Chapter 11 - Into the Raptor's Pen
"Loneliness is not just a feeling of being alone, it's fear, depression, inferiority, it's a collection of negative emotions, building in the wall around you." - Unknown
oOo
I am writing this statement to give information that I hope will be helpful in the current investigation against Lewis Dodgson and his group from Biosyn that I used to be involved with. I threw my life away because of my own poor decisions. I hope my statement will show that I'm trying to do the right thing now.
I was a systems analyst and had worked for John Hammond of International Genetics (InGen for short). I was hired to design the control systems for his project but was never given details of what I was working with. When he wanted changes made to the system, I asked for more compensation, he refused, and in turn, I refused to do the extra work. Hammond sent letters to my other clients, making it sound like I was irresponsible, and he took it a step further and threatened lawsuits against me. I was told that any changes I made to the system were part of the original contract I had signed—which it wasn't. What I'm writing here isn't meant to be against John, but it explains why I went in the direction I did. I was furious with John, and at some point, I ran into Lewis Dodgson of Biology Synthetics Technologies (Biosyn for short).
Lewis Dodgson is charismatic. He can convince you to do anything he wants, even if it's illegal or over-the-top. His charm worked on me because I was fed up with John, InGen and the _ project. He started off slow, asking what it was like to work for InGen and about my position in the company. I was honest with him and disclosed that I hated working for InGen, especially John Hammond. We talked more and he told me about Biosyn and their goals. It turns out that InGen and Biosyn were rivals, and being that I owed no loyalty to Hammond, I was open to listening to Dodgson—his ideas, and eventually, his offer. Dodgson was looking to get his hands on InGen technology. He asked if I could defeat security to obtain what he wanted which were_. I told him I could because I had designed the security systems. I knew the ins and outs of the program and had built a trapdoor. I made it so that I could turn off all the security systems if I accessed a certain code called "White Rabbit Object" or Whte_ . I could also get into the system in case someone made a mess and I needed to clean it up.
I used my expertise to override the systems and stole from InGen. The first theft I did was successful and happened during the weekend of the park inspection. What I had stolen was fragile and Lewis Dodgson ruined the first batch. He demanded I get him a second batch of _. I did it again, no problem. Same thing happened and the third time was the last time. Three strikes and you're out. My co-workers, Ray Arnold and Robert Muldoon, caught me in the act just when I received the money for turning over the items. The first time I stole for Dodgson, he paid me a million dollars. The second time, it was doubled. The third time, the money was tripled, but I never saw any of it because I got arrested that same day.
Soon after my arrest, I was tried, convicted, and sentenced to 10-15 years in prison. My computer certification was revoked. I had to pay huge fines. My life was over and instead of owning my lousy decisions, I blamed my co-workers for tailing me that day. During my first two years in prison, I vowed to make their lives a living hell if I ever got out—which I eventually did, and I will get to that.
What I need to say here is that Lewis Dodgson never showed up at my trial. During the two years I was locked up, he only came by twice. I wasn't in contact with him, which Hammond accused me of more than a year into my sentence. Henry Wu was the one sharing info with Dodgson, but that wasn't discovered until way later when I overheard a phone conversation between them. On the eve of my second-year anniversary in prison, Lewis Dodgson broke me out. The second time he visited me, he told me he would do this, but I didn't believe him. He sent Raúl Lopez and Sonya Durant disguised as transport officers to act like they were transferring me to another prison. They played the part well—they wore uniforms, badges, and even had restraints. The COs didn't suspect anything. That same night, I met with Dodgson in Biosyn's office in Cupertino.
Dodgson explained he was putting together a group that would invade Hammond's island that he had leased from the Costa Rican government, where his biological preserve was set up: Isla Nublar. The following people were in that group: myself. Raúl Lopez, paleontologist. Sonya Durant, guide and mercenary. Roland Tembo, guide and mercenary. George Lawala, mercenary. (George eventually left Biosyn, I helped him get a job with InGen because he wanted to leave and do better for himself). The other two people were Howard King, his personal assistant, and George Baselton, who pretended to be an accountant for Hammond, but he was embezzling funds and secretly working with Dodgson. I think he was hired as a professor to try to make Biosyn look good, but with Dodgson being the face of Biosyn, that's nearly impossible.
Dodgson had us steal live animal specimens from Hammond's island. I can't go into detail as to what they are, as I've signed a non-disclosure agreement. Some of what I say here is limited regarding InGen… We made three trips. In all three trips, I turned off the security systems, I knew how to hack in, even remotely. The first trip, I took care of that by getting into the control room, so that it would be easier the next two trips. That was my role with all three heists. During the first trip, I purposely went after Robert Muldoon. We fought in Henry Wu's lab, leaving the place a mess. A lot of expensive InGen property was destroyed—mostly because of me, but I didn't care at the time. I figured it would come out of Muldoon's paycheck. The second time, I didn't tangle with Muldoon—not physically. I couldn't because George Lawala had gotten injured by a _ that spits, so I addressed that with the park staff. I demanded that they help him and in return, my group would leave. They helped him and we left.
The third time, I released the _ and this ended horribly. For starters, I met John Hammond at his bungalow, where I told him I took down the phones and he told me I belong in prison. He left his bungalow and headed to the _ _ and I followed him. I saw that the power was off (because I had hacked into the security systems). I tried to get him out of there, but he wouldn't listen. We exchanged heated words and insults. It was the worst argument we've ever had and I'm sure if you asked him, he would agree. I tried to get him out of there by force. I snatched his arm and he hit me with his cane. It started out bad and got worse. He spat in my face, I snatched his wrists again, trying to drag him out of the area. I pushed him hard, and he almost hit the ground. At the end, I told him to "drop dead". "Drop dead, Mr. Hammond." Words that still haunt me to this day because if I knew what was about to happen in the next five minutes, I would've never said those words. Robert and Dr. Grant shot two _, but there was still one out of the pen, and it was coming straight for John. Robert pushed him to the ground to get him out of the way. If Robert hadn't done that, John would've been killed.
I went back to John, and he was having trouble sitting up on his own. He kept falling. Right after that, is when it all went to hell. It was already hell, but now it was HELL because he started having a stroke. I was literally holding him in my arms when I saw the changes. He couldn't talk clearly, and the left side of his face was drooping. I think he tried to say he couldn't feel his left arm and leg. His words sounded slurred. I wanted to help him, but I didn't know what to do. I called out for help and hoped anyone would show up. Help eventually came for John, but then me and Robert got into it. We fought like never before. It's no exaggeration when I say we were trying to kill each other. He had blood all over his face from our fight and the _ attacking him which would eventually leave scars. I didn't leave the island intact either. I had my share of bruises and a sprained ankle. But none of that mattered because Hammond had to be rushed to the hospital on the mainland by helicopter. He would be there for months because of what I had done.
Dodgson laughed when he found out everything. He laughed like it was the funniest thing that John was paralyzed. That's how severe the stroke was. After Hammond's stroke and Robert being so badly injured, I couldn't stay with Biosyn anymore. At the time, I hated John Hammond and Robert Muldoon, but I never meant for this to happen. My hate harmed them beyond what I ever thought possible, and because of that, I couldn't work the way Dodgson wanted me to. What I mean is, I didn't want to do anything else to sabotage InGen. I outright refused Dodgson's final assignment: take over InGen. I made this known and Dodgson threatened to have me sent back to prison. He said I signed a contract that states if I ever get out of line (which means not do as he says), my freedom would be "forfeited". This came about after he told the team that he wanted to take over John's island. John's stroke and hospitalization wasn't enough for him. Now he wanted to take the island and _ by force. He was doing it for himself and for Biosyn. A hostile takeover where InGen staff would be prisoners or forced to leave.
I didn't want to find out how this would turn out, and I didn't want to be involved. I had done enough damage. Dodgson blackmailed me with threats of capture and incarceration. I found a way to escape by pretending I was going to InGen's headquarters in Palo Alto for an assignment he asked me to do. I wanted to get to the island before Dodgson's team did and make amends by warning InGen of his plans.
