Jennifer looked startled by Tim’s sudden change in tone, but she did continue the story. “So, you looked stable to me, and I asked Sebastian what this was about. He told us that he had administered the four syringes we had prepared and that he needed more, but both Richard and I told him that it would not be wise to just keep administering Propanol, and we asked what his intentions were. He asked us if there was any such thing as drug-induced amnesia. There actually have been some studies looking into that possibility using propranolol and a variety of benzos—”
“What kinds of drugs are benzos?” Tim interrupted, although he was pretty sure he knew.
“Well, originally there was chlordiazepoxide, better known as Librium, which was discovered by accident in the 1950s. That led to the development of diazepam, which is Valium, and alprazolam, which is better known as Xanax, but of course there are other kinds of benzodiazepines, such as Rohypnol, which you may know as the date rape drug.”
“Okay, Dr. Lockwood, back to the airplane hangar.”
“Well, we told Sebastian that yes, there were drugs which if administered over time could possibly induce amnesia for an extended period.”
Tim finally felt that he was getting someplace. “So, what happened next?”
“We left you in the plane and sat at a table in the hangar, and Richard started writing prescriptions. I told Sebastian that we were going to need the cooperation of a neurologist, and that was when we decided to bring in Felix. Felix and I were in med school together. Sebastian said that he would take care of getting you transported to John Hopkins and transfer the case to Felix; I mean Dr. Gray. Richard and I then drove to Baltimore and checked into a hotel. I called Felix and we—meaning Richard, me, and Sebastian—met with him the next day. You had been transferred to Hopkins and were placed in a secure unit.”
“Okay, I think I get it. Now tell me what the Santa Domingo trip was all about.”
Jennifer looked over to the next room, where her husband seemed to be having an extended conversation with Pam. Earlier, Tim had heard Dr. Justice scream as Pam pulled the duct tape off his mouth, and Tim thought for a second that Pam may have enjoyed doing it. Pam had never tried to duct tape Tim when playing around in bed, and he made a mental note that he would never let her.
“Your husband can’t help you, Jennifer, so why don’t you just tell me what happened in the Dominican Republic,” Tim said to redirect Jennifer’s attention.
“Like I told you, we did not want to be involved with any of this, but Sebastian has been blackmailing us for years—”
Tim cut her off. “Just tell me what fucking happened in the Dominican Republic, Jennifer.”
“Sebastian came to visit us and said that we needed to come up with a treatment for you to recover your memory, but we told him that it probably could not be done. After all, it had been over two years. How is your memory?”
It did seem like Jennifer wanted to know. “Pretty good now,” Tim answered. “As a matter of fact, I’m beginning to remember just how big of an asshole I can be when I become angry.” Tim said this while giving Jennifer a very cold stare.
“Okay,” Jennifer answered, sounding more subdued. “So, Sebastian said that he needed you to recover your memory and that it had national security implications.”
“Oh, I bet he did,” Tim commented.
“So, I suggested that there were a number of things that we could try, and one was using embryonic stem cells to stimulate neuron functions in the brain. Of course, the other therapy we would need to do would be to induce a coma and flush all of the drugs out of your system. It’s called a rapid detox. That could have been done anywhere, but the closest place for the stem cell implantation was in the Dominican Republic.”
“So, all of this was arranged for a run-of-the-mill drug detox?” Tim asked.
“It was far from run of the mill,” Jennifer protested. “Your body had become so accustomed to having several different kinds of benzophenones administered that the sudden discontinuation could be life-threatening—and believe me, in the 72 hours you were in the coma, you needed to be resuscitated twice. You owe your life to that man in the next room, Tim.”
God, how many times had Tim heard that phrase? “Screw you, Dr. Lockwood,” he answered. “You and your husband were the reason I needed to be resuscitated in the first place. You were just covering your asses. I only have two more questions. First, why the whole Nurse Jennifer bit with the chair and the straps, and why did you and your husband take seventeen thousand dollars from me?”
