A/N: Things are looking bad for Don in this chap. Just keep chanting the mantra: Happy endings. Happy endings. Happy endings...
Chapter 34 -Bargaining Chip-
John Bishop stepped into the limousine, glancing curiously at the man slumped in the seat across from him. "Who's your guest, Benjamin?" he asked.
"My brother has… invited him. He's a specialist. Damien seems to think he can help Katie."
"Ah, yes, how is dear Katie? I hope the… mutant didn't cause her serious harm?"
"She's in a coma." Benjamin's tone was flat.
"I'm so sorry to hear that."
"My brother is beginning to doubt that the turtle had anything to do with Katie's… unfortunate accident." Benjamin picked at his thumbnail, and avoided Bishop's eyes. Those sunglasses were positively disturbing.
"Who else could it have been? You told me his weapon was found nearby, and he was missing at the time she was found. These turtles are extremely cunning, Benjamin, and difficult to handle. I did try to warn your brother."
"Yes. It would seem Damien finally found someone he couldn't control." Benjamin allowed himself a small smile.
Bishop nodded. "It would seem so," he said.
**********
Donatello woke with a start. He'd fallen asleep without even realizing it. Sharp pains shot through his arms and legs as they protested their long confinement. Grimacing, he tried to shift his position, but he could only achieve small relief.
To distract his mind, Don performed mental calculations, running through familiar formulas. He calculated the cubic space of the room. He calculated the approximate square footage of the walls. He tried meditating, but the pains in his arms and legs made it difficult to concentrate.
Too bad I never learned transcendental meditation, he thought. Leo is the one who's good at entering the spiritual plane. I never could quite perfect the art of leaving my body behind. I guess when Bishop gets here I'll get to practice.
Donatello swallowed, fighting back the nausea that rose in his throat. He wouldn't admit to the terror which was growing in his chest.
I can't just lie here, helpless, and wait for that lunatic. I've got to get out…
But struggling only cut the straps deeper into his wrists and ankles. He closed his eyes, despairing.
Guys, I'm so sorry. Leo, I should've listened to you. Never go topside alone… But Raph does it all the time. Of course I should've known better, I've set enough of Raph's bones to know how dangerous it can be.
Raph… I'm gonna miss you, Bro, hot head and all. And Mikey… I'm so sorry, Mikey. I guess I won't be getting back to fix that Playstation after all.
Tears leaked from his eyes, sliding down the sides of his cheeks. He didn't even have his mask to hide them. Don squeezed his eyes shut, forcing the tears back.
I'm not gonna give up. Not yet. Bishop doesn't have me yet. I'm still alive. I'm going to find a way out of this. The guys will come. They always do.
But how? A small voice niggled at the back of his brain. How're they gonna find me? And how can they take on all of Kanar's guards? Don fought back the despair that threatened to overwhelm him.
Movement in the hall snapped Donatello's eyes open. He tensed, every sense on high alert as the door swung slowly open. The guard walked in, followed by Benjamin Kanar. Next came Damien, Jon, and then…
"Bishop." Donatello spat out the name as if it tasted bitter. He squirmed, pulling at the straps, but they were unyielding.
"Hello, Donatello," said Bishop calmly, with a cold smile.
"You know him?" Damien Kanar's eyes snapped from Donatello to Bishop. He was frowning.
"We've met," said Bishop.
"When you tried to cut me and my brothers up like a butcher in his shop," snarled Donatello. He strained against the straps. He could almost feel Bishop's neck under his fingers.
Bishop smiled. "We simply needed samples, Donatello."
"Samples?" Donatello's voice threatened to crack with outrage.
"Yes. You and your brothers are a scientific phenomena, despite your... unfortunate existence, you have much to teach the world about evolution. It's really too bad you reacted so violently… It's taken me almost a year to rebuild that lab."
"If you're an example of evolution, Bishop, I don't see an improvement over the monkeys," said Donatello.
Bishop smiled grimly. "We're not here to trade insults, turtle. Why did you attack Katie Kanar?"
"I didn't."
"Who are you working for?"
"What?"
"Who put you up to it, mutant?" Bishop leaned close. Donatello pressed back against the metal, as far from Bishop as he could get, glaring with helpless fury into the man's face.
"What are you talking about?"
"Who put you up to beating Katie Kanar half to death?" roared Bishop.
"I never touched Katie!" shouted Donatello. Rage rose up in his chest, staining his cheeks and making his dark eyes flash dangerously.
"You see, Bishop, he continues to deny any involvement," said Damien Kanar. "On the advice of my brother, I used the band…"
What? Benjamin told him to do that? But why? Donatello's mind was spinning. Benjamin Kanar stood impassive, listening to the conversation with hardly a flicker of expression.
"It's not enough," said Bishop, abruptly straightening. "You'll have to break him. These turtles are clever, cunning animals, but I'm certain he didn't act alone. Give me permission to use whatever means I deem necessary, Mr. Kanar, and I will extract answers from him."
