Lockdown

Sixty-two

Back in the cell, Lock tried to doze, but sleep was made all but impossible by leg irons, cuffs, an aching body and a bad case of buyer’s remorse.

He’d made the decision to shoot Mareta in the heat of the moment, rationalizing that she wasn’t the best thing to be unleashed on an unsuspecting American public, but not having the guts or the heart to kill a woman. Shooting her kept them both alive, and bought him time, although for what? It had been his best, probably only chance of escape, and he’d screwed it up royally. The monkey might be dead, but the organ grinder was very much alive. And he guessed Mareta wasn’t best pleased either.

The cell door opened unexpectedly and two guards in riot gear stepped inside.

‘Relax. I’m not about to throw down,’ Lock said, rolling over on to his side. ‘Although I may throw up.’

They pulled him to his feet and dragged him from the cell. He waited for the punches and kicks to start again but none came.

The gate slid open at the end of the corridor and they marched him through and out of the building. The watery low winter sun hurt his eyes as they led him across open ground to the medical block. Here there were more gates, more security points to pass through.

Eventually, they reached a room that Lock vaguely remembered passing on his way with Mareta to the medical area a few hours earlier. There were no gurneys inside, just an examination couch, a desk and a chair. Richard Hulme sat behind the desk.

The guards lifted Lock up on to the couch.

‘I’ll be quite safe,’ said Richard.

The guards didn’t budge. ‘Sorry, Dr Hulme, we have our orders.’

Lock wondered how much either guard knew about what had happened in the lead-up to his appearance in Mareta’s cell. He doubted Brand would have trusted all but his closest confidants with the knowledge of Josh’s kidnapping, or Lock’s role in trying to track him down.

‘He’s fully restrained,’ Richard shot back.

‘Like we just said, we’re here to ensure your safety,’ the second guard replied.

‘And I appreciate it. And if you get your rocks off seeing me giving a grown man a full medical, including a prostate check, that’s your business.’

‘Prostate?’ said the first guard.

‘He’s going to shove his finger up my ass,’ replied Lock.

The two guards traded a look.

‘He is in restraints,’ the second guard said, not relishing the thought of what was going to be happening in the room. ‘OK, we’ll be right outside, but leave the door open. If it closes we’ll be coming through it.’

Once they were alone, Richard began the examination, starting with a visual assessment. ‘You took a real beating.’

‘I’ve taken worse,’ Lock lied.

Richard leaned in closer as he checked Lock’s ears for signs of bleeding. ‘You think there’s a camera on us?’ he whispered. Then he drew back. ‘Are you experiencing any pain?’

‘I think that’s safe to assume,’ Lock said. ‘But as long as it’s low level, I think I’ll be OK.’

Richard took the hint and dropped his voice as he continued the examination. ‘Listen, do you know the procedure for this test?’

Lock shrugged. ‘Does it matter?’

‘In your case, yes. I’m going to give you a placebo but I want you to act as if you’re having a violent reaction right after I give it to you.’ He raised his voice again. ‘Could you raise your arms for me?’

‘What about the others? Are you going to test them too?’ Lock asked as Richard placed a stethoscope against his back.

‘I’m hoping to test you first.’

‘It’s too risky. Especially now they’ve got Josh here.’

‘They can’t blame me if the vaccine doesn’t work.’

‘You don’t think it’ll work?’

‘No, I think it will, but I’m not going to play God with these people no matter who they are.’

‘You might not have a choice, Dr Hulme.’