Tom Hardy's Office, General Hospital
Sergeant Walter Jardane was nearly finished taking Tom's full statement regarding the incident in the ER. The out of control male nurse was in a nearby room under heavy restraints. His random yells could sometimes be heard through the door.
"You sure you don't want to press charges, Doctor Hardy?" asked Jardane.
"Why add problems to someone who's lost in problems? Freddie will be suspended without pay until an internal peer panel decides if he returns or not," said Tom.
"I thought dismissal was automatic in these cases?"
"It is implied but it's really a case by case basis. Freddie's been with General for eight years. Good, productive years," said Tom. "This behavior is atypical. He deserves the benefit of the doubt."
Jardane was skeptical. "You're a soft touch."
"I would agree with you if I didn't know that Freddie comes from a family of Quakers whose personal beliefs are moderation in all things," said Tom.
"What religion says and what a person actually does aren't always the same," said Jardane. "Addiction of any kind can happen to anyone."
"It's a possibility but a remote one I feel. Freddie's sister is a nurse in Oncology. Their father was an X-ray technician here when I started medical school. They've all been involved in anti-drug outreach programs. I don't believe that was Freddie who caused a problem in ER."
"So this is a hospital family matter?"
"You could say that. I've scheduled Freddie for a full evaluation when the drug is out of his system. Whatever happened to him, he will get the help he needs."
"You're sure it's drugs? Not booze or a sudden illness?"
Tom sighed. "I'm afraid so. The symptoms and behavior are in line with similar cases we've gotten in the last two weeks. Freddie took Fly. How he got his hands on it is anyone's guess. By the way, thank you for coming here instead of taking Freddie down to the station when I called it in."
"I didn't have a choice. Our cells are full," admitted Jardane. "In fact, we're stretched thin on personnel."
"I thought things were getting better for the department."
"Oh, they are. Morale has never been better. Captain Wells is doing a great job. We're not the problem," said Jardane. "There's been a strong increase in burglaries, muggings, pickpocketing, shoplifting and purse snatching in the city and the suburbs. We don't have enough personnel to get to every call. We're starting to ask retired officers to chip in some residential patrol time. I should be home getting ready for bed but here I am."
"A lot of double shifts, huh?"
"I'll take this over a gang war any day." Jardane pocketed his notebook. "I'm going to mark this call closed. Can you give me or Lucky Spencer an update if it turns out to be Fly?"
"Lucky? Is this his case?"
"He created a computer program to track Fly cases and incidents. The numbers are slowly getting bigger," said Jardane.
"I'll do one better. I'll start sharing our Fly stats with the department. It doesn't sound good to me."
"Fly's the new hip status drug, Doc. I have a feeling things are going to get worse."
"Why not sweep the dealers off the street?" asked Tom.
"The dealers are behind counters wearing white coats. We'd have to examine every pill a pharmacy has stored to even lay a charge. There are a lot of pharmacies and private clinics in the city alone. It's a manpower issue."
Tom's brow furrowed in concern. "So, it's confirmed that distribution is via legitimate channels. I thought it was a fluke."
Jardane shook his head. "Nope. Captain Wells is lobbying the mayor hard to allow us to talk to pharmacies in an official capacity. You know make testing their stock voluntary instead of going in with a warrant."
"And?"
"The mayor refuses. Says it looks like we don't trust the pharmacy and clinic owners. If something was or wasn't found, they could demand some kind of compensation from the city."
"It would be a public service."
"The mayor doesn't see it that way," said Jardane. "The Captain and Lucky are building a case to go to the state level with this. The problem is Fly isn't recognized in the same league as heroin or cocaine. Fly is compared to Ecstasy."
"it's a problem but it's not a BIG problem?"
"Yeah. The Captain is coordinating with other state police captains though. Based on Lucky's program, Fly's starting to get around. It's heavy in the New York area and appearing in the New England states more and more. There are a few cases in Atlanta and Miami. Its only a matter of time before it explodes nationwide," said Jardane.
Tom's office door swung open suddenly. Mayor Floyd barged in. "The security in this place is ridiculous!"
Jardane turned to leave. "Doc, give us an update when you can."
"Sergeant! Get a guard for my niece's room," ordered the mayor.
"I'll be sure to mention that request to Captain Wells,"
"That was not a request."
"Your niece does not hold public office. it's a request." Jardane scooted past the irate mayor and out the door.
Thwarted, the mayor turned his attention to Tom. "Since when is violent behavior in the ER tolerated? Where was YOUR security staff?"
"They assisted me in controlling the victim and the situation," said Tom in his normal thoughtful manner. "No one was in any danger."
"Not yet."
"This was an isolated incident and-"
"That madman could have gone on a rampage," barked Mayor Floyd.
