Chapter 4: Breaking the case
Trucy's POV
It's been two days since Polly was moved out of ICU and he certainly doesn't look happy.
I walk into his room to find trying to use his marker to scratch the inside of his cast. Which I can't help but chuckle. He doesn't respond to it. Well mostly because he can't hear me.
The doctor comes in with Apollo's food. Which is actually more like a smoothie since he really can't really eat given that his jaws are out of commission. He sets it down by his bedside and gets his attention by snapping his fingers in front of him. He frowns at him in response.
"How's your pain?" He writes on Apollo' board.
Instead of writing his answer. He bangs his bedside table with his right hand in frustration as a response.
"Discomfort?" The doctor writes.
He bangs the table even louder. Nearly knocking off his smoothie. Which concerns me. He's been doing that as of late just to get his point across.
"I see his energy is up." The doctor ignores it and writes on his clipboard.
Apollo rolls his eyes and faces away from the doctor with an annoyed look on his face.
I frown at this. Why is he acting like an angry teenager?
"Is he ok?" I ask the doctor out of concern. "I mean. Why is Polly acting really moody?" Before I start to worry. "He might not have brain damage?! Does he?!"
Both Phoenix and the doctor break into laughter at this. Which makes me furious! This is not funny! This is serious!
"How can you just laugh at something serious!?" I demand.
My daddy recovers as he says, "Trucy. He's fine. He's not brain damaged. If anything, he's just restless."
I look at Polly, who's clearly trying to ignore us, and see that Daddy might be right.
The doctor chimes in,"Your father's right. I wouldn't worry about it. Miss. Wright. This happens to many high achievers."
"Or people like Larry Butz." My Daddy mutters under his breath.
"Don't remind me." The doctor groans before continuing. "Look. It happens a lot more than you think. Once they are no longer in agonizing pain, they become fuss potts like children in no time at all. I tend to see it as signs that things are getting better for them. I actually would be concerned if he wasn't acting the least bit of restlessness at this point." The doctor says.
"I guess I can understand why." Daddy says. "One time, I checked myself out of a clinic even though I had 102 fever just because I was getting restless on one heck of a case back in the earlier years."
"You did what?" I raise an eyebrow in surprise. This is the first I have heard of this.
"I probably should not have brought that up." Daddy says sheepishly. Looking like he instantly regrets saying it out loud.
"I guess I can see it too." I sigh. "I don't know how I would handle being stuck in a hospital for an extended period of time."
"Well. If anything. I can imagine you pulling the Mr. Hat disappearance at least several times like you did whenever I took you to the doctor's office for your vaccinations." Daddy says.
"You know I hate shots Daddy!" I tell him off. I hate it when he brings it up.
"Anyway. He'll be fine. He just needs to understand that things take time. Which is not always the easiest thing to understand. There's a saying that goes around hospitals when dealing with patients like him." Dr. Gerald says.
"And what is it?" I ask.
"Doctors and Lawyers often make the worst of patients." He chuckles before he leaves.
Hours later, I'm coming back from the bathroom to sit with Polly. I somehow managed to convince Daddy to go home and get some much needed rest. Which wasn't the easiest thing to do since like Polly he can be a bit stubborn.
"Daddy. You need to go home. I can look after Polly for a while." I confidently say to him. "Besides. You're not doing him or anyone good if you don't get a shower in soon."
"Are you sure?" Daddy asks for the millionth time.
"Go…..." I tell him for the millionth time with frustration written across my face. "Get yourself back home and take a much needed rest and a shower. You've been here for practically a week. You deserve a break. I'll be fine here with him for a couple of hours. I'll even text you if there's any problems."
"You better." He says before he reluctantly leaves.
During the time Daddy has left, Me and Polly haven't done much besides play games. Mostly played hangman or cards. Something that didn't really require much talking. Which I thought was a good idea.
Eventually nature called and I had to leave the room for a few minutes. I was coming back when I got a text from Daddy.
"Hey. I'm on my way. How are you two holding up?" It says.
I texted back, "We're fine. See you soon." Before I pocketed my phone and head back to the hospital room. It was then that I hear something unfamiliar.
I hear crying.
"Polly?" I say even though I know he can't hear me as I open the door and see a more unfamiliar site. I look in on him to find him burying his face in his casted arm. Crying.
