Chapter 2 - A great scam

Face was in great spirits
Dressed in a crisp white suit which was complemented with a pair of designer sunglasses, he sped over the freeway while listening to Blondie on the car radio. His next stop was the V.A hospital to spring out his crazy friend Murdock.
The colonel had lined up another mission for them, and although Face still needed to hear all the details it sounded like it was going to be a relatively easy and nicely paid job for a change. The conman smiled inwardly. These were the jobs he liked doing best; Easy money, and, if possible, no extra dentist-, dry-cleaning-, or tailor bills.
Perfect!
Whistling along with the tune of the song he turned his Vette into the parking area of the hospital. As he killed the engine, he took one last moment to go through the details of his next scam. If Murdock had followed his instructions to the point, it would be a simple matter of walking in and out of the place.
While Face replaced his sunglasses with a pair of fake gold-rimmed ones, he carefully examined his surroundings. As always, he was on the look-out for anything suspicious that could quickly turn events into a disaster. Being wanted by the government, he could never be too careful. But for the moment, the coast seemed clear of any federales and/or other undesirable entities. Today was going to be a good day.

Minutes later, the conman entered the psychiatric ward of the hospital. He'd changed into a white doctor's coat, holding a clipboard under his arm and a briefcase in his hand. He'd even put on an antibacterial face mask for extra dramatic impact.
Face suppressed a smile as he heard a distant clucking sound coming from one of the rooms down the hallway. Keeping his face straight, knowing his eyes could give him away even with the mask on, he turned to the nurse station and demonstratively placed his briefcase on the counter with a loud thud. The young red-haired nurse, who'd been engaged with her paperwork almost jumped from her chair. A little flustered, she looked up into the deep blue eyes of the man standing in front of her desk and gawked a little. Seeing he got her full attention, Face pulled down his facemask and sent the young woman one of his radiant 1000 Volt smiles while handing her his business card. The nurse took the card without breaking eye contact. Apparently, his charm and good looks were doing the trick already. Pleased with her reaction, Face didn't beat around the bush and jumped right into his act.

"Good morning. My name is Dr. Volaille," He said pleasantly. "I've been sent by the head of The Department of Mental Research and Bacterial Relations of the National Domestic Poultry Association and I'm here to collect one of your patients, a certain Mr...," Face pretended to check his clipboard. "H.M. Murdock."

Glancing around the empty hallway, the conman frowned and added: "So, where is Mr. Murdock? I thought he'd be ready to leave with me, but I don't see him. You do realize that time is of the essence?" He added.

The clucking and crowing sounds in the distance started to increase ever so slightly.

"I- I haven't heard of any releases today," the nurse stuttered, sounding taken aback.

"A moment, please. What department was it again?" she said while hurriedly checking her computer for more information.

"The Department of Mental Research and Bacterial Relations of the National Domestic Poultry Association," Face repeated effortlessly. (He'd been practicing.)

"Right," the nurse mumbled.

Not finding what she was looking for, she started rummaging through a pile of papers. Face tapped his fingers impatiently on her desk, making her pursuit for the right information more frantic. After some more attempts to find any proof of Murdock's discharge at all, she looked up with a worried expression on her face.

"I'm sorry sir, I'm afraid we didn't receive any releasing papers for Mr. Murdock. I can't let you take him unless I have a note from his treating psychiatrist, Dr. Richter."

Face grinned inwardly. This was his cue to add some drama.

"Well, that's highly inconvenient," he started, looking appalled. "And a tad bit sloppy too if I may add."

He pushed his glasses up his nose and looked at the nurse with a stern expression on his face.

"I'm disappointed to see that this department doesn't have its paperwork in order when it's a case of life and death! I would've expected more from the Los Angeles hospital of Veteran Affairs. I'm afraid I will have to inform my superiors about this."

To his satisfaction, Face noticed the widening eyes and the slightly reddening cheeks of the young nurse.

"B-But I don't understand," she stammered.

"You don't understand?" Face interrupted. "Are you aware that a group of patients from this department took on a field trip to the petting zoo last week?"

"Yes but,"

"And are you aware of the fact that one of your patients, Mr. H.M. Murdock himself, sneaked away and has been spending the rest of the day in the hen house used by the local poultry of the petting zoo?

"Yes but,"

"Then you must've heard that the chickens he has been interacting with were all infected with the Salmotalius Chicken Virus. Correct?

"Eh.. no, I don't thi…" the nurse began.

But Face was on a roll now.

"Has the patient been behaving differently than usual?"

"Well, yes, he thinks he's a chicken, but we didn't think much of it. It's not the first time he…"

"Great!" Face interrupted with a look of exasperation on his face

"That's just great," He emphasized his words while raising his hands dramatically. In the distance, an extensively loud cock-a-doodle-doo could be heard.

"It's a good thing I've shown up then. For your sake, I hope I am not too late, nurse ehm.." he quickly checked her badge and continued: "Nurse Tremble."

"It seems I'm right in time to pick up this patient as I think he's already showing signs of the infection. We have to be fast because the bacteria is highly contagious and deadly when not treated in time."

The nurse covered her mouth with her hands at hearing this news.

"Has the patient been sharing any food with other patients lately?" Face asked her with a stern look in his eyes.

Suddenly looking horror-struck, the nurse nodded soundlessly. She knew he had.

