Chapter 39

A/N: Part 3 - added 03/27/2023

Part 1 - added 03/12/2023

How many are there? What do they want? What weapons do they have? Dead or alive? Max always asked before coming up with a plan in every crisis situation she was assigned to and when there's no time to think of a plan, there is only one thing to do; Go with the instincts.

If I did that, I would've been able to find Dr. Harrington sooner. No one else thought it was possible because anyone who doesn't want to be found wouldn't go back to the place where they used to work which makes sense if she's a fugitive. She's not but she is wanted for questioning so why is she acting like there's nothing wrong and why is Blake acting like she works for her? She doesn't but she did say Dr. Harrington is a friend whom she had forgotten about and the reason she left was to find out if she is the one Petrie is looking for which is also the reason she didn't call until today. That makes sense and she did make a good point. The one in the picture does look different from the real person. The pulled back hair style, the different color from dark blonde to brown, and the big glasses along with the mask make a big difference. Petrie wouldn't have been able to recognize her either. And with the calm gentle tone that she uses, the respect she gives to the staff, and the care she shows towards the patients, they wouldn't believe she's capable of kidnapping. Blake might not either since she's acting very strange because the old Blake would be cursing right now, not patiently listening to this arrogant doctor who must feel that she's not getting the proper recognition she deserves since she's describing how many patients she saved, patients who initially have been considered unsavable.

"Why are you telling us this?"

CJ's impatience is showing again. She had asked Blake many questions earlier but was told that everything would be explained later. That was 20 minutes ago. Having just seen a room full of patients, lying on the bed like corpses, and now being in this office in the basement with no windows must have made her uncomfortable.

"Now that you know, do you still think I'm a bad person?"

What? How dare she. Saving lives is a doctor's job. Kidnapping is not. Does she think I don't know what she did to Lucy? "I know what you did." Amy said without going into detail since she's not sure how much Blake knows. If she doesn't, she doesn't need to know, not yet.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know that was going to happen. I too was blindsided."

Apology followed by shifting blame. Does she think that would be enough? It's not but it is for ZJ who's now heading towards the door after swearing and letting Blake know that she doesn't believe anything she said. CJ is following too. Why do they always do this? Do they ignore Lucy too or just me? Amy followed until Blake said:

"I was one of them."

Blake didn't hold back this time. CJ still looks confused. That's because the clarification is so shocking, it does sound like a lie but why would Blake lie about having been in a coma? Memory loss can happen after a traumatic brain injury. Seeing something that looks familiar can bring back lost memories. It is possible she only started to remember after recognizing the tattoo in the pictures of mutilated bodies, the ones from Petrie, which led her to Dr. Neeva Poland aka Dr. Harrington. She didn't call until today because she's not sure who to trust which makes sense because Dr. Harrington is the one who saved her. Anyone in her situation would've done the same but as logical as the explanation is, this doesn't mean she's being completely honest since there's no reason to wait until now to explain. "Why are you stalling?" Amy asked, then realized ZJ is again running out of patience.

"We're going to go now. You can either stay here or come with us but we're not staying here."

ZJ always hated hospitals. This isn't the only reason this time and she's right. There's no reason to trust Doc but Blake doesn't sound like she's lying either. It would be safer to leave now. "C'mon Blake" Amy said while wondering why she would think saying 'wait, I have something to show you' would convince anyone to stay. ZJ has given up. CJ is already outside the door, looking right and left. "Whatever you have to say, you can say it outside. Now c'mon!" She's not the type that can be easily brainwashed so why isn't she getting it? What is there to see but she can't say what it is? Only a fool would fall for it. "c'mon!" Amy said, giving Blake one more chance but got another reason instead and this time, the reason given is more persuasive. The shooter was shooting at her? If Blake is lying about this, she came up with a very good explanation that shows she's not because corruption exists everywhere so it's not hard to believe that her former boss wanted her dead after she found out about his involvement with drug traffickers. Anthony did say she used to work for the DEA. Does he know about this?

"They'll kill me. They could be after you too." Blake apologized.

No wonder she's afraid to expose him. It would be difficult to run a drug operation without help from others. She doesn't have any proof either but like ZJ said, just let the media outlet know. Let them find the proof and even without proof, many will believe it since this administration has shown itself to be more corrupted than Nixon. She should know that so why is she still afraid? This is unlike her. What happened to the tough Blake who didn't hesitate to go to the rough neighborhood of Bronx?

