Chapter 24
Becca was still sniffling, stomping and dragging her feet when they reached the house. Once she'd figured out that Daddy (who'd always been wrapped around her little finger) wasn't going to take her back to the park either, the tantrum began anew...and continued all the way home. Jaime'd been anxiously watching out the front window and threw open the door to wrap her sobbing child in her arms - until Steve caught her eye and shook his head.
While Jaime was still trying to sort out what had happened, Russ stood up from the sofa and began leading Jess toward his car subtly, without her even realizing what was happening.
''We have to talk,'' he said, opening the passenger door for her.
The first half dozen men from the list (Russ had not arrived yet with Jess) were seated around a conference table at OSI-Los Angeles...with absolutely no idea why they'd been assembled there. Among them were three penguins, a hospital orderly, a minister and a doctor.
''I know you don't exactly trust me right now,'' Michael told Rudy and Oscar in the next room over. ''I'm not sure I'd trust me either, in your shoes...but we've got a problem. And I've got your only solution. You don't necessarily have to trust me. You certainly can't trust Anna Kingsley..but Hansen has no reason to lie to you; he has nothing to gain.''
''Speaking of Anna,'' Oscar interjected, ''How do we know it hasn't been the two of you together in this, all along?''
''You don't,'' Michael said bluntly. ''But once this works, you'll know I'm on the level. And you really have no other options, do you?''
''He does have a point, Oscar,'' Rudy allowed.
''You could've joined forces back when you were up for the same internship,'' Oscar persisted. ''Or maybe you've only recently fallen under her spell. But with your own name on that list -''
''A list I got for you,'' Michael reminded him. ''And my MRIs prove what I'm saying!''
''If they prove you were under her influence, why should we believe you now, that you're on the level and not still working for her?''
''Because I haven't been 'working for her' for a long time! Not since...what happened with Jaime.''
''I was at that prison,'' Oscar shot back. ''You remember the one, Michael? When you blackmailed your way to freedom? Your record was cleared before you'd agree to operate...''
''Of course I remember!'' Michael snapped bitterly. ''And believe it or not, I would've helped her anyway. But we need to get past that - at least for the time being - and deal with the men in the conference room next door! And the dozens more that will be coming soon after! How do you propose to deal with them, Oscar? Rudy? Because I'm handing you the only solution and I won't sit here and be vilified for it! Am I under arrest...or 'in custody' as you so politely put it these days?'' he asked Oscar.
''Of course not.''
''Then I guess I'm free to go; good luck handling this on your own!'' (Michael was bluffing. He had no intention of leaving them in the lurch...but he was also tired of being nailed to the cross.) He stood up and turned toward the door.
Rudy put a hand on his arm. ''Michael, wait,'' he pleaded. ''You're right; obviously, we need your help.''
Jaime sank down onto the easy chair and stood her still-sniffling child in front of her. She'd been about to draw Becca into her lap0 to comfort her, but Steve stood firm, arms crossed and a bemused smile on his face.
''T- A-N-T-R-U-M,'' he spelled. ''And she gets that quivering lower lip from someone else I know and love.''
''Very funny, Austin,'' Jaime grumbled. She pulled Becca closer, holding her in place gently by the arms. Russ's sudden appearance in her living room, combined with what Steve had told her about the phone call (and then seeing Jess led away, however calmly and quietly it had been done) was enough to make Jaime feel the need to question her daughter. ''What happened, Sweetie?'' she asked softly.
''Was fun...(sniffle)...swinging...and...(small sob thrown in for dramatic purposes)...she was mean to me!''
''What did Jess do to you, Becca?'' Jaime probed, as carefully as possible.
''Had to...(major sniffle)...go home!''
Jaime had to suppress the laughter that nearly escaped her lips...along with a sigh of relief.
Oscar and Rudy decided the evil-looking device was best placed in the hands of its inventor - so with Michael leading the way, they headed toward the conference room, where the number of Anna and Jack's victims had swelled to 11, with Jess, two more penguins, another doctor and a Security guard joining the ranks.
Michael stopped at the door - and then turned around, back into the smaller room they'd just come from. ''What is it?'' Oscar asked, with equal parts annoyance and trepidation. ''You need to break them up into smaller groups,'' Michael explained. ''The treatment is fast...but not instantaneous. When the rest of the room sees what happens with the first few, you could be facing panic or worse...revolt.''
Once again, Michael was right. ''How many do you consider manageable in each room?'' Oscar asked.
''Preferably no more than four. Three would be better. Tell them whatever you need to; lies are your department, not mine.''
Oscar and his best team saw to the preparations immediately. Finally, when Michael was satisfied that things could proceed safely (and with a minimum of panic), he entered the first room.
He started with the minister...
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