Dodgson figured out what I was up to and put a hit on me. He sent Roland Tembo, George Baselton, Howard King, and this kid named Eric Kirby. They ambushed me at a motel. Roland shot me with what I think he called "rock salt" and they took me to an empty parking lot. Tembo and Baselton flipped a quarter to decide who would kill me. They talked about killing me like it was a sport. I got out alive because I had to. I had no other choice. I broke George Baselton's arm and bashed Howard King's knee with the cash-filled suitcase Dodgson gave me. I convinced Eric Kirby to leave Biosyn for good and confronted Tembo about everything. He knew what I was doing by going back to the island and he wasn't apologetic that he had planned to shoot me because he said Dodgson was paying him to do so.
I eventually made it back to the island and had a confrontation with Robert Muldoon where he shot me down. He and my other coworker, Ray Arnold, captured and interrogated me. I was furious from being shot at and I said everything I could to make them angry. I mocked Robert for his scars, which was extremely low on my part. I eventually told them what Dodgson planned on doing. Mostly Dr. Malcolm as he appeared to be the only one listening, but I don't know if he believed me at the time. When I dropped the bombshell that Henry Wu was working with Dodgson, and that I overheard it in a phone conversation, everyone dismissed me as a liar. I understand why that is, given everything I had done.
That same night Tembo and Lopez showed up and knocked out me and Muldoon. We were abducted and taken to Isla Sorna. They left us stranded, expecting that we would just kill each other if the little lizards didn't get us first. It was on Sorna that Muldoon and I, after all our fighting and clashing, were finally able to work together, but this statement isn't about that. It's about what I did for Dodgson. I'll end this statement by saying that the other thing I did for him, before I left, was to steal information from Cetus. I stole the information he was looking for and then destroyed their entire computer system with a virus I designed called "Catch Me If You Can". This is the same virus I put on the laptop that was supposed to have InGen's information. I gave that laptop to Dodgson just before he and his group were kicked off the island for good (because they did eventually take over InGen for a period of time). Everything I've written here is true.
-Dennis Nedry
Corey Anderson sat in his office as he finished reading Nedry's written statement. It held a lot of information, and he had a feeling that there was even more information for Nedry to share. For example, if Dodgson and his group did take over InGen and Isla Nublar, how did that happen? What happened afterwards? Aside from those unanswered questions, what stood out to Anderson were the blanks. He knew that information was vital since it had been omitted. It was information he needed so that he could fully understand the entire significance of Nedry's crimes, and more importantly, everything Dodgson and his group had done. Much of it pertained to industrial espionage. He glanced at his watch. In an hour, Ian Malcolm, John Hammond, and Robert Muldoon would arrive at the precinct. Before that, he had to meet with the officers who would review with Nedry about the ins and outs of being a confidential informant.
oOo
Nedry approached the office building where Dodgson's team resided. It was four stories high and surrounded by a chain-link fence. The grass was tall; it hadn't been mowed or kept up. Anyone walking by would think the area had been abandoned, but Nedry knew better. It was the following day and Anderson's team had strategically placed three audio bugs on him earlier. Anderson had explained to him they were very small and wouldn't be discovered by anyone. Nedry was also told they would be watching him from afar today, but he saw nobody except a black car with tinted windows parked up the block. That must be them. Lousy disguise, he thought.
Now he was in front of the complex and he looked through the chain link fences. It appeared far more sinister than Biosyn's original location. Probably because it was located at the end of a maze of buildings and off to the side as though it didn't belong. Nedry had the impression that it had been vacant for some time before Dodgson acquired it. His sense of uneasiness increased when he saw the Biosyn logo on the doors. Before he was calm, but his heart started to hammer away in his chest—he hated that sensation. There was a large sign in bold letters that read: Biosyn Off-Site: Research Department.
He was wondering how he'd get around the chain link fence when his question was promptly answered.
Tembo and Lopez approached him from the front entrance. Even from where he stood, he could sense their extreme hatred for him. Their furious glares and the way they hurried over to him. He heard rushed footsteps behind him and the metallic click of guns. Nedry tightened his jaw, determined not to let fear paralyze him even as a wave of déjà vu hit him at the same time. He was immediately reminded of when he returned to Isla Nublar to warn the InGen staff of Dodgson's crazy plans and being surrounded by Arnold, Muldoon, and a ring of maintenance workers all pointing their guns at him. Without turning around, he knew King, Baselton, and Sonya had cornered him. He thought he heard a fourth person with them. Henry Wu? Nedry raised his arms in the air, but never had a chance to see who was behind him. A sharp prick jabbed the back of his neck, and all went black…
Nedry woke up, thrashing and sweat beading his forehead. He forced himself to catch his breath. This was the second night in a row that he had nightmares about meeting with Lewis Dodgson and the team cornering him. In the first nightmare, they had thrown a bag over his head. This nightmare was longer and more vivid—probably because the time was nearing for him to begin his work as a confidential informant. He was walking into the lion's den (or perhaps it was more apt to say "into the raptor's pen")—and he had no way of knowing if he would survive. The night before while trying to fall asleep in the holding cell, he tried to come to terms that he may not walk out alive. He thought when he woke up that he was accepting of his demise, but the heart palpitations he now experienced told him a different story. How weird that he experienced the palpitations in his nightmare, and now when he was awake…it couldn't be a good omen.
He saw the bars and remembered they had placed him in a holding cell temporarily. I went from one prison to another, he thought. The individual holding cell was in the bowels of the police station and meant to detain him until he started working. Seeing it as work felt strange to him, but that's what he would be doing: working off his charges. He saw clothing and sneakers that had been placed in his cell—it was different from what he had been arrested in.
Sighing, Nedry rubbed his forehead when he thought of how much hated being confined. And yet, he would prefer his prison cell back at Green Hills Federal Correctional Institution over being trapped in Dodgson's new headquarters—wherever that was. That was the stark truth of the matter: Dodgson's new headquarters was the last place he wanted to be. He had fooled Dodgson once, but he had a sinking feeling that he wouldn't be able to fool him a second time…
Manipulating a supreme manipulator wasn't an easy task at all.
Nedry thought back to when he pretended to be aligned with Dodgson after Malcolm got him out of the Costa Rican jail. The InGen staff had been furious with him for turning off the fences so that the Biosyn team could get inside the enclosures to poach a dilophosaur and a stegosaur. At the time, he couldn't let anyone know what he was doing. Not Muldoon, who had vouched for him to the rest of the park staff, and not Malcolm, who had advocated for him in court. Their furious reactions had to be genuine—everyone's did. It was the only way for his plan to work. If he had told them what he was going to do, Dodgson would've picked up on it. Dodgson was a sharp observer: any indication from InGen that showed a glimmer of hope, and he would've interpreted it as Nedry aiding them. He would know that InGen had the advantage. Nedry had to ensure that Dodgson believed that Biosyn had the upper hand—and that InGen believed they were doomed. Absolutely no one could be in on his thought process—especially once Dodgson made it known that he wanted to invite Biosyn's top dogs to Isla Nublar…
Nedry's duplicity was so convincing that he made Dodgson believe that he had truly turned his back on InGen again. Although it was an accomplishment, it also wore him down. The manipulation of everyone whose trust he was truly trying to regain—especially Muldoon's—was difficult for Nedry. He went to bed every night in a small room in the staff lodge that had no door, since Arnold didn't trust him and had Harding remove it. It took forever to get to sleep because of the immense headaches he had during that time. He was exhausted from the mind games he was playing with everyone. Then being trashed by the Biosyn team. Nedry expected it, but it started to get to him when he remembered that hellish night in the cell—and how Sonya, Tembo, and Lopez needed little to no provocation to finish the job if the opportunity presented itself. That time when Dodgson smirked after he joked with Nedry that he "had the team beat you into submission". Lopez glaring at him all the time with utmost hatred for getting under Dodgson's graces so easily…
No, he wouldn't be able to fool Dodgson a second time…
Nedry tried to distract himself and examine the clothing given to him. He had been permitted to shower the night before and was told today he would be getting ready to go out on his own. He picked up the clothing and turned them inside out, searching for a hidden mic or whatever they planned on using to listen in on his conversations. There was nothing. Maybe they would put it on later? He got dressed quickly and waited. Twenty minutes later, Anderson came to his cell and unlocked the door.
