Michael Palmer

by The Last Surgeon

  MacCandliss had never had reason to use the emergency number before. After dialing, he hung up at the sound of a tone and synced the iPod with his computer, as he had been instructed. The sync operation added a new track to the iPod playlist. It wasn’t a song, but a computer voice detailing the specific location at the zoo, and the time when his contact would be waiting. He synced the iPod again to erase the track.

  His instructions were to proceed into the zoo from the Lot B entrance at precisely eleven o’clock, buy a box of Cracker Jack, and then take Olmsted Walk past the Reptile Discovery Center. At that point, he was to put the iPod headphones on and await additional instructions. MacCandliss wondered about the early hour. He had heard that crowds were the friend of the Agency. To his surprise, there were already hordes of people strolling the paved walkways, along with field trips that included what seemed to be every grammar and middle school student within fifty miles of the city.

  Coincidence? Doubtful.

  This was the first time in over five years that MacCandliss had set foot inside the place. Not coincidentally, it had also been more than five years since he had seen, or even spoken to Melissa, seventeen, and Cassie, now fifteen. La Bitch had made certain of that. Years of bad-mouthing him and accusing him of abuse had the girls acting as if he was a cobra. His only regret now was not having smacked Denise more often when they were married. At least then the girls would have something to get over with their therapists.

  Feeling as uncomfortable as if he were trying on new shoes, MacCandliss continued to walk the park. The heat was forecast to be near record high and he wished he had dressed lighter. He saw a boy, about six, standing in front of the glass-enclosed gorilla yard. The child clung to the string of his red balloon with one hand while slurping down a slush he held with the other. The toxic neon blue drink had stained the bottom half of his face. MacCandliss had little patience for children—even when his daughters were small. As he neared, the boy ducked under the guard railing and banged on the glass.

  “Hi, gorilla!” the boy called out. “Can you say hello?”

  The boy’s mother, a modestly dressed, somewhat frumpy woman in her late thirties, knelt down beside the youth to encourage her child’s exuberance. MacCandliss cringed.

  “It’s not a parrot,” he said to the child. “It’s an ape and apes don’t talk.”

  The boy spun around, but moved too quickly and accidentally let go of his balloon. MacCandliss watched as the diminishing red dot shrank into the cloudless sky.

  Another reason to hate zoos, MacCandliss decided. Balloons.

  “That wasn’t very nice,” the boy’s mother snapped.

  “But it was nevertheless, madam, the truth,” he said, handing her a ten. “Good day.”

  The truth.

  His job was all about sifting through a dung heap of lies searching for it. How many vets had embellished their psychiatric symptoms just to steal from the taxpayers by way of the government, MacCandliss wondered as he strolled off in victory. What he hated most about his job at the VA were the times when he was forced to be the liars’ enabler. It sickened him. What he enjoyed most was blocking PTSD benefit pay and watching how fast a seemingly helpless, hapless vet found sustainable work.

  Of course standing up to the PTSD sissies was an unpopular position within the VA, though he knew of other bureaucrats who secretly felt the same way he did. Support for crooks left the best impression with his superiors, along with the highest probability for promotion. The key was doing things by the book . . . but precisely by the book. As long as the denial of benefits appeared to fit within regulatory guidelines, the claims administrator who paid out the least was the one who got the most.

  But the call from Jericho, now years ago, had shown him that there were possible shortcuts if a man were willing to take some chances, and accepting Jericho’s proposal had been a no-brainer.

  Now, for the first time since becoming part of the operation, his future was under attack. There had been a security breach at the Vermont Avenue VA office. He adjusted his iPod headphones.

  “Hello?” he said softly. “Anybody there?”

  Silence.

  He continued along Olmsted Walk, listening for his contact. He wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. He was just passing underneath the heavy overhead wires by which the orangutans traversed the road from one cage to another when a man’s deep voice spoke to him.

  “Look up,” the voice said.