“Sebastian kept telling us that he would reimburse us for all the expenses we incurred setting up the phony clinic and everything, but he never did. We had to get some money for this—and believe me, it cost us a lot more than 17K.”
“And the Nurse bit?”
“Oh, that’s just this silly thing my husband and I do where I pretend to be a nurse, and he—”
“That’s all I need to know, Jennifer,” Tim said as he cut Jennifer off. He really was not in the mood to hear any more sexual fantasy stories.
“One more question. The President has apparently been poisoned. Do you have any knowledge of what he has been poisoned with?”
“No, not a clue,” Jennifer said.
“Has Sebastian ever discussed poisons with you, Dr. Lockwood?”
“In the years that I’ve known him, he’s asked me all kinds of medical questions, Tim, and that started when I met him at Harvard.”
“So, you two go back a ways?”
“Yes, but he has not asked anything about poisons recently.”
“Tell me anything he has asked about poisons, Jennifer. It may be very important.”
“Well, he did ask me once if one poison could mask another poison. In other words, could a doctor feel that he was treating one poison while missing another?”
“And when was this, Jennifer?”
“Oh, two or three years ago, I think. I figured he was asking in regard to some kind of CIA operation. That’s why he usually asked.”
Tim turned and walked out to the waiting room. Pam was waiting for him. “So, what do you think, Pam?” he asked.
“He basically told me the same story as your new girlfriend did,” she answered. “He just told it quicker because I did not need to flirt with him.”
Tim rolled his eyes. “Pam, why are you so fucking jealous? I mean, you apparently want me out of your life, but then you get angry if I have a civil conversation with anyone of the opposite sex.”
“Because you belong to me, Tim. I picked you. I married you. You’re mine until death.”
Tim thought that this was a little crazy, given the circumstances—but it had been a stressful day, so he was willing to let it go.
But Pam was continuing. “You just have this way of flirting with women. I don’t even think you know you’re doing it. But we do.”
By “we,” Pam was referring to women in general. They’d talked many times before about how women had innate powers to figure out what men were thinking.
“Well, did your fat man reveal any clues about what the President may have been poisoned with?” Tim wanted to know.
“As a matter of fact, he seemed to think that it was thallium masked by arsenic. If that is the case, then the President would have about three weeks or less; but the longer it goes untreated, then the chances of recovery decrease.”
“So, what now?” Tim asked, hoping that Pam would provide the correct answer.
“Well, we need to get a message to the doctors at Bethesda telling them that there is a good chance the President has been poisoned with a thallium-based compound. That may be harder than it sounds.”
Tim was pleased with Pam’s answer, since he half expected her to say, “Fuck it, let him die,” but it was good to know that she was using her head instead of her heart.
“We need someone who is not involved, someone who is innocent; but first, let’s finish with the two doctors.”
Tim looked into Dr. Justice’
s office and saw that Pam had bound and gagged the doctor to his chair using the duct tape.
“Okay, Pam, looks good. Let’s bring in Dr. Lockwood.”
Tim walked over to Jennifer’s office to see that she was actively trying to squeeze out of her handcuffs. “Okay, Jennifer, let’s join your husband,” Tim told her as he began to push the woman and her chair through the connecting doors.
“Tim, it doesn’t have to be this way. Maybe we can make a deal. We can certainly give you the money back from your trip to the Dominican Republic,” Jennifer pleaded.
Oh my god, Tim thought. Do these two really believe this is all about a lousy seventeen thousand dollars? Tim’s trip to Santa Domingo seemed like it was years ago, but what had it been, really? A few weeks, maybe? It really was only a few weeks back that Tim had been sitting at a bar in Baltimore flirting with a woman bartender who looked as though she was a member of a motorcycle gang. Now, he was deeply involved in an assassination conspiracy along with his wife. A wife who just a few weeks ago he’d thought to be dead.
This made Tim think of one more question. “Jennifer? Tell me again why Sebastian wanted so badly to bring me back into all this madness?”
Jennifer appeared to be trying to see if Pam was listening to their conversation. Tim saw this and knelt down in front of Jennifer so that they were on eye level.