"I brought some lunch for everyone," Anderson said. "We're gonna meet in my office, but first I'll take you to meet with some officers. They'll discuss with you the work of being a police informant."
Nedry nodded but said nothing. Police informant. Confidential informant. They meant one and the same thing: snitch. He didn't know what to say about everything going on. Facing life in prison versus facing death when dealing with Dodgson—he had chosen the lesser of two evils, but he would soon find out if that was true.
oOo
Later in the afternoon, Anderson and Nedry entered a small interrogation room on the second floor. As promised, Nedry had met with two police officers who went over in-depth about the work of police/confidential informants. During the entire hour, Nedry's anxiety had skyrocketed as his heart drummed in his chest and his head felt like it would burst from the awful headache that wouldn't go away. It felt like someone had taken a hammer and banged it on his skull. He tried to keep calm, but nothing worked: mind exercises, positive hopes for the future, or deep breathing. Knowing that some informants had been killed didn't help. Some had managed to work off their charges. Try as he might, he found it impossible to focus on the successful cases. Instead, his mind always went to the ones who had been thwarted when they were kidnapped, tortured, drowned, stabbed, shot in the head… In one instance, they had to identify the confidential informant with her dental records because the body was so badly decomposed.
Why was he doing this again…?
Nedry tried not to think about it now as he examined the interrogation room and saw Anderson place a folder on the table that he had carried under his arm. Muldoon, Malcolm, and Hammond were already there waiting and the police officer who had escorted them was now leaving. They stood against the wall, and he didn't bother to greet them. On the table was a phone and what appeared to be a recording machine.
"To start this assignment, we'll have you call Lewis Dodgson directly. Find out when and where he wants to meet with you," Anderson said as he sat down and gestured for Nedry to sit in the empty seat across from him. "If I recall, the group you had worked with said he wanted to speak with you."
"Yeah, that's what they said. It's code for 'he wants to break your neck'." Nedry fought against every urge that wanted to resist the instructions. Instead, he forced himself to sit down. He started cracking his knuckles in a half-hearted attempt to relax as he stared at the phone that would put into motion his work as a police informant.
Anderson didn't respond to what Nedry just said. "Just keep this light. Let him know you heard he wants to talk with you. We'll try to make this be in public for your safety."
"My safety?" Nedry's eyebrows rose. It was the first time his safety had been brought up. He had been thinking about it the entire time. It seemed that everyone was more focused on him getting Wu to come back to InGen—by any means necessary.
"Your safety is our priority."
"I didn't think it was."
Nedry refused to voice what he really thought about everything. The recurring nightmares were a manifestation of what he anticipated happening. It had come up when he spoke to Muldoon and Malcolm outside of the courthouse, but other than that one time, he kept silent about it. Part of him believed this was his karma for risking everyone's lives every time he turned off the security systems to steal for Dodgson, all the times he fought with Muldoon, and landing Hammond in the hospital with a serious stroke that took months to recover from… Aside from that, there was nothing anyone could do to keep him completely safe. He knew that to be true regardless of what Anderson or anyone said.
"It is our priority, but we know this is a very risky operation. That's why we're keeping it as brief as possible. We're looking at no more than a week."
"A week?!" Nedry looked from Anderson to Hammond, Muldoon, and Malcolm, who remained standing against the wall, listening to everything. "It won't take a week for Dodgson to kill me!"
It was like someone threw off a light switch. Everyone jumped in, giving him false reassurance.
"It's not that long, Dennis." Malcolm.
"Once you're done, I'll get you the best lawyer. Spare no expense." Hammond.
"You've faced him before; you can do it again." Muldoon.
The pressure was building up. They acted like he was buying ice cream at the grocery market—instead of going on a suicide mission. Everyone—whether they did it purposely or not—treated him as though he was expendable. That's what infuriated him the most. If he failed, no one would care. No one would lose sleep if he got killed or served a life sentence in prison. They would only care that Wu was still with Dodgson. He knew he had done horrible things in the past and that he would always pay the consequences in some form, but it seemed unfair that he was expected to risk his life for Henry Wu. And Dodgson wouldn't hold back this time once he had him in his grasp. All the possible outcomes were terrifying to think about, and he couldn't contain his anger anymore even if he tried. Nedry exploded, pushing the phone off the table and it clattered on the floor.
"I'm not doing this."
"You've already signed—" Anderson started.
"I don't care what I signed! I'm going back to my holding cell."
Anderson bolted from the chair and picked up the phone from the floor. He slammed it down on the table, causing Hammond to jolt in surprise. He didn't mean to be unprofessional and show outward anger, but he couldn't hide his frustration at Nedry's unexpected turn. Although he hoped this wouldn't happen, it was always a possibility. He would give Nedry options, but not before prodding him first.
"Are you sure you don't want to even try?"
"Yes, I'm damn sure! I said what I said, and I don't stutter!"
Anderson heard someone gasp and he was sure it was Hammond. Muldoon started to come forward and stopped when he saw Anderson shake his head. Malcolm raised his hand as though wanting to intervene, but Anderson didn't see him. He calculated his options: should he bring Nedry back to his cell and abort the project? He was also dealing with an angry man who had a violent history—and he had to consider everyone's safety. He didn't want the situation to escalate either. Anderson put his hand on his walkie-talkie to call for back-up in case Nedry's hostile behavior worsened.
"I need you guys to leave the room," he said to the group and pointed at the doorway. He turned back to Nedry. "Are you gonna calm down?"
Nedry's anger evaporated and was replaced by fear in a split second. "I'm fine." His tone hadn't changed, but his eyes were glued to Anderson's taser, gun, and cuffs. He glanced at Anderson to see which one he would pull out and backed away from the table while still in the chair.
"I need you to take it down a notch. If you continue to escalate—"
"I'm not allowed to feel angry?! You know what? Get everyone in here—" Nedry pointed wildly at the door. "Get your riot police, captain, lieutenant, whoever! Get them all! Why the hell don't you send them to Dodgson's new hideout? I'm sure they'll come back in one piece!"
Anderson thought quickly, while he remained grounded. He motioned again for the group to leave the interrogation room. Malcolm started to exit with Hammond when Muldoon stepped away from them and approached the table where Nedry sat. They turned around and watched to see what he would do to intervene.
"Let me talk to him," Muldoon said, taking a seat across from Nedry.
"I'm not speaking with you, Robert," Nedry snapped, "or any of you." He pointed at Malcolm and Hammond. He looked at Anderson who stood back, watching him. "Take me back to my cell—please," he added.
Anderson realized where he went wrong: he was too focused on the assignment and didn't address Nedry directly. He was doing the same thing as Hammond: putting the cart before the horse by focusing on what he wanted Nedry to do without preparing him. Anderson now recalled working with other detectives in the precinct and how they had to prep their undercover informants before they made the first move. As he considered what direction to take, he heard Muldoon speaking.
"Don't do this."
"Don't do what?!" Nedry slammed an open palm on the table.
Muldoon didn't flinch. "Stop with the bloody backtalk and hear me out."
Anderson's eyebrows rose. Muldoon didn't play games. Although Nedry was furious, Muldoon's approach was already working as Nedry was listening to him.
"You won't be given a second chance if you go back to your holding cell."
"How do you know?"
"I just do."
"Yeah, 'cause you know everything—self-righteous as always."
"And you're being difficult—as always," Muldoon shot back.
Nedry shrugged and Muldoon leaned over the table.
"You'll return to prison and face a life sentence or something close to it. You'll never have a chance at getting your own place, restarting your career, and most of all, enjoying your freedom—which you always wanted."
"At least I'll be alive." Nedry drummed his fingers on the table.
"Being incarcerated for the next three decades is a slow death," Muldoon said, trying to meet Nedry's eyes. Nedry was deliberately avoiding him. Muldoon could tell by the way he stared at the table. "Do you really think Dodgson and his gang will kill you?"
