Chapter 21

Green Pearl Imports Dock

Television news reporter Eva Gomez pressed her microphone towards Sam. "As part of our live coverage of the fire in the docks, I have with me acting police commissioner Captain Samantha Wells. Captain Wells, what can you tell us about the fire? Is it arson?"

"I can confirm that this was NOT a case of arson," said Sam looking directly into the camera. "There was an altercation between gang members and the staff of Green Pearl Imports. It escalated into a fire bomb attack on Mr. Kwon's property."

"A fire bomb?"

"Molotov cocktails to be exact," explained Sam. "Merchandise inside the warehouses caught fire as a result."

"But we clearly saw an armed standoff in progress. What about that? Anything further on the identity of the gang members?"

"The perpetrators, members of the Zacchara crime family, ran inside when police arrived. Unfortunately, there were staff and management already in the warehouses. Due to the quick thinking of Mr. Kwon's, ah, security personnel, the gang members were … um, neutralized. There was no armed stand off between police and the gang members."

"Were there fatalities? Injured?"

"The injured have been transported to General Hospital. No casualties to report I'm glad to say," said Sam.

"Thank you for speaking with us, Captain Wells."

"My pleasure." Sam spotted Lucky staggering out of the building. "Excuse me, I need to speak with someone."

The reporter turned to face the camera. "The fire department have things under control. The fire is almost out. My next report will be from General Hospital. Susan, back to the studio," said Eva.

O'Malleys Bar and Grill at the Megaplex

Patrons gathered around the bar watching the television news about the dock fire and bombing. In a corner booth nearby, Luke and Tracy ate their lunch as they watched and listened.

"Thank you, Eva," said Susan Quincy, news host and reporter. "We will be staying on this news story for another hour. I have the pleasure of having Mayor Floyd in the studio with his thoughts on the matter."

The camera panned to show Mayor Floyd seated behind a desk on the studio set. Quincy's voice could be heard off camera. "Mayor Floyd, what do you think of the performance of our police department today?"

"I commend the hardworking and brave officers of the police department," said the mayor. "However, I will be making inquiries as to why public resources, such as our police and fire services, were involved in what seems to have been a private dispute."

"But the-" Quincy tried to interject.

"Additionally, the … absence of Malcolm Scorpio is troubling."

"Commissioner Scorpio is on vacation. His first in several years I believe," said Quincy.

"Be that as it may. We cannot have critical public officials absent from their appointed and elected posts when they are needed most."

"Captain Wells has the situation in hand, Mayor Floyd. No casualties."

"But extensive property damage. This kind of thing sends the wrong message to the business community, Susan," pressed Floyd.

"What kind of thing are you referring to?"

Floyd sighed. "I am on the record as admitting that our city has a very serious problem with organized crime. A problem that has not been solved let alone reduced due to the … the management, or lack of it, of the police department. How can we expect businesses to thrive if their owners are afraid?"

"But, Mr. Mayor, we have had an influx of new businesses into Port Charles like DigiMaze and Trident Media Ventures. The Megaplex is an enormous hit. Then there's the re-opening of the Majestic Theater and-"

"Well, yes, in the short run, Susan, these are all positive events. But as mayor I have to think of the long term prosperity of the city. We need to crack down on crime and stop the wasteful use of public monies in private matters such as what happened today."

The one-sided interview continued on in the background.

"What does he call HIS vacations?" asked Luke.

"Campaign visits," whipped Tracy. "I better call Suki to make sure he can handle the incoming cargo."

"Cargo?"

"ELQ runs special charters and we were commissioned to pick up and deliver some authentic artifacts from China to be used in the Pearls of Prosperity exhibit. The ship is due in next week," explained Tracy. "If his dock is damaged then we'll divert offloading somewhere else."

"There are plenty of docks available."

"The ELQ Venture is not docking on a Corinthos or Morgan property dock and most of the kind that we require are."

"A dock is a dock. What difference does it make?"

"Just the answer I would expect from you."

