Chapter 22

Michael and Rudy took some time at the end of their meeting for badly needed coffee...when Russ' datacom crackled urgently to life. He turned up the volume on his ear piece...and his face paled. Within minutes, there was a heavy pounding on the door and Russ opened it to allow five well-armed colleagues to storm the office. Two stood on either side of Michael and the fifth positioned himself across the table. Their guns were drawn. Russ quickly moved Rudy to a safe corner of the room, out of the potential line of fire (and away from Michael should he try to pull the device from his pocket and use it).

''I'll need you to hand over that invention of yours,'' the man across the table told Michael. ''And then you'll need to come with us.''

The doctor-turned prisoner was escorted up a flight of stairs and locked in an interrogation room while Oscar consulted with Rudy. Michael remained calm when (instead of watching through the observation window) Oscar was the one who joined him across the little table.

''Jack Hansen finished his list,'' Oscar began.

''I knew that he would. So why are we here and not in my lab or -''

''Your name was on the list, Doctor Marchetti.''

Michael appeared completely unfazed. ''If it was, I imagine I fought it off the same way I fought off the headaches that meant Anna herself was trying to control me before her main machine was destroyed. It must have become second nature to me, to fight off extraneous influences and stay in control.''

''You understand why this brings every one of your actions of the last 24 hours into serious question?''

''Of course,'' Michael said smoothly. ''But there's a way to resolve this and then still put an end to Anna's little army. Give me an MRI and let me look at the results to be sure - then I want Rudy to use my discovery on me. I've likely successfully fought off her influence - and Jack's - but if my brain waves have been altered, you can rest assured that I'm the first one who wants them put 'right'. And you can be convinced of the medical safety and efficacy of the unit by the fact that I'm asking to be a recipient. After that, we can start working our way down the list.''

Oscar nodded. According to Rudy, Michael's notes were coherent and his reasoning was sound. To the elder doctor, his former protege's desire to set things right again was sincere. Once he'd heard that from Rudy and then heard Michael's own proposal, Oscar's decision was made; Michael would be given a chance.

''You do realize this could be the most convoluted plot of them all,'' Russ theorized while he and Oscar stood on the other side of a leaded shield as Michael lay quietly on the thin, moving table of the MRI machine.

''I know,'' Oscar agreed. ''But Rudy has given the discovery - and the man himself - a thumbs up. Since Rudy and Michael haven't always seen eye to eye lately, that speaks volumes. And...when I listened to Michael talk, while I'll readily admit I don't understand a lot of what he told me last night, his voice had the ring of truth to it.''

Russ nodded to his boss' expertise. ''You've always been an excellent judge of character - even well-hidden character. If you and Rudy both think Michael is wearing a white hat this time, that's good enough for me.''

The Austins' nurse, who it seemed might soon no longer be necessary, treated Becca to an early morning trip to the park (and Becca's parents to a little quiet 'alone' time for their own breakfast) after the child had finished her meal and 'read' a book with Steve and Jaime.

Steve watched his wife as she flitted happily around the kitchen. He offered to help but was cheerily turned down. ''It feel so good to move again!'' Jaime told him. ''I can't even begin to describe what it was like to be trapped in a body that didn't do what I told it to do! It was like...like it was disconnected from my brain somehow and just not taking orders - or scrambling them!'' Jaime filled the sink with hot sudsy water, handed Steve a towel and continued to chatter, barely stopping to take a breath. ''Here; you dry. You know, it was like my mouth was disconnected too! I knew the words I wanted to say but they just didn't come out right.''

''Mouth seems to be working just fine now,'' Steve chuckled. He leaned over to kiss her cheek before she could slug him.

Michael studied his own MRI results under heavy guard. He motioned for Rudy and then pointed to the lightbox, showing him a specific area on the brain scan. ''It doesn't look abnormal at first glance - but it is. I need you to touch the back of my neck with the unit - it will discharge and turn itself off. Then a 2nd MRI will show a subtle, barely perceptible change here,'' Michael emphasized with a pointer. ''That's how you'll know it worked. Tangible proof, so no one has to take my word.''

Michael showed no signs of fear or doubt; indeed his voice was clear and steady and he held his head high. ''Let's do this,'' he announced.

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