"I don't think they will. I know they will—and there's not a damn thing you or anyone can do to stop it. Not that anyone would."
Muldoon sat back in the chair when he realized the heart of it all. "You think we don't care?"
"None of you do! And why should you care after everything I've done?!" Nedry finally looked up and shot Muldoon an annoyed look as though this was obvious. "I've done shitty things, but believe it or not, my life has value."
"We know that—"
"You're not going in there—you're not facing possible death at Dodgson's hands or life in prison! You don't have to choose between two shitty choices."
"No one's denying that you're taking a huge risk and neither option is ideal. You're right on both counts."
"I know I'm right—I don't need your damn validation." Nedry's drumming became louder. "No one is telling me how I will do this or what's in place to ensure my safety."
"That's fair and it should be addressed."
Nedry ranted on as though Muldoon hadn't spoken. "No one's training me and all I know are stories about snitches getting killed. Or maybe two out of ten make it out alive. I dunno."
Malcolm left Hammond and came over to the table now. "You're not angry, you're afraid."
"No shit, Sherlock!" Nedry turned to Malcolm wearing a wide phony grin.
"I, uh, do have stupendous deductive skills, in addition to my superpowers as a mathematician."
Nedry stopped drumming his fingers on the table as Malcolm grabbed a seat and sat beside Muldoon. "So, what's your new equation? Dodgson minus Dennis equals zero?"
"That's a faulty equation, and besides, I specialize in chaos theory as you well know—and this situation is quite chaotic." Malcolm pretended to write a lengthy mathematical equation in the air.
"Glad someone's finally stating the obvious." Nedry laughed and appeared to calm down slightly.
"This situation has chaos theory written all over it."
Hammond stood near the doorway, listening to them. "Oh balls, here we go." Anytime Malcolm mentioned "chaos theory", he bristled.
"Care to join us, John?" Malcolm called out, having heard him.
"Sure," Hammond said, coming to the table. He decided to focus on Nedry. Malcolm gestured to an empty seat beside him. "I know this isn't easy, Dennis, but try to remember you will have a life after this. You can start over again and put all this behind you."
A brief silence passed before Nedry spoke again, this time, he sounded like he was trying to keep himself calm.
"Let's say I pull off this insane scheme and I end up surviving. Do I still go back to prison? What if no one hires me because of my record? What then?"
Hammond's heart sank when he heard Nedry's voice shaking—it was completely uncharacteristic of him. He noticed Nedry staring at the table, unable to face him. "You can come back to InGen. I'll create a position for you. Think about it, it's a possible option."
Anderson watched in amazement as the group successfully de-escalated the situation. He was even more shocked when Nedry called out to him.
"There's room for one more," he said pointing at the empty chair next to him. When Anderson sat down, he thought he heard Nedry mumble an apology. "I'm sorry…I shouldn't have…" He shrugged, embarrassed now. "I just want to know if there's oversight, is someone watching or listening? If it gets too crazy, will I get pulled out? Will you and your squad come in time before all hell breaks loose?"
Anderson placed down his pocket notebook and pen on the table. "I get it. I should've approached from that angle first, rather than pushing you to make the call to Dodgson. Let's review how we're planning to approach this. It's not set in stone."
Nedry sat up, indicating he was willing to listen. "Go on."
"Safety and surveillance. We will do what we can to keep you safe, but you're right: there's limits and this is very dangerous work. What we're aiming for is for you to have face-to-face meetings with Dodgson. You meet with him on one day; another day, you meet with Henry. We'll have plainclothes police stationed nearby, keeping an eye on everything."
"That sounds reasonable," Malcolm said.
"What if he wants me to meet at his place?" Nedry asked.
Anderson wrote some notes on his pad. "My team has been working around the clock on getting the surveillance material that you'll be wearing. We can track where you are and hear everything."
"I'm wearing a wire?! They're gonna see that—they'll know."
Anderson shook his head. "You'll be wearing audio bugs that record your conversations. These bugs are very small and can be anything like a pen, a pair of glasses, a keychain, even a button on a shirt." He held his thumb and pointer finger close together to indicate minuscule size.
"You wore one when you met those bloody fools from UniGenCorp," Muldoon pointed out. "Remember?"
Nedry shot a glare in his direction as though annoyed that Muldoon had brought it up. Either way, he couldn't disagree with him. "Yeah, I remember, but they still found it." He turned to Anderson. "Please tell me I'm not wearing something bulky under my shirt that will make it obvious that I'm recording their conversations."
"It's not wire taped to your chest like in the movies. As for what you'll be doing—get Dodgson and anyone associated with him to talk and reveal information. You did it when we spoke with you at the prison."
"I did?"
"When you mentioned the gang assault and how he tried to have you killed. You revealed it in casual conversation. It's the same thing here. You're just getting Dodgson and his gang to talk about anything they did when you were involved with them. Anything they're up to now and anything they plan on doing for the future. It's all about gathering information and evidence to be used against them in court."
"So that they go to prison?"
Muldoon, Malcolm, and Hammond listened in silence to Nedry's and Anderson's exchange. They were glad the plans were starting to fall into place as to what exactly Nedry would be doing.
"That's right," Anderson said. "We have your written statement, which is very helpful." He opened the folder and pointed at the papers, indicating he had brought Nedry's written statement. "If they mention anything that's already in your statement and it matches with what you've told us, we can build a solid case."
It sounded easy enough, but something still didn't sit right. Nedry didn't want to voice the possibility into existence, but he had to ask. "What if they…?" He couldn't finish his thoughts.
"What if they attack you?" Anderson asked. He read the expressions from everyone. Muldoon and Malcolm appeared concerned as they shifted in their chairs at the same time, and Hammond seemed worried as his eyes shifted away.
Nedry nodded. "What happens then?"
Anderson thought about how to answer his question. The truth was no answer would be reassuring. He was ready to respond when Nedry beat him to it.
"There's nothing you can do…I know that…" he sighed and rubbed his temples, anxious with the entire situation weighing on him. Finally, he resigned himself to going forward with it. If he kept procrastinating, it would only worsen the increasing tension. "Pass me the phone. Let's get this over with."
"Remember: just talk, have a normal conversation. Everything is being recorded." Anderson pushed the phone in Nedry's direction and then flipped through his pocket notebook. "I have two numbers."
"Where'd you get them from?"
"Ray was able to track down a phone number," Muldoon said. "There's one that we believe Henry is calling from, and then another one that's from the same location."
"It was in Cupertino? Biosyn's headquarters?"
"No, Los Altos." Muldoon said, watching as Nedry picked up the phone and took the information from Anderson. He sensed the heaviness of Nedry's resignation to follow through on what was expected of him.
Just as Nedry finished dialing the number, Anderson spoke up. He hung up the phone, losing his concentration.
"If they do anything to you and you walk out of this, and even if you don't—they will face grave charges."
"Such as?" Nedry's tone didn't match his mood. He sounded irritable, but he was curious as to what Anderson meant.
"Let's say they ask you to meet at McDonald's. You go there, they show up and shoot you in the face. They would face charges for that."
"Really?"
Anderson couldn't tell if Nedry's tone was sarcastic, and he glanced at Malcolm to get a sense of what he thought of everything. Malcolm simply observed and listened.
"Yes, really—it won't go unpunished."
Nedry smirked. "That's comforting. I feel so much better knowing that my life has some value."
This time Anderson knew Nedry was being sarcastic. He saw Muldoon mouth a message at him. That's how he is. Anderson made a mental note to speak more with Muldoon. He figured Muldoon had insight about Nedry that would help understand him better.
"If you agree to meet somewhere, that doesn't mean you're agreeing to be attacked, shot, kidnapped, and so on. I know that sounds ridiculous."
"It doesn't," Malcolm interjected. "It's like leaving a car running and someone steals the car. The person gets charged with auto theft for stealing the car. The owner doesn't get punished for warming up their car, even if they left the door open."
"Exactly," Anderson said. "Remember: keep it simple." He pressed the speaker button on the phone pad so that everyone could hear the conversation.
Nedry hung up the phone again. "What's my cover story gonna be?"
