Retribution
part three
by mardel
I just borrowed them for the story.
Claire sighed, she was trying very hard to hold herself together. What
she was tempted to do was get her gun and go hunt Devol down.
He would never hurt anyone again that way, but she would be in jail
for life.
"Hang in there Claire we are going to get this guy." Bobby reached
across the seat and covered her hand with his. The look in his dark
brown eyes reassured her. She did have faith in him and Darien.
" I know you will. It was just the shock of seeing him again."
Bobby nodded, giving her hand a squeeze. "Let's get back to the room ."
He started the car and headed for their hotel.
Darien was deep in thought, he knew there had to be some scam they could
use to get Devol to show his true intentions. He just needed to figure out
which bait would get the Doctor to take the hook.
Claire was withdrawn into her own world. She was fighting off the
memories from the time she had worked with and cared about the man
they were after. She'd been taken in by his smooth line, his knowing just
what to say to make her at ease. Then once she was lulled in to a sense of
false security he trapped her.
Bobby loaded the disk into the borrowed lap top and began to review the
information. Claire sat beside him and read the files with him.
"If we could get a warrant and seize these files legally. We'd have him."
Bobby pointed to the screen.
"Don't we need probable cause for the warrant in the first place?"
Darien asked, he'd been pacing the room thinking.
"Did either of those Doctors you were talking with want to testify against
Devol?"
"Yes I think they would be willing to, but only as a second witness. We'll
need to have evidence against him also."
"I think we need to stop him tonight. He shouldn't be allowed to hurt
any more women." Darien stated.
"I agree with you Partner, but aside from me taking him out what do you
have in mind?"
"Would the new tests be run if he didn't show up?"
"I wouldn't think so, I'm sure he wants to supervise. Especially on the first
day of the testing." Claire thought she knew what Darien had in mind.
Darien smiled, "Then I think we will arrange for him to miss work tonight."
He rubbed his hands together, explained his plan to Bobby and Claire.
Bobby and Darien located Devol's house and set up surveillance in his attic.
Darien was going to pay him a visit while quick silvered. Bobby had a
special little pill to slip in his drink that would put him to sleep and give
him
a severe case of Montezuma's revenge
But first they wanted to search is place for more evidence. Darien took the
up stairs and Bobby searched the main floor. Darien found a stash of porno
behind the dresser but nothing they could use against him.
"Did you find anything Partner?"
"No, just a stack of Oui and Penthouse." Darien looked disgusted.
"Figures, lets get set up then. If he keeps to his schedule he'll be home
soon." Bobby moved towards the garage and the access stairway.
He'd already rigged a tiny camera in several of the rooms so he could
monitor Darien and Devol when the show began. Darien was going
to have to slip the pill into his drink. Then he was going to work on
his conscious, make him think twice before he attempted to hurt
anyone again.
"Here he comes Fawkes get ready." Bobby was watching from his
place in the attic. Darien was waiting on the second floor, Bobby had a full
dose of counter agent ready for him if he had to stay invisible longer than
they had planned.
Devol came thru his front door carrying his mail and a brief case. He set
them on the kitchen counter and checked for any messages on his answering
machine. He was listening to the messages as Darien waited.
Bobby was listening, from the attic and watching a small monitor hooked to
the camera he'd placed in the kitchen.
"He's taking his time Fawkes, just hang in there."
Devol finally finished checking his messages and opened his cabinet
for a glass. He poured a scotch over ice and moved into the living
room.
"Give him a few more minutes, he poured a double." Bobby advised Darien.
Devol sat back in his easy chair and turned on the television. He settled on
a new program, that was talking about the up coming music festival.
Darien quick silvered, and moved into the living room. He dropped the pill
into the drink and moved to stand behind him. After allowing a few minutes
for the pill to take effect he began the plan.
"You really think you have fooled everyone don't you?" Darien whispered.
Devol nodded.
" You're plan to endanger the lives of dozens of women with your new tests
has gone unnoticed by the committee that approved your research."
He nodded again. "Why shouldn't it go unnoticed, they are all fools."
"Keep going Partner, we need all the evidence we can get."
Darien moved closer. " You're not concerned that the testes might cause injury
to the women you are testing the procedure on?"
