Chapter 38

Part 1 - 02/13/2023

The older you get, the wiser you'll be. The more patience you'll have. That sounds logical but apparently, some will never learn.

"I'm looking" Scud said in frustration to let Lucy know how he feels since Lucy has shown how dissatisfied she is every time she called. Last time was because of Adalyn. If it's that easy to find out who everyone is related to, then there's no need for field investigators. There's no need for blood tests. The time before that, she hung up because nothing useful about the owner of that fancy house with the underground hideout can be found on the internet. Did she think everyone has a social media account? This time, she's acting like she's in a hurry again and no explanation is provided. "There's just one." Scud said, expecting another question so when Lucy has nothing to say, that's rare. That could mean the line is disconnected or "Are you feeling okay? Has Amy forgiven you? Why does she think you cheated on her? Who did you" Scud stopped asking not just because Lucy is talking over him to avoid the questions again like the last time but because Janet just came in with Zander. "Gotta go." Scud hung up without explaining why and changed the website before Janet can see because Janet will have a lot of questions if she saw. At least now, she only wants to know who was on the phone. There's no need to hide it from her but she doesn't need to know what Lucy is doing either. "I don't know." Scud sighed loudly and hoped Janet doesn't continue asking. She did but it's another question he doesn't know the answer to.

"So she's not coming back?"

A shrug means don't know not never. "of course she will"

"When?"

Scud shrugged again because Lucy didn't say. The key hasn't been found. What it looks like is still a mystery. What she found out might not be true. People are still looking for it. At least now, those who were after her are no longer after her and with Little Dicky Delmonte gone to hell, there's one less person to worry about.

"Are they getting a divorce? Did she say?"

Since she asked, then that must mean she didn't hear from Amy. Scud turns his attention away from the computer to hold Janet in a hug since she's looking like she needs one. A hug alone isn't going to help that much though. A promise to always love her will because like Nadia said, this pandemic is causing many to behave differently and think of crazy things so who knows what she's thinking. With Amy's situation and Nadia's breakup, she could be thinking that it will happen to her too. If she's not, then she must have forgotten how they got together.

"Do you remember how many times they've broken up?"

"But this time is different."

"This time is different but did you know you're going to live here? Did you know you're going to be married to me? Did you know you're going to be mother to this cutie?" Scud said after picking up Zander, succeeding to make his point but Janet's smile quickly changed to the same expression as his, shock, since Zander just asked a question that neither of them was expecting because Zander was playing by himself a moment ago, not listening to the conversation.

"Yea, where is Skye?" Janet asked the same question that Zander did.

Scud shrugged again while knowing that Janet would think it's a lie but the fact is it's not because Lucy didn't say. He didn't ask either because every time she called, she's at a different location. One day, she's in Lanai. The next, she's on a helicopter in Molokai. The last time she called, she was in Honolulu so who knows where she's

"Waygoway"

"What's that, baby?" Janet said to Zander who again repeated and this time, she is able to make it out. "Did he say…Reyjavik?"

The sun is up. Finally. The sky is clear. At least up here, it is. New York already has its first snowstorm of the year, according to the internet. It's going to be freezing but up here, it's as hot as the burn from a stun gun. At least sometimes it is, now it's just a little warm and the whole body feels less energized. Lack of sleep could've caused it since falling asleep had been difficult in the past 2 days and now with the engine noise and these 2, the mind is impossible to get some rest.

"Did you get your answer?"

Petrie isn't lying after all but just because she's not lying about Doc's personal information, the sea urchin like thing and her intention to fly to New York to look for Doc, it doesn't mean she's telling the truth about everything else. Showing up at the hotel in Honolulu unannounced that night is proof of that. Forcing me to be here with her proves that she still thinks I know where the key is. This trip isn't her idea but inviting herself with three of her crew to this private jet rental shows that she's not just here to provide protection like she said but rather to get information since this young doctor, who prefers to be called by her first name Dr. Hazel, has been asking personal questions. Doctors are supposed to do that to figure out what's wrong but this one looks too young to have enough experience to be a good doctor even if she does know how to stitch up cuts because she's taking way too long to listen for a heartbeat. It is difficult to hear with the engine noise but most likely it's because she's not qualified because no experienced doctor would want this job and none would come up with such a ridiculous reason to explain the sudden onset of temperature change and fatigue. Drugs do have side effects. Some can last a few days, weeks, and even months; Hopefully not forever. It is possible that this is caused by whatever it was that was given to me that night but how does she know what it was when Adalyn doesn't even know? Petrie seems convinced since she's nodding to everything this inexperienced Doc is saying including the accusation.