"Well, their docks aren't about to catch fire are they?" asked Luke. "Compared to the real sharks back in the day, like Frank Smith or Victor Jerome, Sonny and Jason are small fry."

"And how did they get past the Frank Smiths of the criminal underworld, eh, Luke?" asked Tracy knowing full well the role Luke had in helping the rise of one Sonny Corinthos from mob underling to crime boss.

"Luck, ambition and a little help from his friends is what got Sonny where he is," said Luke. "I don't deny my small part in it. Listen, sweetheart, I'll put in a word in his ear. Why not use his biggest dock for the exhibition ship? He may even waive the docking fee."

"Read my lips, N-O. No. It's bad enough that I have to see Sonny during ELQ board meetings. I am not about to go asking for favors," said Tracy. "There IS one dock that's suitable."

"Jason's?"

"No. Donely Shipping."

Luke laughed. "They charge the highest fees down the line. Hardly anyone uses them except for those with the cash and can pass a corporate background check."

"They also provide the best service and security. Sean's no fool. He's managed to keep the riffraff thugs out of his business."

"Tracy, a piece of advice. You have to stop calling them names like you do."

"That's what they are, including Jason. Riffraff thugs who wave guns around like they were party favors."

"They're here to stay and they have eyes and ears everywhere. That's all I'm saying," said Luke.

"If Sonny is so thin-skinned, maybe he should consider another line of work," retorted Tracy. "Speaking of work, it's that time of the quarter, Luke. I should be getting around to the Haunted Star's books in about a week. Will I be scared or amused?"

"Smiling, m'dear, all the way to the bank," said Luke with a flourish and a bow. "I've been continuing the promotions from the pavilion fundraiser and they've been bringing them in."

"And operating expenses?"

"Not as high as last quarter. I found a new liquor supplier."

"Legitimate?"

"You know better than to ask, Tracy."

Sam looked Lucky up and down as he stood shivering at attention in front of her. His hair and clothes were soaking wet.

"Lucky, what were you doing inside?"

Through chattering teeth, Lucky tried to extricate himself out of the hole he'd dug himself into. "I was checking out the building. There was a window and I got in that way."

"I don't remember ordering you or anyone else to attempt a break-in."

Lucky grinned. "Initiative. Besides, if things had gone south, you would have had someone on the inside. Nice and neat."

"Good thing we didn't storm the place then."

"Must be handy to have a bunch of retired spies around."

Sam chuckled. "You never stop fishing for information."

"I've kept my mouth shut about what I know which is more than you want me to know, right? I've kept out of trouble until today," said Lucky. "What do I have to do to prove myself and get on the team?"

"Is that what this stunt is about? To impress Robert and Anna?"

"A little, maybe, okay, yeah," said Lucky. "Something is going on. I can be an … an asset. I know I can."

"You're an asset to the department."

"I know the Cassadines. No one knows them better than me and Dad. If Robert is going after Helena, then we're the best allies he could have."

"No one is feuding with the Cassadines. That's over and done with."

"Then it must involve author P.K. Sinclair alias Cesar Faison," said Lucky. "I read up on the files about the Cartel and the bogus alien scare. Faison and Anna have quite the history. And, don't try to fake me out. Weeks ago, Sinclair got shot twice, was admitted on the sly to the hospital, no police report filed and then waltzed out of the hospital just as quietly. If there's an operation going on against Faison, then I know I can help. I know how he thinks and-"

"He brainwashed you once before. He can again," said Sam. "He's stayed away from you hasn't he? Ultimately, he saved your life when he told Luke you were still alive and hadn't died in the fire. Faison isn't your concern. Leave things alone."

"I want to help, Sam. No strings. No favors," said Lucky. "I'll do grunt work, stake outs, whatever they need."

Sam shook her head. "Being one of the best detectives on the squad isn't enough for you?"

"It's not that. I love my job. It's just I need … I need more," said Lucky.

