Book Read Free

Confessions of a Mad Man

Page 7

by Eric Steven Johnson

CHAPTER 7

  “You must be proud of yourself, you maniac,” Agent Jennings bellowed. “You were the President of the United States of America. In the end, all you managed to do was start an illegal war that killed thousands of innocents and then you personally murdered two teen-aged boys and attempted to kill five more.” Agent Jennings had long lost any sense of playing the “good cop” in this scenario. It had become clear to him that The Doctor was not confessing to clear his conscience. He was confessing to gloat.

  Deacons liked the avenue Jennings was taking now and picked up where he left off. “You couldn’t even manage to do that right, could you? You could have won that fight and yet you let a couple teens and a deserter chase you off. I can’t imagine how stupid you had to feel running away with your tail between your legs. Hell, they even shot you out of the sky.”

  The Doctor shifted in his chair as much as his restraints allowed. He responded coolly and condescendingly, “If you gentlemen believe I was so easily defeated, it is clear you have forgotten history. My escape from the battle was merely a means to an end -- and perhaps a new beginning. Have you ever considered that I would have had a contingency plan for just that series of events?”

  “I’m getting tired of this guy, Deke,” Jennings announced. “We’ve got enough to have him executed for war crimes. Maybe we should just cut him off here. We don’t need to give him another chance to revel in his debauchery. If I hear any more, I’m going to lose my lunch.”

  Deacons pondered the idea for a long moment. The rage he felt previously had tapered into a malaise. “I think I’m just numb to it all now, Jennings. When they read the charges at this guy’s execution, I want every single crime he ever committed accounted for. I don’t want anything left off. Besides, at some point he’s got to get to the part where we brought him in. I can’t wait to hear that.”

  Jennings adjusted his glassed which had slid down his nose and cracked a smile. “Now that you mention it, I’d like to hear that part too.” He turned his gaze to The Doctor. “Get on with it, Doc. Let’s hear the rest.”

‹ Prev