The Infinity Bridge

Part 7

13.

A shimmer had arisen in the foyer of Bootham hospital, in the corner behind Agent Andrew Preston. It swirled like a heat haze. Sam could see a half dozen monks congregating in a temple of basalt and obsidian.

A glance to the side told Sam that Ben was seeing something similar. Their eyes met and a strange sense of unity arose within him. He could almost hear Ben’s voice inside his head. Ben was about to do something.

The dark-suited Andrew had an unwavering aim. His clipped Southern accent echoed again in the foyer.

‘I repeat—slowly kneel on the ground and keep your hands visible.’

Ben crumpled to the floor. His limbs thrashed and his face slapped against the cold tiles. Froth erupted from his mouth and smeared across his black hooded top. Andrew looked stunned.

‘He’s having a seizure; he needs a doctor,’ Nick yelled.

Andrew turned his head towards Johnson, who was stood behind the reception desk. Sam lunged forward and slammed into Andrew, grabbing at his outstretched arm.

Ben rolled across the floor and leapt on top of Sam and Andrew. Blood ran down Sam’s nose from where Andrew’s elbow had just jabbed him.

The scuffle ended abruptly and the gun made a loud clatter as it struck the floor. An empty syringe protruded from Andrew’s shoulder. He looked in bewilderment at Ben and Sam, both of whom were still on top of him. Then an ambivalent expression rolled across his face and he slumped on the floor drooling.

‘A heady cocktail of haloperidol and midazolam.’ Ben scooped up the handgun.

Nick helped Sam to his feet. ‘That was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen you do. He... a gun... police... it was bloody brilliant.’

Blood was soaking Sam’s pink top and he squeezed on the bridge of his nose. Johnson had frozen, as if he had just lost a staring match with a medusa. Ben was pointing the handgun straight at him.

‘Nicola-ah-ah, in my pokemon there are some tablets called diazepam. Give Mr Johnson here six or so would you?’

As Nick walked around the desk, Johnson began to shake his head. ‘You’re bonkers. I’m not taking those!’

‘Listen, doughboy, I’ve just turned an armed copper into a space cadet, you bet, you bet,’ Ben said. ‘Swallow your meds or I’ll blow a hole betwixt yer piggy eyes. Wee, wee, wee.’

Johnson popped the pills like there was no tomorrow. A glazed expression came over his face and he slumped into his chair.

‘Ben, Nick, we need to get going, before we’re seen by any visitors,’ Sam said.