by Bill Evans
“What do we got, Dan?”
Officer Balcik scratched his head, and then shrugged.
“What we got John, is a real mystery here. I haven’t seen the CCTV video yet, but it looks like dry ice was being used in a Halloween play. The ice was supposed to be used as a special effect, but in reality it was ultimately deployed to create some kind of diversion.”
“Why do you say that Dan?”
“I know it sounds crazy John, but someone intentionally placed a large quantity of the ice into the ventilator system. Of course, this in itself would not be harmful. However, with the so-called “smoke” pouring through, it appeared to be something much worse. One thing led to another, and before you knew it, the entire floor erupted into a…for lack of a better word, a full-blown fiasco. You would have thought terrorists had dumped a load of Agent Orange or something into this place.”
Officer Kane whistled, and then began looking around. He suddenly turned to his partner.
“Is everyone on the floor accounted for…including staff as well as patients?”
“No-that’s the damndest thing about it. One patient has not yet been found. He has to be here somewhere. You cannot just leave this floor without the proper security clearance. Only a few of the higher-ranking employees have these credentials. Designated charge nurses, doctors, etc., are the only officially screened employees who can buzz their way out of here.”
_____
Gregor staggered around the adjacent streets to the hospital, trying to gain his bearings. He saw a nearby trash can, and thought it best to discard the white lab coat, so as not to call attention to himself. Surely, Green Man was hot on his trail.
Gregor needed time to think.
My, how the tide has turned.
Gregor the pursuer. Gregor the entrapper. Gregor the-whatever- had gone from being the hunter to now being “the hunted”.
Gregor snickered aloud. My how he liked the thought of being the hunted. There were so many more advantages to being in that position. Any book on warfare would bear out that premise. Besides, being the hunted carried a certain amount of mystique or aura to it.
Gregor loved being a man of mystery.
_____
“Officer Balcik. We have combed the area. The patient named Gregor Schuster still is not accounted for. Awaiting further instructions sir.”
Officer Kane sprang from his seat. He had a look of disbelief on his face.
“Dan, did he just say Gregor Schuster? Isn’t he the nut case we arrested about a year ago? If that’s true, we need to find him quick. That psychopath is capable of just about anything.”
Officer Balcik’s face turned red and the veins in his neck protruded, as he nodded in agreement.
“So we have a missing person case-and that person happens to be one of the most dangerous criminally insane minds in the history of the State of Vermont. Great-just great!”
Officer Balcik took a few deep breaths. He looked at his partner. “That damned Dr. Pricener is to blame for all of this. He has some serious explaining to do.”
Officer Kane quickly agreed.
“Patrolman Howe. Find Dr. Pricener and bring him to me immediately,” Officer Balcik snarled.
“Yes sir,” the subordinate officer responded and quickly left the room
Officer Balcik then turned to Officer Kane.
“Well partner, are you ready to deal with the media? This is going to be the most high profile missing person report in the history of this State.”
Kane nodded his assent as both officers turned to exit.
They stopped.
Someone was sprinting down the hallway and in their direction.
Officer Howe burst breathlessly into the room.
“We have a lot more than a missing person case,” the officer said while gasping.
Officers Kane and Balcik looked quizzically at the hyper-tense patrolman.
“Explain yourself Officer Howe,” the agitated Officer Balcik demanded impatiently.
“Errr…well. Let’s put it this way,” Howe stammered.
“We found Dr. Pricener.”
GREEN MAN MUST PAY
(part thirty seven)
Officer Balcik raced down the hallway with Officer Kane following closely behind. Both Officers simultaneously stumbled into the office. The attending paramedic crew had just finished “working” Dr. Pricener.
“What’s the status? Give me details quickly-and now.”
The expressionless lead paramedic turned slowly toward the inquiring Officer Balcik. He shrugged.
“No pulse. No heartbeat. Rigor mortis has set into the extremities.”
Both officers looked on with their mouths agape. No one responded.
“We have pronounced the victim deceased,” the dead panned paramedic continued in a monotone voice. “Do you want us to call the coroner to pick up the body?”
The stunned Officer Balcik quickly regained his composure.
“Everybody out-and don’t touch anything.”
The paramedics quickly packed their devices and gear, while the no-nonsense Officer Balcik lightly tapped his foot nervously. As the crew quietly tiptoed out of the office, Officer Balcik reached for his walkie-talkie.
“I want forensics down here to process this scene. And get me the County Medical Examiner here stat. I need ‘time of death’ to be established. Red ball it.”
“10-4 Officer Balcik. Message received,” the dispatcher replied with a garbled response.
The room grew quiet as the two stunned officers gazed on at the grotesque sight before them. Dr. Priceners’ eyes were bulging, and his now purplish head had swollen to the size of a basketball. His body swung back and forth ever so slightly… like a pendulum.
Why would he hang himself? And perhaps what was even more puzzling, why would he use an exercise band to do the deed?
Yet-there he was. Hanging from the overhead ceiling fan. Swinging back and forth.
