Chapter 7-- I Need A Heart

(Present- Monday 2pm) "We have to go after him Winston, it's been too long already. He may already be dead." said Chance desperately.

But Winston still had questions, "Wait a minute, how did you get back here?"

"I don't know," rather absently. "He said I would be somewhere safe, I guess he brought me back here. But thats not important...." He stopped and looked at Winston. "Are you going to help me find him or not?"

Winston looked wounded at that comment. "Of course, but we need a plan. Assuming he's still alive--we don't even know where to start searching for him."

Chance thought a couple of minutes and then with a half smile said "I think I have an idea....."

Winston rolled his eyes. "This had better be good."

"Oh, it is--I don't feel so well....I think I need a transplant...." He said with a cheesy look on his face.

"Oh, Lord."

Chance had an excited look on his face now. "Come on, let's go run this past Guerrero." He moved toward the stairs, a little gingerly, while Carmine took his spot on the couch. Winston followed slowly murmuring under his breath about hairbrained plans......

Once downstairs Guerrero filled them in on everything he had managed to find out. First, he had checked flights and Nori and Daniel had arrived in Tokyo just about an hour ago. Chance sent him a grateful look for that information. As for the money trail he had expected to find, it actually went in several different directions. Nothing led to Saint Marks, but he had found two doctors at the hospital who had received deposits into their Cayman Island bank accounts (which Winston wanted to know how the heck he had found that out). The deposits showed up 5 separate times, with 5 million deposited each time. This was where it got strange. At the same time the money showed up in their accounts, 5 million also showed up for a company called Talnavo Industries, which carried pharmaceuticals and was located right next to the hospital. After checking the company out- they had the same two doctors on the payroll for "consulting" purposes. Dr. Ramirez, and Dr. Malnoy. These two doctors had "lost" 5 patients over the past 8 weeks. Two had been homeless, one was a widow, one was a prisoner, and the last had been a young boy who had been pronounced brain dead. From those five people they had transplanted two hearts, a kidney, two livers, and one lung. Not one of the five patients had been in serious trouble, yet they had all died suddenly. The "official" cause was heart failure. But Guerrero suspected a neurotoxin was injected which would have cause paralysis of the lungs and, if an autopsy was not done, it would simply look like heart failure. None of the "donors" had anyone concerned enough about them to worry about an autopsy- so in essence it was a perfect murder. Each one of the patients receiving the organs had been filthy rich, and each one had the matching 15 million dollar withdrawal from their account. They had all the info they needed to turn this over to the police. But Kado had to be found first. After filling Winston and Chance in he stopped and asked. "So, whats the plan?"

"Any chance you can find out what blood type Kado has?" this coming from Chance.

"That's easy dude." he raised his head and looked at Chance. "You want to set yourself up as a rich guy needing a transplant don't you?"

"Yup. Here's the plan-- You set it up so that my blood matches Kado's. Then Winston can approach Talnavo about needing a heart transplant. We may flush them into showing us where Kado is. They would have to keep him close to the hospital. We get him out of there, turn all the evidence over to the police and it's over. Talnavo has to be the starting point. Winston, you think you can walk in there and get me a consult?"

Winston was skeptical as usual. "For all we know one or both of the doctors may know what you look like. How are we supposed to work that out?"

"Easy." said Guerrero. "Your client is not well enough to be seen. He's been attended by a private doctor in his own home."

"All right wise guy. How are we going to get a doctor to vouch for us?" asked Winston

"I know a guy who owes me a favour, and he just happens to be a doctor. He can set up all Chance's paperwork and anything else we may need." said Guerrero pulling out his cell phone. "The only tricky part will be finding Kado. We can ask for a visit for our doctor to examine him before the operation. Then extract Kado, turn in all the evidence and take some well deserved time off."

Chance nodded at him. "Sound good Winston?"

"Alright. But I go in first and Guerrero gets Kado out--you're not in any condition to be running all over the place. You stay somewhere safe until this is all over, got it?"

Guerrero smirked and said half under his breath. "Like thats ever going to happen..."

Winston was still looking at Chance, who was not happy with that scenario at all. Winston continued "That's the deal. I'm not going in if your going to do something stupid. You've been through the ringer the past couple of days."