"No, they are merely tools. If a few are hurt, that is the price of medical
science
to find new means of treating the general population."
Darien became visible then. Bobby could see him on the monitor.
"Don't Fawkes, you'll ruin everything if you hurt him now." Bobby warned
in a stern tone of voice.
"He's asleep the pill worked quicker than we thought."
Darien hit the back of the chair Devol was sleeping in but it didn't rouse him.
::::::::::::::::::::
"You should have let me mess him up."
"I would have loved nothing better Partner. But Claire wants him to pay for
his crimes. Don't you think I want to just pull my gun and put two between
his eyes?"
"Yeah, I know." Darien was slumped in his seat on the drive back to the hotel.
"How did it go?" Claire met them at the door as soon as she heard them
returning.
"Good, we got some more evidence on him." Bobby informed her.
"Did the pill work, he won't be starting the trails tonight?"
"Yeah it worked. We have another day to get the evidence we need to put him
away for good." Darien assured her.
"I've found some charts here and some notes he made. I think they will be
enough for a warrant to search his files and computer legally."
"I'll have Eberts look into who to contact with this." Bobby went into the
adjoining room and made the call.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm holding on." Claire tried to smile at Darien.
Darien was still seething with rage from his encounter with Devol. He was afraid
to
let Claire know how angry he was. She'd experienced enough violence from men
as it was.
Bobby returned to the room. "Eberts is going to check into it and get back to
me."
"Good, excuse me a minute." Darien went into the other room, partly to escape
and partly because he hoped Bobby would feel more comfortable in offering
Claire a shoulder to lean of if they were alone.
" You've been working on that all afternoon. Take a break." Bobby came to
stand near her. He wanted to offer her his support if she needed it. But he
didn't know how to with out letting her know his feelings. He didn't think
she needed to hear he was in love with her right now.
"Alright." Claire stood and moved to the tiny refrig for a cold drink.
She took a few sips then turned to face Bobby.
"I want to thank you for all you help Bobby. You could be risking your job if
we are caught before we get him into custody."
"It would be worth it." He shrugged.
Claire turned the bottle nervously in her hands then set it on the dresser. She
needed
a hug, and didn't know how to ask him.
"Bobby, it probably seems silly, but if you wouldn't mind." She lifted her arms
out
towards him hoping he would understand.
He was quick to pick up her request, he was surprised she wanted a hug from him.
But he was more than willing to embrace her. His arms wrapped around her gently
at first
then when she sighed and said. "This feels so nice Bobby. You have no idea."
He tightened his hold a little more.
Claire melted into him, she needed this hug. She hadn't taken his flirting
seriously, but
a hug from a friend was nice. Especially a male friend as virile as Bobby. She
felt protected
with his arms around her.
He did have an idea of how nice it felt. She felt perfect in his arms. He could
hold
her for ages and never tire of the feeling. "You should have said something
sooner.
What's a hug between friends?"
"I wasn't sure if you would mind. Next time I'll know."
"Why would I mind? I'm here for you anytime. I'll pay better attention from now
on so you won't have to ask."
Claire stayed in his embrace for another few seconds then eased away afraid she
would become to needy for his support if she continued.
"Thank you."
" Your welcome, anytime." Bobby smiled, but not a big grin a trademark Hobbes
smile.
:::::::::::::::
Darien was getting his temper under control. He was talking himself down from
the
anger he was feeling towards Devol. He was sure it was influenced by the fact
that
beside the man being a scum bag, he looked like Arnau, the man he hated more
than
anyone else in the world.
The phone rang and he picked it up. "Yeah, hang on I'll get him."
Darien poked his head into the next room. "Hobbes it's Eberts again."
"Thanks, I hope he has some good news. Yeah, did you locate a judge for us?"
"I've located a Judge Stone, he's rumored to be very hard on criminals that
perpetrate
crimes on women and children. If you detail the evidence you have to him about
Devol
I'm sure he will grant you the warrant you need."
"Thanks great work Eberts thanks." Bobby was smiling.
"Let me speak with him." Claire reached for the phone.
"Hang on I need to get the location first."
