3 hours later.
"We have to, Gemma. We have no proof that it's anything other than an iPod. Our tech guys can't find any evidence either."
"Fuck it's just an iPod!" Dr Stark snarled. "I think some geek has programmed it to hide its real purpose from us!"
"You heard what Chancer said," Dr Loomis said.
"Don't fucking tell me you believe that bullshit?" Dr Stark's face was red with anger. "He hasn't seen him for years! The guy had the smarts to abandon him after he started raping and killing women! So he suddenly just turns up at SG out of the blue and gives him an iPod? What? A get-well soon present?"
Dr Loomis sighed. He couldn't deny Gemma had a point. It did seem odd. But they had no proof. They might suspect something, but without proof they couldn't do anything. Dr Stark knew that and it frustrated her even more.
"If we sent it off to be examined properly on a mere hunch or suspicion," Dr Loomis continued. "We'd have lawyers on us before we could blink! Arguments that the iPod might be helping with his treatment somehow. But listen." He lowered his voice. "You and I both suspect he's the one behind all of this, the one watching and reporting on Danielle. I have the power to speed up his execution and to be perfectly honest with you I'm seriously considering doing just that. No treatment we give him is going to help. He's still as dangerous as he ever was. So even when we do give him this "iPod" back, it won't be for long."
"Long enough for him to do more damage to Danielle," Dr Stark said. Not looking happy at all. "You know it, Sam! Can't we just keep that thing," she jabbed at the bag. "Here? Not give it back to him?"
Dr Loomis sighed. "We can't. We need proof. You know that as well as I do, Gemma. Just suspicion won't cut it."
"We're a fucking high security ward!" Dr Stark almost shouted now. "We're in charge, we're the experts, we can do what we think is best! What if he's listening to music with violent and sexual lyrics and that's making his desire to rape and kill women stronger? Or watching violent porn? Scenes of rape or something! What if they were already downloaded when he got this? We don't have internet here without the WIFI password and he certainly doesn't have it! Only we can give it out! We change it every day for just that reason! So how the hell is he calling or texting his "employers?"?"
"But that's just it!" Dr Loomis said. He knew his junior consultant was right and had a seriously valid point, but without physical proof their hands were tied, and he knew she knew it too. "We can't prove it."
"Fuck!"
It was one of very few times Dr Sam Loomis had ever heard Dr Stark swear. But he didn't make fun of her because he understood her anger and frustration. Instead he stepped forward and put his arm around her. "I know," he said softly. "I know."
"So we have to just… Give it back to him and let him carry on spying on her?"
Dr Loomis shook his head. "We have to give it back, yes, but we can fit Danielle's cell with soundproofing foam. That way, if he's using it to listen to her, that'll stop it, or at the very least make it more difficult for him to do so."
Dr Stark clapped a hand to her forehead. "That's brilliant! Why didn't I think of that? But it won't stop him passing on information will it?"
"But he won't have any to pass on if he can't hear her," Dr Loomis pointed out.
"True," Dr Stark agreed. After a moment's pause, she spoke again, quietly. "Did you ever consider it might have been Michael? You know, behind this?"
"No way!" Dr Loomis said without a second's hesitation. He raised his hand and began counting reasons against it on his fingers.
1 - Michael is a killer, not a watcher. 2 - Pretending to fall in love with someone before killing them is not Michael's MO. He kills within seconds of finding his victims. 3 - Michael hasn't had any visitors or been given anything with which he could watch and report on Danielle. 4 - You saw the rage he was feeling at Adam when Danielle was at his trial. I had to tell him to hold on to it, remember? 5 - He really cares for her; you can see that. So unless he's taken me for a complete and utter fool…" He took a breath. "Or he's a very good trickster and has fooled all of us, his feelings for her are genuine. He killed both Jefferson and Baker because they hurt Danielle in some way."
"Can't argue with any of that," finally Dr Stark cracked a smile. "Points taken. It's not Michael then. But seriously…"
Dr Loomis knew what she was saying. The interrogation of Chancer had been painful, hardly revealing anything. Had Chancer told them the truth? Then there was the report from the tech department. The only text box on the iPod was the one to "review" the workout app. Yes they found music and porn, but they couldn't take it from him for that reason alone, especially given the porn was all legal. The heavy metal music is not overly violent.
The "Pedal" and "Treadmill" buttons just showed timers, calories burnt and so on. Nothing suspicious at all. The headphones when worn just gave a quiet hissing noise when the "Treadmill" button was pressed. They'd examined it from all sides and had concluded that it was just an iPod. Dr Loomis didn't like it, but what could he do?