"But he didn't and the situation was rapidly brought under control," repeated Tom. "I understand your concern for your niece but-"
"I'm thinking of the city and the citizens I serve, Doctor Hardy. General Hospital has a reputation for quality of care and SAFETY."
Tom's patience was dwindling faster and faster the longer the mayor was in his face. "It's a well deserved one. I don't see any cause for further concern. We haven't had any guns drawn here for a while."
The mayor did not like Tom's attitude. "Nepotism is going to be the death of this place."
Tom nearly glared at the mayor. "Nepotism isn't good or bad. It's the people who use it who are ... questionable. If you have a problem with me and how I run things, then talk to the hospital board."
"The insurance review is coming up. For your sake, Doctor, I hope you've got your act together by then."
Tom opened his office door in a not subtle invitation for the mayor to leave. "We'll be fine but your concern is noted."
"The board will hear about this ... this rudeness and incompetence!" yelled the mayor on his way out.
"I can't wait," said Tom as he closed his door.
As he prepared to head home, he spied a picture of his beaming parents with his infant son Tom, Jr held in the senior Hardy's steady arms. "Sorry, Dad. I never knew how hard this job was. I'm halfway to grouchy already."
South Docks
Located too far from the large commercial warehouses, the south docks were not heavily used. It was full of derelict buildings and the elements of society that such attracted. Anyone who came through the area had to be prepared for anything.
Anna and Vincent walked leisurely along the riverfront. They paused at several points allowing anyone observing them to take notice of their arrival.
Anna surveyed the view. "It's darker here. No bells or noise. Not much of a view either. How dreary."
"We are not likely to be interrupted here," added Vincent.. His eyes scanned the dock area. He spotted a shabbily dressed man shuffling towards them. "Same height and build. This might be him."
Vincent was proven right as Franjo sidled up to them. He said, "Where is Scorpio?"
Anna asked Vincent, "Is this him?"
Vincent nodded. "Yes." Without another word, he moved a few steps back. The rest of this meeting was Anna's responsibility.
"Where is he?" repeated Franjo.
"Robert is out of the country," said Anna. "I'm the next best thing."
"I talk to no one else." Franjo made a move to leave.
"Therese is safe but her therapy would be better if she could see you."
"This meeting was a mistake. You lie as well as Leo did," said Franjo.
Anna held out a picture. "Here. Take this with you." She took out a small flashlight from her pocket and shone a light on the picture.
The picture showed Therese smiling and holding up a copy of the day's morning edition of the Port Charles Chronicle. The large print of the headline was unmistakeable.
Franjo blinked unable to believe what he was seeing.
Anna continued, "She's in good physical health but her mental state is impaired. She'll never recover from what happened to her but-"
Franjo's breath came out like the hiss of a snake. "Who?"
"But we hope to restore some of her memories. We want to see her happy and safe."
"Who did this to her?" Franjo's voice softened. "Please tell me."
"Robert found Therese at the Heritage Foundation. He made the decision to bring her here. For her safety, we have kept her presence a secret. Her name does not and will not appear in the lists of survivors issued by the Andrassy Foundation." Anna took a deep breath. "The people who did this to her are ... have been dealt with."
"Elena Cosgrove Villiers and Roger Barrett?" asked Franjo.
"Robert said you were a smart man. Yes, them."
"Will she recognize me?"
"We think she remembers those she loves. Not their names but she becomes happier around those she feels something for."
"Like Leo?"
"Yes, like Robert."
"I demand to see her," insisted Franjo.
"You're her family. No demand is necessary," said Anna.
"But there's always a price."
"Of course."
"What do you want from me? I have no money. I have only my skills to pay with."
Anna took a small card from her pocket. "It's more important that you see her face to face. Robert's told me everything about his days as Leo and about Therese and you. Because of that, I don't want you to have any doubts about us or our intentions. Tomorrow at noon, call the hotline number and enter the code on this card. You'll get instructions on where to visit her." Anna held out the card towards Franjo.
He took the card. "It is to be that simple?"
"It doesn't have to be hard does it?" With that said, Anna turned and began to walk away with Vincent trailing her.
Franjo pocketed the card and the picture as he watched them walk away. He waited a few minutes before he too turned and walked the way he came.
In the car, Vincent kept his eye on the road as he asked Anna, "Why didn't you make the bargain right then?"
"I'm not using Therese as a bargaining chip," replied Anna. "She's a ... a debt of honor for Robert and for me in a way. I was Sinclair's first guinea pig for the amnesia drug. He refined and finished the experiment with her. Therese could have been me."
"Franjo is wanted for kidnapping. He cannot walk away a free man," said Vincent.
"He won't."
"What do you have in mind for him?"
"I'm going to turn him."
"You have his sister. Of course he will do what you want," said Vincent. "He loves her. I could hear it in his voice. He will do anything for her."