I never seen him cry before. Hardly anyone has ever see him cry before. I seen him get frustrated. But I never seen him break down like this. He must've started crying when I left because he isn't looking at me. Which means he doesn't know I'm here. I don't think he would ever cry if he knew someone else was in the room.
But still. No one should have to cry alone.
I walk over to him as I take off my top hat and I contemplate what I'm going to do next.
Apollo's POV
I'm crying and sobbing like an idiot. I just want it to stop. But my tears keep on coming down like a waterfall. They started coming down when Trucy left.
I keep on sobbing even though it's hurting my ribs. Why am I doing this?! Why can't I just suck it up and get on with it!? What's wrong with me?! Why am I doing this?!
But I know why. I'm stuck. I'm stuck in this bed. I'm stuck with my own thoughts twenty four hours a day. I can't hear anyone. I can't talk to anyone. I have write everything down and they have to do the same thing. All of my food is processed like a smoothie. Has anyone had a lasagna smoothie before because it tastes worse than it sounds!
The real reason though is that I'm angry. At what happened, but more at myself. Why did I let this happen? Why couldn't I have defended myself better?
I feel like I can't do anything.
My bed slouches on my right side a bit. Which gets me to stop crying for a second and I turn my head to see Trucy. Without her hat and tucked in a ball lying next to me. Which surprises me, but I don't want her to go away.
She pulls out one of her handkerchiefs from her glove and hands it to me. I take it to blow my nose and wipe my tear drenched face. Feeling really embarrassed but still emotional. I really didn't want her to catch me like this but she did. But she doesn't seem to care and doesn't look to be going anywhere.
She wraps an arm my shoulder and places her other arm on my chest. In a way hugging me without hurting my ribs.
I try to suck it up once more but tears are still leaking through but not as heavy as before.
"Hey. It's ok. Just get it all out." I imagine her saying to me. "Just get it all out Polly."
I let my tears roll down my cheeks as I continue to cry. But not as hard and find myself starting to breath more easily. It actually does feels better not to hold them in.
"Feeling better?" I barely hear her ask. I nod before something comes to mind.
Wait a minute? I'm not imagining her saying it to me. I'm actually hearing her words! I am hearing her say that! I can hear her!
My ears ringing are becoming less and less. Eventually the ringing is replaced with sound such as hearing footsteps and Trucy moving in my bed.
"Polly?" I hear ask again. Man! I can hear her. I can actually hear her.
I start chuckling and crying one more but this time in happiness. Trucy is confused before it finally gets to her head.
"Wait. Polly?! Can you hear me?" She immediately asks.
I chuckle as I nod.
"You actually can hear me!?" She shouts in disbelief. I grunt in pain as I clutch my ears that are ringing again with my free hand.
"Sorry." She sees her mistake and quiets down a bit. "Still you can hear me?"
I smile as I nod continuously to confirm it.
"You can actually hear me?!" She says excitedly.
She starts chuckling and crying in happiness as well while she tightens her makeshift hug on me. Not enough though to hurt me.
We keep on chuckling before I hear a door open. I actually hear a door open!
"I'm back." I hear Phoenix's voice. Which feels like hearing a friend after not seeing them in such a long time. He looks at us in confusion as he says, "What's going on you two?"
"Daddy! Polly's hearing has come back!" She shouts again and I wince from the volume and scrunch my eyes in response.
He smiles as he walks over to us.
"That's fantastic, though you might want to take it down a notch Trucy." I hear Phoenix say. "You might make him deaf again."
She gasps and looks at me sheepishly.
"Whoops. Sorry again Polly." She apologizes again more quietly before she jumps out of my bed. " Still I'm gotta call Athena and tell her the good news."
She leaves my room and I look over to Phoenix. Now that I can hear him again. I should have an easier time with talking about my case.
I pick up my board and write, "Dr. Mendez?"
"We think we found the connection. Turns out his best man was the one we believe who killed Mr.O'Brien. His name is Frances Francesco. A Plastic Surgeon. We think the culprit must have called in a favor to his dear friend to discredit the witness." He explains.
"So he institutionalize the guy?" I ask on the board.
"Under the impression that he was suicidal." Phoenix confirms.
But something doesn't make sense. My attack.
"But why the attack on me? He could have just blocked me from talking to him when I requested to interview him instead of getting him to hurt me." I wrote.
"He could have. But he was a prime witness to the crime. The prosecutor requested his presence as well. We found out that the other doctors at the institution were going to clear him to testify since they had no reason to believe he was actually a danger to himself and appeared mentally sound." He explains.