  MacCandliss did as instructed and immediately spied three hideously ugly orangutans, traveling hand over hairy hand across the O Line from the Think Tank to the Great Ape House on the opposite side of the walkway.

  “Beautiful creatures, aren’t they,” the voice said. “I didn’t want you to miss that.”

  “Where are you?” MacCandliss asked.

  “I’m here. That’s all you need to know.”

  “Jericho?”

  “Call me that if you wish. Just keep walking. You don’t have to speak so loudly. Your iPod was put together by people who know what they’re doing. Don’t move your lips too much and you’ll appear as though you’re singing to yourself. Understand?”

  Cloak-and-dagger, MacCandliss thought. These guys love cloak-and-dagger. He couldn’t tell if this was the same man who had initially contacted him on his unlisted home phone, offering him a chance to help his country and his bank account. In exchange for his services, MacCandliss was promised a significant jump in job grade and salary level. A no-brainer. Two days later, he was called into his supervisor’s office and informed he’d been promoted.

  “Proceed to Lemur Island,” the voice said.

  “Aren’t those the animals that would follow each other anywhere, even off a cliff?”

  “That would be a lemming, Mr. MacCandliss, and it’s a myth that the rodents commit mass suicide. Clearly, you’re not much of an animal lover.”

  “Only if they’re grilled medium rare and smothered with onions.”

  “Very well, Mr. MacCandliss. Assume that I can see you. Stop when you reach Lemur Island and look at the exhibit while we talk. Under no circumstances are you to turn around. Do not try to figure out who or where I am. Is that understood?”

  MacCandliss felt a surge of anger. He was treated like one of them, but only when it suited their purposes. Well, they were anonymous and he was set to take a fall if the security breach wasn’t straightened out. All he could do was to follow Jericho’s instructions and supply them with some names. Perhaps it was time to up the ante on his services.

  When MacCandliss was in position at Lemur Island, the voice again spoke to him through his headset.

  “You sent word you needed to speak with us?”

  “At the weekly staff meeting at my office, we discussed security measures in the wake of a breach at the Vermont Avenue building.”

  “I wasn’t aware.”

  “Neither was I. Then I read the official report.”

  “And?”

  “A man—a young black man from what we can tell—using a bogus ID, hacked into the desktop computer of a low-level account specialist, then almost got caught getting away. Computer forensics traced the specific files that had been compromised and included that information in their report. The intruder was looking for Manny Ferris, one of our guys.” There was a prolonged silence. “Are you still there?”

  “I’m here. Do you know who the person was?”

  “No. But I did get a copy of the security tape. It looks like a boy—a teenager—but I don’t know who he is. As usual with the stone-age equipment they buy from convenience stores and allocate to the VA, the camera didn’t get a clear shot of his face.”

  “Do you have the tape with you?”

  “Of course.”

  No “nice job” or “great work.”

  “We have ways of figuring those things out,” the voice said. “Now listen carefully. I want you to put the tape in your Cracker Jack box and drop it into the trash receptacle to your left. Then leave the park
the way you came in. We’ll be in touch.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yes. That’s it.”

  “Look, I’m not comfortable with this anymore. Unlike most everyone in the VA system, the computer forensics people actually know what they’re doing. I did a lot of research for you. There are ways to connect me to Ferris.”

  “I said we’ll be in touch.”

  “That’s not enough anymore,” MacCandliss snapped, aware of a sudden flush of nervous perspiration. “I want information. I want to know exactly what I’m putting my neck on the line for.”

  “We promised you promotions and you’ve gotten them.”

  “Well, that’s not enough anymore. My job security might be shot. If these forensics people keep digging, I may end up in front of a judicial hearing. I want to know what I’m involved in. I don’t know how deep this thing goes, but I’m guessing deep enough.” MacCandliss could not believe what he was hearing his own voice saying. “Forget the promotions,” he went on, “I want cash and I want information, or I’m going to dial forensics’ number before they dial mine.”