"It has to be his decision to help us. Therese is a separate matter. She's been used enough," explained Anna.
"Based on what Robert has told me, I must expect Franjo to be loyal to whoever employs him. Robert suspects that Franjo is still connected to his old employers."
"Are they not ancient history? Destroyed or dismantled?"
"Are you familiar with a carnival game where animals pop up out of holes and you have to pound them with a hammer?" asked Anna.
"Yes. There is a certain satisfaction when you hit one," said Vincent. A smile played on his lips as he remembered doing what he was describing. "Very therapeutic."
"The Cartel and all the rest are like that. We've fought against them for so long but they keep coming back," said Anna. "We want more information on the Cartel, DS9 and the rest of it. Only Franjo has that. This time we want to make sure that they remain firmly quashed. Robert and I do not want to leave anything to chance. We have to cut off as many of Faison's resources as we can then ..." Anna's voice trailed off.
"Then what?" asked Vincent.
"Then we deal with Faison. Or rather Robert does. Permanently."
Heathrow Airport
After the meeting with the Bletchley Park Irregulars, as Robert had taken to calling them, he and Heloise felt the need for strong drink. They indulged at a terminal bar. Robert had time to kill before his flight back home. Heloise waited for her husband Andre to arrive. Together they would return home to Paris.
"My daughter Sandrine is bored and pestering us to rescue her from the Chateau and return her to boarding school," said Heloise.
"And like any devoted parents, you're giving in," said Robert.
"We will be returning to Paris but I will be registering Sandrine at a school closer to home. She will hate it but she will forgive me in twenty years time."
Robert laughed. He was feeling relaxed for the first time all day.
A head dipped down and placed a quick kiss on Heloise's neck. Andre Garnier had arrived. He plopped himself down on the stool next to his wife. "I want to sleep in my own bed tonight."
"Don't we all," said Robert. "Any news on our mutual friend?"
"Whoever kept him occupied did a superb job. She has left the hotel room but he has not," said Andre. "Above and beyond the call of duty I would say."
Robert gestured at the television where the local news was playing the latest reports from Russia including the death of Constantine Korolev. "Faison has to be drugged out of his mind to miss all the coverage. If he tries to contact Constantin, the jig is up."
"She was sufficiently armed with knowledge about the target and trained by Augusta. She may not have needed drugs to keep his attentions all to herself," said Heloise. "A woman need not weaken a man to hold him in her net. Simply make sure he's sated and leave him completely exhausted."
Both Andre and Robert looked at her. Their expressions turned to one of chagrin as her meaning sunk in.
"I'd send her a medal if I could escape the wrath of her relations," said Robert. "He's going to DO something. The waiting is killing me."
"You and Andre believe he will have a ready countermove. I say he will not," said Heloise.
"An angry man will lash out," said Andre. "He'll want revenge."
"Against who? He will have questions and suspicions but no answers," said Heloise. "I predict that he will hide and become quiet."
"That can't happen," said Robert. "We can't lose track of him and he disappears too well."
Andre took out his phone as it made a series of beeps. He studied the screen for a minute.
"News?" asked Robert.
"Yes but not about this," said Andre. "It's about our other mutual friend, Robert."
"Who?"
"Grant Putnam. A new doctor has taken over his case and there's been some changes to his medication," said Andre.
"You keep an eye on him?" asked an incredulous Robert.
"Who better? A few years ago I asked Andrew to hack a way into the asylum's system. I used to visit every six months and made nice with his doctor. Now, I can monitor from afar."
"Better you than me," said Robert. "If I could have had the murder and kidnapping charges stick, I would have pushed for the death penalty. Not in his right mind or not, he still knew what he was doing. Building that cage and holding Anna captive was all planned. I don't buy for a minute that he can be rehabilitated. Other people perhaps but not Putnam."
"Why has a new doctor been assigned?" asked Heloise.
"The old one retired. Too bad. I thought he was competent," said Andre flipping through screens of information. "I don't know about this new drug regiment. I've never heard of this mix of drugs being used to treat the deeply psychotic." He turned the IPhone off and pocketed it. "I'll look into it later."
"Is he sane?" asked Robert.
"By the standard definition, yes. Does he still hate everyone, yes to that, too," said Andre.
"Does he know you visit?"
Andre shook his head. "I visit with his doctor and watch through the cameras. He doesn't know anything about me. I'm careful, Robert. Fortunately, age has changed both of us. We're not as identical as we once were."
"That is a very good thing," said Heloise.
Andre smiled. "You couldn't tell who was who?"
"I do not want to be put to that test unless I had no choice."
Andre gave his wife's hand a reassuring squeeze. "You won't. I'm not going anywhere."
Over the public address system came the announcement of their flights beginning general boarding. They embraced and bid farewell each thinking of home and their loved ones. Perhaps, they would have been better served thinking of the matters at hand.