"Your 'cover story'?" Muldoon's eyebrows knit in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"They were there that night," Nedry said, answering Muldoon's question, but directing his answer to Anderson. "They saw everything when you and your guys nabbed me."
"'They'?" Anderson asked.
Nedry rubbed his forehead slowly. He was trying to maintain his patience and not outright lash out. "Dodgson's loyal dogs. Lopez, Sonya, Tembo…Wu was also there. They probably think I've been sent back to the joint, so me showing up out of the blue won't make sense to them. They'll know off the bat that I struck a deal with the police or whoever."
"They won't know you're a CI."
"They might, I've snitched on them before."
Malcolm tilted his head in thought. "Uh, Dennis raises a valid point." He focused on Nedry who stared at the phone. "Last time you came to the island on your own volition."
"Right, to warn the park staff about Biosyn. You guys want me to infiltrate Biosyn, have coffee and donuts with Lew Dodgson. If I'm supposed to be locked up, what's my story as to why I'm back on the streets?"
"I see his point too," Hammond said quietly.
Anderson leaned back in his chair as he thought about it. "What about…we use what you did before, but put a spin on it?"
Muldoon and Malcolm exchanged curious glances. That could work…
"You mean, tell them I'm out because I helped InGen? The judge reduced my sentence and put me on house arrest?"
"Something like that—but I wouldn't give them info unless they pry."
"Fair enough."
Nedry picked up the phone again—this time with more gusto—and dialed the number. There were four rings and then someone picked up on the other side. "Put Dodgson on the phone," he demanded.
Malcolm and Hammond moved closer to the table. Muldoon and Anderson listened to the voice on the other end asking who was calling.
"Tell him it's his favorite hacker, he'll know who it is." Nedry smirked and put his hand over the receiver. "That's Lopez, he's Dodgson's Number One Whore."
A brief smile broke through Muldoon's stony exterior and faded just as quickly. Muldoon got the joke, but everyone else was lost as to what Nedry meant. A few seconds of silence and then a pleasant voice could be heard.
"To whom do I owe this dubious pleasure?"
Nedry rolled his eyes. "Who do you think?"
"Oh wow…so the rumors are true. You're on the outside, huh Dennis?"
"As opposed to being where?"
"You know where, do you need reminding?"
"Nope."
"How did you get out?"
"None of your damn business." Nedry facepalmed with his free hand when he realized he didn't use his cover story. He stayed like that for a split-second before removing his hand and glancing over at Anderson.
Don't worry about it, keep going, Anderson mouthed. You're doing fine.
Nedry nodded as he squeezed the phone.
"Maybe parole or something like shitty like that—especially after trying so hard to be a reformed convict." Dodgson's tone was mocking.
"Why the hell do you care? I'm out and that's all that matters."
Dodgson laughed. "Touchy! So, what can I do for you?"
Nedry looked over at Anderson, almost as though looking for an explanation. He saw Hammond, Malcolm, and Muldoon staring at him, watching everything he was doing, and hanging onto his every word. Then he continued forward after he remembered what Anderson told him: keep it simple.
"I heard from your brood of vipers that you want to speak with me."
"I do. It's been a long time—and they're not a brood of vipers." Dodgson's tone abruptly changed to a harsh growl. Then just as quickly, he resumed his calm façade. "They're my prize employees. You were once too, you know."
"I'm not looking to be employed by you again."
"Sorry to hear that."
Nedry switched back the topic. "We can talk on the phone."
There was silence on the other line and Nedry pictured Dodgson shaking his head. "I prefer meeting in-person. At a bar, or a restaurant. It's more personal that way."
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Too much to say on here."
Nedry looked at Anderson again. Anderson mouthed where.
"Alright, Dr. Dodgson, where do you want to meet?"
"Hmm…why don't we meet at Carlos and Charlie's—for old times' sake. That would be most appropriate, don't you agree?"
"Yeah, sure. Whatever. What time?"
"Midnight."
Nedry saw the confused expression on Hammond's face. He looked like he was going to ask why Dodgson wanted to meet so late. He mouthed to Anderson: do I accept? Anderson nodded to indicate that he had to accept the time.
"That's past my bedtime, but for you, I'll make an exception. What day?"
"Today's a good day as any. I don't see the need to put it off. Let's meet at our favorite restaurant, have some drinks, and catch up."
Nedry's eyes widened. Today?! He wasn't prepared. Then again, it was impossible to prepare oneself to walk into a death trap.
"You got it. I'll meet you tonight around 12am. Carlos and Charlie's in Silicon Valley."
"See you then." Dodgson's voice was nauseatingly sweet.
Before Dodgson could say anything else, Nedry slammed down the phone and pushed it away. All he could do was stare at the phone as he cracked his knuckles, trying to calm his nerves. What the hell did I just do?! He realized he couldn't allow himself to feel fear when he hadn't even met with Dodgson yet—but it was impossible. Dread descended upon him, causing his stomach to roll, his heart to flip-flop, and a sheen of sweat to form on the back of his neck. He expected the sensations would worsen as time went on. Everyone was oblivious to what he was feeling.
"That was very good," Anderson said. "I've got a couple of questions and I'm sure the rest of you do too," he nodded at Malcolm and Hammond. Muldoon sat deep in thought but did not say anything that indicated he heard Anderson.
"Why so late?" Hammond asked.
"And what's so special about Carlos and Charlie's?" Malcolm tacked on.
"Lewis Dodgson likes to meet at midnight. He's fond of doing midnight meetings. He's always been that way, I don't know why," Nedry said, answering Hammond. He turned to Malcolm. "When Dodgson first recruited me, that's the restaurant we always met to discuss how I would do my first theft."
Muldoon looked up now. He had been listening to everything. "You mean the theft you committed during the park inspection?"
"Yeah…" This had come up faster than Nedry expected. "I couldn't tell him another time?"
"If you had told him that you can only meet in the daytime, it might arouse suspicion," Anderson explained.
"What about Henry?" Hammond asked.
"We're hoping if this first meeting goes well, then maybe we can try with Henry. Lewis Dodgson will be the first," Anderson said.
Everyone—except Nedry who sat wrapped up in a terrified silence—talked about the next steps that would be taken if this first midnight meeting was successful. Nedry stared at the phone, trying to accept what lay ahead. He heard their conversation, but didn't join in. He was already experiencing that same awful hammering sensation of heart palpitations. It was bad enough that he had to meet with Dodgson tonight. He didn't want to imagine meeting Wu or anyone else. Anderson spoke directly to him now and he did his best to focus.
"We'll get you prepared. There's another office down this hallway that I'll take you to see. The staff there will fit you with the audio bugs. Chances are you'll be wearing more than one."
Everyone stood up from the table. Anderson turned to the group. "You guys can come back at around eleven in the evening tonight. I'll take Dennis to the office to get started."
"Wait, before I go…I just have one question for John," Nedry said.
Muldoon and Malcolm watched their exchange as Hammond stepped forward.
"How did you manage to negotiate a sentence commutation in exchange for what I'm gonna do?"
"The prison warden, Daniel Walker, and Judge Hoskins saw what we all saw," Hammond gestured to Malcolm and Muldoon now and they nodded in agreement. "You're trying to do the right thing. If you're willing to risk everything to put Dodgson behind bars and get Henry back to InGen, then at the very least, you should be given a chance to either have a full pardon or a sentence commutation, so that you can start your life over."
Nedry didn't believe his sentence would be reduced. At the same time, he appreciated Hammond's efforts. He knew he had better say it now in case he didn't have a chance to say it later.
"Thank you, John."
oOo
"I came to tell you thank you."
"For what?"
Nedry hoped his tone didn't sound annoyed because he wasn't. His apprehension about his upcoming role was escalating with every passing moment, and it came out as him being irritated. The ongoing anxiety reminded him of waves on the beach—they would recede, but always return. Sometimes, like now, it would crash on him, drenching him completely. He was tempted to ask for Xanax, but he didn't want anyone to know the intensity of his roiling emotions. Not that it mattered since they already knew from his earlier outburst.
Even so, there was no turning back.