  “I . . . see. And what sized . . . bonus do you think would be appropriate?”

  “Half a million should cover what I would stand to lose from my pension if this situation blows up and I have to run,” MacCandliss replied, the uncertainty now gone from his voice.

  “Thank you for bringing these matters to our attention, Mr. MacCandliss. I understand your position and I will see that your concerns are addressed. Please rest assured that you will be well taken care of.”

  “I’m deadly serious,” MacCandliss said.

  “Oh, so are we.”

  CHAPTER 23

  When his phone rang—the Bach Organ Fugue in G Minor Koller had programmed for that number—he knew Jillian Coates was calling Paul Regis. He answered on the fifth ring, already in character.

  “Yes,” he said, as his mind traveled back to that day in her condominium, seizing upon the details that made her put so much trust and faith in the insurance investigator.

  “Hello, is this Paul?”

  “Yes it is,” Koller said. “Can I help you?”

  “Paul, it’s Jillian Coates. You were at my condo last week.”

  “Jillian, of course.” Koller made certain his voice revealed both surprise and delight at her call. “What can I do for you?”

  “Well, I was speaking with a friend of mine. Well, not really a friend. We just met actually.”

  Naturally, she was talking about Dr. Nick Garrity. Koller had followed her to the Helping Hands Mobile Medical Unit, but had tired of waiting for her when an hour passed after she disappeared inside the RV. He had returned to his hotel and done some research on Garrity’s operation, and knew enough about the onetime army doctor and his shoestring-budget medical RV to feel certain that the man was hardly a threat.

  “So,” he said, drumming his fingers on the desk, “does this new friend have anything to do with me?”

  “No,” Jillian said, her laugh sounding somewhat forced. “I went to see him because . . . because we have some friends in common. In passing, I happened to mention the fire and my persistent suspicion that having my sister being murdered one day and my apartment burning down just a couple of weeks later seems like more than a coincidence. He agreed with me, and promised to speak with a friend of his who is a detective on the Washington police force.”

  “Do you know this detective’s name?”

  Koller was bouncing the eraser more rapidly and forcefully.

  Stupid Jericho!

  “I don’t know his name,” Jillian said, “but I was wondering if you might send me a copy of your report so my friend Nick can take it to him?”

  “Of course. Where are you staying?”

  Jillian gave him the address of the nursing school dorm, which he had already written down.

  “I’m so grateful to you, Paul. Do you expect to be in D.C. any time soon?”

  “Not that I know of, but I’ll see what I can do.”

  “I’m still busy trying to find a lead on Belle’s murderer, and I’ve used up most of my vacation time at work, but as soon as things slow down for me, I’ll call, okay?”

  “That would be terrific,” Koller said, wondering why she almost certainly was lying about how she knew Garrity. “Listen, I’ll get a copy of the report and get it right off to you tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Paul. You’re the best.”

  “No, Jillian Coates, you are.”

  CHAPTER 24

  “This is easy. How about giving me something really hard to do.”

  Reggie shifted his gaze between the two computer monitors crammed side-by-side on his makeshift board-and-cinderblock desk, as his fingers deftly worked two keyboards simultaneously. It was hard for Nick to believe that he had known the kid for more than two years, during which Reggie Smith’s remarkable intellect and abilities had never been disclosed.

  With Jillian’s guidance, Manny Ferris had managed to break through whatever had damaged his brain enough to single out a view of the rear of the Lincoln Memorial as being particularly disturbing to him. Now, it was crucial to determine precisely where he had been and, at least as important, why he had been there.

  Nick, Jillian, and Junie stood clustered behind the gangly teen, who was nothing short of a digital maestro, conducting his symphony from the comfort of his well-worn swivel chair with no small flair for showmanship. Nick was aware of Jillian’s closeness—the pressure of her shoulder against his, the fresh scent of her hair. He knew what was happening, but after so many years, he had trouble believing it.