"She's stalling again." CJ said.

It does seem that way but Blake was speaking very fast a moment ago and now she's behaving more like the old Blake. She curses when she's frustrated.

"You can't do this. If you expose him, he's going to kill his ex-wife."

His...ex? Is anyone confused besides me? Looks like everyone is and CJ is not afraid to ask again but that's not a question, that's an accusation, an illogical one that even ZJ wouldn't have thought of. CJ did because she has never heard Blake talk about men. She had an affair with his wife? Ohh, no wonder he wants her dead.

"I want to believe you but you haven't given us a good reason to. Give us names."

CJ has a point. ZJ agrees too. It's now more obvious Blake is stalling because she's looking at Dr. Harrington as if she's looking for suggestions. None is given but Blake's question is as effective as the last. It stopped CJ and ZJ from leaving. But this time, it's not confusing because it shows her intention, the main reason she decided to call. She knows about the key. She thinks Lucy has it but she obviously wasn't told what it's for. A miracle drug for comatose patients? There is something wrong with her.

"I know you don't think it's possible but what if it's true? You have the power to help them. All you have to do is convince your hubby."

My hubby?

Meanwhile

Every unborn deserves a chance to live. They say. Yet those same believers have no interest in adoption either. Do they know there are already over 100,000 orphans, waiting to be adopted every year? Do they know the rooms where they sleep are crowded and filthy, filled with a stench of urine left by the traumatized? Do they know they have to put on a fake smile every week while standing in line in the hopes that they wouldn't be chosen by a pedophile? Do they know a lot of children have been physically and emotionally abused by their foster care family and adopter? If they knew, would they still believe that God protects everyone? Would they still say abortion is inhumane? "Go to hell."

It's not loud but it still could be heard with the radio on. No one else is here so who is she saying that too? "What?" Riley asked.

"Hell…would be better, she once said."

Riley kept her thoughts to herself as she continued to keep her eyes on the wet road since she couldn't think of anything else to say other than sorry which won't make Brie feel better. It's too late to regret asking about Brooke but it was the only way to find out if Bruce was telling the truth. He wasn't. Brooke's death has nothing to do with her just like she had thought but this, what Brie is feeling right now is her fault because no one wants to be reminded of the loss of a love one even if it was from natural causes.

"God my ass" Brie said after turning off the radio.

Brooke's death is tragic but why is she still cursing at God when clearly, it's not making herself feel any better. That's unhealthy. "Are you going to turn it off every time?" She needs help if she does. "That's a good song." Not all Christian songs are but that one has a nice soft melody and the chorus isn't annoying like others. "You say I am luuuved when I can't feel uhthing. You say I-"

"You believe?"

She does have a problem and she must hate my singing. "It's just a song." Why did she even ask that when she knows my life sucks too? "Have you ever read the Bible? Did you know it has porn in it? It has so much disgusting stuff, you'd think people would know by now it's written by men, a bunch of perverts to control women and everything else." Brie might not have responded but there's a reaction. Confused. "It's true." Riley said after taking a quick glance before returning her eyes towards the front.

"You…read the Bible?"

Why so surprised? "I was curious." Curious to see what caused so many people to put their heads down and close their eyes when the pastor speaks as if they're in a cult and why some say it has porno in it. It was shocking to find out that they're right. It's worse than erotic novels and more disgusting than horror movies. Most likely, Brie has never read it, otherwise she wouldn't be blaming an imaginary character. "I never knew until I saw this documentary. It happens all over the world, not just here, men using religion to get what they want, claiming they're the Messiah and people are willing to do whatever they were told even though they know it's wrong but they do it anyway. It's like they're…like that sucker over there." Riley was going to say brainwashed until she saw the sign in front of the house that she just drove by. Now she knows why Brie was saying 'go to hell' a moment ago. It's because of the Pro-Life sign. There aren't many here in this democratic state but there are other signs that support the party of liars. "Look, another sucker." The red truck that just zoomed by has a sticker.

"Follow him."

"What?"

"Hurry! Follow him!"

It's not snowing but the road is wet. There are still snow on the sides. That truck is going very fast so "Whyyy?"

"Because you're driving too slow. It'll be closed before we get there!" Brie said, regretting not taking a taxi instead.