He couldn't even eat the Happy Meal from McDonald's that Anderson had purchased for him two hours ago. Nor could he stomach the irony that there was meal called "happy" when all he felt was tremor after tremor of sheer uneasiness. It caused his body to tremble, and he had to force himself to keep still. The food sat on the desk in the paper bag, cold and untouched. If Nedry was feeling like his normal self, he would've wolfed it down already, but he didn't have an appetite.
It was a quarter after eleven in the evening. Nedry had been in Anderson's office for the past two hours, reading papers about eliciting information. Before that, he had watched more videos about the same topic: elicit information, interviewing techniques, open-ended versus close-ended questions. Body language, behavioral analysis, and other interrogation tactics and strategies. Much of it seemed like common sense at first, until Nedry admitted to himself that he needed to brush up on his social skills. None of that mattered now since he would leave the precinct within the hour. Every minute that passed brought him closer to the actual task of meeting Dodgson face to face again after all this time.
"For what you're doing, Dennis," Hammond said, leaning on his cane. "I know it must be scary."
Nedry sat at a nearby desk and forced himself to turn around and face Hammond out of respect for him. The same boss who almost derailed his career was trying to help him get his life back on track. Hammond didn't have to show up at his arraignment. He didn't have to work together with Walker, Anderson, or Judge Hoskins. He didn't have to advocate for him. Hammond chose to do so. Nedry didn't think he would be as merciful if their roles were reversed.
He also wished he didn't have to take this step, but he kept telling himself it was better than rotting in prison for the next thirty years of his life. With any luck, he'd obtain the info they wanted, Wu would return to InGen, and he'd get a second chance. He tried to focus on the good that could come from the situation. It was far more motivating to imagine his new life, instead of worrying about imminent death which only paralyzed him. If he looked at it from the standpoint that Hammond saw it: that he would have a chance to restart his life and career when this was all over, then he could move forward. Hammond felt the same way about wanting to help him.
"I want you to know that I appreciate what you're doing for InGen and Henry, and that I don't take it lightly." Hammond slowly came into the office, as though concerned that Nedry may not want him there at all. He hesitated to come further.
"I appreciate that you appreciate me." Nedry laughed awkwardly.
It was strange to hear Hammond say he appreciated him, to have this pleasant exchange…it might be their very last. If it had to be their last exchange, at least they would end on a good note. Not full of animosity like last time in the park. Then he remembered that he had visited Hammond in the hospital when Malcolm helped him to get released from jail in Costa Rica. Lex had returned with Grant, and they all went to see Hammond that same day. Nedry thought back to that time; he had a good conversation with Hammond then. Hammond had joked with him about being on his "best behavior".
"When this is all over, I'll make sure to get whatever you need. Spare no expense."
"Thanks, Dad."
Hammond smiled, amused at Nedry's response. At one time, it had annoyed him as Nedry had meant it sarcastically, but now he said it in jest. The other part was he truly appreciated Nedry's sacrifice. Hammond found that the time spent processing and healing from their past conflict was necessary. In owning his role, Hammond felt his anger towards Nedry had lessened. In its place was compassion and respect for the employee he once had a hostile connection with. It was better for both of their sakes to be amiable. It was why he was able to advocate for Nedry. Strangely enough, Nedry asked him about it right then.
"Why did you say that in the courtroom?"
"About my stroke and hospitalization?" Hammond asked. His eyes scanned the office for a chair to sit in.
Nedry noticed and pointed at a chair against the wall. Hammond followed through and sat down and placed his cane on his lap.
"You told Judge Hoskins that I'm not responsible…" Nedry hated this. He never had trouble speaking his mind and now his words wouldn't come to him. Probably because of the subject matter.
"Do you remember what I told you the night of the park inspection? When I said you had butterfingers?"
"You said you don't blame people for their mistakes, you only ask that they pay for them."
"Right," Hammond said, nodding. "And you've paid over and over again for your crimes—mistakes."
Nedry looked him straight in the eye. In his mind, there was no reason to minimize what he had done. "I didn't make mistakes—I committed crimes. You had it right the first time, and I knew what I was doing."
"Fair enough." Hammond sighed and then he perked up. "You made a mistake when you committed the crimes!"
"Are we really arguing about this?" Nedry said, trying to hold back a laugh.
"It beats having financial debates."
"Touché."
Hammond was quiet for a few moments as he watched Nedry continue to pour over the paperwork.
"I just remember seeing you brought into the hospital and how horrible you looked…" He stopped when he saw Nedry run a hand through his hair, obviously embarrassed. "That cop, Mr. Contreras, he had arrested you."
"Do we have to go there?" Nedry refused to look at Hammond now.
"I saw the entire thing, from when he brought you in and when he argued with the nurses. Even when you were resting overnight and being guarded by a different police officer sitting outside of your room."
"You visited me in my sleep? How come you didn't wake me up?"
"I couldn't, they wouldn't permit visitors. I got a quick glimpse of you resting and bandaged up."
"You saw a lot."
"More than I should have, but either way, I saw enough to know that you shouldn't keep being punished over and over. That's why I spoke up in the courtroom. I don't want you being put away for something that you never intended and knowing that I had some health issues before that day." Hammond rose from the chair and resumed leaning on his cane for support.
Nedry tried to smile. It was good to see Hammond standing again, and not bedbound due to a severe stroke. "Thank you for speaking up…I'll do the best I can."
"That's all I'm asking for."
Hammond lingered for a little while longer watching Nedry prepare himself. There was no way he could understand the turbulent emotions Nedry was experiencing, but he hoped that this conversation was encouraging for him. Still, Hammond had a feeling it was best to leave him alone. He left Anderson's office and Malcolm came by a moment later.
"You're taking a huge risk, but just know that we'll be listening to everything," Malcolm said, standing in the doorway,
"I'll be sure to give you something to sink your teeth into."
"I have no doubt you will."
"Just keep applying that chaos theory, 'cause this situation is full of it."
Malcolm's face lit up at the mention of chaos theory. Just as quickly, his smile reversed itself and now he was frowning. "It is unpredictable, you're right." He knew Nedry was implying that he had no idea how this would end up for him or Henry Wu. "See you on the other side when you return."
"You got it."
He heard Malcolm leave Anderson's office. It was quiet for a few minutes. He needed silence to process everything, to prepare himself mentally. He thought Hammond and Malcolm were being kind in wishing him well, and he realized he needed to know that someone on the outside was thinking of him and what he was about to do. That he wasn't some disposable felon who once had a great career, but now had very little to his name except his nefarious reputation. I'm about to enter the lizard pen, he thought, holding in his derisive laughter. Rhymes with lion's den.
"What's so funny?" A bass voice asked from outside.
Nedry turned around as Muldoon came into Anderson's office, holding his fedora. "You like sneaking up on people, huh?"
"I'm giving you something to hold onto. Keep it under wraps."
Nedry held in his laughter when Muldoon removed a tiny blue InGen pin from his jacket.
"Stand up and hold out your arm."
Nedry did and watched as Muldoon pinned it to the cuff of his button-down shirt. Afterwards, he handed Nedry the gray jacket he would wear over the pin to conceal it. The jacket also covered three audio buttons that the police had already placed strategically.
"What is this, a Boy Scout badge? Geez, Robert, that's so sweet!" Nedry held up his arm, examining the InGen pin. "It's like saying "I survived Jurassic Park and all I have to show for it is this lousy pin"!"
Muldoon's stoic expression didn't change. "Are you always this bloody sarcastic?"
"Yes, I bloody am!"
"Just wear it and know that you have an entire team behind you. You're not on your own even though you're going out there by yourself. InGen's backing you up."
"Sitting around eavesdropping on my conversations hardly counts as 'back-up', but hey, whatever makes you feel better."
Muldoon was quiet for a moment before he responded. "You're not alone, Dennis." He glanced towards the doorway where Malcolm and Hammond had exited moments before and then turned to Nedry. "You have friends looking out for you."
Nedry became solemn as the weight of Muldoon's words sank in. It had been a long time since he had any friends. The last "friend" wanted nothing to do with him—Barney Fellows.