And there it was. A tightly stretched bright canary yellow elastic band…wrapped repeatedly around his elongated, ashen colored throat.
_____
Gregor wandered into the city’s very busy and expansive metropolitan bus terminal. He occasionally glanced over his shoulder to make sure that he wasn’t being followed. By blending seamlessly into the throngs of people that seemed to be everywhere, Gregor was reasonably certain that he hadn’t been detected. Of course, he could never be certain. Green Man had duped him only too many times in the past. Gregor could never be truly certain of just about anything. Yet, one thing was for sure. Gregor knew he had to get the hell out of town.
Time fer you to get out of Dodge, cowboy, Gregor mused.
There was that radiant sense of humor, shining through once again. Gregor thought it was important to scoff in the face of adversity. This was yet another of a litany of traits that set Gregor apart from the masses that surrounded him. Gregor knew he was lucky to have been so gifted. To even his own amazement, he was continually resilient, no matter what the odds. It was no wonder he was admired and respected by those that knew him well.
It’s just a shame that y’all don’t live long enough to tell about it, Gregor thought, as he reminisced about all of the friends and family he had lost over the years.
Gregor thought he was going to cry.
He then grasped his sides as he fell into a convulsive fit of hysterical laughter.
GREEN MAN MUST PAY
(part thirty eight)
There was an unusual ‘buzz’ going on amongst the crowd in the busy terminal. Gregor wasn’t sure what was happening. One thing was for certain, there sure seemed to be a large number of police officers in the area. Gregor was glad. He felt safer.
Gregor asked a few pedestrians passing by, about what was happening. No one seemed certain. However, one of the passers-by did say
something alarming. She said something about the police looking for an escaped psychopath. She said he was a danger to us all. She didn’t seem too concerned.
Gregor on the other hand, was petrified by the news. What was this world coming to? You couldn’t even walk the streets anymore without being fearful about something.
Out of morbid curiosity, Gregor approached one of the uniformed officers in the area. The officer had a handful of flyers detailing a description of the escaped felon. Gregor didn’t want to see the flyer. It would frighten him too badly.
“Officer, pardon the interruption. Could you kindly inform me as to what the excitement is all about?”
The officer looked annoyed. He had obviously had a long day, and was looking surly.
“Give me some i.d. pal.”
This request took Gregor aback. He fumbled through his pants pockets and fished out his wallet. He provided it to the police officer.
“Uh…ok Doc. You check out. Go ahead through to the transit area. Sorry to detain you.”
Gregor smiled weakly and returned the wallet. He thought he’d better not say anything else.
As he began to walk away, the officer called to Gregor. “Hey Doc Pricener. You want one of these flyers? There’s a picture of the escaped lunatic from the psych ward on this here flyer. Personally, I don’t think he’s within 500 miles of this place. But hey, you never know for sure.”
“Heavens no, officer,” Gregor candidly replied. “I’m frightened enough as it is. Why just the thought of a maniac running around the streets is unnerving enough.”
Gregor just couldn’t bring himself to look at the photo on the flyer.
Luckily for Gregor, the officer hadn’t looked too carefully at the photo either.
_____
Gregor waited patiently in the long line at the ticket counter. Eventually he made his way to the front.
“Sorry for the long delay,” the smiling clerk said with what appeared to be sincere empathy. “How may I help you?”
“I’d like to purchase a ticket to…” Gregor fumbled with his wallet and then dropped it on the ground. He bent over, only to stumble, and then drop the wallet yet again. Gregor arose red faced and smiling sheepishly.
“A thousand apologies my friend,” Gregor said with embarrassment. “I guess I’m just a bundle of nerves because of this psych patient being at large.”
“You’re safe here buddy,” the clerk said assuredly. “You’ve already been cleared by the police. Everyone in this area has been cleared. The psycho isn’t in here. That’s for sure. You can relax.”
Gregor exhaled in relief. He felt a bit better.
“The other thing is,” the clerk continued, “we just got word a couple of minutes ago. Turns out this escaped psychopath actually killed a doctor at the psych ward. They are really gonna turn up the heat now to try to catch him.”
Gregor’s legs almost gave out from under him. He was going to faint.
“Hey pal…you alright?”
Gregor quickly regained his composure and smiled warmly at the clerk. He calmly peeled several twenty-dollar bills from his wallet and gave them to the clerk.
“I’d like a one-way ticket to Poughkeepsie please.”
GREEN MAN MUST PAY
(part thirty nine)
“Look-there’s where the smoke starts filtering into the crowd.”
Officers Kane and Balcik scooted up closer to the hospital CCTV monitor and stared in wide-eyed astonishment.
“I can’t believe it. The smoke just engulfed them, and they just sat there, calm as could be. What the hell were they thinking?”
“I don’t know partner,” Balcik offered. “They just didn’t think anything bad was going to happen.”
“Yeah. It’s like they were waiting for some kind of superhero or something to save the day.”
The officers continued watching in astonishment as the chain of recent events unfolded.
“Freeze it right there. Now backtrack ten seconds.”
The technician did as Kane requested.
