The Answer

Chapter 12

The files on the Doctor were creepy, to say the least. This guy lost his practice because he was harvesting organs from his dead patients and selling it off to the black market. As if that wasn't enough, the whole reason he got caught is because he started to pray on the live ones as well, going as far as to try and induce death to get the organs he needed for a deal.

The guy seemed normal to look at, as Gerard had observed in the gas station but something in his eyes was unsettling. Gerard knew now that it was just his psycho showing from within him. He shuddered a little, this was certainly not what he wanted to be doing.

Gerard never remembered meeting him at the morgue because the Doctor never worked there. In fact, Travis and Gerard never got a good look at the guy in person when the arrest happened because a task force was sent in for the extraction. The Captain anticipated that things would get rough for them if the Doctor and his associated found out who the detectives leading the investigation and arrest were, so they were asked to stand down.

If only the captain knew that though they'd agreed to miss out on the action, they had made sure their names were on the report. A stupid move that was coming to bite them back after five years.

Rumour had it that when the Doctor was in college, he was actually first enrolled as a math major. However, none of his college professors or classmates ever chose to step up and speak of it. Perhaps they knew he was nuts and didn't want to get on his bad side. Gerard decided that he needed to try to understand the Doctor's past to predict the future.

It didn't take long for Gerard to find out that the Doctor had first enrolled in Napa Valley College and shortly dropped out to go to Stanford Medical College. Napa didn't have a medical program so it was clear that this was where he majored in Mathematics. He checked the directions for both colleges, groaning at the time it would take to reach either.

He couldn't be in both colleges and in the city all at once. He also didn't feel like he could trust anyone anymore. Not to mention that the Doctor might be informed if someone comes by his old college to snoop about him. No, this would have to be a very well planned out investigation.

Gerard wasn't sure how he could conduct this investigation and keep it under the wraps from potential defectors in the system as well as the mafia itself. The Doctor has eyes and ears everywhere and an evident burning passion to make Gerard's life a living hell. If Max is to survive this ordeal, Gerard was going to have to trust some people and hope for the best.

He called up David's number again, on two rings he heard the voice on the other end. "How trustworthy are your chimps at the precinct?"

David senses Gerard wanted to go off the radar for something, he just didn't know what. "Philip is your guy."

"Great, I want him to dig a little for me. Where is he now?"

"The precinct I assume, with the rest of the task force."

"Great, I'll see you there."

Gerard hung up and started the car, he felt bad for leaving David without transportation but it was the most lenient punishment he could think of. He began his speedy trip back on the freeway and straight into town. He parked clumsily in front of the precinct and many eyes followed him, confused to find someone else driving the Captain's car. Philip came rushing out with some papers in hand, confused to see Gerard coming up the stairs.

Seeing the question on his face, Gerard spun around and dragged Philip by the arm whispering, "I know you have questions, but I can't be answering them here where everyone is watching."

Philip, much to Gerard's surprise, nodded and put on a happy face so as to devour suspicion. Perhaps Gerard had misjudged him; he could be good for the job after all. Once they had turned around the corner, Gerard began to look at the cafés to find one that had a nice little corner for them to talk privately.

Philip followed his eyes, trying to figure out whom he was looking for. He could tell he hadn't annoyed Gerard yet and decided not to vocalise his question and risk ruining that. Gerard turned to him and said softly, "I have a confidential assignment for you. I can't give you a lot of details, but I can give you enough to get the investigation going."

Philip nodded, "Does this also have to do with why you drove in with the Captain's car?"

"That's one of the things I can't tell you about, the Captain will be at the precinct shortly."

Philip nodded. Gerard continued, "The Captain will give you a file in his office with some details, I need you to track down some people and extract some details about someone dangerous. Keep in mind, nobody can be trusted with this information. Be discreet and make sure your investigation isn't compromised."

"Yes, sir." Philip shook hands with him and turned to leave.

"Wait." Gerard said, wondering why he was going to say what was on his mind, "Let's have a coffee and then head back. I'm sure you and I could both use it."

Philip smiled that beaming smile that Gerard despised, but today it didn't bother him as much. They crossed the street and went into a small little café at the curb.

In front of the precinct, David was hopping out of a cab and noticed Gerard's poor parking job. He winced, worried Gerard took out his frustrations on his precious vehicle. He decided against inspecting it for damage in front of all the people who'd probably seen him pulling up. He noticed the stairs were empty, an unusual sight. He went in and found the whole place to be empty; it was clear something was up.

He heard hushed voices coming from the conference room and made his way there. The room was crowded with worried faces, said wove his way to the centre to see the cause. A note lay on the table made with sticker letters.

My silence has been for long enough, I take credit for the Golden Gate bombing. I'm annoyed the bridge as well as the city moves on unharmed. I've placed bombs in all the useless places you love, if you wish to stop this mass murder you will do as I say each step of the way.

Solve my riddle - how many Wonders of the World exist?

I will call you for the answer, you will understand the importance of my work.

"We're getting the IT guys from upstairs to track the call so we can catch this guy. Should we send out a red alert?" One of them asked.

"No, we will handle this quietly. We can't grace this sicko with the attention he or she is craving from doing this." David replied, worried this might just be a diversion for something bigger.

David punched in a number he knew by heart while walking out of the room, "We have to move now, the Doctor has put something big into motion."

"We break in and save the kid tonight then, tell Gerard to be ready."

The line went dead and David began to look around. Where was Gerard? He walked out of the precinct and around the corner, looking for the number Gerard used to call him. Just as he dialed it, Gerard and Philip appeared before him.

"Oh thank god," David sighed, "We need to go, someone sent a threat to the precinct. They're trying to bomb the whole city unless we do as they say."

Philip's eyes widened, "What are they asking for?"

"For now, to solve a riddle for the first location of the bomb. There's no telling what the next demand will be."

Gerard made eye contact with David, in a sort of silent agreement they knew exactly what was to be done. Gerard told Philip his task was still on and sent him back to the precinct. Once he was out of earshot, Gerard turned to David "When are we going to get him back?"

"Tonight, be ready."