Of all the people in his entire lifetime, Muldoon was the least likely person who would ever be his friend. Even when they had worked together after their abduction, their cooperation had been forced and out of necessity to survive on Isla Sorna—but they weren't friends. Then again… Muldoon had defended him against Contreras' bullying the night they returned from Isla Sorna—in that sense, he had acted as a friend. While stranded on Isla Sorna, Nedry had got him out of the river in time to save him from drowning, so he had acted as a friend too. Still, the label never came up. After he had helped InGen to get rid of Biosyn—Muldoon had never called him a friend then, although he thanked Nedry for guiding Lawala to where he was now as the second warden of Jurassic Park. It wasn't friendship, but an unsaid mutual respect, a strange connection that didn't have an adequate label.
All the same, he tried not to let his voice reveal any emotion when he expressed his gratitude. "Thank you."
"You're a hell of a lot braver than you think," Muldoon said.
Nedry scoffed. "You think so?"
"I know so. You risked coming back to Isla Nublar that time knowing full well you weren't welcome there. You did it anyway."
"That was a dumb move on my part 'cause you shot me down."
Muldoon barely smiled when Nedry mentioned that part, although he remembered it very well. "I did, but you risked that to make sure we knew the truth. If you can return to an island by yourself, knowing everyone hated you, then you can take on Dodgson's group."
"You're very optimistic, Robert. I appreciate it."
"Don't thank me."
"Oh, I won't. Or rather, I'll thank you when it's all said and done."
Muldoon offered a curt nod and headed out. Just as he reached the door, he turned back once more. "What led to your decision?"
"To do this?" Nedry resumed sitting down at the desk and gestured at the papers he had been reading over.
"Yeah, I've been wondering."
"If I end up dying there; at least I'm dying doing something right. I told you I signed my death warrant when I agreed to this, and now, I'm about to drive to the execution chamber." Nedry busted out laughing.
Muldoon considered how to respond to Nedry's nervous laughter. "You're gonna get your new start when this is all over. I'll see you out there."
He referred to the back of the precinct where Anderson's team had the car ready that Nedry would use to drive out to Carlos and Charlie's. It was the only thing he could say, as he was starting to feel the same fear that Nedry kept trying to hide. He didn't want to openly state it as he thought it would worsen an already tense situation. It was why he tried to be positive for Nedry's sake once they left the courthouse. He sensed that Nedry felt no one understood the gravitas of the circumstances, or even appreciated the huge risk he was about to take. Nothing could be further from the truth as Muldoon respected his courage in undertaking a dangerous task. He wanted to be supportive in the best way possible—and that was to focus on how Nedry could have a brand-new start when this was all over.
"See you out there," Nedry said.
When he was certain Muldoon was gone, he rolled up the sleeve of his gray jacket. The blue and white InGen logo was now pinned to the cuff of the button-down shirt he wore underneath. Before folding the cuff over the pin, he stared at it for some time as Muldoon's words resonated in his mind: you have friends looking out for you.
oOo
Anderson came for him ten minutes after Muldoon left. "Are you ready?" He had purposely given Nedry time with everyone, and then, time by himself.
Nedry gave a silent thumbs-up to indicate he was ready and then followed Anderson out of his office and towards the back of the precinct. He glanced at his watch as he neared the exit. A quarter to midnight. Before long, they were outside at the parking lot. Anderson gave Nedry the car keys. Malcolm, Hammond, and Muldoon were already outside, and Anderson went to stand with them.
Nedry approached the car slowly by himself—a gray four door Nissan. He was not exaggerating when he told Muldoon he was driving to his execution chamber. For him, getting in that car was the same as heading to the death chamber, to be strapped to a gurney for lethal injection. He looked back and saw them watching him, their expressions unreadable. All their hopes—especially Hammond's—rested on his shoulders. Tremors of terror threatened to overtake him again. It wouldn't do him any good to feel afraid. Resigning himself to whatever happened within the next two hours, he gathered his nerves, opened the car door, and got in the driver's seat.
He reached for the keys and then stopped. Didn't Anderson say the two undercover police officers would tail him? Or were they already there? He was about to exit the car to ask Anderson and then decided against it. If he kept stalling, then he would never leave the parking lot. He had to do this, no matter how it would turn out. Whether Wu would agree to return to InGen or not, and whether he would be able to get more information recorded from the people he used to work with. If he could have a chance for a sentence reduction, to start his life over again…it was all up in the air, but now he had to go forward with it. Nedry turned the ignition key and the car rumbled to life. After looking back once more at everyone, he drove out of the parking lot.
oOo
He arrived at Carlos and Charlie's in Silicon Valley at midnight on the dot. Dodgson had suggested they meet here "for old times' sake". Nedry wasn't interested in the nostalgia, but if that's what Dodgson wanted, then so be it. Initially, he thought he'd meet him at the new office, but both Anderson and Malcolm agreed that Dodgson didn't want to give away the location. Everyone knew it was in Los Altos, but he chose the restaurant. Memories of planning the first theft, seeing the money in the suitcase, and being provided with the Barbasol shaving cream can used to deliver the embryos, flitted through Nedry's mind now as he got out of the car and approached the restaurant. Every few seconds, he stopped and glanced over his shoulder to scan the area. The lights, the parking lot, counting and recounting the cars including the one he drove in. Just to see if anything appeared…off.
He noticed the parking lot was empty except for his car and four others—a patron, the restaurant staff—and the two undercover police officers watching him? Anderson told him that the identities of undercover cops were a secret—even to those in the precinct including Anderson himself, so Nedry decided not to give it any further thought. He went inside the restaurant and the waitress escorted him to a booth.
As she walked him over, he saw a couple sitting across from each other in a booth, watching him. The man was large and muscular with thick eyebrows and tattoos on his neck; he wore a black bandana on his head. The woman looked petite. She wore her hair in a low bun with a headband. Both appeared to be Latino/Latina descent respectively. He tried not to stare back, but he wondered why they were staring at him. Maybe they were the undercover cops sent to keep an eye on him? Finally, he was seated at the booth where he hoped Dodgson would show up soon…
Five minutes passed.
No sign of Lewis Dodgson.
Forty minutes later. Still no sign.
Nedry let another half hour tick by. He looked at his watch. It was now 1:15 a.m. Nedry decided to wait fifteen more minutes. At 1:30 a.m., Nedry was still sitting by himself in the booth. He couldn't believe Dodgson stood him up. Anderson hadn't come up with a plan in case this happened. Nedry didn't know what to do, but he knew it was a waste of time to wait around any longer. He decided to leave the restaurant and return to the police precinct. He could explain to the officer on duty that he was working with Detective Corey Anderson and that the arranged meeting had failed because the other party failed to show up. They'd have to figure out another plan or contact Dodgson again to reschedule. He'd end up returning to his holding cell, but he figured that was better than waiting around doing nothing. As he walked back to the car, he saw someone familiar approaching him. Nedry squinted in disbelief.
It was Raúl Lopez. What shocked Nedry even more was that Lopez looked excited to see him—he was grinning from ear to ear.
oOo
"I know it's late out there, Ray, but I wanted to keep you in the loop."
"He's actually going through with it?!"
Muldoon sat at the desk in his hotel room, holding the phone to his ear. From hundreds of miles away, he could hear the shock in Arnold's voice. Muldoon had spent the past half hour catching him up on everything. He wondered if Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler had the same response when Malcolm shared with them everything going on. They were all in separate rooms and Malcolm had departed so that he could make a similar phone call to Grant and Ellie. Muldoon was certain Hammond was already asleep.
"Yeah, he is. Right now, as we speak, he's meeting with Dodgson at this restaurant called Carlos and Charlie's. He told us that's where they met when planning the first theft."
Arnold whistled. "Damn, that's crazy."
"He wasn't thrilled about any of this, but I can't blame him."
"After all the hell Dodgson put him through, he has my full respect for risking it all again—especially for Henry…" Arnold's voice trailed off as he yawned.
Muldoon was about to tell Arnold to get some sleep when another question popped up in his mind. "How are the interviews going with the job candidates?"
