“Yes, well, Tommy alluded to that when I questioned him. And his father also told me as much. It must have been very traumatic.”
“That’s not all,” Dr. O’Reilly said. “I received the report from the lab. You know those pills he’s been taking? Well, the chemical compounds that make up the drug contain a mixture of MDMA, the main ingredient found in Ecstasy, Ritalin, Imitrex, and another compound that the lab has not yet isolated. The combination can be deadly at high doses, and from the research I’ve read, it could induce delusions and paranoia, among other psychological disorders.”
“Unbelievable! So do you think that the doctor running the study is aware of all this?”
“I would say there is no doubt, Counselor.”
“How can they get away with this?”
Dr. O’Reilly let out a morbid laugh. “You’re the lawyer, Harold. It’s people like you who help keep the FDA at bay while this goes on.”
“Right, Doctor, but its people like you who come up with these studies in the first place.”
“True, but all under the guise of improving the human condition.”
“Don’t kid yourself, Doctor. It’s more about money—big money.”
“I can’t argue with that, Harold, but this debate won’t help Thomas. And if I am to help at all, I need to hypnotize him again and dig deeper. I’m sure there’s quite a bit more to learn. At this point, I believe his fragile mental state, coupled with the interaction of the drug, is having a significant effect on this young man. Obviously, he should never take another one of those pills again.”
“Understood. And I’ll get you back in to see him very shortly. In the meantime, I intend to pay Dr. Diamond another visit.”
CHAPTER 79
Detective Morgan interrupted Stone as she sat at her desk poring over the Sullivan file.
“We’ve hit another wall,” Morgan said. “The owner of the P.O. Box in Montana is untraceable. Apparently, the box was established by a law firm on behalf of the trust, and all mail is forwarded to the lawyers. Of course, they don’t have much to say. All we could get out of them is that a bank account was established at the time the trust was created, and as the bills come in, they pay them from the account. Off the record, I was told that there is sufficient money in the account to pay all the bills for taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and upkeep for the next twenty-five years or so. They have had no contact with anyone regarding the property since the trust was created.”
“Just great,” Stone said, frustrated. “I guess all we can do is stake out the property and see if anyone shows up.”
“We’ve had it under surveillance since we discovered the blood.”
“Good—just make sure the team stays out of sight. We don’t want to scare anyone off, should they desire to return.”
“I’ve got a man inside the house and another hidden in the weed grass nearby,” said Morgan. “We’ve removed all vehicles from the site and stopped the search of Gilgo for the time being.”
“Sounds like you’re on top of it, Detective. Keep me posted.”
CHAPTER 80
Dr. Diamond greeted Harold Levy in a sitting area near the entrance to the Center for Migraine Pain Management.
“What can I do for you now, Counselor?” Dr. Diamond asked coldly as he sat down across from Levy. “I thought we concluded our business the other day.”
“Unfortunately, Doctor, our business may have only just begun.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, Doctor, to begin with, I’ve done some research on your so-called ‘wonder drug.’ In fact, I’ve had it analyzed by a laboratory, and the results are quite astonishing.”
“Enlighten me, Counselor.”
Levy continued. “As I’m sure you know, the chemical compounds in your drug contain some very dangerous substances. I’m told that the combination of ingredients can be extremely hazardous and may even lead to psychotic breaks.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Levy, but I am well aware of the ingredients. However, the actual quantity of those chemicals in the drug is minimal, and it would take a high dose for a patient to experience even a slight reaction of that kind. We have been testing this formula for over three years now and we know quite well what reactions to expect from our subjects.”
“Let’s not be so naive. You have been prescribing large numbers of pills to your study subjects and leaving it solely up to them to decide how many to take at one time. Just because you advise them to take a certain dosage doesn’t mean they will adhere to your instructions.”
“Look, Counselor, I’m not going to entertain any further dialogue on the subject. Why don’t you tell me what you want?”
