Chapter 28 - Mind Games

"Rachael pushed the mattress up against the window, wrapped herself in a blanket and crashed through the window."

"Is she hurt?"

"Less than you. She needed a couple of stitches for a cut in her arm."

"What did she do when she got out?"

"She pushed down the master-at-arms, flew by him to the stairwell, went down three flights and sat down just in front of the exit door."

"What do you mean she sat down?"

"Bizarre, I know. She was completely ambulatory. If she had wanted to get out, she'd have been clear. She came back in with the master-at-arms, no fuss."

Lee shook his head. "I don't get it."

"None of us do."

"What do we do now?"

"We find out who the dead body is and go from there."

"If it is this Ollie guy, what good will that do us? We needed to talk to him."

"Even dead men talk."

"Not clearly enough to exonerate a living woman who's confessed."

"She can retract it. Plead insanity. That's a guaranteed out."

"She'll be no better off, Saul."

"When we get back, you get your cuts taken care of and get a good night's sleep. We're not out of ideas yet."

"What's left?"

"Maybe Ollie did it, maybe not. Maybe someone killed Ollie to shut him up or maybe to cut him out of a deal."

"He supposedly dealt drugs. If it is him, his death might be completely unrelated."

"Let's see what facts we can find before we worry about those we can't. We also need to look at Roger's car. Maybe there will be some evidence left."

"After that fall?"

"Yes, Lee. Same with that van. You'd be amazed at modern forensics."

"I hope so."

"If Roger's car was tampered with, we have to figure out why. I see only two possibilities: because he knows too much and someone wants him out of the way or the insurance."

"Mel's dead. She can't collect."

"True, which brings up the question of who would benefit from that policy in that situation?"

"Murder is about money or passion, that's what you said."

"Lee, I think it's time to ask Roger some difficult questions. Are you able to do that?"

"You think Roger is a suspect?"

"I didn't say that. I think we need to explore Roger's relationships to determine whether someone he knows is a suspect."

"Besides Rachael? He told me there wasn't anyone. I believe him."

"Then press him some more. If you don't, someone else will have to. I don't think I need to explain the likely consequences of that happening to you."

Lee felt sick to his stomach. He leaned up against the car window until they returned to base.

At the Medical Center, Lee received twelve stitches, mostly in bits and pieces on his arms and knees. Afterward, he went to check on Rachael. She'd been moved to a different room, but remained guarded by a master-at-arms. This room contained only a small window in the door. Rachael seemed to be sleeping peacefully. Lee decided not to disturb her, but warned the guard. "Hope she was searched well before you put her in here."

"The nurses did that."

"I'd remain on high alert if I were you. That lock is a piece of cake."

The master-at-arms shrugged off Lee's cautions. Lee went to check with the nurse.

"She'll be fine. Dr. Paulino checked in on her a while ago."

"What kind of doctor is this Paulino guy?"

"A psychiatrist, I think. He's not normally on rotation here."

Lee saw an opportunity and decided to take it. He swooned a little and begged the nurse to get him some water. She couldn't resist him. Unfortunately, she didn't go far from the desk for the drink. Lee plopped into her chair. "Do you mind? I'm a little wobbly on my feet."

"I could get you a wheel chair, if you like."

"No, I just need a few minutes. If you want, I'll stay and keep an eye on the camera. You could take a break."

"I probably shouldn't, but I could use a ciggy. Helluva day."

"I know what you mean."

After the nurse left, Lee removed Rachael's file from the inbox. Three visits from this Dr. Paulino in less than 48 hours. Each visit lasted about an hour. The doctor wasn't one to make elaborate notes. After the first visit, "Level 1 conditioning; Confinement Protocol test 1 (Limited Preparation) initiated." After the second visit: "Test 1: failed. Subject interpreted directive in self-destructive manner. Level 2 and 3 conditioning applied. Confinement Protocol test 2 (Limited Action) initiated." After the last visit, "Test 2: Excellent results. Limits followed exactly. Level 4 conditioning applied. Confinement Protocol test 3 (Safety Zone) initiated."

Lee observed the pattern immediately. The first night, Rachael had begun the unfinished noose. The next day, Dr. Paulino deemed suicide preparation a failure for "limited" escape preparation. He further conditioned her. Then came an actual breakout by Rachael, the one where she inexplicably stopped before the exit. Dr. Paulino deemed that a successful "limited action". Dr. Paulino was programming Rachael. To what end, however? What the hell was Johnson's game? And what was to come next? What could "Safety Zone" mean?

Lee slapped the folder back in place. He ruminated as he waited for the nurse to return. Then he called for a ride back to bachelor's quarters, conceding he was too stiff, sore and exhausted to walk. The nurse handed him a bottle of ibuprofin on his way out. Lee thanked her and popped three on the way to the elevator.