"No worries," Face said with a suddenly suave voice while rummaging through his briefcase.

"I've got a copy of the release papers signed by Dr. Richter himself."

"T-Thank you," The nurse said, looking flabbergasted while taking the papers.

"All should be okay if you disinfect all the places Mr. Murdock has vacated. I think it would be a good idea to start with the cafeteria. Keep an eye on the patients. If any of them starts clucking, don't hesitate to use my business card and give me a call."

Face moved the mask over his nose again.

"Now would you be so kind as to escort me to my patient?"

Nurse Tremble nodded and quickly grabbed a set of keys.

"Follow me," she said, sounding rather anxious.


Moments later, Murdock sat on the passenger's seat of the Vette with a thankful grin on his face. Gosh, how he loved the cool breeze of the wind on his flushed cheeks after the suffocating heat of his room. Seeing the clear blue sky above his head while seated next to his biggest best buddy felt beyond liberating. Somehow, all his worries had gone with the wind and it felt like nothing could go wrong. In a moment of pure joy, the lanky man let out a loud crow.
The white Corvette instantly swayed over the road provoking angry car-honking and shaking fists from the other drivers.

"ARGH Murdock!" Face cried, handling the steering wheel with whitened knuckles. "Don't do that!"

The blonde driver shot his friend a fierce look from behind his designer sunglasses.

"Do I need to remind you that we're done with the chicken-scam?"

Murdock sniggered.

"Why, I thought you liked chicks, Faceman," he said while wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

The lanky pilot pulled up his knees and placed his feet on the dashboard.

"That's not the same," Face muttered while swatting Murdock's legs off the dash again.

"Come on, pall. Will you behave? I just got this babe cleaned…" Face patted his hand lovingly on his steering wheel.

Pausing at a red traffic sign, he turned around to face his friend.

"By the way, how have you been, buddy?" Face asked. "It's been a while."

Murdock's grin faltered a little.

"Oh, you know me," he said, cleverly dodging his friend's gaze while adjusting the brim of his baseball cap. "I'm five by five."

His body gave a painful shudder telling him the opposite.

"Glad to hear it," Face smiled, missing the sudden unease of his friend as the traffic light turned green again.

"...Did you just lie to your best friend?" a raspy voice coming from Murdock's shoulder whispered in his ear.

Murdock glanced sideways. Pete the Parakeet had perched himself comfortably on the pilot's shoulder while the wind ruffled his feathers.

"It's a white lie, and I didn't ask for your opinion," Murdock hissed softly from the corner of his mouth. He was already feeling a little guilty about his half-truth.

"What's that?" Face asked while accelerating the Vette to change lanes.

"Err, nothin'," Murdock answered quickly.

He heard Pete chuckle darkly.

"A single lie destroys a whole reputation of integrity*...," he rasped.

Murdock glared at his invisible philosophizing pet bird but said nothing.

He would be fine, he just needed a little bit more time. Why kept the bird nitpicking on him? He decided to pretend it wasn't there, which in reality, was true.

"So what's up with this new job," the pilot asked, trying to steer the conversation away from himself.

"Ah you're right, lemme get you up to speed," Face said while steering the Vette onto the freeway. "So, Hannibal and B.A are already at the warehouse to meet up with our potential client. I understand our job has something to do with a runaway kid in Arkansas. I don't know the finer details yet but I guess we'll find out when we get there. We'll probably need to do some sleuthing and find the kid to reunite it with his parents. Not much more."

"Uhuh," Murdock said, sounding distant.

Face glanced sideways at his friend.
Despite the somewhat flushed cheeks, the pilot seemed a little pale.

"You sure you're alright, Murdock? You seem a bit distracted,"

"W-What?" It was like Murdock startled out of a daydream. "Oh, Yeah, I'm fine, Face,"

He grinned innocently as he quickly slid his hands inside the front pockets of his leather jacket. Balancing to keep his attention both on the road and on his friend, Face gave the pilot a questioning glance which instantly prompted the latter in making up an excuse.

"It's nothing…, I just didn't get a wink of sleep," the pilot stated. "You see, someone gave Captain Spaulding a hot foot last night. He kept us all awake screaming bloody murder while trying to point out this indignity."

Murdock sighed. "He's a very moral man…"

For a second, Face sent the pilot another scrutinizing stare, then, seemingly satisfied with the answer, he nodded. It wasn't the first time the pilot shared these kinds of stories about his life at the V.A.

Murdock bit his lip, suddenly overcome with a feeling of shame. This wasn't a half-truth anymore. This was a plain lie, although someone 'had' given Captain Spaulding a hot foot some time ago. Just not last night. Before Face had interrupted his thoughts, the pilot had been watching the trembling of his hands increase while wondering in horror what to do about it.

Then the cruel voice of the bird hissed in his ears again: "Shame is nothing more than denial of the truth**..."

Ignoring the imaginary creature, Murdock pushed his discomfort aside again. Face would forgive him. He was probably just having some sort of side-effects from his meds, that's all. It would wear off initially. Surely, he didn't need to alert the guys with this little nuisance? When did crying wolf ever pay off? Besides, the team would probably have their hands full with this new job if it came through. All would be fine. He just needed some more time.

Or so he kept telling himself...

TBC


* Quote from Baltasar Gracian - Spanish philosopher

** unknown