Chapter 20: Encounters.
"And you wonder why I get on doctor's cases? You are a professional, a psychiatrist by training- you should know when you are being lied too. In this game, there is not lending to chance of what might be and what seems to be, there must be absolutes or else everything is flawed. You cannot second guess yourself after the facts- either take action now or release her. But I must ask, have you asked from who she heard this information from? Why she disclosed it to the patient when it's the doctor's job to do so? And have you even checked her identification?", Fernando asks.
"That's bad if you have not checked on her I. D.", Hondo answers.
Hondo points for the doctor to move to the other side of the room so Fernando and he can talk. The doctor does so as he feels stupid to not have checks her identification.
"So, you want to let her in, or what?", Hondo asks in a whisper.
"We need to find out who she is with, I can do that, but I'm not convinced this is such a good place.", Fernando says.
"I know. And that doctor not checking the I.D. makes you wonder if he knows who she is.", Hondo says.
"I don't think he does. He is not that good a liar.", Fernando says.
"Well, she doesn't know I'm here so, I could hide in the closet and listen in if you want to let her in. Just make sure the quack doesn't give me away. I don't want to give her anymore information about us until we know what she's up to.", Hondo says.
Fernando gives Dr. Bianchi a stern look while signaling to Hondo to hide in the closet. Discreetly, Hondo hides. Fernando then signals to Dr. Bianchi to keep quiet.
"Open the door and let her in. I want to ask her a few questions myself.", Fernando says.
Unsure how to react to all this, Dr. Bianchi opens the door and tells the guards to allow the girl in.
"How are they doing so far?", Candy Striper asks as she walks into the room.
"Well, they are...", Dr. Bianchi answers.
"Who is she, Dr. Bianchi; and why are you about to give confidential patient information to a complete stranger?", Fernando interrupting him asks.
"Well, I thought...", Dr. Bianchi answers.
"That's the problem- you think too much and do not focus on the important matters! You, Miss! Who are you?", Fernando asks.
"I am just a hospital volunteer...", the candy striper answers.
"I want a name and next of kin. I want your measurements and what color your underwear is, I want to know what perfume you wear, I want to know your likes and dislikes so that when I see you again, I know how to address you by.", Fernando says.
"And Who are You For Me To Give You My Measurements and Underwear Colors?", the candy striper, frustrated at him, answers.
Fernando gets up and walks over to her, pulling a card from his pocket and giving it to her. He carefully but quickly gets an eyeful of what she is wearing and how she is carrying herself. On the card, it says- "Fernando Herrera - Founder/President: First Star Software"
"You see these two girls, they are my daughters. As for me, I am Fernando Herrera - Founder of First Star Software. Now you either tell me what I want to know or quietly leave and never return to this room ever again.", Fernando says.
"Software engineering millionaire or not, I'm leaving.", the candy striper says.
The candy striper starts to leave. As she gets to the door, Fernando yells at her.
"That's Mister Software Engineering Multimillionaire to you!", Fernando says.
She only pauses for a moment before leaving. Then she leaves, slamming the door behind her. Hondo slowly steps out of the closet.
"You're Fernando Herrera?", Hondo asks.
"No, he's an old friend of mine from a long time ago when I used to write video games for him. But we do share the same first name.", Fernando answers.
"I see.", Hondo says.
"Dr. Bianchi, she is not allowed to be in this room ever again.", Fernando says.
"Why so?", Dr. Bianchi asks.
"She's an imposter.", Fernando answers.
"How can you tell?", Dr. Bianchi asks.
"Candy Stripers are for the most part teenagers. She is not a teenager. When I yelled at her, she got mad and defended herself and was offended about the ultra personal information I asked for. A teenager would have panicked and would at least given me her name and parent's name. If she was really scared, she might have given the more personal information. Besides, teenaged girls rarely wear black underwear- most wear purples, reds, blues, stripes and patterns. Sometimes white. Adults tend to wear black underwear and only on special occasions, she was wearing black.", Fernando answers.
"How can you tell?", Dr. Bianchi asks.
"Her bra strap was showing, it was black.", Fernando answers.
"I see.", Dr. Bianchi says.
"What if she was a Goth?", Hondo asks.
"Goths are an American Culture icon; she is not American. Also she was missing the other Goth items- long fingernails, black make up, multiple piercing, black visible items to show she was Goth.", Fernando answers.
"You're good.", Hondo says.
"Perhaps too good.", Dr. Bianchi says.
"You willing to let harm fall on Tammy and Bink?", Fernando asks.
"No, I was just stating...", Dr. Bianchi answers.
"Stop stating and start doing. Hondo, lets go eat. I'm starving.", Fernando interrupts him.
Fernando takes his keys out and tosses them Hondo.
"You're letting me drive your car?", Hondo asks.
"Of course. We do have to keep up appearances you know.", Fernando answers.
Fernando takes out his folded cane and extends it. Then he taps the ground with it, and leaves the room. Hondo follows. They walk out of the ward, and outside to the parking lot. Not far away from them was the candy striper, following them with her eyes. They get into the Porsche and drive away. The car's GPS tells Hondo where to go.
The candy striper picks up the cell phone and makes a call, "Black fancy Porsche." She then hangs up the phone.