"Okay okay" Riley stepped on the gas pedal a little more even though she doesn't agree since saying anything else would probably get Brie more frustrated. But Brie should know there's a good chance she's not going to get the information she wants even if she gets there on time. If Brooke couldn't be cured, then doctors might not know if family members would have the same illness too. Natural causes could mean many things. If it's not cancer or heart disease or diabetes, then it could be something new that they've never seen before. It could even be this virus. No one knew what it was back then so it's possible.

It's not. The answer is still unknown after getting to the destination. Finding out took longer than expected. That's because Brie didn't say that Brooke didn't die at this hospital and that's not all she forgot to mention.

"We're going to be in so much trouble." Riley quickly took a right turn after getting out of the hospital parking lot while wondering why Brie can still be so calm like she has done this before numerous times. Everyone knows that only those authorized can get access to a patient's medical records. She obviously does since she was able to come up with a heartbreaking story very quickly to persuade the naive old administrative staff who should be fired for disclosing patient information without authorization. Letting others know what Brooke's symptoms were isn't a big deal but still, there are cameras in the office. Brie did briefly pulled own her mask to show her face full of tears so if that dumb-dumb figured it out, it would be easy to find her so why is she sitting there like nothing unusual happened. "Do you know what can happen? If she tells her manager, they might call the police. They're going to know it's you. Then they're going to look into your life…and mine." That's over-exaggerated but that could happen.

"Would you if you know you're going to be in trouble too?"

That's a good point but some people are illogical just like her. "You should've told me you're not authorized." Most patients usually give access to their immediate family members. She's Brooke's only family so if she's not authorized, then who does? "If you had told me, I would've been more prepared." Brie didn't need any help but it would be nice to be given a heads up. "Is it true? Is that how it happened?" A story of how 2 sisters were sent to an orphanage after their parents died in a 50-car pile-up during a snowstorm in Ohio interstate did sounded like it's true. Many siblings do get separated while waiting to get adopted. There are cases where siblings do get reunited after decades apart. Many kids do get abused in orphanages. She didn't say that. She didn't have to since it's common knowledge. Saying how difficult her life has been after her parents died wasn't enough. Saying how unfair God is somehow changed the old woman's mind. Most likely, it's because she believes in God. It wouldn't have worked with a young millennial because they wouldn't care. They'd be suspicious because how often do siblings get reunited by coincidence? It's usually by DNA, rarely by coincidence even if they do look alike. Having the same friend, me, who noticed that they have the same tattoo sounded like she got the idea from a movie. Everything else, though, sounds possible. "So you weren't with her when she died?" That's what she told the old woman worker and it got her sympathy when she said they didn't get to spend much time together after they found each other. "Where was she when she died?" If it's not this hospital, then maybe the other hospital has more information. "I know it's none of my business. I'm not trying to be nosy. I just want to help. I -"

"You want to help?"

"Yes"

"Then tell me how she died. Tell me it's not my fault!" Brie let out a deep frustrated breath, then later regretted using that tone towards Riley since she didn't deserve it. Going there wasn't Riley's idea but going there was because Riley brought up a good point. What caused Brooke's system to shut down all of a sudden? Why did she go to that hospital so often? Christian did say be careful with alcohol and sleeping pills but he didn't say that was the cause. Was there an accident? An accident is not natural cause. Why didn't he return any of the previous calls? Why didn't he respond to any of the messages? The reason he didn't was obvious; He has his own life. But now, it seems like there's another reason. Is it because it's my fault? It's crazy to think that this is possible but Brooke would've been happier if I wasn't so stubborn. Would she still be alive if I had gone with her to Paris?

Riley stopped the car into a gas station and this time, she doesn't plan on driving until she finds out why Brie thinks it's her fault. Brie didn't mention this last night and now, she still doesn't look like she wants to talk about it.

"You want to know why I thought it was my fault?" Riley asked, hoping that this will get Brie to open up. "Because my brother Bruce, he said I was responsible. He said Brooke got sick because of me."

Part 2 - added 03/19/2023

Unlike the other room, this one has only females. CJ must still be very uncomfortable since she's looking around. Doc isn't here but even if she is, CJ would've done the same. As for ZJ, she looks like she's still shocked. There are a lot young coma patients in here. That's probably because she never heard the story about the cargo of women that Blake found. Now it makes more sense. Blake did say she rescued them but she didn't say how many survived. These must be the stronger ones.