"Judge Stone has a home on the gulf coast the address is 7126 High Cliff Rd. I
took
the liberty of calling ahead and telling him to expect you."
"Great Eberts thanks. Claire wants to talk to you hand on a second."
Bobby passed her the phone.
"Albert thank you so much for your assistance. I don't know how I'll ever repay
you for this information."
"You're welcome Dr. I'm glad to be of service." Eberts blushed on his end of the
line.
"Just the same I'm in you debt. Thank you and goodbye."
"Good luck."
"Eberts who were you talking to just now?" The Official was standing in the door
way of Eberts extremely small office.
"I was talking to my landlady Sir. She asked me to look in on her cat while she
is
out of town. She's taking a bus to Vegas with her church group."
"Oh, fine. I'm going home, I'll see you in the morning."
"Yes Sir, good evening." Eberts almost collapsed on desk once his boss was out
of site. He'd almost given them away.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Fawkes you let me and Claire do the talking. I've gotten warrants from Judges
many
times over the years. They just want the facts. He'll want to hear Claire's
explanation
since she's the Doctor."
"Do you want me to stay in the car?"
"No, that won't be necessary." Claire turned to look at him from the front seat.
Bobby pulled up to the simple two story home.
"This is a Federal Judges house, looks more like grandma's house to me."
Darien unbent himself from the back seat and looked the house over.
He knew from experience that simple homes could be the best houses
to rob. Some people put their money into the house and then had
cheap things inside. Others put the money into the contents or in a
safe in the house.
" It's a beautiful home." Claire said when the knocked on the front door.
"Hello, come in." An older man answered the door, he was wearing slacks
and a sweater that looked like he'd owned it all his life.
"I had no idea it took three agents for one warrant.' He looked Claire over
and nodded. " But when one of them is a beautiful woman."
He shook hands with Claire.
"Thank you Judge Stone, I'm Dr. Keep these are my collages Agent Hobbes
and Agent Fawkes." She introduced Bobby and Darien. Her hand still clasped
by the judge's firm grip.
Bobby kicked into protective mode, when the Judge was coming on to strong to
suit him. But he knew they needed him to sign the warrant so he kept
his temper. "Your honor."
Darien offered to shake hands with the judge, so he was forced to release
Claire's hand. " If you could grant us this warrant it would be very
helpful."
"Yes, I can testify to the fact that the medical testing he is performing on
female patients is highly un ethical and dangerous."
"Please come with me into my study, I'll need details." He motioned to
them to follow him.
Claire glanced at both of the guys. She wasn't sure if the judge was going
to be helpful or not.
"Please take a seat Dr. Keeply, gentlemen." He nodded to several chairs
in the room.
Claire perched on the edge of the chair in front of the large mahogany
desk. Bobby stood beside her, not willing to let his guard down.
Darien took the chair at the corner of the desk.
Once he was seated behind the huge desk the judge put on his reading glasses
and read the warrant request Bobby had given him when they arrived.
"Umm, yes it does look like this man needs to be investigated." He looked at
Claire. "Tell me why you feel it is a criminal matter, and not a medical board
that should be investigating him?"
"I have first hand knowledge of his nefarious practices. He molests his test
subjects while they are drugged. He has to be stopped."
"First hand knowledge? You were present when he molested a patient?"
Judge Stone asked, watching her closely.
"Let's just say Dr. Keeply is willing to swear to the fact this guy is
endangering his patients." Bobby jumped into the conversation, he didn't want
Claire to have to repeat telling her story.
"I see. Why do I get the feeling if I press this line of questioning I'm going
to be eating soup for a week?" The Judge smiled. He understood Agent Hobbes
was drawing the line.
"One more question, if you will allow me." he looked at first Bobby and then
Claire. " If I grant this warrant will the proof be convincing, or purely
circumstantial?"
"You warrant will allow us to confiscate files that will link the abuse Dr.
Devol has perpetrated on these women with testimony that myself and other
medical personal are prepared to give." Claire stated.
"Very well then." Judge Stone signed the warrant and handed it to Bobby.
"Thank you your honor."
Darien stood and inclined his head, "Thank you, this is one guy that needs
to be put away."
