began to appear on the old-fashioned screen.

  Finn. Do not worry. Help is on its way. Be prepared and await further instructions. T.

  Alexa drove as fast as she could without risking getting pulled over by a police patrol. That would be very unfortunate, given the current situation. And it was not the kind of risk they could afford to take right now. Dr. Trussel was in the passenger’s seat beside her, reading T’s instructions as she pulled the van into the hospital’s parking lot.

  They might be driving straight into a trap. But, on the other hand, if T was indeed involved with the people after Finn and knew Alexa’s name and had her cell number, why would they need to go so far as to come up with an elaborate rescue plan to trap her? Besides, as Dr. Trussel has reiterated multiple times during the ride, Finn was their only possible hope of exposing the project.

  Just as Finn was starting to doubt his sanity again, the monitor lit up one more time.

  Transport is close. It is time to move. In roughly 40 seconds, a nurse will enter your room. Act quickly. They will try to sedate you. You need to acquire a disguise...

  The monitor went blank as the door swung open, and a tall nurse with muscular arms and an intense expression entered the room, quickly making his way to Finn’s bed. Finn had just enough time to lie down and pretend to sleep. With one eye half-closed, he watched as the nurse filled up a thin syringe with a transparent liquid—the sedative, no doubt. The nurse leaned closer to inject the chemical into Finn’s shoulder. Finn grabbed him with lightning speed, twisting the syringe out of the surprised man’s hand and pressing it hard into his own shoulder. The sedative worked quickly. A moment later, Finn was walking through the hallway. Terry Armstrong, declared the name tag on his chest as he slowly walked among the unsuspecting medical personnel passing him in the hall. Still feeling the effects of previous sedatives, Finn’s motions were sluggish, and it took all of his will and attention just to appear normal as Finn made his way to his next destination. Armed with the unfortunate nurse’s cell phone, he walked towards an underground parking lot where his transport was apparently waiting.

  Dr. Russo rushed back to Finn’s room, accompanied by two nurses and a security guard. The Code Blue had been a system glitch. In fact, the room the alarm had come from was currently unoccupied. It was improbable that anyone could have exploited the hospital’s announcement system to get him away from Finn’s room, but Dr. Russo couldn’t take any chances. He walked into the room with a sigh of relief. Mr. Peterson was sleeping peacefully in his bed after a fresh portion of sedative. Good, the doctor thought, satisfied. Let him rest while I prepare for our next conversation. He was ready to leave as something crunched underneath his foot. A syringe! What was it doing on the floor? His heart sinking, the doctor turned around sharply to look at the person occupying the bed one more time. He could now tell that the man under the blanket was bigger than Finn, with facial hair and a different haircut.

  Finn descended the fire escape as alarms began blaring above him, flashing red lights announcing his disappearance to everyone in the hospital. He started running faster, pushing the heavy metallic door of the parking lot open. The side door of a big gray van swung open, and a pair of hands gestured for him to hurry.

  Finn began to run as he heard multiple pairs of footsteps descending the stairs after him. He grabbed Alexa’s hands and leaped into the van just in time. The vehicle sped off as several security guards rushed into the parking lot, shouting warnings.

  Don’t worry, read the message on Alexa’s cell phone. I temporarily disabled the security cameras along your direct route in and outside of the hospital. They were already out on the highway, driving towards a safe house designated by their anonymous helper. I will be in touch soon. Cannot wait to meet you all in person. T.

  Alexa reached out to check if Finn was hurt, but he pulled away from her. He stared at her and Dr. Trussel with suspicion in his eyes.

  “Hello, Finn. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Dr. Trussel. I used to work on Project Orthia, and I—”

  “Yeah, let me guess. You’re here to help me explain everything?” Finn looked annoyed. “I just had a similar conversation upstairs. How can I trust you two?”

  Alexa was hurt by his comment, but Dr. Trussel put a hand on her shoulder reassuringly.

  “You’ve been through a lot, and we understand your distrust, Finn. But, if you stick with us, I’ll show you everything. And you’ll know that I’m telling the truth. At least listen to both sides before making a decision.” Dr. Trussel paused to let his argument sink in.

  “And, if you need proof
right now, well… Take a look at your birthmark.” Dr. Trussel rolled up his own sleeve, pointing at the spot on his shoulder where Finn’s birthmark was. “The one on your shoulder. It has a peculiar shape, doesn’t it?”

  Puzzled, Finn rolled up his sleeve. Indeed, he did have a peculiar birthmark on his right shoulder. It resembled two figure-eights or infinity signs, depending on how you looked at it. He had tried asking his parents about it, but they always brushed him off, saying that birthmarks come in all kinds of interesting shapes. And, while his birthmark was pretty unusual, it was not particularly special. But how would this conspiracy doctor know about that?

  “It’s not a birthmark, Finn. It’s a case number. You’re #88.”

  Epilogue

  The two men stood facing each other, their long shadows stretching into the distance, merging with the different shades in the narrow alley.

  “What a place to meet… I feel like a drug dealer. I’d invite you to my humble restaurant, but alas, under the current circumstances, it would be impossible.”

  Agent Spencer smirked at the other man’s remark. “Please. We’re both men of business. I’m sure we can come to an agreement to leave that unfortunate episode behind us. Trust me. If you prove to be a valuable asset to our cause, you’ll be reimbursed tenfold for your losses.”

  “In that case, I’m looking forward to working with you and your colleagues, dear agent. You won’t regret your decision.”

  “And I trust that you’ll do your best. Finn Peterson has proven more troublesome than we initially anticipated. Having someone who knows him as well as you will prove to be very beneficial for us.”

  “Making powerful friends such as yourself, Agent Spencer, is what I’m all about.” He reached out for a handshake, smiling cheerfully as his intense green eyes fixed on the agent’s face.