"I did not rape her!" Lucy said, now realizing why they brought Aria along when they could've left her in Hawaii and why this ignorant Doc, who obviously doesn't know who I am, paid more attention to Aria than anyone else.

"I didn't say you did…"

She might not have used the word rape but she did use the words 'uncontrollable urge' and now she's using the complex names of chemicals to explain the cause of the 'inappropriate behavior.' Methylenedioxy what? It is possible that I was given something that day on the plane since I did feel hot. I was behaving differently but that was to get Aria to stop. I knew what I was doing so what does she mean by 'doing it without realizing it'?

"I don't know what she told you but you cannot trust her." Lucy said calmly this time since this young doc is doing the same and because she's tired of defending herself and because whatever this young doc thinks, it's irrelevant.

"Date rape drugs have the ability to create anterograde amnesia so you wouldn't remember what you did and you wouldn't know what you were doing and since you didn't blackout"

"Wait a minute" Lucy had to interrupt since this time, she used the word rape and her explanation doesn't make sense because date rape drugs are used to immobilize the victim. "Do you mean, I was drugged or her?"

"both"

"Whaat?" First me, now Aria too. Just what the hell did she say to her?

"The same drug can have different effects on different people…or maybe you two were given different types or"

Lucy extended her hand to let her know she had enough. It might be rude but she needs to know she's being played. "She's lying. If you haven't noticed by now, she's a little" Lucy tapped twice on her own temple instead of using the word crazy but it seems that this young Doc is determined to make her point because she just asked a very inappropriate question. If Amy were here, she would want to know the answer too.

"50 times, she said"

What! If Amy were here, she would've gasped, then be pissed and then probably would listen to Aria's spy recorder again if she still has it after demanding to know why I humped Aria 50 times instead of punching her in the face.

"It was the vibration. There was turbulence. We couldn't get up so I held onto whatever I could and she held onto me."

That did happen but apparently it wasn't convincing since she believes that Dr. Harrington had been drugging me little by little without me knowing. What! I'm going to kill her if it's true.

"Who told you that? Aria?" If it's not Aria, then it could be Adalyn but Adalyn didn't say that and she has been cooperating since that night. It's neither. It's just a guess. That might be true or it could be a lie but how she found out is not important now because the explanation given for Dr. Harrington's motive seems very possible. She always wanted to know where the key is. But as possible as it seems, it might not be true. I did remember something at that moment but it might not have anything to do with the drug. It was strange though because all of a sudden, that moment disappeared and only then did I realize Niki was standing at the door. I was still on top of Aria. Her legs were spread apart. She was breathing heavily, just lying there, looking like someone who just had sex. But it wasn't sex. It's definitely not rape because she could've slapped me, kicked me, or pushed me off but she didn't. So was she drugged too? Young Doc, for some reason, believes that she was. She also thinks it might be some type of hallucination drug which is possible because in that moment, all I could see was Allyson. It felt like I was there, doing what I did on that night in that moment when I lost control due to the spiked drink. It felt real until I realized who I was doing it to. But it doesn't make sense. "Why?...Why drug Aria?" What? Why is she looking at me like it's a dumb question? She must not have thought of that or couldn't come up with a logical explanation either since she's not even bothering to respond to it and instead continued to make her point.

"…Alcohol, GHB, Ectasy, Methaqualone, they all can make you do things you normally wouldn't do, without realizing it."

Why is she talking to me like I'm a kid, like I know nothing? Never heard of methaqualone but I know what Quaalude is even before the famous tv father figure celebrity pervert got exposed for drugging women with it. It's a hypnotic sedative so that can't be it since I felt hot and energized. I did threatened to rape Aria with the fake organ which I've never done before to anyone but that's because I never had to. When the threat wasn't taken seriously, I took her underwear off to show her that I wasn't kidding. That was the intention but after noticing her scar, boundaries were crossed like they no longer exist at that moment. Did the drug made me do that? Maybe it did because it would've continued if not for the air deafening sound along with Ace's voice of panic from the speaker which suddenly brought the mind back to reality like an on/off switch like now. Whoever it was must not be important since Petrie didn't pick up the call and the young Doc just made another assumption that doesn't seem as logical as her last because I was just thinking, not hypnotized. Dr. Harrington isn't here. Adalyn doesn't have any more of those drugs so "What do you mean it's still affecting me?"

"Your heart was pounding."

It was? It's difficult to tell when the plane is moving. She did say was not now.

"What were you feeling a moment ago?"

