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As the men waited impatiently, Amanda rounded up a few more things, cramming them into the suitcases. At the door she paused. “See you in a few decades,” she whispered to the house. Nick put the suitcases in the elevator with Bert, while he and Amanda left the way they had come.
Over dinner, the trio discussed what they knew. “I read the police report,” said Nick. “When the police came in, I was holding Lucy.”
“So the blood on your shirt and hands could have been because of that, and not before,” said Bert, twirling pasta on his fork.
Nick shook his head. “When you phoned me, I had blood on my hands already.”
“Lucy died of a single gunshot wound,” mused Amanda. “You don’t get blood on your hands if you shoot someone. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Unless I shot her, then rubbed my hands in it.” Nick drank his wine morosely.
“You didn’t do this, Nick; you were framed. Instead of dwelling on this, you should be thinking about people who hate you enough to do this.” Bert shook his fork at Nick. “And we need to get it solved soon so you can leave this house.”
“Tell me about it,” said Amanda. “Talk about antsy. I don’t suppose you have a gym in here somewhere, do you? He needs someplace to work out.”
“No gym. It’s a house. I go out to the gym,” said Bert. Preoccupied, he stood and took his plate to the sink. “Let’s get to work.”
“You’re sure you’re okay?” asked Amanda for the third time.
“Right as rain,” answered Bert, also for the third time. “Are you a doctor too? But no, I’m just trying to remember the one odd number on Nick’s phone. My brain will get it soon.”
“Yeah, you will. Hey, Flo, go see if the blood results are in,” suggested Nick. He collected the rest of the dishes and put them in the sink. Once he had stowed the leftovers in the fridge, he followed the other two back to the lab.
“Flo?” asked Bert.
“She knew Florence Nightingale,” answered Nick.
“Hey guys! Got the blood results,” Amanda crowed. “We were right. According to Grace, you had quite the cocktail in your system. Hang on, and I’ll put her on speaker phone. It’ll be easier than repeating what she says.” Flipping the switch, she added, “Go ahead Grace. You’re speaking to Nick Wolfe, the guy’s whose blood you’ve been looking at and Bert Myers. Bert knows about us, and has a bump on his head.”
Gentle laughter came through the speaker. “Nice to meet you gentlemen. Bert if you’re feeling nauseous or dizzy you should see a doctor.”
“I’m fine Doctor. Pleased to meet you. I’ll feel better when we’ve cleared Nick’s name.”
“Of course, I’m sorry for delaying you. The sample contained a mixture of two drugs. One is ketamine, mostly used as an anesthetic used by veterinarians. It depresses the nervous system and causes a loss of body sensation. Recently, it’s been used as a party drug since it can also cause hallucinations similar to LSD. The victim may be incapable of moving while under the influence. On its own, it’s a powerful drug. However, it wasn’t the only drug in your system. There was evidence of a form of benzodiazepine as well. Probably rohypnal or some other variant. This is why you cannot remember anything. Doctors often use it for procedures like colonoscopies or tooth extraction so the patient doesn’t remember an unpleasant procedure. On the street it is known as the date rape drug. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”
“Do you know how much he had?” Bert asked.
“No. Since he’s immortal, his system would work overtime in eliminating the foreign substances from his blood. But from Amanda’s description of his state, he was probably given enough to kill a mortal. I would suggest you find a supplier and see who had bought some recently, but since both are used illegally, both drugs would be available on the street. However, from the quick analysis I did, I think the both were professional grade, so a check of local pharmaceutical companies may give you the buyer. I’m sorry, but unless you have more questions, I must go. One of my patients is about to deliver.”
“Thank you Dr. Chandel,” Nick said.
“Call me Grace please. I hope we can meet one day, Nick. Good bye Bert. Amanda, say hello to Duncan for me the next time you see him.” Her voice became muffled, but they could hear her say, “Yes, I’m coming.” “I really must run. Goodbye.” The connection closed. Amanda silently stood up and threw her arms around him.
“What’s that for?” asked Nick through the pen in his teeth.
“Because you didn’t kill Lucy,” she answered.
“Only proves I was drugged. You heard the doctor, hallucinations and lack of memory. I still could have done it if I thought Lucy was a threat.” Nick’s voice betrayed his inner turmoil.
“You dumb oaf,” said Bert. “That first one is a horse anesthetic. I want to know how this guy got you up to the penthouse.”
“He administered the drugs in two batches. The benzodiazepine would control me into doing what he said. He could have escorted me up to the apartment, told me to kill Lucy, and then shot me full of the ketamine.”
Amanda swatted him. “Whose side are you on?”
“The truth,” answered Nick simply, but his voice was far away. Taking the stairs two at a time, he ran up to his bedroom and returned, carrying his own laptop. He set it up beside the one he had been using and turned it on. He looked up once to say, “I’m going to look through my old files. See if someone has a grudge against me. Bert, it would help if I could access the police files too.”
“That computer has a direct link,” said Bert. “I’ll make a list of pharmaceutical companies in the area and pay them all a visit in the morning. We may be able to cross-reference them with your research, Nick.”
“What shall I do?” asked Amanda.
“Coffee?” suggested Nick.
Amanda looked offended momentarily, but disappeared up the stairs. She returned about thirty minutes later, with a tray bearing coffee, cups, sugar, cream, and some biscotti she had found in one of the cupboards. She was proud of this bit of domesticity and set about pouring and serving the men. “Find anything?” she asked.
Without looking up, Nick took a swallow of the coffee, grimaced and looked up. Seeing Amanda’s face, he shook his head instead and said, “Not yet.”
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