Dr. Richter had used every excuse possible to come back to the VA. He hated the thought of someone else looking after his patients. He called everyday, but the nurses were under strict orders that Richter's calls were only to be taken by Dr. Henry, who apparently very seldom answered his phone. Finally, he thought up an excuse that Decker couldn't refuse. Richter had hid his daughter's birthday present in his office so there would no chance of her finding it when she came to his house. He asked Decker if he could come get it from his office. Decker couldn't find a reason to refuse that. Richter smiled. So what if his daughter's birthday wasn't for another month!

Richter stepped out of the elevator. A nurse walking by looked at him with surprise. "Dr. Richter, I'm glad you're back!"

Richter smiled sadly. "I'm not back yet. Colonel Decker keeps prolonging the investigation. I just stopped by to pick up my daughter's birthday present. I hid it in my office."

The nurse's smile faded. "I thought maybe you were here to check on poor Mr. Murdock."

"Murdock? What's wrong?"

"I guess you haven't heard. Mr. Murdock is suffering a severe adverse reaction to his new medication."

"New medication? What kind of reaction?"

"Trembling, seizures. Actually, for the past three days, he's been catatonic."

Richter shook his head. "Why is the medication continuing?"

"I don't know. Dr. Henry said that stopping it be worse than continuing."

"Have any other patients been started on new medication?"

"No, I don't believe so."

Richter thought for a moment. "Nurse Floyd, I have permission to stop at my office, but that's it. Technically, I'm not supposed to be talking to you. But since I've already broke a rule, could you help me sneak in to see Murdock, just for a minute?"

Nurse Floyd smiled. "Of course! I'm very fond of Mr. Murdock. If anyone can help him, I know you can!"

They hurried to Murdock's room. Richter stared through the window at the captain. "If he's catatonic, why is he restrained?"

"Dr. Henry said that he was very violent. He ordered the restraints to be kept on Mr. Murdock just in case."

"And I suppose the green and purple marks on his arms are crayon drawings."

The nurse hung her head. "Mr. Murdock kept trying to attack Dr. Henry. Those are bruises from when Dr. Henry had to grab Mr. Murdock in self defense."

Richter shook his head in disbelief, then went into Murdock's room. Nurse Floyd stood right outside the door, keeping watch. Richter pulled a chair over and sat down beside Murdock's bed. It had been almost three weeks since he had seen the captain, and he couldn't believe how bad Murdock looked. His face was gaunt and pale, his hands shook, his arms were almost completely covered in bruises, and his vacant eyes stared straight ahead.

Richter touched Murdock's arm, but there was no response.

"Murdock, it's Dr. Richter. Can you hear me?"

No response.

"Dr. Richter, I hear Dr. Henry coming this way!"

"I'm coming, Janice." Richter looked at Murdock. "I've got to go, but I'll be back. I'll find a way to help you."

Richter and Nurse Floyd hurried away just as Henry and Decker came around the corner. "Colonel, there weren't any cases like this in the trial studies I did. He's had to have had some kind of experience like this before. But as far as his current condition, I blame it on all the medications he's on. With all the pills those nurses shove down his throat, I'm surprised that he didn't have a worse reaction than this!"

"What do you suggest, Henry?"

"Stop increasing the dosage for a few days. Then increase and hold that dosage for a few days. Honestly, I think his system just can't handle all the drugs that are in it."

Henry and Decker stopped at Murdock's door and looked in at him. "We'll try your plan, Henry. He knows where Smith is, I know he does."

"You know, Colonel, I don't know a thing about psychiatry, but I think you're overly obsessed with this A-Team."

Decker gave him a look that shot daggers. "Those outlaws have avoided capture, and escaped when captured for too long! It's time for them to pay for their crimes!"

"If you say so. But I still think you're obsessed with them."

"You do, do you? If you want to keep your hind end out of prison, do your job and mind your own business!" With that, Decker stomped away.

Henry watched him go, than looked back in at Murdock. "It's nothing personal, Captain. I just don't want to go back to prison."

Decker stepped off the elevator at the ground floor. He turned as he heard someone call his name.

"Colonel Decker, may I have a word with you?"

Decker held up a hand. "The investigation is still in progress, Richter. You will be notified when it is complete."

"That's not what I wanted to talk about. Could I please go see my patients for a few minutes?"

"No! You were allowed a quick visit to your office, which I see you have already made." He motioned to the wrapped present under Richter's arm.

"Yes, I have. But I'm concerned about my patients. Comes with being a doctor, I guess. Could I at least see one of my patients? His name is H.M. Murdock."

Decker eyed Richter suspiciously. "Murdock?"

"Yes. You see, he's a very special case. I just wish to check on him."

"All patients are being taken care of, Doctor. You do not have permission to see them. Now, please excuse me. I have important work to do."

Richter watched the colonel walk away. "Yeah, chasing three men all over the country is very important work. But that does give me an idea." Smiling, Richter headed towards the door. "The A-Team will be able to get Murdock out of here!"