And I know where this is going.
I write, " Let me guess. The only other solution to prevent his testimony was to prove that he was an immediate danger to others instead." He explains.
Phoenix nods and says, "Afraid so."
"And the culprit used me as an example to do just that." I wrote. "Does Athena have the evidence to prove the motive?"
He frowns. Which means no. He doesn't. Only a theory. Unfortunately that doesn't hold up well in court.
There's gotta be something. Something to help this case. Something to prove the theory. Something.
I think back to the interview with the witness. At first I think back to the attack but then realized that something did seem strange. And it was before the attack. I noticed something. He was clutching his arm.
I remember now! I asked him about.
"I was given a shot of something before I came in here." The witness says grimacing. "Which is strange. Usually I take oral medication unless it's a sedative."
"An injection? Of what?" I frown.
"The doc said it was an antidepressant. But I know my medications and this isn't an antidepressant. He didn't know it but I wised up and wrote down the registration number of the drug on the syringe in case for when I get out of here and use it against them. I learned one thing about being here so far and that is don't trust these people." He says.
One thing sticks out.
"Registration number?" I ask.
"The drugs here have a number that is recorded into the institution database. Each number is associated with what drug it is. There's no two drugs with the same number. It's so the docs here make sure that none of the patients are able to get away with stealing the drugs while they weren't looking or the doctor doesn't overprescribe. It basically works like stocking up in restaurants or stores. They put the number down in database each time one has been taken out for usage and how many there are left in the pharmacy. But here's the kicker, they also have the name of the doctor that requested it." He explains.
"If you want, I can have the number and look it up for you?" I ask taking out a pen and paper. It could be useful. I rather have some useless evidence than not enough evidence.
" That would be helpful. Thanks." He says be he writes it down and shoves it back to me. "Maybe it could be of some help."
I put in my bag and was about to ask him more questions when suddenly I see lunged at me and the memory cuts off.
I gasp through my wires in response. Phoenix notices it too.
"Apollo?" He asks. "You ok?"
I quickly write on the board as fast as possible, "Drugs in the mental institution have a registration number!"
"Yes. But what does this have to do with evidence?" He asks.
I write down as fast as I can and immediately show it to him.
"The witness wrote the one he questioned about down and gave it to me to look up. He knew something off about his medication and wanted me to find out for him before he turned violent. The registration number of the drug he was given is in my bag. On a pad of paper! All Athena has to do is check it with the mental institution database to find out what drug he was given, who gave it to him, and see if it was taken out on the day of the attack!"
"Apollo you're a genius!" He shouts enthusiastically before I grunt in pain from the loudness of his voice. "Sorry." He sheepishly says as he realizes his mistake.
"Daddy? Can Athena talk to Polly?" Trucy says as she comes.
"Can't. She has to talk to me first!" He says frantically as he takes the phone and leave my room.
Athena's POV
If it wasn't for that call, I would not be so happy. And it's not just because Apollo can hear again.
"I can't believe it. Apollo broke the case." I say in disbelief when I struck gold as I look at the information I got from the mental hospital.
"What did you find?" Phoenix asks on the phone.
"Everything we need to put a stop on those doctors. The registration number is for an Anabolic Steroid. Usually given to high risk Anorexic patients. It's side effect is severe hyper aggressiveness in fugue state." I read the drug information. "Fugue state?" I raise an eyebrow as I say that out loud.
"It means Athena that if he did turn violent, he wouldn't be in control and won't even remember it." Phoenix says on the phone.
"So he really was as a victim as much as Apollo." I say sadly. Regretting that I ever thought he was nothing but a violent monster.
"Look. At least we know now what's really going on. One more thing. Do you have any information on when was the last time it was checked out?" Phoenix asks.
"I do actually." I get back into serious mode. "It was checked out on the morning of the attacked. The pharmacist said they had an Anorexic patient he was treating but didn't appear severe enough for the medicine. She didn't question it though and released it from the pharmaceutical cabinetry along with the usual daily medication." I say to him.
"I bet my badge that the anorexic patient was a cover up to get a hold of the medicine." Phoenix says.
"Make that two." I agree. Feeling more than prepared to take Apollo's assailants down.
The next chapter won't be released until at least Friday. I'm afraid. Sorry. I'm really busy tomorrow. It can't be helped. Anyway enjoy this chapter.
Happy Reading.