As a doctor, she should know that's a vague question. She does since she clarified without being asked but what! No wonder she was taking so long to listen to my heart. No wonder she was leaning down with her top buttons opened and cleavage exposed. It was a test, a very bad one because "They were right in front of me. I did not intentionally look at them." Lucy said, realizing that she had over-reacted after getting the hand signal from Petrie to calm down.

"She's not saying you did. She's saying the drug is still in you."

Well, that's not what she said. She didn't use the word pervert but she used the word you and was describing what a pervert does in a situation like this.

"I apologize if I've offended you. That wasn't my intent."

Her apology sounds sincere but what does she mean by "Let me make it up to you." Whatever she's saying can't be understood. I can't read lips. Coming closer is not going to help. Still can't make it out. A whisper into the ear doesn't help and it's causing a tingling feeling everywhere.

"How are you feeling now?"

What kind of silly question is that? It would take more than a massage on the shoulders to get rid of the fatigue. Massage on the temples would help with headaches but my head doesn't hurt. It's just warm. Why is she smiling? Wait…a minute. Is she trying to say something without letting Petrie know? Is she...Anthony's spy?

"Are you okay?"

Is that a hint? Should I say I'm not? Should I pretend to be very sick? "What?" Lucy was about to respond with a no before Petrie interrupted with a question that makes no sense and now Petrie seems to have lost her patience since she didn't ask the same question (Do you find her attractive?) again but instead asked another question that would've shocked anyone who doesn't know her because most old ladies in her age wouldn't use the F word. Do you want to sleep with her would have sounded better. Looks like Doc has heard Petrie talk this way before since she's not surprised but did find it inappropriate since she rolled her eyes while her back was turned towards Petrie who had said before she's here to help and now she's explaining how she can but what the hell is she talking about? Why the hell would she think blaming it on the drug would get Amy to forgive me? Has she forgotten what type of person Amy is? "There's no proof. She's not going to believe you."

"She'll believe me."

For a doctor, she sure is not too bright. Does she think everyone trusts doctors? "I appreciate your help but she needs proof. A blood test is not proof. You're not going to find anything anyways so I'm not going to give you my blood."

"Then we should try again…alone this time."

What? For a doctor, she sure has a lot of guts telling Petrie what to do. Would Petrie have said no if she didn't get another call? But with or without her approval, it seems that this young doc is determined since she immediately locked the door and turned off all the lights except for one which is enough to see her thin soft light pink colored lips, her big hazel blue eyes surrounded by light tanned skin and her anxiousness to try again, whatever that means. Without the glasses, she doesn't look like a doctor at all. She looks more like a mannequin because her face looks so smooth, young and blemish free with only one facial expression. Is she a cosmetic dermatologist?

"sit"

So she's not Anthony's spy? Anything she wants to say, she can say it here without Petrie knowing unless she thinks Petrie is listening somehow.

"Relax"

Nope. She's not Anthony's spy. Then there's no need to try again because even if she is able to prove that I was drugged, it's not going to get Amy to forgive me. "I don't think"

"You need to sit or you'll find out what Bell's Palsy feels like."

"What?"

"It's not going to hurt but you're not going to be able to move half your face for at least six months. Worst case scenario, paralysis. Now sit before it's too late."

"What?" Lucy asked again but didn't resist this time when her shoulders were pressed down since she saw no reason not to and because this serious looking Doc's scare tactic is effective. Anyone who has never heard of Bell's Palsy but heard of the word paralysis would do the same especially when the explanation given does sound like she knows what she's talking about. There are drugs that can cause paralysis by blocking messages from moving from the nerve to the muscle. The face does feel tight but that's because of the glued on beard. The neck does feel stiff though. Everywhere does feel weird, definitely not the same as it was before. "Right there, left, the other left, there, mmm" It has been a long time. The neck desperately needs a massage especially the back where it connects to the head. The scalp needs it too. This should get the blood flowing. Maybe she used to be a massage therapist because this feels so damn good, so good the mind can fall asleep right now if the plane isn't moving. For a doctor, she sure has a lot of skills. Those long fingers aren't just good for giving massages. They're good for playing piano too. That's not all she's good at but one thing is certain, she's not a chiropractor because she sucks at joint adjustment. "Oww" Something snapped, then popped. Releasing the pressure from the joints sounds like a good idea until now. The back hurts, the shoulder joints hurt and with over 100 pounds pushed against the forearms using her lower leg a moment ago, the forearms and chest hurt too. "Did Aria tell you to torture me?" Ohh, she thinks it's funny. So maybe Aria did. Maybe she got something valuable from Aria because why else would she believe that Aria was drugged too?

