Chapter 5
Shaun walked into San Jose Saint Bonaventure. As he entered, the mailman walked over to him holding an envelope.
"Hey Shaun," the nurse said. "A letter came in for you. Thought I'd save you a trip to the mailroom.
"Thank you," Shaun said taking the letter.
Shaun pressed the elevator button and the elevator doors opened. Shaun entered the elevator and pressed the button. As he went up, he opened the letter. After reading it, Shaun began breathing heavily. The elevator door opened and Shaun walked out of the elevator to see Dr. Melendez and Claire.
"Good morning Shaun," Dr. Melendez said. "You're on time."
Shaun ran down the hallway and Melendez and Claire followed after him.
"Shaun?" Dr. Melendez asked.
Shaun ran into a restroom and locked the door.
"Shaun?" Dr. Melendez asked. "Are you okay?"
"No," Shaun said. "I'm not okay. I am staying in here where I'll be safe."
"Shaun," Dr. Melendez said. "You can't just stay in the restroom."
"I'm not coming out until they catch the man who wants to kill me," Shaun said.
"Excuse me?" Dr. Melendez asked.
Shaun slid the letter under the door and Claire picked it up.
"Hello Shaun Murphy," Claire read aloud. "Stay out of my business or you will end up like the Harietti twins."
"Shaun," Claire said. "We need to call Benson."
"Okay," Shaun said. "I'm still staying in here."
Claire walked off to call Benson while Dr. Melendez stayed by the door.
"Shaun," Dr. Melendez said. "Will you please come out of the restroom?"
"No," Shaun said.
"Okay then," Dr. Melendez said. "I'm going to get Dr. Glassman."
"Dr. Glassman does not make my decisions for me anymore," Shaun said. "I make my own decisions and I'm not coming out!"
"Damn it," Dr. Melendez said.
Meanwhile at the police station, Benson got off the phone with Claire. She then walked over to Clark.
"We need to get to San Jose Saint Bonaventure," Benson said. "Dr. Shaun Murphy, one of our witnesses received a threatening note and he's locked himself in the restroom. We need to take the note as evidence and get Shaun out of the restroom."
"Is he suicidal?" Clark asked.
"No," Olivia replied. "He's autistic."
Benson and Clark arrived at San Jose Saint Bonaventure and walked over to where Dr. Melendez stood.
"I'm glad you're here," Dr. Melendez said. "Shaun will not come out."
Benson walked over to the door and knocked.
"Go away!" Shaun shouted. "I am not coming out!"
"Shaun, it's Lieutenant Olivia Benson," Benson said.
"Hello Olivia," Shaun said.
"Look Shaun," Benson said. "I know you're scared, but you really need to come out."
"Someone wants to kill me," Shaun said.
"Look Shaun," Benson said. "No one is going to hurt you. I promise."
"You can't promise that," Shaun said. "I'm staying in here!"
"Okay," Benson said. "I'm kicking the door down."
"Wait," Clark said.
Clark walked up to the door and knocked.
"Shaun," Clark said. "It's Detective Max Clark."
"Hello," Shaun said.
"I know we can't guarantee your safety," Clark said. "But we are trying our hardest to track down this killer. I know this is a very scary situation, but you need to come out of the restroom."
"I don't know if I can," Shaun said.
"You'll get awfully hungry in there," Clark said. "Aren't you hungry?"
"A little," Shaun replied. "I like pancakes. Especially the kind with chocolate chips."
"Chocolate chip pancakes are the best," Clark said.
"Yeah," Shaun said.
"Why don't you come out of the restroom and we'll go get some chocolate chip pancakes," Clark said. "Doesn't that sound good?"
Shaun opened the door and slowly walked out. He held his hands together and tears were falling from his eyes. Clark gave him a hug.
"I do not like hugs," Shaun said.
Claire walked into the hallway holding another opened envelope.
"Hello Claire," Benson said.
"I just went to the mailroom and I got a threatening note too," Claire said.
"Okay," Benson said. "From this moment on, Shaun and Claire are going to be confined to their homes. We will provide each of you with a police officer for protection."
"Okay," Claire said calmly.
"Do I still get chocolate chip pancakes?" Shaun asked.