“Very well, Doctor. I’ll be frank. My client is presently incarcerated on some very serious charges. It is my belief that he is suffering from the effects of overdosing on your experimental pills. I am considering a mental incapacity defense, and I may need you to testify on his behalf and educate the prosecutor and the judge regarding the effects of overdosing on these pills. I suspect that you are in possession of reports on a number of subjects in your study who may have suffered adverse reactions and psychotic episodes.”
Dr. Diamond stood up, furious. “Mr. Levy, I will not let you undermine a study that we have worked so hard on for a very long time. We are on the verge of a breakthrough, and forcing me to go public with any information about this now could jeopardize everything.”
“Then I suggest you cooperate with me on a smaller scale, and perhaps we won’t necessarily have to go public with this. My immediate concern is to help my client.”
“What is it you’re suggesting, Mr. Levy?”
“Very simple, Doctor. I would like to retain you to act as an expert witness on behalf of Mr. Sullivan. I will need to put you on my list as an expert for any witnesses who may be called to testify during the trial about the connection between overdosing on the chemical compounds contained in your drug and psychotic episodes. If we can establish that Mr. Sullivan was not in control of his mental faculties, I may be able to negotiate a plea where he is placed in a psychiatric hospital and monitored until they conclude he is not mentally incapacitated. Then I can secure his release. If we approach it in that fashion, you may not have to testify in open court but rather just report this to the prosecutor.”
“I don’t know, Counselor. This sounds to me like a double-edged sword. I think I’m going to need to speak with our attorneys before I agree to anything or even talk to you any further.”
“I understand, Doctor, but I suspect that once you’ve presented the options to your attorneys, they will advise you that this is the lesser of two evils. It could get quite messy if you are subpoenaed by me—or even worse, by the People of the State of New York. You see, if you agree to act as an expert witness, they will have no reason to subpoena you, and that, in and of itself, will keep things calm around here.”
Dr. Diamond nodded. “I see, and I will consider it, but as I said, it is time for me to discuss this with our attorneys. Good day.”
“Very well. But do it quickly.”
CHAPTER 81
Detectives Stone and Watts sat across the table from lab analyst Dr. Rita Thornwood.
Stone began. “So tell me, Doctor: What’s the story with this drug?”
Thornwood focused her eyes on the report in her hands as she spoke. “Well, Detective, we don’t have a complete analysis, but we have some significant information. The drug contains a number of very familiar active ingredients, including MDMA—methylphenidate hydrochloride—which is the active ingredient in Ritalin and Sumatriptan. There is another compound we are still analyzing, but what we know already is certainly troubling.”
“Can you explain that, Doctor?” Watts asked.
“Taken alone, any one of these compounds can have adverse effects on a person. Combined as they are in this formula and administered at high doses, well . . .” Thornwood shook her head and made eye contact with Stone for a brief second before
returning her gaze to the report. “At high doses, one could experience a variety of psychological disorders.”
“Such as . . .” Watts prodded.
Thornwood put down the report. “Such as anything from simple confusion and nausea to blackouts, memory loss, violence, delusions, and even serious personality disorders.”
Stone interrupted. “Excuse me, but what do you mean by ‘personality disorders’?”
“Paranoia, schizophrenia . . .”
Perplexed, Stone looked to Watts, then back to Thornwood. “So you’re saying the drug could make him crazy?”
“We don’t like to use the term crazy, but at high doses, it could have serious implications. Just keep in mind that everyone has a different tolerance.”
Stone took a deep breath and began pacing.
Watts followed her with his eyes. “So this guy could get off with an insanity defense?”
“Screw the pills,” Stone answered. “He’s not getting away with this.”
CHAPTER 82
“This time, I would like to observe your session, Dr. O’Reilly.” Levy said as they waited for Sullivan to be brought from his cell.
“No problem, Harold, but please understand that any outside intervention may upset him and could be very damaging. Tommy needs to trust me completely to let himself go. So the only way you can do it is if the police are willing to bring a couch into the interrogation room for us. That way, you can observe through the two-way mirror.”