"No, she didn't and I don't believe everything she said."

Can she read minds?

"I'm young not stupid. I have dealt with people like her before so don't think I'm"

"You have a pretty smile. You should smile more. That's all I was thinking." Does that sound convincing? She might not be a good doctor or Anthony's spy but there's no need to get on her bad side. Besides, she seems to have her own way of thinking instead of doing everything her boss says so maybe she knows the real reason Petrie insisted on coming. It would be too early to ask. One compliment isn't going to get her to flip on Petrie but she does look better when she smiles. The serious look makes her look confident but unfriendly and boring. That might be why she's still single and it must be the first time she got that compliment because why would she think the drug is making me say that.

"Let me prove it to you."

"uhh no" The massage feels nice. This doesn't. The floor is uncomfortable. She doesn't look like she wants to hurt me but no way I'm going to be blindfolded. Lucy tried to sit up but was pushed back down.

"I'm trying to prove your innocence."

Wow. She should be a lawyer not a doctor. Does she think I'm stupid? She must since she got me in this vulnerable position. "You do it." See. She doesn't like it either. She might not but she's willing. Now she seems more like a scientist than a doctor, desperately wanting to prove her theory, so desperate she's willing to blindfold herself using my tie…and that's not all. Oh...my...God. If this is her test, the results would be unreliable because the full set, partially exposed, with the black push-up bra along with the tanned toned abdomen underneath the unbuttoned silver silk blouse would cause any man, woman, human, young and old, to stare.

"Are you looking?"

Would she believe no? Probably not. "ow" Lucy took hold of those long fingers before they accidentally get into her eyes. The black eye is gone. Any injury to the eyeball would "What are you doing?"

"ssshh"

All she had to say was don't touch. Is there a need to hold my wrists down against the floor? Does she think I would touch her, touch them?

"Is it pounding?"

Man, she sure has a lot of confidence. She is pretty especially her hazel blue eyes that stood out from the rest. Her small nose is cute too but her serious face with the upside down smile took away that attractiveness. Having a sexy toned body isn't enough. Men would disagree though. The face to face contact, the sweet scent of fragrance along with the closeness of her partially bare chest would trigger any man's sensitive organ down there to jump out at this moment. Gay men would want to touch them just to see how they feel. No man would say no after getting permission to do so. A kiss on the face isn't going to work. Can't feel anything with the beard. Okay, the whisper in the ear needs to stop. It's ticklish. It's tingling. It's…Ohh Doc. Talking dirty? You naughty naughty. You're not that innocent after all. Are you? No straight man would be able to resist the temptation after getting the F word used in a sentence. Nice try. Why would she think asking the same question that Petrie did earlier would work? Using it in a 2 word command puts a whole new meaning to it and it definitely brought back memories. Amy hates swearing but would use those 2 words because she knows how much I love it. She knows what moaning does to me too. Oh Doc. You should go into acting. That sounds more realistic than A…"hey" That's not fair. Apparently, one hey is not enough. The heart is now pounding but it's not caused by the kisses or the heavy breathing on the neck. It's caused by pressure that wasn't as noticeable as it is now because Doc is moving faster and pushing harder with her lower body. No one wouldn't feel nothing, unless they're paralyzed. She's not so there's no way she wouldn't be able to feel that. Her crotch is right over it.

"Did Aria tell you to do that?" Lucy asked after rolling on top of her even though she's not sure why Aria would since she's already succeeded in pissing Amy off. She's not sure why this young Doc would agree since she doesn't look like one of those who would do anything just to prove a theory unless she's not really a doctor. "Hey" Lucy said, surprised by the push-off since she's the one won't let go a moment ago. Rolling on top of her was necessary. Remaining on top of her was unintentional. She's no longer blindfolded but why does she look like she has no idea what just happened? At least, she's not laughing so that means "Hey" Lucy didn't push her off this time since it wasn't a hug or a kiss. Is she on drugs? She's sniffing like an addict but more like blood hound and now she looks like she just had an epiphany.

"I know why"

"What?"

"I know why"

"I heard that." Lucy didn't continue to ask since she just realized why Doc went straight to the bathroom. Ohh. It wasn't a pretense. It didn't sound like it was. It didn't look like it was. Bathroom break didn't take long. The explanation is even shorter. "What? Perfume?"

"Yes, aphrodisiac scent. Some are proven to increase sexual desire."

That does sound possible but is that a reason to get this excited? "Wait" Lucy said, stopping her from going out to tell Aria what she found out since it won't change how Aria feels. What happened can't be undone. And more importantly, "She's going to want to know how you figured it out. What're you going to tell her?"