Donatello felt as if someone had plunged him into an ice bath. Alone with an unrestrained Bishop? It was his worst nightmare coming true.
"No!" he shouted. "Kanar, listen to me. He's crazy. I don't know who hurt Katie. I would never have gone along with anything like that. You've got to believe me…"
"Wait a minute, Bishop," said Damien. "I don't know. Katie insisted that he was her friend. She refused to use the band at all. She defended him. What if we're wrong? What if he didn't attack Katie?"
"Damien," Benjamin spoke hesitantly, as if with great reluctance. "I didn't want to tell you this before, but… well, I think Katie may have been… perhaps infatuated a bit with Donatello. She was acting rather… strangely. I was going to speak with you about it, but this happened before I had a chance."
What? What is he saying? Why is Benjamin doing this?
"Benjamin, you told me this turtle was safe. You told me he was the most gentle of his kind. You told me he was intelligent."
"I thought Katie could handle him, Damien. The band should have ensured his compliance, kept her safe. Once that threat was removed, he was free to attack her. I'm so sorry, Damien. I blame myself." Benjamin shook his head mournfully.
"She'd obviously fallen under his influence," said Bishop smoothly. "These turtles can be very cunning, as I said. He must have tricked her into trusting him somehow. You know how impressionable young girls can be…"
Kanar's eyes flashed. "My Katie is not an average sixteen year old," he snapped. "She's always been a very good judge of character. I trust her instincts, always have. No, Bishop. He's not to be damaged. At least not until Katie wakes up and can tell us what happened."
"Mr. Kanar, I really must advise you…" John Bishop did not like being told no, but Jon shuffled, cracking his knuckles. Bishop looked at the big man, and his mouth closed with a snap.
"Katie is my only priority now," said Damien Kanar grimly.
"Of course, of course," said Bishop smoothly. "And I want to assist you in any way I can."
A scuffling sound could be heard outside, and the door swung open once more.
"Mr. Kanar, the Doctor is ready to talk to you." The guard, Alan, stood in the doorway.
"Very well. Jon, you will bring Donatello to the main house. He will be held in one of the containment units until Katie wakes up."
Donatello gasped as Jon reached over, casually unbuckling the straps holding Don's wrists.
"No fighting," the big man rumbled. Don nodded. He was in no shape to fight, yet, but he had no intention of going along quietly to be handed over to Bishop later, either. He'd bide his time, wait for the right moment.
Jon didn't give him a chance. He picked Don up bodily by the wrists, and set him on his feet. He held Don up until the turtle was able to get his balance and enough strength flowed back into his legs so he was able to stand. Then he pulled Don's arms behind his back, snapping shackles onto his wrists before Don had time to cry out.
Donatello was sure his shoulders would dislocate from the sudden change of position. He noticed Bishop's sneer of satisfaction, and put on a carefully blank expression.
Jon shoved Donatello through the door, leading the small procession up the path to the main house. A man in a white hospital coat, his stethoscope still dangling around his neck, stood in the foyer, a guard at his elbow. His eyes went wide as Donatello was herded inside.
"Wh… wh… what is that?" the man stammered, his eyes stretched wide.
"That is none of your concern, Doctor Carmendy," said Damien Kanar smoothly. "Have you examined my daughter, Katie?"
"I have." Doctor Carmendy frowned, tearing his eyes away from Donatello.
"Katie? How is she? Is she going to be all right?" Jon squeezed Donatello's arm, warning him to be quiet. Don ignored him, staring at the doctor.
The man stared right back. "It… it talks!"
"'It's' name is Donatello," snapped Don. "And Katie is my friend."
The Doctor shook his head, confused.
"Katie, Doctor. How is she?" asked Kanar.
Michael glanced at him. "She's in a light coma, brought on by the sedatives she's been given. Your doctors chose the best course of action for her injury… The induced coma will keep her body from injuring itself further as her brain heals.
She's got some damage, Kanar. I'm afraid the scans are showing several areas of disruption in her brain. The only thing I've seen repair this level of damage without extensive therapy is the new neurotransmitter technology Benjamin mentioned for one of my patient's treatment. The government's been funding the research, but it's not readily available to the public yet. I was considering nominating Peter as a participant in the study…"
"Bishop." Kanar turned to the man. "Now we come to the main reason I've invited you here. Benjamin tells me your company may be able to acquire this technology."
Bishop glanced at Benjamin Kanar. "How did you get that information?" he snapped.
Benjamin smiled. "We have our sources," he said mildly.
"Can you get it or not, Bishop?" asked Damien impatiently.
"Perhaps," said Bishop slowly. "It will be… expensive. And difficult to obtain."
"Do it." said Kanar. "Katie must have the best."
"I want something in return, Kanar." Bishop's smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Money is no object, Bishop. Name your price."
"I don't want money, Damien," said Bishop smoothly. "I want Donatello, and his brothers. I want the turtles."