…
"What's the password for your iPod?"
Chancer had considered lying, but knew he couldn't. If Dr Loomis was killed by the iPod, he'd probably be in the electric chair by tonight. But if he didn't give the password over, he'd still probably wind up in the electric chair.
"Are you wanting me to input it for you?" He asked finally.
"No," Dr Loomis said. I want you to tell me and I will write it down. You realise we're going to examine this thoroughly before we even consider allowing you to have it back?"
Chancer rolled his eyes, but inside his discomfort grew. Trusting Leach, he was trusting Chris Leach. Fuck. A signed footpath straight to Old Sparky.
Again he considered his options. Lie? Or don't? He realised he had to tell the truth. If only to save his own skin. He'd seen how well Leach had programmed it, concealing the real purpose of the so-called workout app, so he'd have to rely on this. He took a deep breath.
"It's 'Rich hales', all one word," he said. Capital R and C."
"You'd better be telling the truth," Dr Loomis warned. Chancer's anger spiked. Dick! He wasn't his fucking dad or school teacher. He was a quack and nothing else. Just who the fuck did he think he was? He gritted his teeth and tried not to let his anger show. "I am."
Dr Loomis jotted it down then turned back. "Mark Sarcozi came to visit you and gave you this." It wasn't a question; it was a fact. "Why?"
"So I could listen to music?" Chancer rolled his eyes. Duh!
"Don't be smart with me Chancer! You know what could happen if you are! Just answer me! Why did he come all this way to give you an iPod? You haven't seen him in years."
Chancer cursed. Fucking Sarcozi! He'd either told the quacks something or… No! They'd have information on him in his file and clearly they'd spoken to people. It wouldn't take much for them to find out he hadn't seen Mark since they were in school together.
"We were friends at school," he said. "Yes I haven't seen him in years but I got back in contact just before I was captured. My iPod was at my house and I asked him to bring it in for me."
"That's a lie," Dr Loomis said evenly. "For 1 - your house was thoroughly searched when you were captured and no iPod was found and 2 - Mr. Sarcozi confirmed he hadn't seen you in years when he was asked upon your capture."
Fuck! Chancer hadn't expected that.
"So I ask you again. Why would he come all this way to bring you a so-called iPod? You didn't know he was coming did you? Dave had to wake you up when he arrived. Hardly good manners if you know you're expecting a visitor."
Chancer thought fast, then sighed. "I don't know. He just gave it to me. Said he wanted me to have some stuff to watch and listen to. Said he wanted to repair our friendship."
This was another lie. Mark Sarcozi had abandoned him after Chancer first raped a woman. When he'd killed his first one, he'd made it completely clear that their friendship was over. Said he couldn't "condone your actions." Derek had been furious, a little sad he couldn't deny. But his desire to rape and kill women had overruled any emotion over Sarcozi's decision. He'd vowed one day he'd get revenge. They'd known each other since they were 5 and for him to just up and leave just because of what Derek chose to do with his life was not ok with him. Raping and killing women was his calling, his duty. The world would be a better place without women. Filthy, cheating sluts." They deserved everything he gave them.
"What's with this workout app? It's not like you can work out in your cell, is it?"
"I can use it in the gym. I've been there a couple of times." This was the first truth he'd told them since the interview had started, aside from the password.
"I didn't authorise that," Dr Loomis said. Chancer's anger spiked again. Dick! He was in a hospital, not prison.
"One of the other doctors did," he lied. Truth was he'd asked Baker who'd sneakily taken him at night. He'd worked out, that was also true. Weights, leg press, treadmill, the works. He wanted to keep his strength up ready for when he could kill women again once he got out. Pretend good behaviour, then boom!
"In which case, why were you and Mr. Sarcozi whispering when he attended? Trying to avoid the microphones? Or had you lost your voices?"
Sarcastic fucker! Chancer thought. "No, but we don't have to speak at a specific volume which is in the rule books! If we want to whisper, we can! Not everyone wants their conversations recorded, you know! Ready for you to listen to with your morning coffee! Sorry if you lacked entertainment from us! It's such a shame your microphones are shitty isn't it? Maybe the powers that be should invest in more expensive ones if you want to hear everything including whispers! However, that's not our fault, problem or business."
Dr Loomis's face tightened with anger, and Dr Stark was sure that if it hadn't been for the glass and guards, Dr Loomis would've punched Chancer. She laid a comforting hand on his arm. He was tense.