"Dr. it seems you are in good hands. But if you need any further law advice
in this matter I'm at your service."
"Yes Judge, thank you for your kind offer." Claire smiled and nodded.
Bobby hurried her from the room, placing a hand at the small of her back.
Darien followed walking slowly so they would be at the door by the time the
judge caught up with them.
"Thank you again, sorry for bothering you at home." Claire said, as Bobby opened
the door for them to leave.
"You're welcome. Good luck."
"Man was the judge a major leach or what?" Darien commented when they were
back inside the car.
"I didn't like the way he was treating you Claire." Bobby added.
"He was really obnoxious, keeping hold of your hand. Staring." Darien continued.
"He was a bit pushy, but you didn't have to behave quite so protectively."
She looked at Bobby as he pulled the car out into the street.
"Protective, me? I was just trying to prevent you from having to retell what
happened to you." Bobby realized that was the definition of protective.
" I mean.... ah... I'm sorry, I shouldn't assume you need someone to run
interference."
Darien was surprised he'd not heard Bobby apologize to anyone but the Official.
But then Claire was in a category all to herself where Hobbes was concerned.
"He was just trying to help, Claire."
"Yes, I know and I'm not protesting your behavior." She touched his arm, so
that he would understand she was sincere. "But I've had counseling and I am
capable of taking up for my self. At least in a situation like that."
"I'm very grateful to you both for helping me with this." she added.
"Hey, your welcome." Darien shrugged it off.
"Don't even mention it. We're glad to help." Bobby nodded.
:::::::::::::::::::::
The trio headed back to the medical center. They wanted to get at Devol's
files before he had a chance to destroy them.
Bobby submitted the warrant to the security guy on duty and he unlocked the
office for them to collect the evidence. Darien went to check on the test
subjects.
The testing had been postponed as Dr. Devol hadn't shown up to work that
evening.
" The plan is working guys." Darien reported when he joined them in the office.
"Darien good, could you please help me. I'm transferring the computer files
to disks. If you would pull these files from the cabinet so we can take them
with us."
"Yeah, sure. Where is Hobbes?"
"He's in the private office." Claire nodded towards the other door.
Bobby was checking for anything he might have missed the first time he
had cased the office. He found some pictures of what could be test patients.
They looked like the kind of thing you'd find in Penthouse. He mad a face of
disgust and collected them into an evidence envelope.
"I've got everything from in here. How are you doing?"
"I'm almost done here." Claire looked up a minute.
"I've got all the regular files. We have to seal the box and sign and date it
right?"
"Yeah make sure you have everything." Bobby nodded.
:::::::::::::::::::::::
The plan was to review the files and arrest the Doctor in the morning. They
should
have more than enough to go on for a warrant that would keep him in jail without
bail as a danger to the community.
Darien and Bobby started to read through the paper files while Claire used the
lap top for the disks. They'd been at it for a couple of hours when Darien stood
up and arched his back to get the kinks out.
"I need a break guys. If you'll tell me what you want I'll go for some food."
"I'm not very hungry but I'd like a coke, please." Claire looked over at Darien
who was still attempting to get the kinks out of his back.
"How about pizza Bobby you pick the toppings."
"Get one with everything and some soda. Have to keep a clear head reading
this stuff."
"OK I'll be back soon." Darien caught the keys Bobby tossed to him and left.
Claire inhaled deeply and stood up. " I'm tired of reading this computer screen.
But I've found a lot of information that will be helpful in a case against him."
Bobby looked up from his stack of files. " Good, I've marked several places
in this stack. But there are a bunch to read through still."
Claire was staring at him, she'd just noticed something. He'd removed his suit
jacket when they started to search through the files. As often as she had worked
with him she couldn't remember but one other time having seen him in a
polo shirt. It revealed more of his build than the usual button down shirt.
She'd never noticed his build, at least not the details. But she could tell
from how the shirt clung to his chest he was powerfully built. From the wide
solid shoulders, corded arms and hard rise of his chest.
She had to make herself look away, before he noticed she was staring.
But he'd already noticed, he was puzzled by her intent gaze. He'd known
Claire over a year. Ever since he'd come to work for the Agency.