"The truth."

The truth? Is she feeling all right? Doesn't look like it. She's sniffing again, this time on the sleeve of her own blouse and now she's going to the bathroom again. "You know what she's going to think of you." She must but she doesn't seem concerned. She's more concerned with getting rid of the scent since she's vigorously washing her neck with soap and wet towel.

"It's just a test"

It is just a test but even so, she should know Aria might not see it that way since she saw how Aria's behavior towards Adalyn changed from being protective of Adalyn to hating Adalyn. Others might not know why but she should since she was there that night, according to Jake. She saw Adalyn holding me firmly, quietly apologizing and crying and repeatedly saying 'wake up wake up.' She didn't know what happened until Adalyn admitted to having drugged me. No one would've known that Adalyn had been in contact with Dr. Harrington if the hypnosis didn't fail drastically. No one else was supposed to know about that night but Aria somehow found out and she let everyone know that she did by calling Adalyn a slut, a liar, a hypocrite and a few other inappropriate names like someone who just found out who her lover has been sleeping with. If they were alone, it would've led to a physical fight. So why does she still think letting Aria know would help her? "She would be pissed if she finds out she was drugged."

"Adalyn needs to know to."

"Adalyn would be pissed too." Wait. "What?" Lucy asked, realizing that she just responded without thinking because her mind just got distracted. It's difficult to concentrate when a pretty woman is stripping even if it is just the blouse. "Why does she need to know? Did she say something happened?" Nothing else happened other than the hypnosis didn't work. That's what Adalyn said but no one believes her except for her. Now it's obvious that everything she said was just a pretense since she just asked a very stupid question. "No, I still can't remember what happened that night."

"So you don't remember you said she's being manipulated?"

Ohh that. Yes. I get it. This won't change Amy's mind but this will change Adalyn's. This will make her see that Doc has been lying to her. This will change her feelings for Schaeffer. But what if she already knows about the perfume. Even if she doesn't, she might not believe it. Aria drugged? She's not going to believe that. She's definitely not going to believe a doctor who works for the one who has been treating her like a criminal since that night. Besides, there could be another reason.

"Are you sure it's the perfume?...and not…something else." That sounds better than asking about her sex life…or not. Looks like she's offended. Those big hazel blue eyes now looks smaller and narrower as if they're aiming for the right spot to shoot if they can shoot laser beams. She's not even bothering to put the blouse back on. Having self confidence is good. Over-confidence is unappealing. That's one mean look. "I'm just saying if it is the perfume, then how come I'm not affected by it." Makes sense? It should. But that obviously doesn't make a difference. There's no other good way to say it other than "They're not going to believe you."

"It's inconclusive."

Oh. So she agrees. It might not be the perfume. She's not thinking of trying again, is she? There's no need to.

"Youuu wanted me blindfolded. Youuu let me touch you for 2 whole minutes. I don't think you were drugged at all. I think you enjoyed it. I think you raped Aria because you wanted to. Is that what you want me to tell your wife?"

"For the last time, I did not" Lucy didn't continue since the lights just flickered. Turbulence instantly followed which happened so fast, the mind couldn't react fast enough to avoid the hit from Doc who couldn't maintain her balance. "uhf" At least this time, the back doesn't hurt as much since the bed is in the right place to land on. The jaw hurts a little. Now this brings back memories and so is the slap on the face that came seconds later. "Haay"

"Are you always like this?"

Why does that sound so familiar? Ohh that death glare looks familiar too but what is she talking about? Find out later. The phone is ringing. "Hey!" Lucy said, not expecting this young Doc to snatch her phone since she has been doing her job as a doctor, a very dedicated one until now.

"Maybe I should ask your wife."

And now she's acting like Aria. "No" Lucy quickly got off the bed with the intention to do whatever is necessary to take back the phone including using force, then realized there's no need to since Doc gave it back as soon as she saw the number. Thankfully, she knows not to pick it up because it's an unknown caller. The number isn't familiar but there's no need to think that it's a spam call because there's a missed text from Scud and the text said Amy will be calling and it's URGENT.

"Hello" It is Amy and she doesn't sound good and it's not about the divorce. "What's wrong babe?" This is not the time to have a bad connection. The engine noise, the vibration along with the softness of her voice aren't helping either. "Say again. What happened?" No explanation is given but a location and the command to go there NOW is loud and clear. "I got it. I got it. I'll be there in 2 hours, okay?" She sounds okay but why explain later. "Hello? Hello? Babe?"