He traced his fingers on the desk, noting the material—mahogany veneered. It made him think of how inviting the furniture was in the hotel room, as opposed to the dark prison interrogation room where he had convinced Nedry to take on the dangerous task of extracting Wu from Dodgson's clutches.
"So far, we went through the first round. We have more people to interview, but so far Alan and Ellie agree that they're strong candidates. Donald will meet them soon, and then we will discuss it together. Back to Dennis though…wow, I gotta hand it to him…" He yawned again.
Muldoon didn't reveal that he was surprised by Arnold's statement. Arnold respecting Nedry was a big deal, but he didn't want to bring attention to it—not now. "You're tired. Get some rest and I'll call you tomorrow with any updates I have."
"Will do. Good night, Robert."
"Night."
Muldoon hung up the phone, but he couldn't go to sleep. He kept thinking of Nedry's expression when he drove out of the parking lot. He had that cornered look that Muldoon had seen in wounded animals when they were resigned to their fate. They would either fight back desperately or escape with every ounce of willpower they had. Fight or flight. Muldoon hoped it wouldn't come down to that for Nedry. By tomorrow, he would find out how everything had transpired. With any luck, he would be at the precinct tomorrow with Nedry, reviewing how everything went with Dodgson. Muldoon decided to get ready for bed. It had been a long day for everyone, and he was exhausted. Thankfully, there was tomorrow.
oOo
Nedry felt like an invisible cold sheet had been wrapped tightly around his body from head to toe. Lopez approached him, wearing a broad smile. The man had tried to kill him months ago and now he was happy to see him?! It didn't make sense at all. Unless he was there to try again and succeed this time. Lopez was never happy to see him, so something was off. They met in the middle of the parking lot. A nearby lamppost cast a sickly orange glow over them.
"What the hell are you doing out here, Raúl?" Nedry looked around the empty parking lot as though expecting Dodgson to appear out of thin air, and then focused on Lopez, remembering how their final fight was no holds barred. Everything went—including attempted murder. "You're here for Round Two?"
"I'd love to take you up on your offer, but Dr. Dodgson's looking forward to meeting with you. Besides, I thought you'd be happy to see me!"
"More like horrified."
"He sent me out to get you since he saw you leaving."
"Like hell he did."
Nedry glanced over his shoulder at the restaurant's exit. His heart skipped a beat when he recognized the Latino couple standing outside by the doorway, watching him and Lopez. It was the same muscular man and petite woman he had seen earlier, sitting in the booth. Now that he thought about it, he would've sworn he heard someone following him as he made his way to the restaurant's exit that led to the parking lot… What the hell's going on? Refusing to allow his fear to paralyze him, Nedry glanced at his car. If he could get in there, he'd be safe. It was several hundred feet away and Lopez stood in his path. He couldn't go back inside the restaurant now because that strange couple cut off his entrance to the doorway.
The desire to flee was the only thing he could think of.
Lopez showing up out of the blue was a warning sign in bright red lights. Then that weird couple who stared at him the entire time when he first entered the restaurant, and now they were outside obstructing his only escape route. That meant someone else from Biosyn was nearby. Nedry scanned the area and looked over his shoulder again. The couple made no move towards him, they simply stood there, watching everything. When he looked in front of him, Lopez's grin was plastic. Nedry shivered as icy chills rippled through his body. This wasn't good at all. He needed to get out of there.
"He was just in the restaurant, Dennis. Didn't you see him? He was sitting in one of the back booths."
"No, he wasn't. He never showed up and I'm leaving now."
Nedry started in the direction towards his car when Lopez stepped in front of him, blocking him from going further.
"He really wants to meet with you," Lopez said earnestly.
"Then where is he?!" Nedry was annoyed. He hated Lopez, and he hated even more that Lopez was lying to him. It was so obvious.
"Waiting for you to return so he can speak with you."
Nedry shook his head. "Nice try, but you can't bullshit a bullshitter."
"No, but Lewis Dodgson can." Lopez flashed a knowing smile.
At the last instant, Nedry heard the footsteps behind him, but it was too late.
Someone pressed a thick cloth with a sweet scent against his nose and mouth. His heart slammed against his chest and this time he felt achiness in his ribs. At the same time, he instinctively grabbed the hand firmly holding down the cloth, trying to pull it off him. When that didn't work, he kicked back at his attacker's legs, hoping to throw them off balance. The person lost their grip, and he was able to gulp down air for a split second. Then the cloth was clamped down harder, almost smothering him, so that when he breathed, the cloying scent flooded his senses. He clawed and punched the muscular arm that held the cloth in place, but it was like an ant trying to push a slab of meat. The attacker tightened their hold and forced his face into the cloth. Dizziness blanketed him and the parking lot spun around him crazily. He was barely aware of his glasses flying off and landing on the pavement.
"Damn it, this is taking forever. You should've used the entire bottle on him," Lopez complained.
"Be patient. This isn't the movies where it happens in five seconds."
The second voice sounded familiar to Nedry, but amid adrenaline pumping and his heart booming in his ears, he couldn't place who it was. He twisted and thrashed, trying to free himself, but his assailant never let up.
Shouting was futile as his voice was muffled. No one could hear him, and he doubted anyone saw what was going on. He found out quickly that he was wrong. A thin man with tinted glasses and wearing a yellow and gray jacket stood at the far end of the parking lot. Nedry caught a quick glimpse of the man and that was it. He hadn't seen him before. That man hadn't been in the restaurant. Then, the thin man appeared to approach him and Lopez—before abruptly turning around and walking away in the opposite direction.
Nedry's thought process was frazzled: who the hell was this guy? Was he with that bizarre couple? Why didn't any of them get help? The horrible feeling of loneliness washed over him now, bringing back memories of that horrific night in the jail cell when he knew nobody would intervene on his behalf. And just like that night, he was reminded that others took pleasure in tormenting him. Hearing his attacker speak directly to him was confirmation.
"Keep fighting. I can do this all night."
Lopez grinned as he watched Nedry struggling to free himself. He was beyond thrilled that he had a role in setting him up. "Where's Robert Muldoon now? Who's gonna save you this time?!"
Nedry's strength drained away—he was getting more tired from fighting a fight he knew he would lose—and the chloroform was doing its job. He was on the verge of collapsing. All he wanted to do was sleep now, but he struggled to stay awake. Despite the wave of fatigue sweeping over him, Lopez's taunts energized him. Nedry mustered what little strength he had left and kicked desperately to show Lopez that he wasn't going down without a fight. His sneaker connected hard with Lopez's shin and the grunt of pain that followed gave him a trace of satisfaction.
"You son of a bitch!" Lopez snarled.
Nedry would've laughed at him if it weren't for the cloth firmly placed on his face. What he heard next chilled his blood.
"The more they struggle, the more satisfying the kill. Or capture, in this case."
He finally recognized his attacker's voice: Roland Tembo. Only Tembo would say something that amounted to enjoyment at cornering his prey; it demonstrated his predatory nature. He still heard them talking, laughing and mocking him, but now the fight in him was slowly fading. He tried again to punch Tembo's hand that covered his face, but he could barely lift his arms. They dangled at his sides, useless. He thought he heard a vehicle driving up, wheels squealing, and doors slamming. His eyes were heavy, and he couldn't tell if it was a van or truck that pulled up. His body was starting to go limp as his legs crumpled beneath him.
"Breathe it all in, you're almost there…"
The hatred in Tembo's voice was powerful, although he sounded far away. Nedry was barely conscious when numerous hands seized him, dragging him forward. A woman shouted, "hurry up!" but her voice sounded distorted and slowed down. At the same moment, he was being pinned face down on a cold metal surface by people he couldn't see. He wanted to kick his attackers, but he could barely lift his legs. The sharp prick of a needle jabbed the side of his neck. The words "just a precaution" floated around him, stretched, and sounding nonsensical: jussss-aaa-preeee-caaaw-shinnn. He had no idea where they were taking him. Nor did he know that Henry Wu was also in the van, searching for another syringe in case he woke up from the first injection. The sheet of blackness finally descended upon him, allowing him to temporarily escape the beginning of his nightmare.