“He said it was important to your wife,” she answered. “As a matter of fact, he mentioned that she insisted.”
“Have you ever met my wife before today, Jennifer?”
“No.”
“Seen her around somewhere?”
“No.”
“And I second that, Timothy,” Pam said from behind him. “Let’s finish this up.”
Pam walked behind Jennifer and pushed her chair much harder than Tim had until it was in the center of her husband’s office. Pam took one of the rolls of tape and wrapped it around Jennifer’s midsection until she was tied securely to the office chair.
“These are mine,” Pam remarked as she took the handcuffs off of Jennifer’s wrists, momentarily freeing them. Pam then taped her hands and wrists, wrapping them almost to her forearms. Pam next pulled Jennifer’s long red hair back and began to gag her.
“You don’t need to do that, Pam,” Jennifer said very nicely. “I promise to be quiet.”
“Not a problem, honey,” Pam replied as she grabbed Jennifer’s nose. This resulted in Jennifer opening her mouth, and Pam shoved a piece of gauze in it. Pam then proceeded to wrap the tape around Jennifer’s head four times.
“I think that’s enough Pam,” Tim said, suggesting that perhaps Pam was overdoing it.
Pam looked at Tim, then at the tape. “Yeah, I guess.”
She turned her attention to Jennifer. “I’m sorry, honey, but my husband just can’t help himself,” Pam said, referring to Tim’s tendency to flirt with every woman he encountered; but Jennifer just looked confused.
“I don’t think she knows what you’re talking about, Pam,” Tim said.
“Oh, she does,” Pam replied. “Now, let’s go and get their kid.”
The mention of Joanna startled the two doctors, as they both made sounds of protest. Ignoring this, Pam led the way out of the office and used the restroom key again to open the door. Joanna made a screaming sound as they entered.
“It’s just us, Joanna, so calm down.” Pam said, but Tim doubted that letting the young woman know that her kidnappers had returned would result in a calming effect.
Pam pushed open the door to Joanna’s stall to find her just as they left her, although Tim could tell that she had been crying. Tim felt terrible and sensed that even Pam did as well.
“Tim, take your knife and cut the tape so Joanna can get up.”
Tim did as Pam asked and cut the tape that was around the toilet fixture and Joanna’s ankles. Tim then helped her to her feet.
“Now turn around, Joanna, and let me untie your hands,” Pam said very gently as she peeled the tape from Joanna wrists. Pam next turned Joanna around so she was facing her.
“Now, Joanna, we are going to take you to see your parents so you can see that they are all right—but after that, we are going to need you to do something very important. So important that your parents’ lives depend on it. Do you understand?”
Joanna nodded.
“Okay, then. I’m going to take your gag off—but no screaming. It’s important for you to stay calm.”
Joanna nodded again and did seem more relaxed. Pam slowly began to peel the tape away from her mouth. “This may hurt a little,” Pam warned,
“Ouch!” Joanna said as the tape came off. “Who are you and why are you doing this to my mom and dad?” she demanded.
“Let’s get one thing out of the way, Joanna: Tim and I are giving the orders and asking the questions. Your job is to answer the questions and do what you are told. If you do, then you and your mom and dad will have many more happy occasions. But if you try and cross us, then everybody dies. Understand?”
Perhaps it was the firmness of Pam’s voice or something else that convinced Joanna to do as she was told, but her attitude completely changed. “Tell me what I need to do,” she said.
The three of them returned to the doctors’ office. “Okay, Joanna,” Pam began, “we are going to see your parents now. They are both gagged and will not be able to communicate with you, but I just need you to tell them that you are okay, and everything will be fine. Understand?”
“Yes, I understand,” Joanna replied.
Tim pushed open the door to Dr. Justice’s office, and Joanna saw her parents bound and gagged. Both doctors tried to communicate with their daughter, but Pam held up her hand.
“Your daughter has something to say.”
Joanna nodded. “Mom and dad? They are going to let me go, but I am coming right back. Everything will be okay. I just wanted you to know that I love you.”
