His hands were cramping by the time they returned to the holding cell, which, upon closer inspection appeared to be some cool and dry storage place for anything from files to seeds, judging by the various boxes and bags stacked beside the door, waiting for an agricultural use the facility no longer offered.
Maybe they were even being used as decoys, making the place look a little less like the Frankenstein-esque masterpiece it was, letting the deceiving looks give the unsuspecting visitor the feeling like they'd just stepped into an outdated warehouse for the local fruit growers.
There was no telling just how Chong had rigged the outside of the building, making it hard to find, setting up guards or booby traps to alert him of any unwelcome visitors and give him plenty of time to move what needed moving before burning the rest to ashes- just like last time.
Most of all, there was no telling just how many horrifying secrets this place held, how many innocent human beings had taken their last breath right here, far away from anybody who cared for them, terribly scared and alone.
With a powerful shove, he was pushed back into the room, not tied down like last time, simply left to walk into the semi-darkness while the door behind him was shut tightly once again.
Bracing his injured ribs with his elbows, Mike moved forward, making eye contact with Gifford before carefully stepping across Steve's legs, using the little bit of light to look the young Inspector up and down.
"I am glad to see you alive…", the reporter said, then motioned toward Steve.
"Inspector Keller, your partner has returned."
Mike couldn't hide a relieved smile at the notion that Steve had regained consciousness, the first thing to work in their favor in this dangerous situation.
"You ok?", the young Inspector asked, his voice painfully hoarse.
Getting down on his knees next to him, Mike held his breath for a moment, hiding the pain from his battered body as best as possible, before patting his partner's chest encouragingly.
"I will be. They worked me over quite a bit when I caused a…a scene. Thankfully they didn't notice me stealing a scalpel. I shoved it under my binds. That should allow us to get out of those ropes and out of here…hopefully."
His comment caused both Gifford and Steve to cheer, the situation not seeming quite as desperate for a precious few seconds.
Using what little light he had, Mike carefully brought the scalpel out from underneath his palm, ensuring that the protective cap stayed on until he was ready, his cramping fingers protesting every move.
"How bad did…did Chong work you over?", Steve asked, knowing the answer without having to see.
"The usual…a couple punches here, some kicks there…", Mike countered matter-of-factly and reached over to pull the blindfold off his partner's face at last, "I'll be fine. Right now, I am more worried about getting out of here."
Squinting at him for a few brief moments, Steve nodded but decided to remain quiet, watching Mike take the cap off the scalpel before using the thin blade to carefully cut away at the think ropes tying his hands together, hoping and praying he wouldn't slip.
After a few tense moments, he could feel the pressure around his sore wrists subside, the frayed edges of the ropes finally pulling apart and releasing his hands with an unceremonious and silent tug.
Mike could hear the collective sigh of relief go through the small group as he leaned forward and began to work on the restrains keeping Steve pinned on the floor, his fingers shaking slightly from a mixture of pain and adrenaline.
"How do you think we'll get out of here?", the young Inspector inquired curiously, his eyes following his partner's moves intently.
"Not sure yet. Let's worry about one problem at a time. I do have an idea though…"
Grateful when the scalpel released Steve's right hand, Mike leaned back for a second, watching the young Inspector roll off to the side for the first time in too many hours, his exhausted body protesting the move, causing him to bury his head in his elbow for a moment.
"You sure you're gonna be alright?"
Hoping to alleviate some of the pain, Mike let his hand return to his partner's back, rubbing the cold and stiff muscles below that thin dress shirt.
"Yep…just…just gimme a second…", Steve countered and pulled his knees to his chest, slowly up-righting himself.
"Depending on what sedatives this doctor used, it might bring on quite a bit of nausea for the foreseeable future.", Gifford whispered from the sidelines, "It will take time for your body to recover from that trauma, Inspector."
"Quite aware…", Steve grunted miserably, then rolled back over to allow for Mike to work on the second set of ropes.
"Once we're done with these, I want you to scream, Claire, scream like somebody here is trying to kill you. I am hoping it will be enough to alert the guards and open the door, during which time Steve and I will attack and hopefully gain the upper hand. Then we can get out of here and call for help…"
"That's very enthusiastic of you, Lieutenant…", Steve sighed flippantly and used his free hand to cover his eyes for a moment, then drew in a deep breath, "Maybe I can play the victim this time around instead. I think I could do a realistic impression of near death lying here and wallowing in self-pity while trying not to vomit."
The brief smile flashing across Mike's lips wasn't lost on Gifford, who shared it.
"Not this time, Inspector, I need you at your best. You do know who we are dealing with here, don't you?"
"Oh…who could forget the fond memories of having a needle shoved in my neck, thinking I am about to get put down like an old dog, then end up getting sliced and diced. Fond…fond memories."
"Speaking of which…"
As Mike finished his work on the last rope tying his partner down, he reached over and carefully pulled on the tape holding the needle and plastic tubing in place inside his elbow, the gentle tug causing Steve to flinch.
"Time to get this out of you now…", the Lieutenant said under a strained breath, trying to ignore the stars appearing in front of his vision where Chong's goon had smashed the side of his head against the counter, his aching ribs making him wonder if there was a fracture hidden somewhere beneath the layers upon layers of relentless throbbing and burning.
He wasn't about to tell his partner what really happened at the lab; not until his mind had had ample time to digest what his eyes had seen and his heart refused to believe. Then, and only then would he discuss the matter with which he retrieved the scalpel, starting with a feigned attempt to flee through the side door, stepping off to the right to cleverly disguise grabbing the scalpel in a near free-fall onto the surgical tool tray, then tearing up the entire lab in the ensuing brawl while holding on to his newest prized possession for dear life.
Scrapes, bruises and broken bones would be well worth the slightest chance of escape.
"I have one question…", Steve began as Gifford leaned back, rubbing her freed wrist with her other hand and nodding at Mike in deep gratitude.
"What's that?", the Lieutenant answered and sat back on his heels, ready to begin the next part of their plan.
"So, if I understand this whole…situation here correctly, we went from getting kidnapped and tied down like we're about to participate in the Spanish Inquisition to…to the good doctor conveniently not noticing that the IV bottle attached to me didn't empty last time around because, you know…the tubing was blocked, not that I complain…and he then brings you back here without searching you top to bottom for weapons you may have stolen, then goes as far as forgetting to tie you down? Is it me or does this whole thing seem…too simple? I mean, the man knows us, Michael. We've already gotten out of his grasp before. Why make it so easy to have it happen again? I am…I am nervous about what else he might up his dirty sleeve and what might await us out there. And it's not helping that you…that you got that look on your face…"
Turning around, Mike cocked his head slightly, appreciating his partner's instincts despite his current physical state.
Drawing in a deep breath, he looked down at the scalpel, their only line of defense at the moment, and sighed.
"I know, Buddy Boy, believe me, I do. I feel the exact same way."