Chance frowned. Not that he had much choice anyways. "Fine, but I'm going to stay close, let's be ready in five...." as he limped back up the stairs to change into some fresh clothes.

As he left Guerrero turned to Winston. "And you really think he's going to stay out of it?"

"No.....you got any knockout juice on you?" Winston said, half kidding.

"Ha ha, no. Besides it would take more than that to stop Chance when he's like this."

"I know just..........keep an eye on him? His body will shut down on him first. If we can do this fast and quick maybe everything will work out with him in one piece."

"And when has anything ever been fast, or quick around here?"

"Ain't that the truth." said Winston disgustedly

(Monday 4pm) Winston had done it. With a cover name of Darren Scott, he had walked into Talnavo Industries. The hardest part had been convincing the secretary that he needed to speak to the president of the company. Finally after a short wait he had been escorted to see him, a Donald Novak. He was wired as usual so Chance and Guerrero could listen along. The president had denied everything until Winston mentioned that he was a friend of one of the other recipients and he "knew" he had the right place. He explained that he had a wealthy client who needed a heart transplant desperately. The guy finally seemed to buy his story, and said he would take his information and get back to them. But Winston played his part well, telling a sob story about his client and that he didnt know if he would make it through the next 24 hours. Mr. Novak a little reluctantly referred him to see one of his "consultants." Winston had to make the short trip to Saint Marks to meet the gentleman. Surprise of surprise it turned out to be a Dr. Malnoy. Dr. Malnoy had taken documents from Winston, the ones Guerrero's doctor friend had supplied, and then left him sitting in the waiting room for a bit. He finally reappeared.

"I believe we can help you--we have a possible donor." said Dr. Malnoy "Can you have your client transferred over here within the next three hours?"

"That won't be a problem." Winston replied.

"Great," said the doctor as he handed Winston a slip of paper containing several numbers. "The money is to be transferred into those accounts before the operation begins. Five million to each account."

"Not a problem....but there is one more thing. I would like our doctor to examine the donor before we do this."

"No, I'm sorry. The donor has specifically asked that we not share any information." replied the doctor

"Well, I'm not sending my client in without knowing for sure this donor is a match......

"I assure you, Mr Scot, that we are very thorough in this matter."

"Thanks all the same, but I want more than your word with that much money, and his life, on the line." said Winston huffily

"Wait here." said the very perturbed doctor as he disappeared down the corridor.

Chance asked him over the wire. "You think he's going to go for it?"

"I don't know. You want me to take him out if he doesn't? Then at least we'll have something to trade for Kado."

Guerrero asked "How many people are around?"

"A few, mostly nurses."

"Better not. We don't need any witnesses. If he refuses, see if we can at least get a blood sample," Chance suggested. "for our doctor to examine. Maybe we can follow them to Kado that way."

They were interupted by the return of the doctor. "Well, it's very unusual, but we will allow your doctor to examine the donor, briefly. Have him here in about 2 hours."

Winston replied, "Thank you, I'll have him......

Dr Malnoy interrupted him. "We have also moved the time table up- have your client here in 2 hours as well. Your doctor can examine the donor and we can start the operation immediately, assuming the money has been transferred."

"Fine, once my doctor gives the go ahead, the transfer will be completed."

Winston shook hands with the doctor, gave him a very convincing smile, and headed for the exit.

"You hear that guys? We have 2 hours to finish setting this thing up. Guerrero can you get your doctor here in 2 hours?" He ask a bit worriedly.

"No problem dude."

"Fine, all we need is to get Chance to the hospital in an ambulance and we're all set."

"Ambulance is already I would like to know how you're going to talk Chance into wearing one of those skimpy gowns." he said with a smirk to Chance who was sitting right next to him.

"What?! No way am I wearing one of those!!! Forget it!" stormed Chance.

Winston chuckled. "You wanted in on this thing, now you have to act out your cover......"

Winston heard a low growl on the other end of the headset, and a huge grin spread over his face. This would be sweet revenge for making him a "flight attendant". 'Oh yeah' he chuckled to himself. 'This is going to be good'

TBC

Thanks again for all the great reviews. :) I managed to get the last two chapters up fairly rapidly, but the next chapter will take the normal two days before I can get it posted. More H/C coming. We are coming down to the last part of this story. I hope the ending will satisfy all :)