"You've been involved in that sting operation on Etienne Gastineau, assisted in the forensic analysis of the Spoon Island stable maze, assisted the WSB in arresting the sleeper terrorist cell here and led the investigation on the cab driver homicide. All of that was excellent field work and you have the commendations to prove it. You can't possibly be bored."

"But those things were handed to us. We only got it on the tail end. I want in on the beginning."

Sam shook her head. "Lucky, I'm going to be brutally honest with you and tell you that no matter what you do, it won't make a difference."

"What?"

"Robert doesn't want any Spencer involvement. That's it," said Sam.

"But why not?"

"That's what I'm told and unlike some people I follow orders. If you step out of line while on duty on my watch just one more time, Detective Spencer, I will suspend you. Do we understand each other?"

"Understood, Captain," said Lucky.

"I'm not stupid enough to insist that you stop this quest of yours but I will say that you're missing the forest for the trees. You've got a young family, Lucky. Go home. See them," advised Sam. "When my kids were that small, all I ever wanted was to be with them. They grow up real fast."

"My kids are the only good things in my life right now," admitted Lucky morosely. "Since Liz and I divorced, I don't see them as much."

"Then concentrate on Cam and Jake. It's worth it. I promise you." Sam patted Lucky on the shoulder. "Go home and change. By the way, why are your clothes wet?"

"Lars said it would stop the itching. He poured water all over me. I stopped itching."

"So that little ball had itching powder in it?" asked Sam incredulously.

"It had some kind of gas. People were itching and clawing at themselves screaming that insects were crawling all over their bodies. Most of them passed out at the end."

"That would be good for riot control," pondered Sam. "Better than tear gas."

Lucky smiled. "Careful, Captain, or are you itching to become a spy?"

General Hospital Emergency Room

Monica directed the paramedics pushing the injured into the ER's individual triage rooms. Doctors and nurses went about their jobs rapidly assessing the injuries of every patient. A commotion in one of the examination rooms erupted.

"Get them off me! Ants! Can't you see them?" yelled a man stripped to the waist and lying on the gurney. His hands flew about his torso flicking off imaginary insects.

"What the hell happened?" asked Patrick. "He was just unconscious. Secure his hands!"

"No! No! Get 'em off me!" The patient sat up abruptly and tried to get off the bed.

"Orderly! Restraints! Now!" ordered Patrick as he and Epiphany wrestled the man down.

In other cubicles, patients were also waking up and making a similar ruckus. Shouts and orders flew about.

"Kill me now! They're eating me alive!"

"Orderly, a little help here!"

"Please get them off!"

"Hold 'em down! Where are the restraints?"

"I gotta get out! Out!"

Security personnel lent a hand to control the patients. A few minutes later the patients had been secured but still yelling and agitating to be released. The doctors huddled discussing diagnosis and treatment.

"Obviously, it's some kind of hallucinogenic reaction," said Patrick. "The man was out cold, Monica, then he suddenly woke up and went crazy. It's drugs. Plain and simple."

"They're high is not an adequate diagnosis," said Monica calmly. "I doubt that they were shooting up with needles or popping pills when they were in the warehouse."

"No visible marks on them other than scratch marks - moderate to severe," said Doctor Leo Julian, the day's ER attending physician. "They don't exhibit the usual signs of being under the influence. Early blood work doesn't show the usual suspects. No cocaine, crack or heroin."

"And drug users are going to have different hallucinations. All of these people are sharing one vision - bugs crawling all over their bodies," said Matt. "That's not normal."

Monica's phone began to ring. She answered. "Yes, Sam?"

"Monica, tell me I'm right. You have a bunch of itching patients right now," said Sam.

"Itching, yes, or believing that insects are crawling all over them," replied Monica. "Same thing I guess."

"Take a bucket of water and douse them thoroughly. Worry about pneumonia later."

"Sam, I'm not-"

"Monica, Lars' team went in and neutralized the situation somehow. You get what I'm saying?"

The doctor rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Spies and their gadgets."

