Chapter 16
Michael was the first to realize what was happening. It hit him with the next sharp, blinding headache and the rage he barely managed to contain. The sudden urge - the compulsion - to do irrevocable bodily harm was strong but he fought it off by remembering where he was and who he was. He was a surgeon and a scientist. He knew he had to get help, to let others know what was going on, before he had to hold Jaime's life in his hands on that operating table.
The first person he sought out was Oscar. He knew he wouldn't be well received but he hoped the OSI boss would keep an open mind, since Michael knew he was once again in danger of losing his own. ''Got a few minutes?'' he asked gravely.
Oscar barely glanced up from the reports in front of him. ''You already got what you wanted from me; you have your freedom. I don't think there's anything more we need to discuss.''
Michael wouldn't be passed off that easily. This was urgent. Midway through his explanation he finally had Oscar's full attention...but for the wrong reasons.
''Mind control?'' Oscar scoffed. ''You're not back to that tired old excuse, are you? Come on, Michael; you were already caught faking it...and you don't 'need' it now. Your record has already been cleared.''
''This isn't about my record anymore!'' Michael insisted. ''And maybe 'faking it' was another instruction. Maybe it all was. I don't know...but this needs to be looked at. It could explain why Russ did what he did. He has no other motive -''
''Except maybe money - or personal power. Perhaps both. But mind control? Not in the ballpark anymore. Grant and Graham are dead, Michael. Get over yourself and get back to the work you were brought here to do.'' He turned back to his own work, effectively dismissing the young doctor who could see he'd have to turn elsewhere for help...to the person who probably wanted to see him even less than Oscar did.
Rudy's cardiologist and the guard at his door were having none of it. ''I need to see him!'' Michael persisted. ''I know his health is fragile. I'll tread as lightly as I can...but this is urgent!''
''Come back in a few days and we'll talk about it,'' Rudy's doctor said firmly.
''A few days might be too late!''
''Let him in,'' Rudy's weary voice requested from his bed. (He may as well get this confrontation over and done with.) ''I really have nothing to say to you, Michael,'' he said quietly as his former protege approached the bed. ''Except this: if it had been up to me, you'd never have been allowed to set foot in this facility. You'd still be in prison where you belong. What you did to Jaime...it's inexcusable, indefensible and that's the end of the story.''
''You were one of Kingsley's victims,'' Michael reminded him. ''You, of all people, should know how insidious this is -''
''Yes, and Kingsley is dead. It's over.''
Michael shook his head. Rudy wasn't 'getting' it. ''What if there's another? Someone else finishing what he started - or maybe behind everything, all along?''
''Preposterous. You don't really believe that, do you?''
''I know what I'm feeling. Something is wrong - and it's getting worse. I have to operate in two more days.''
''Then call in someone else. Maybe Savidge is available,'' Rudy suggested. ''Tell him what he needs to know and then you can head straight back to the cellblock since you aren't able to do what you were brought here to do.''
''It's not as simple as 'telling him' anything; you know that. I wouldn't be here if it was. I'd be consulting from my cell, where everyone still seems to think I need to be.''
''Think it? I know it, Michael! You know it too.'' Rudy closed his eyes. ''I need some sleep. And you have a job to do that I suggest you get ready for.''
Michael had one more shot - one more avenue to try for help - and while it seemed daunting, he knew this might be his best chance to be heard with an open mind and maybe even believed. He knocked on the door frame of Jaime's cubicle (after seeing from the doorway that she was sleeping soundly) and before Steve could explode at him, he turned to Mark.
''I think we need to talk,'' he said softly. ''But obviously not here.''
''This, I've gotta hear,'' Steve scoffed. He felt safe in leaving Jaime with the guard, since he'd be with Michael and it would likely only be for a few minutes - so he followed Mark and the young doctor down to Mark's office.
At that very moment, Russ fought his way out of the heavy meds he'd been given. He kept his eyes closed for a few moments while he collected himself, then easily overcame his guard with the element of surprise on his side. Armed now with the guard's weapon, he headed with robotic determination for the ICU...and Jaime.