“Fine—I will make the arrangements. I just want to speak with him for a few minutes before you start, if that’s okay?”
“Actually, I’d prefer that you not cloud his mind with anything right now. I really want him to be able to focus on the past, and I need him to be calm and composed if I am to hypnotize him successfully.”
“Okay, Doctor. Just one more thing: I’d like to record the session.”
“Not a problem, Counselor.”
Levy made the arrangements, and a couch was set up in the interrogation room. Minutes later, Thomas Sullivan was brought in handcuffed.
* * *
Doc Granny is sitting in a chair when the cop brings me through the door.
“How are you, Tommy?” she asks, with a big old smile.
“Hey, Doc. What’s up?”
She looks at the officer who brought me in. “Could you please remove his cuffs? He’s no threat to me.”
“If you’re sure, ma’am,” the cop answers, “but I’ll be right outside, so just holler if you need me.” What does he think? Like I’m really going to kill her or something.
“Thanks, Doc. Those cuffs really hurt,” I say, rubbing my wrists as I sit down on the couch. “So what do you want from me?”
“Well, Tommy, I wanted to continue where we left off the other day. I think we made some real progress, so I’d like to hypnotize you again.”
“I dunno—I don’t remember a thing about it. But for the first time I can remember, my headache disappeared without any pills.” And I’m being totally honest with her. I really did feel better after the last session, but I couldn’t remember anything. In fact, I still don’t believe she even hypnotized me.
“That’s great, Tommy. I’m glad to hear it. Now let’s begin.”
“Go for it.”
* * *
“Are you feeling relaxed now, Tommy?” Dr. O’Reilly asked gently.
His eyes were closed. “Yeah—warm all over.”
“Perfect. Just let your mind wander.” The doctor continued her soft tone. “Try to think back to when you were a teenager and you were enjoying yourself. Can you do that for me?”
Tommy’s eyelids began to flicker, his eyes moving rapidly underneath. Slowly, a smile appeared on his face. “Ahh . . . the air is so fresh up here, and the smell of cut grass is awesome.”
“Where are you, Tommy?”
“At the camp,” Tommy answered in a teenage voice. “Summer is here.”
“What camp? Tell me all about it.”
Tommy laughed. “Lakewood, and there’s Big Bob. Man, I haven’t seen him since last year.”
“Who’s Big Bob?”
“Oh, he’s my best friend at camp—met him last summer. He works in the kitchen. He’s a couple years older than me and built like a brick shithouse. The dude lifts weights all the time, and he’s funny as hell. Tells the best jokes ever. He’s always making me laugh.”
“So what’s going on, Tommy?”
“I run over to him, and he’s got this big grin on his face. He hugs me real hard. ‘How you doing, Tommy?’ he asks me. Then he lets go and throws some light jabs at my gut, but he doesn’t actually hit me. He’s just kidding around.”
“Sounds like you like him, Tommy,” Dr. O’Reilly whispered. “Go on. Tell me more.”
“Yeah, he’s a great guy. We hung out a lot last summer, but he lives in Florida, so I never got to see him after camp.”
“It’s nice that you guys became friends and could pick it up after an entire year.”
“I know, but that’s BB . . . Yeah, BB—everyone at camp used to call him that for short, and he liked it, so one day last year, he carved those initials into the side of the banana tree by the sports field.” Tommy’s body language changed suddenly, and the color left his face.
“What is it, Tommy? What just happened? You look upset.”
“Nothing—never mind,” Tommy said, agitated. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”
“That’s okay. We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, but I promise you’ll feel much better if you do.”
He shook his head, struggling within himself. “I’m scared. BB’s gone. They took him to the hospital. I think he’s dead.”
“That’s terrible. I’m so sorry, but you have to let it out.”
