Chapter 40

Part 1 - added 04/02/2023

Plan B? It's a flight from Hawaii to New York on a private plane. It would've taken too long to drive. Petrie showed up unexpectedly. How am I supposed to know her boss would put his own people at risk. So there is no plan B!

Calling Scud was useless since he had no suggestions and the same useless 'You should've listened to me' remark and a story about the past that, for some reason, he felt the need to share after learning it was Aria who found out about Agent Drew.

It was a story about a guy who's not a computer genius like him but he found him useful. His expertise was being detailed hence nicknamed Deet-Tye, pronounced in French for the word detail since he spoke French too. Just like Aria, he noticed things that others didn't and he's good at keeping track of things like a secretary does. But it's not just that. His ability to remember the names of everyone he knew including their last names, their birthdays, their likes and dislikes, got everyone to like him because it showed that he cared. No one knew he had other motives except Lucy until that day Deet-Tye was killed by a FBI agent. That day, Scud realized what it was that caused Lucy to become suspicious of him when no one else did. It's because Deet-Type, the young undercover agent, had fallen in love with her and was killed because he's unwilling to participate in a scheme to frame Lucy for the death of another FBI agent.

Most of the time, Scud's stories have a point but what's the point of this one? If it is to let her know that the government has corrupted agents and they will do whatever is necessary to get what they want including turning against their own, then he didn't have to since she already knew. As unhelpful as Scud was, she didn't regret calling him because she found out after calling Amy back that he too had been fooled by Dr. Harrington. It wasn't Amy that called him. Amy didn't call earlier either. It was Dr. Harrington using Amy's voice which explains why she didn't say much. The real Amy had a lot say.

It was shocking to learn that Amy finally figured out who killed Max and why. No one needs to know but Adalyn does so she can see what Dr. Harrington is capable of. Does Schaeffer know about this? It's a question that Adalyn doesn't know the answer to which doesn't sound like a lie since she didn't speak up for him this time so that means it's a possibility. Petrie doesn't either, not surprising since she failed to notice what her own agent was up to. And now, she must be wondering who else knows. Either that or she's still thinking what she can do to persuade her boss.

Clock is ticking. The plane will land in a few minutes. Changing the destination to New Jersey might not help. Making this a hostage situation will make it worse. There's no need to do that, not yet. If she has another idea, she better speak up now because everyone is looking nervous, everyone except Aria who doesn't look concerned at all, surprisingly. Did she hear what we were talking about 30 minutes ago? There's no need for her to know what Amy found out. Letting her know that the government is using comatose patients for experiments will only give her something more to think about. She would probably be as shocked as Petrie was, not because it was unheard of since the Nazis were even more inhuman. They used prisoners and children. It's because Petrie finally came to realize what she got herself into. If they could have Max killed for getting too close to finding out their secret, then they're going to do whatever is necessary to cover it up. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

I'm coming. Amy.

Meanwhile

Growing up without parents is difficult. Growing up with a brother isn't the same. Most siblings don't get along. In Riley's case, that doesn't seem to be the case even though she used the word jerk to refer to her brother multiple times. That's because he saved her from getting raped by her ex-boyfriend years ago. It's also because he believes he wouldn't have to go to prison for his other offenses if he didn't already have a prior record of killing her ex. He did have a good point. Drunk driving is a misdemeanor. Assaulting a police officer is a little more serious. Even though he wasn't found guilty in killing her ex, it probably was the reason he got a longer prison term. Riley has a good point too for thinking that he was lying to her about Brooke just to make her feel guilty but now it seems like she realized she's wrong since she's driving like someone who just robbed a bank.

"Where're you going?" Brie asked since this isn't the way back to Manhattan.

"I don't know."

"What?" It is hard to concentrate while driving but Riley's next response still doesn't answer the question since no destination is given and she only said she forgot to do something. What did she forget? Either she has a lot on her mind or still thinking about what she just learned. That can happen so it's necessary to make sure she doesn't forget this. "Look, what I said, it's between us. No one else can know. All right?" A simple okay is expected but it seems to have offended Riley since she just asked a very silly question. Do I look like a gossip girl? She doesn't but that doesn't mean she's not. She should know we don't know each other that well and misunderstandings can happen.

"You can trust me. I won't tell anyone."

It seems that she still doesn't get it. "It's not about trust. It's about making the right decisions." Did she forget what happened the last time? It seems that she did. "Hope was a client yet you sent her to be my bodyguard." Clear enough? She violated client confidentiality as well as mine. mhm, now she gets it.