Other than the hug they had shared early that morning he'd never known
her to show any sign that she was aware of him, as a man. He was just a
friend, that was a guy.
"Are you OK?" Bobby stood up prepared to assist her if she requested him
to hold her again.
"Yes I'm fine." she lied she was feeling in need of a hug again but now that
she'd noticed him. She was hesitant to ask. Afraid she would be taking advantage
some how.
"You sure Keepie? Cause that's not the message I'm getting here."
He teased her. Bobby took one step towards her, an eye brow raised in question.
"It's just that I've never felt so needy before. I don't want to keep bothering
you with my problems."
"Claire don't be silly. Come here." He opened his arms to her and she moved
to embrace him. Claire almost melted when his strong arms wrapped around
her. She did close her eyes a minute and relax.
"It's almost over, we've got him on the run." Bobby promised.
"Can I tell you something, a complement without it going to your head?"
she asked while still in his arms.
"Yeah, if you want to."
"I hadn't realized until today how strong you are. But it's hard to miss when
I'm cuddled up to you like this."
"Yeah there's not a lot of me, but what there is, is choice." Bobby imitated a
line from a movie he'd always liked.
Claire eased back just far enough to look into his eyes. "What was that from?"
"It's a quote from a Spencer Tracy movie. I watched a lot of the old movies
growing up, he was a favorite of mine." He explained, his eyes bright from her
compliment.
"Oh. I like the black and white movies too." she moved back to rest her head
against his shoulder.
"I'll bet you liked Cary Grant and Gregory Peck." Bobby guessed.
"Yes, but my favorite actor from those days is Bogie."
"You like Bogie? Yeah which movie do you like best?" he was expecting
Casablanca.
Claire moved out of his embrace, " I Always like the African Queen that
whole love story plot."
"Yeah that's a good one. I liked the comedies the Stooges, Laurel and Hardy."
"Stooges? I don't believe I know who that is?"
"You don't know the Stooges, Oh you've never seen anything so funny."
Bobby was about to try and explain the Three Stooges to Claire when
Darien came back with the food.
"Darien buddy, back me up here. Tell Claire about the Three Stooges."
"The Stooges Oh, you don't know them? They are the greatest slap stick
comedy team ever. They do all this physical stuff." Darien did the
yuk, yuk, yuk laugh that Curly always did, then the back step thing.
"Oh, a wise guy a?" Bobby imitated Moe and grabbed Darien/Curly by the
ear and pretended to slap him.
Bobby and Darien broke out laughing and Claire looked at them like they were
both crazy.
"I guess we will have to get her a tape. It's kind of hard to explain if
she'd never seen them before." Bobby saw the look on Claire's face and
stopped acting silly.
"What king of pizza did you get there Partner?"
"I got the super deluxe with everything. We've got soda, and cheesy bread
too." Darien held up the box he'd set down when he had started playing a stooge.
"There is plenty here Claire if you want to share." Bobby opened the box and
picked a piece of pizza out of the box and took a bite. "It's good."
Darien handed her a bottle of Coke and pulled up a chair so he didn't have to
sit on the bed and eat.
"I guess I'm a little bit hungry." She said and reached to pull a slice of pizza
free of the others. She picked up a napkin from the stack Darien had put down.
:::::::::::::::::::::
The three spent more time reading the files they had confiscated.
Bobby wanted to have plenty of evidence against Devol before they requested a
arrest warrant on him.
The following morning Claire was nervous. She knew she would see Devol face
to face before the day was over. She wasn't sure if she was ready to see him
up close again. She was afraid she would do something to prevent their
arresting him and putting him away for his crimes.
"Are you ready?" Bobby knocked on her door the next morning.
Claire opened her door. "Yes, I'm as ready as I'll ever be." she tried to smile.
Darien was behind Bobby, " You don't have to go with us if you would rather not
see
him again."
"No, I want to see him arrested. I might make me feel better to see him locked
up."
Bobby had made a call for a arrest warrant first thing that morning. They were
to me
met by local police officers at the hospital. The agents preferred to have Devol
arrested
under local and Federal law at the same time. That way he would have to be
released
by both agencies.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alber Devol remembered having a very strange dream the night before. He'd woken
much to late to return to the hospital and begin his new round of tests.