"You got it."

"Plain tap water? Cold or hot?"

"Tap is good. Use plenty and make it cold."

Monica ended the call and ordered her team to fill up some buckets. In minutes, the ER was quiet again. The warehouse gang were stripped and given warm clothing. The doctors triaged their condition again. All were released into police custody within two hours. The only thing wounded was their pride as they were handcuffed and brought to the station in hospital gowns.

Later that day long after Patrick had left, Leo waylaid Matt. "Got a minute for a consult?"

He led Matt to the cubicle where the mayor's niece lay sleeping. Detective Alvin Martinez stood waiting for them.

"Detective Martinez, this is Doctor Matt Hunter," said Leo. "I think you better start at the top."

"This is officially a police investigation, Dr. Hunter," said Martinez. "I was on site for the arrest of this patient, Ann Floyd, the mayor's niece. At the time, it was obvious that she was under the influence. Searching her bag, I found a pack of cocaine and prescription bottles. Ms. Floyd collapsed and then had a seizure. Now, I've seen seizures before but this one, I don't know, it felt different to me."

Leo took over the explanation. "She continued to have periodic seizures once she got here. Based on the paramedic's report, I decided to pump out her stomach in addition to the normal procedures in drug cases." Leo picked up a ziplock bag. "We found remnants of pills. They crosscheck against the prescription bottles."

"Okay, what's the problem?" asked Matt.

Leo opened a prescription bottle and took out one capsule. "On the outside, it looks fine. It's exactly the shape, color and markings for this drug and dosage but the inside tells a different story." He pulled the capsule apart letting a half white, half pink powder fall on top of the ziplock bag. "According to the medical reference, that should not be pink but pure white."

"We have a problem," said Matt.

Leo nodded. "I remembered that you had a background in identifying counterfeit drugs and you know more about seizures than I do so I thought you could help out."

"How many of the pills are left?" asked Matt.

"About ten. We haven't analyzed the other bottles yet," said Martinez. "I was going to take some samples and send them to a lab."

"We've got a top notch lab upstairs. I don't think Rob- I mean I'll go ask Monica if we can use the lab."

Martinez cleared his throat. "Condolences on your loss and your brother's. That's from me and everyone at the station. How's the baby doing?"

"Thank you, detective. I'll let Patrick know. Emma is doing fine," said Matt. "We all just have to take it one day at a time."

"A lab is one thing. Do you have analytics? A computer to do the … the chemical reverse engineering?" asked Martinez.

"Um, I think we got that covered. I know some people who could handle that end, I think," said Matt. "Leo, have you updated Monica on this?"

"Just about to. I wanted to get a second opinion first."

"You got it," said Matt. "I wish it wasn't but I think your original instincts, detective, were on the money. Her reaction was not normal." He looked at the pile of powder on the ziplock bag. "This is either a counterfeit pill or something new."

"New?"

"In the trade it's called boutique drugs. Independent labs often experiment and create drugs with varying hallucinogenic properties. Drug makers have moved from the organic or semi-organic drug bases like marijuana, opium or cocaine into primarily synthetic based formulas like methamphetamines, Ecstasy or LSD," explained Matt. "Sometimes these drugs get popular and distribution explodes like with Ecstasy. And because they're synthetics, they can be manufactured anywhere in the world and sometimes with minimal equipment. They can be tailored to meet the flimsiest requirements to NOT be considered illegal, too."

"You're saying there could be a lab in town?" asked Martinez.

"Or they could be from outside and being sold here," said Leo.

"As illegal prescriptions? I thought pharmacies had stringent rules for that sort of thing," said the detective,

"They do," said Leo. "Which is the reason that the pills look fine and correct on the outside. Easier to pass an inspection."

"If pharmacies are being used as distribution fronts, the incoming supply network has to be really good and secret," said Martinez. "There's no word on the street of something new."

"From drug dealers on street corners to pharmacies and legitimate drug outlets, these guys are a slick act," said Matt.