"It's a miracle."

It is a miracle. No food, no water, trapped in a hot steel cargo for days with little oxygen, no one would be able to survive in that condition if not for Blake which would've made sense if Blake didn't say 'she' saved them. "She?" Amy asked to confirm. It wasn't a mistake. Blake did say she. This is the one whom she thought had died. This is the one who led her to the cargo of young women that were being trafficked. Oh my God.

"Who is she?" ZJ asked, confused as to why Amy is looking at Blake in shock with a hand over her mouth after Blake said she's the girl in her dream.

Would ZJ believe it? CJ might not either since she once said Blake could be working undercover. She'll think Blake made this up just to get the key which is impossible because Blake still doesn't know who Lucy is. "How did-" Amy was about to ask for more details before getting interrupted by multiple knocks on the door. It's not Dr. Harrington but it is urgent. Whoever she is could be a doctor too since she's wearing a doctor's robe. What happened? Blake is looking like she's not sure what to do.

"Stay here." Blake said.

What? Why would she think we want to stay here without her? There's no reason to stay but it seems that both ZJ and CJ didn't think about following Blake either. They're leaving? "We can't leave her. She needs help." They should know by now Blake is being used so what is there to think about? "Call me. If you hear anything wrong, pull the fire alarm." Amy quickly went the other way without waiting for a response just in time to notice which way Blake went otherwise it would take awhile since there are a few doors in this empty hallway.

"Wait"

Just as she thought, ZJ wouldn't just leave. Surprisingly, CJ came too and whoever this doctor is must think we're visitors since she's blocking the way. Does she think she can block all three of us? Get out of my way. ZJ came up with a threat that worked too. No company wants bad publicity. That includes a hospital especially when it involves an intruder? Two intruders?

"You okay?" Blake asked.

"Get something to tie him up. Hurry...No, himm."

So it's not two. Just one intruder and one very nervous, injured Dr. Harrington who's sitting on the floor and now seems surprised to see us.

"Get them out of here."

Doesn't she know it's too late for that? Blake is not doing as told. That's good. That means she doesn't totally trust Doc. This other doctor knows that she can't so that's good too. The intruder is unconscious and still has a knife in his back. She better stop the bleeding before he dies.

"Get out of here. You don't want to get involved in this."

That sounds like a genuine concern but does she think I would believe her after everything she did? CJ is convinced though but that's because she never wanted to be here in the first place. With two more bodies on the gurneys and 2 unconscious on the floor, CJ is probably too shocked to notice the mistake Doc made. "Did you call security yet?" Her assistant didn't want anyone to know so she must not have either. "What happened?" Pain on the neck and leg shouldn't interfere with answering the question since she was talking a moment ago. There's no blood visible on her so "Who's he?" Blake seems to be curious too so that means she doesn't know.

"Get them out of here. Go. Go with them."

So she's not keeping Blake here? Blake doesn't seem like she's been brainwashed but she is reluctant to leave until she was given a good reason to. Being near these infected bodies isn't a good idea. The new vaccine might not work. That is possible.

"Hey! Don't touch him. He's infected."

Should've said so sooner. ZJ already touched the other guy with her bare hand.

"This is a gal." ZJ said.

What? Amy didn't ask and instead quickly moved to where ZJ is, not just to see it for herself but more importantly, to pull ZJ away since she's still touching the body. Did she not hear what Doc said or does she think she's immune to it since she had it? Infected could mean other types of viruses. This woman in disguise does look like she's sick. Her face is pale.

"Blake, get them out of here! Hurry!"

That is one command Amy is willing to comply if the eyes of the stranger didn't just opened and those pale lips didn't lift into a smile. Amy immediately held onto the hand while knowing she shouldn't have but she did because it was struggling to reach her and because those teary eyes somehow caused her cast all common sense aside.

"You know her?"

It seems more like she knows me. "Who are you?" Those lips are moving but no sound could be heard.

Part 3

One moment she's pulling me away. The next she's putting herself in a more dangerous position by leaning closer to the disguised stranger. What happened is still unclear since Amy didn't explain nor could the disguised stranger whose heart is no longer beating. But the glare she's giving to the doctor shows that she knows.

"I didn't know. I swear." Doc said.