They pulled up in front of a yellow house with a nice kept yard that housed a CI belonging to Paige. "This doesn't look like a pharmacy," Charlie noted.
Paige grinned. "Oh just wait and see. This place is like the super Wal-Mart of drugstores and it comes with its own pharmacist." They got out of the car and headed up the walk to the front door. "Remember, you're my friend with a little 'infection'."
Paige rang the bell and less than a minute later an older man of Indian decent answered the door. He glanced furtively around, scanning the street and driveway. "Paige, I wasn't expecting a visit from you today," he said nervously as he ushered them into the house and closed the door.
"Yeah," Paige said tossing her head and grinning. "I'm not here for information today Manoj. This is more of a personal manner. My friend here has a little problem."
"I see. Well please, come in, sit," he invited moving towards the kitchen table.
"Thanks," Paige said as they sat down. "Charlie cut herself real bad." Charlie took her cue and quickly flashed her midriff at the man giving him the slightest glimpse of what appeared to a nasty cut. "She is running a fever. We assume that means infection."
Manoj nodded his head as Paige spoke, clearly agreeing with her diagnosis.
"Charlie doesn't have any health insurance, just making end meet if you know what I mean."
Manoj's bobbing head indicated he certainly understood.
"She can't afford to go to a Doctor or even one of these clinics…"
"Say no more good friend Paige."
Paige smiled in gratitude that Manoj got it so quickly.
"Would you like me to examine the wound?"
Charlie quickly stood up and backed away, shaking her head no. "Sorry, but I don't trust strange men."
Manoj held his hands up to show he meant no harm. "My apologies. I did not mean to alarm you."
"It's alright Manoj. Charlie has had some rough experiences."
Charlie warily sat down.
"Ok. Since we do not know exactly what we are dealing with I think we should go with a good broad-spectrum antibiotic." Manoj paused to consider his options. "May I ask, is there any objections to using an intravenous type? They are quite effective ."
A quick glance of understanding pasted between Paige and Charlie. Considering that Briggs occasionally had to 'shoot up' with hemoglobin as part of his undercover operations, they didn't think administrating something intravenously would be a problem. "Not an issue," Paige answered.
"Ok then I recommend Invanz. Developed by Merck. Reliable company."
"If you say so," Paige said rolling her eyes at Charlie.
"Good. Good. I have it in stock. I will write the instructions down for you." Manoj got up and disappeared to the back of the house leaving the girls alone.
"And how do you know this guy again?" Charlie whispered.
"He is a CI. He was a pharmacist in India before he came to the US. He is unable to work here because he does meet the qualifications. So instead he runs an off-the-record pharmacy."
"Isn't the DEA afraid he will kill somebody?" Charlie inquired.
"No. It's not like that. Manoj supplies prescription drugs to illegal Doctors. He normally doesn't prescribe himself, except in a few special cases. When we got wind of Manoj's activities, instead of busting him we turned him into a CI. We use his connections to get to those bigger fish. He has helped us take down some major suppliers."
"Doesn't that sort of cramp his style, when he keeps losing his suppliers?"
"Manoj is good. He keeps finding new sources."
"And the DEA is not concerned about the illegal Doctors that prescribe these illegal prescription drugs?"
Paige shrugged looking a bit blasé. "Not my department's mission lane. We only get the drugs off the street not the quacks."
The girls fell silent as Manoj came back into the room. He set a plastic Wal-Mart bag filled with stuff on the table. "Use 1g diluted with 3.2ml of 1% lidocaine and give intramuscularly. I wrote it down on a piece of paper. I have also included the lidocaine and syringes."
"One stop shopping," Paige said taking the bag. "What do I owe you Manoj?"
Manoj raised his hands and shook them in concert with his head. "No. No. No. This is a gift."
Paige was not going to look a gift horse in the mouth so she rose and with Charlie in tow headed for the door. After a few more words of thanks the two agents were back outside and in their car.
"See that was easy," Paige said starting the engine and pulling into the street.
"Yeah," Charlie agreed. "You think getting Briggs to shot up will be just as easy?" she joked.
"Of course. He is a pro ya know." Both girls laughed as they headed home from their successful, but off the books, mission.