With the exception of Pam, everyone seemed to have tears in their eyes, including Tim. Pam simply shook her head from side to side and took hold of Joanna’s arm to guide her back to the reception area.
Tim closed the door behind them. “Joanna?” he asked. “Do you go to school around here?”
“Yes, Georgetown Law.”
“Really? Well, good for you. Do you live in DC?”
“Arlington, around Ballston, if you know where that is.”
“Sure do,” Tim replied almost a little too enthusiastically. “As a matter of fact, Pam and I used to live over by...”
“Tim, cut the shit,” Pam said, sounding a little more flustered than usual. “Just get to the point.”
“Okay. Anyway, Joanna, do you know where the CIA is in McLean?”
“Yeah, I guess I do. I’ve seen the signs for it.”
“Like where, Joanna? Off of the GW Parkway?”
“Yes, there’s a sign right when you take the exit off the Beltway before you cross into Maryland.”
“Okay, great. What we need you to do is to drive there. Take that exit and follow the road until you come to the gate. Give them this note and tell the guards that you cannot leave until you speak with this man.”
Joanna looked at the piece of paper and read the name. “Okay, but will he want to see me? Maybe they’ll just think I’m crazy and arrest me.”
“That’s okay if they do,” Pam interjected. “Just stick to your story. Tell them about your parents. Tell them that they are being held hostage. The important part is to tell them that the President needs to be treated for thallium masked by arsenic poisoning. You have to get that across.”
“But why me? Why not you or my parents?” Joanna wanted to know.
“Because we would be killed before we had any chance to tell someone,” Tim said.
“Look, this is a big deal,” Pam told the young woman, “and I’m sorry that you just stumbled into all this. It certainly was not part of anyone’s plan, but sometimes things like this just happen, and it’s important that you are able to step up when calle
d upon. Do you understand what I mean, Joanna?”
Joanna nodded.
“Then let me walk you downstairs. Tim, better stay here and watch Mom and Dad. “
Pam took Joanna by the hand and left the office. Tim walked over to the window and, in a few minutes, saw Pam leave the building with Joanna. Pam placed both hands on Joanna’s shoulders and appeared to give them a squeeze. Then she watched Joanna get in her car and drive off.
Tim checked from his vantage point to make sure no one was following the girl. From what he could tell, no one did.
Chapter 28
Ten minutes had passed since Pam walked Joanna down to the car, and Tim was becoming a little concerned, but he felt that Pam had most likely gone to retrieve her Mercedes. He opened the door to Dr. Justice’s office and found the two doctors exactly where Pam and he had left them. Dr. Lockwood raised her head and gave Tim a “please untie me” look, which he ignored, but he did feel an obligation to address the situation.
“I’m sorry that we have to leave you tied up, but we do have our reasons,” he explained. “We’ve released your daughter, and she should be back shortly, most likely with the FBI. What you decide to tell them will be up to you. Pam and I are trying to stop the President from being assassinated, so any information you can give them about Sebastian Oak may be helpful.”
Tim slowly shut the door and walked back to the window. Where the hell was Pam? Although it was possible that Pam decided to ditch him, he found that prospect unlikely. Despite their back and forth over Tim’s alleged womanizing, they had been working well together.
Pam and Tim had always worked well together, and Tim never took Pam’s allegations of womanizing too seriously. Tim just liked women, and he liked talking to women. He was sad about all of the platonic relationships that he was forced to give up because men were not comfortable with their wives or girlfriends having a relationship, even a non-sexual one, with another man. That sort of situation was unfortunate, but it was also a reality. Relationships were much more complicated than just romance and sex.
Twenty minutes went by, and no Pam. Something was wrong. It was now 4:15, and it was time to go. Tim also knew that there was a possibility that Joanna had disregarded their instructions and drove over to the Leesburg police station to report that her parents were being held hostage. Perhaps the town cops, sheriff’s department, and state police were organizing a SWAT team and getting ready to storm the building. Maybe they’d already taken Pam into custody.
The Adults in the Room Page 20