“What is that sound, Dan? It sounds like someone screamed “toxic gas”, or “noxious gas”, or something like that. Do you hear it?”
Officer Balcik agreed, as the technician played back the segment several more times.
“It was then that the chaos ensued,” Balcik mumbled. “It was like the person who said the words tried to incite the crowd into panic mode. This provocation was deliberate. But who said the words?”
The Officers watched on, as the bedlam unfolded once again, on camera, right before their very eyes.
_____
“You know, it’s uncomfortable watching this whole thing again and again. The confusion and disarray is mind-boggling. Aren’t these staff members supposed to be trained for emergencies?”
“You said it partner,” Balcik replied. He then squinted at the monitor screen.
“Now look here. Let’s look more closely at this again. This is where Dr. Pricener takes charge, and starts directing people to safety.”
The two officers looked on, as the gallant white lab coat clad doctor took charge of the situation.
“You know John, it’s curious as to how this Dr. Pricener went from being a hero, to being found hanged only hours later. The timeline doesn’t add up.” The officer paused while shaking his head in frustration. “Frankly this whole mystery doesn’t add up.”
There was silence as both officers stared at the tv monitor. Officer Kane then suddenly sprang from his seat.
“Dan-I think I’ve got it,” Kane interjected. He then turned to the film technician.
“Can you get me close up of Dr. Pricener’s face?”
“Err..I’ll try. I don’t know if I can get the focus close enough. Besides, all of the smoke sort of…”
“Just do it,” Balcik growled angrily. The technician promptly began zooming-in on the man wearing the lab coat.
“There…stop.” The technician froze the frame. For just a millisecond, the smoke had drifted away to expose the face. The face of…Gregor.
“Holy crap. That’s not Dr. Pricener. It’s that Gregor guy.”
Kane looked closely while nodding. He looked at Balcik.
“Yep. Clear as a bell. No doubt about it. Well I’ll be a son of a…”
“We’ve gotta move partner,” Balcik interrupted.
“We don’t have a missing person case anymore. We have a murder on our hands now, pal.”
_____
“Yes, that’s right commander,” Kane explained.
“Apparently after hanging the doctor, the perp assumed his identity. Yes…yes…he badged and buzzed his way out of the hospital during all of the commotion. Look, we know this guy. We’ve had him before, but could never pin anything on him for long. He’s psychotic and extremely dangerous. We need to put out an APB out on him. For the sake and well-being of the community, we’d better put all of our available resources together to get him off the streets…before he strikes again.”
GREEN MAN MUST PAY
(part forty)
“Next stop-Albany.”
The announcement awakened Gregor. He stretched and yawned as the bus pulled into the pickup/dropoff point at the truck stop. There would be a 15-minute break before the bus departed. Gregor decided to get out and stretch his legs. Maybe he’d get a candy bar.
As he walked around the parking lot, Gregor thought he had heard muffled musical sounds coming from a distance. It sounded like an organ.
“Oh, that. Well friend, that there’s the carnival. It’s in town till Friday,” the courteous deli clerk replied to Gregor’s inquiry. “Are you gonna go? I was there day before yesterday. I’m gonna try to make it over there again before they leave.”
“Uhh…it wasn’t in my plans. I’m not sure.”
“It would be your loss
if you didn’t go, especially since it’s within walking distance and all,” the deli clerk responded with casual indifference. She then rung Gregor up for the candy bar. Gregor sauntered away, while unwrapping his sweet treat.
Gregor got to thinking. Would it really do any harm to head on over to the carnival? It would most likely be fun-and interesting.
Maybe they even have a bearded lady.
_____
Gregor squinted as he tried to read the sign posted on the cyclone fencing, which surrounded the tents and displays. He grew more and more excited as “THE CARNY” in large lettering came into focus. The sign was scripted in brilliant candy-apple red lettering, and was outlined with multi-colored blinking neon lighting. The display was also littered with professionally drawn caricature paintings of clowns on a flying trapeze.
Very tastefully done, Gregor thought, as he hurriedly made his way through the turnstile.
Gregor could not decide where to go first. The smell of hotdogs and cotton candy wafted through the air, and made his stomach grumble. Spinning lights, spinning carousels, spinning wheels…everywhere, lent to the “honky tonk” aura that made carnivals so special. Ringing bells, whistles blowing, carnival barkers shouting, all added to the intoxicating allure.
If heaven existed, it would probably resemble a carnival.
_____
Gregor had his decision “decided” for him. The craziest thing somewhat just happened. It all started when a very long clown, walking on stilts, crossed his path. The large footed, bulbous and red-nosed clown tooted one of those horns that unravels and then contracts a large colorful paper stream. This immediately grabbed Gregor’s attention. Just like the pied piper, the mesmerized Gregor was led by the ambling clown, to a very large tent near the center of the grounds.
“This way sir, this way ladies and gentlemen,” a spry little man dressed in tails and a top hat urged the crowd.
Gregor felt himself being funneled into the tent entrance walkway by the throng of people behind him. What was the attraction?
Gregor glanced up to catch a glimpse of the marquee.