Tommy began to cry, wincing as he spoke. “I’m leaning on the banana tree watching the baseball game. BB’s pitching. The batter takes a swing, and the ball comes flying back and hits him right in the chest. He goes down. All the counselors run over to him and start pushing on his chest. Then they give him mouth-to-mouth. There’s so many people around, but I swear it’s never been so quiet. Then, like ten minutes later, an ambulance shows up and takes him away. The whole time I’m staring like it’s not real, and as hard as I try, I can’t get myself to move away from the tree. The damn tree—why does everything have to happen around that stupid tree?”
“What do you mean, Tommy? What is it about the tree?”
Visibly disturbed, Tommy’s body shifted as he screamed, “No, don’t do that! Leave her alone!”
Startled, Dr. O’Reilly jumped back.
Tommy sat upright, his eyes still closed.
“What is it, Tommy? What’s going on now?”
His breathing quickened. “It’s real late at night and no one’s around. He’s got Ellen pressed up against the banana tree. They’re both naked.”
“Who, Tommy? Who is she with?”
“I dunno.”
“Okay, what are they doing?”
“He’s on top of her, and she’s crying. I wanna go over and help, but I can’t move or even speak. It’s like I’m paralyzed or something.”
“I understand—just go on. Tell me what’s happening now.”
“He’s getting off of her, and she’s crying real loud, so he puts his hands around her throat. Oh, no, he’s choking her, and I still can’t move. Then, all of a sudden, she stops crying, and he lets go. She slides off the tree and falls to the ground. I think she’s dead. A few seconds go by, and he puts his clothes on, grabs her clothes, tosses her over his shoulder, and carries her off. Finally, my legs start to work again. I follow him down to the waterfront. He throws her into a rowboat, gets in, and rows out to the middle of the lake. I’m so scared I can barely catch my breath. I run away like some chickenshit and sneak back into my bunk. I crawl under the covers real quietly, shivering like mad.”
“That’s awful, Tommy. Did you tell anyone?”
“No—I was too sc
ared.” Tommy whimpered.
“And you don’t know who did this?”
“No! I swear I’ve got no idea.”
“Okay, Tommy, it’s not your fault, don’t worry about this any more. It’s only a bad dream.” The doctor stands, moves behind Tommy, and gently massages his shoulders. “Now, I want you to take a deep breath and let it out slowly. As you breathe, the smell of freshly-cut grass is filling up inside you, and you can almost taste it.” Her voice was silk-soft. “It’s warm, the sun is shining, and everything feels good.”
Tommy sighed, his body loosened, and he slumped over on the couch.
“You’re feeling much better—aren’t you, Tommy?”
“Much better,” Tommy smiled. “It smells like summer.”
“Good. I want you to jump forward a bit,” her voice now mellifluous. “You’re no longer a boy. You’re a man, and you’ve made a new friend—Troyer Savage—and I need you to tell me all about him.”
Tommy’s body stiffened. “Troyer! He’s no friend. I hate that lunatic.”
“I’m sorry, Tommy. I didn’t mean to upset you. Tell me, why do you hate him?”
“He’s a total scumbag—that’s why.”
“What did he do to you?”
“You see, the guy acted like he wanted to be my friend. We started hanging out a lot. One night, he goes psycho on me and kills this bartender, and leaves me to clean up the mess. Then, only a few days later, he kills another girl and does it to me again.”
“He sounds like a deranged individual. How did you get involved with him?”
“Shit, it don’t matter. The dude’s just bad news, and he’s ruining my life.”
“Please, I really want to know all about him.”
Tommy became irritated. “Why do you care about him so much? He’s just a crazy prick!”
“It’s you I care about, Tommy. I truly want to help. But the only way I can do that is if you tell me more about Troyer Savage. Please settle down and take another deep breath. Fill your lungs with the smell of fresh-cut grass again, and when you’ve relaxed, we can talk about him some more.” Dr. O’Reilly looked up at the two-way mirror knowing that even though she couldn’t see him, Levy was watching.
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