  The photograph that Ferris had selected provided more than enough information for Reggie. He began with Google Maps and brought in some software of his own. There was an air of tense anticipation as he worked. In all, after re-creating the trees lining the Potomac, it took him no more than three minutes to locate what he said was the only building from which Manny Ferris could have a view across the river to the rear of the Lincoln Memorial.

  “Voilà!” the teen announced triumphantly. “This is it.”

  With a flourish, he struck one more key and the monitors simultaneously changed their displays to show the same image. Nick and Jillian leaned close to get a better look as Reggie used his mouse to zoom in on the building.

  “So explain to me how you figured this out?” Nick asked.

  “Basically, I used Google’s massive database of images, which can be overlaid with different views like street detail, terrain, trees, even satellite imagery. When I typed the landmark, Lincoln Memorial, into the search field, I was able to use the hybrid map and satellite view to pinpoint buildings on the same latitude. Based on distance, I wrote a custom software program to calculate the number of stories high a building would have to be in order to get that view. That narrowed it down to this building here in Arlington, Virginia. That’s all there was to it. Did you follow me?”

  “Of course I did,” Nick said, his tongue firmly in his cheek. “I am, after all, an M.D.”

  “I live only a few miles away from there,” Jillian said. “I think I know that building.”

  With another touch of his computer mouse, Reggie changed views so that instead of looking down on the building from the satellite perspective they could see it from the street level, as if they were looking at it head on.

  “Oh, the Web is a beautiful thing,” Reggie sang softly, “a beautiful thing, a beautiful thing.”

  “Amazing,” Nick said now. “I used to think I was traveling on the cutting edge of information technology. Now this stuff is like elfin magic to me.”

  “Nah, you just didn’t grow up with it, is all,” Jillian said.

  “Right. For me Pong was revolutionary.”

  “Pong?” Reggie asked.

  “Never mind,” Nick and Jillian answered in unison, exchanging amused glances. Nick could not help but continue to look at her. She was vibrant and at ease, and carried herself with a natural energy and grace. As q
uick as the urge to take her into his arms came, images of Sarah invaded his thoughts.

  I’m just not ready, he told himself. Somehow, though, the words seemed more hollow than usual.

  “Reggie, can you zoom in any closer?” Jillian asked. “I think I know what that building is for.”

  “Right on,” Reggie said, again changing the view.

  “I do know it. I’ve ridden my bike past there a bunch of times. It’s a medical spa. I think they also do plastic surgery there.”

  “Plastic surgery,” Nick said. “I’ll bet Manny was a patient there.”

  “Hang on. Let me get the address. Then I should be able to look up the business name.”

  In seconds Reggie had found not only the business name and address, but also the company’s Web page.

  “Singh Medical Spa and Cosmetic Surgery Center, 167 Andover Avenue, Arlington, Virginia,” Nick read. “It says on the Web site the business is owned by the world-famous—that’s what it says, world-famous—plastic surgeon Paresh M. Singh.”

  “Look at his picture,” Jillian said. “He’s sort of cute. I like the granny glasses.”

  “So what’s next?” Junie asked.

  “I could get that nose job you’ve been telling me I need,” Nick suggested, “and then scope the place out.”

  Junie and Reggie laughed.

  “Wait, that might not be such a bad idea,” Jillian said. “We do need to get into that building and have a look around. Scheduling some sort of a tour of the place seems like the right thing to do.”

  Junie nodded.

  “And you would get that tour because . . .”

  “Because I’m going to have major work done and want to visit several of the best plastic surgery centers before deciding where to have it.”

  “And your husband, Dr. Deeppockets here, of course wants to accompany you,” Junie said.

  “Husband?” Nick replied.

  “I’ve always said you’re a great catch.”

  “Very cute,” he said. “Thanks for the suggestion.”