"Don't let him get under your skin," she murmured. "He's only a patient. Don't let him get to you. Stick to the facts, Sam."
Dr Loomis took a deep breath, nodded to his colleague and turned back to the glass. But Chancer's satisfied smirk didn't help. He knew he'd angered Dr Loomis. Not good. Dr Loomis couldn't afford to lose control of the interview.
"You know we will be speaking to Mr. Sarcozi," he said calmly.
"You carry on Doc," Chancer said. "He'll say the same as me."
This was true. They'd planned their story on his second visit. Sarcozi had brought him the iPod as a peace offering.
"You'd better be telling the truth," Dr Loomis said. "There's plenty of room for you in Old Sparky."
Then he turned and walked away. Dr Stark followed. Chancer watched them enter the small office next to the interrogation cell and the door clicked shut. He was alone with the guards. The armed guard was still standing beside him. Chancer stretched his short frame. Fucking hell! He didn't have all day to just sit here while those stupid quacks talked about his fate. He was getting hungry and he desperately wanted out of here. He was freezing and to tell the truth, horny as hell too.
…
Back in the small office, Gemma looked at Sam.
"Well that went well," she said, the sarcasm in her voice evident. Dr Loomis smiled grimly.
"He's lying. Through his God damn teeth. But we'll find out it was him, just you wait and see!" Then he sighed. "I don't even know why he's here if I'm totally honest. I can't treat him, he's untreatable. Just stick him in Old Sparky and flip the fucking switch! You know as well as I do as soon as he is released, which he most certainly won't be, unless it's to go to the electric chair, he'd kill and rape more women immediately. You can't change a predator like him! He's determined to get rid of women after what his father's mistress did! He thinks they're all the same now and he's taking his "revenge.""
"Left Derek and his mother for her didn't he?" Dr Stark asked. "That's why he does it. His mother was heartbroken, and he's taken it upon himself to settle the score. He blames the mistress; thinks she bewitched his father or something. Christ! It's like the witch in Snow White or some other God damn fairy tale!"
Dr Loomis nodded. "If he wasn't a rapist and woman killer I'd be sympathetic towards him. But the way he's chosen to get his own back… Kind of dispels any sympathy I might have felt towards him. Or anyone else for that matter."
Dr Stark nodded. "I know. But then," she smiled weakly at her boss. "Michael was thought to be "untreatable" recently, was he not? By you yourself no less. Until a certain woman named Danielle Hayward came along?"
Dr Loomis chuckled quietly. "Touché. However, Michael just kills anyone he comes across. He doesn't do revenge, settling scores and the rest. He just kills. End of story. They're completely different in that regard. But yes, I agree Danielle has certainly gotten through to him. I mean, can you seriously see Michael letting anyone else even get close to, never mind touch his ears?"
At this, Dr Stark finally laughed with him. Dr Loomis squeezed her shoulder. "That's better," he said quietly. "You're right. We need to not let Chancer get to us. He wants to dictate the terms of the interview and we can't let him do that or he's won, even if it's only a small, psychological victory. That's one victory too many as far as I'm concerned."
There was a knock on the door. Dr Loomis opened it. Outside were 2 of the tech guys Smith's Grove could call if needed, here to examine Chancer's iPod.
"Hello gentleman," Dr Loomis smiled at them. "Please, come in."
…
"Well thank you! How very kind of you!"
It was 2 hours later and Chancer was back in his cell having finally been allowed out and to get food. Dr Loomis had just handed him back the iPod.
"Cut it out," Dr Loomis said firmly. "Believe me. If I had any proof of my suspicions you wouldn't have it back at all and would be on your way to the chair tonight. That's enough."
Chancer didn't answer as Dr Loomis walked away, just grinned. Whatever quack, he thought.
Typing in the password to check those fuckers hadn't changed it, he opened the "workout" app and sent a text to Leach's inbox.
That was a fucking close shave! I need to be much more careful! They're on to me! From now on I text, but don't speak! I almost didn't get this back and they want to electrocute me! I'll do my best to listen to her, but no more voice conversations. We text, or nothing at all. You can speak through my earphones, but I'm not saying another word!
Leach's… Or someone's reply came through a minute or so later. The texts disappeared after 20 seconds of being received, to stop anyone else reading them. Even through text, Chancer could tell the sender was definitely amused. It had to be Leach.
As you wish Mr. Chancer. Getting nervous, are we? Makes no difference to us. Now, start listening. You've lost hours of work. So if you want that money, you need to work hard to catch up.