"Sorry" Riley apologized without giving the reason because the reason for not having anyone else to be her bodyguard isn't a good reason. It's also because she never thought of Hope as a client. Hope didn't pay. But Brie is right. There's no need to tell her she's not the only one. Just because the Instagram model didn't mind doesn't mean it's right. Brie obviously did mind and still does probably because of what happened last night. Would she feel the same way if she knows Hope wasn't with a prostitute last night? Would it make a difference? She is calmer now than before so

"Look out!" Brie said loudly since the oil truck in the next next lane just swerved into their lane like it just lost control and Riley wasn't paying attention. Whether the road is wet or not, driving on a highway next to a big truck is very stupid.

"Sorry"

"Where're you going?" Riley just exited the highway and still not answering the question. Almost there is where? And why is she talking about Brooke again?

"I'm glad you told me." Riley said, holding the urge to tell Brie what she knows since this isn't the right time and because she still doesn't how Brooke died. It's definitely not Brie's fault though. Brie wasn't with Brooke when she died. She only found out Brooke was sick long after their first meeting. She was blaming herself because she felt guilty for not understanding what her sister Brooke had went thru. She was feeling guilty for blaming Brooke for everything that she herself went thru after their parents' death. It was too late to realize that Brooke wasn't to blame. Their parents were. It was too late to realize that the outcome would've been worse. Brooke didn't. That's why Brooke killed their abusive parents before they could do the same to Brie as they did to her. That's one tragic story that no one else needs to know about especially the hospital office worker since there's a chance that she might not believe it. So Brie was right in lying about it and now Brie should know I can be trusted. A promise will reassure her.

Getting a promise is good enough but it seems that Riley still doesn't get it. The conversation earlier is personal. It really doesn't matter if she tells anyone. Everyone is dead. It's just another tragedy that could've been prevented if not for the broken government system. It did help to talk about it. It's good to know that talking about her own problems helped her too but it doesn't mean I'm going to do that again. It certainly does not mean we can be friends. "I don't think we should." This would be better than saying I don't want you as my friend. She should know what can happen if someone recognizes her. She should know why I don't want to. Why does she even think that's possible? "I meant what I said. That was my last time and I don't want to see Hope ever again." Clear enough? Going to the hospital was Riley's idea. She offered to drive. There's no reason to reject her offer but now this seems like a mistake. She's not taking me to a hotel, is she? "Where're we goin?" No hotels can be seen in this area. There was one all the way back there. There are a lot of trees here and a lot of empty space unlike the congested New York City. Now it's little more clearer but why? "What are we doing here?"

"Does this look familiar?"

"NNNO" Brie said in frustration since she's tired of getting questions instead of answers.

"The other one doesn't know. Maybe this one does."

"What?" Brie asked even though she understood but it just never occurred to her that Riley hasn't given up. Why would she think Brooke was a patient here too? This is far from the other hospital. Is this what her brother said? Or is she planning to check every hospital in this state?

"C'mon" Riley said after getting out of the car.

"I thought you said this is a bad idea." Those aren't her exact words but she did curse the last time. This time, she's determined. She's walking away. She's not going to do it. They're not going to tell her. She would need a better story than the last one. The last one would only work on old women. Looks like she's not going without me...or maybe not. Who's calling? Whoever is calling her must have given bad news. What's wrong?

Brie waited inside the car since Riley is coming back but that moment to realize what's wrong didn't take long since a loud noise that sounds like an explosion could be heard even with all the doors and windows closed. It's natural instinct to look around to see where it came from but what Riley should be doing is get inside the car first.

"What the hell?" No signs of explosion can be seen. But the sound of the alarm can now be heard more clearly after the car door is opened. People are coming out of the hospital including the staff. Why is she still standing there? She's not in anybody's way but still. "Riley!" Brie called out loudly, immediately realizing that her voice is completely drowned out by the noise of two helicopters and sirens from ambulances. There's no need to tell Riley to get in the car again but there's a need to snap her out of it since she looks like she's hyperventilating. She was running a moment ago but that was just a short distance. This is a bad time to be having trouble breathing. Okay. Looks like she's just in shock, so shock she has trouble talking. Whatever it was, parking here is not a good idea. This is too close to the building. "Let me drive."

"No, wait."

"Wait for what!" She can't be thinking of going back inside later. She's not.

Riley's response shocked her to the point, she now understood why Riley was standing frozen a moment ago. One thought instantly appeared but her mind couldn't come up with a reason why Hope would do such a thing even though she is capable of causing it.

"What's she doing there!"