He was standing talking with another doctor when he noticed a woman exiting the
elevator. She looked strangely familiar. Then it hit him it was Claire. A young
woman
he had taken under his wing back home in France.
He stepped forward, "Claire it is you isn't it? How nice to see you again."
He was reaching to shake her hand, and Claire was backing away a look of utter
revulsion
on her face. Bobby stepped between Devol and her.
"Back off Devol. She doesn't want to have anything to do with scum like you."
Darien was behind Claire, both hands on her shoulders, supporting her.
Comforting her.
"Dr Alber Devol, sir you are under arrest." A local police officer stepped
forward and
reached for the man's arm.
"What are you crazy under arrest for what?" Devol tried to back away.
The police officer took hold of his arm to prevent his escape. Bobby moved in
behind
him just in case he tried to break free. Bobby wanted an excuse to hurt this
guy.
"For criminal endangerment of patients, assault and fraud." the officer
informed him
and snapped the cuff on his arm.
"No! you must have the wrong man. I'm a doctor, I help people. I don't harm
them."
He protested, but the officer lead him back into the elevator followed by Bobby.
Darien and Claire watched as the doors closed.
"We got him Claire, and I think we have more than enough evidence to prove he's
gone past research and has been endangering his patients."
"Yes, I hope you're right." she felt a great wave of relief wash over her. She
leaned
against Darien for a moment to gather herself.
On the flight back to California both Bobby and Claire were subdued.
She was still coming to terms with what had happened. The man she hated more
than
anyone in the world had finally be caught. She was free, or it felt like she
was.
Bobby was thinking he wished he'd been alone with the scum for a few minutes.
But he wouldn't have been able to explain how the prisoner had gotten a broken
nose,
two black eyes and several broken ribs. Darien had wanted to slip into his
cell in view of other inmates and beat the crap out of him. If it looked like
Devol had
gone nuts and was hurting himself, it couldn't be blamed on police brutality.
Bobby had to talk him out of the idea. He didn't want to take the chance of
anything
setting him free.
"I'm sorry partner but we can't take the chance. We don't want him to get off
because it
looks like he was roughed up by the police." Bobby reminded his partner.
"Just one, let me give him just one." Darien said through clenched teeth.
"I'd love to, my friend. But we just can't risk it." Bobby kept hold of Darien's
arm
as he talked him down.
Now, Bobby was thinking about how Claire was behaving towards him. He liked
Claire.
He liked her very much, he'd do anything for her. But he did have a rule, about
becoming
romantically involved with anyone he worked with. As much as he would like to
pursue
her in a more personal way, he knew he wouldn't. At least he thought he
wouldn't.
"You two are quite. You should be happy, we got the guy." Darien moved out of
his
seat across the small isle from his friends.
"I am happy." Claire smiled weakly at him.
"You could have fooled me. Hobbes did you check in with the Official today?"
"Yeah right before we left the police station. I told him we'd be back this
afternoon.
I told him the van broke down and we had to wait overnight for them to fix it."
"Hey, that's believable. The hunk of junk they give us to drive around." Darien
nodded.
"Yeah, but he wasn't to happy about the bill he thinks he'll be getting for the
repairs."
Bobby laughed.
"How much did you tell him?" Darien noticed a real smile playing at the corners
of
Claire's mouth, so he urged Bobby to continue.
"I told him the universal joint had gone out, it was going to cost twelve
hundred dollars
to get the van fixed." Bobby explained. "I had to hold the phone away from my
ear when
he exploded. Last I heard Eberts was trying to calm him down."
Claire burst out laughing, "You told him the bill was twelve hundred dollars? Oh
that will
make him crazy." she giggled.
Darien and Bobby joined in, laughing.
It looked like Claire was going to recover from her ordeal.
" I guess I'm glad Hobbes talked me out of beating the crap out of Devol.
There's a quote from the bible my aunt use to say, Be not overcome of evil, but
overcome
evil with good. I guess that was what we had done, what we always tried to do.
But it would have felt so good to …. I'm just glad Claire seems to be
recovering.
It was different being the one to give help for a change, but nice."
end