Page 109 of Borrowed Pain
"Which makes doctors and nurses potential obstacles." Marcus scrawled notes across his pad. "Security following legitimate authorization protocols."
It was an operational nightmare—fighting medical professionals who thought they were protecting their own.
Andrews's phone rang. He answered on speaker, voice clipped with bureaucratic efficiency. "Dr. Humphries? You're connected to the extraction team."
"Agent Andrews." Dr. Humphries's voice was on the edge of panic. "I've coordinated with NIH and OHRP. NIH confirms no grants for Meridian Wellness; OHRP confirms no registered IRB/FWA. The oversight documents are forgeries."
"Complete fabrication?" I leaned toward the phone.
"Absolute. Meridian exists only on forged paperwork."
Andrews's hands curled into fists. Meridian had made him an unwitting accomplice to criminal activity. "Dr. Humphries, I need medical authorization to override hospital protection protocols."
"Authorization granted. Dr. McCabe's detention constitutes a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention."
Matthew organized his equipment with EMT precision, each medication arranged according to intervention priority. "Dr. Humphries, what countermeasures should I prepare for extended pharmaceutical manipulation?"
"Flumazenil for benzodiazepine antagonism, haloperidol for antipsychotic coverage, and IV thiamine for neurological protection. He may require intensive supportive care."
As the call ended, Andrews barked orders. "Medical staff are noncombatants unless they physically obstruct. Harrow and her techs are arrest targets—they know what they're doing."
I pulled out my fountain pen, needing the familiar weight in my palm. "Harrow will try to confuse hospital staff."
Andrews's phone buzzed. He glanced at the display. "Dr. Lemon returning contact." He answered immediately. "Dr. Lemon, Agent Andrews. I require immediate access to research participant Miles McCabe for federal welfare verification."
We listened to muffled institutional resistance through the speaker.
"Dr. Lemon, I understand research integrity concerns, but NIH confirms Dr. Harrow's protocols lack legitimate federal approval. We are now conducting a federal criminal investigation."
Extended conversation. Andrews's expression hardened with each exchange.
"Administrative consultation requiring twenty minutes is unacceptable. Dr. McCabe's medical welfare demands immediate federal verification."
Andrews ended the call and surveyed our assembled team. "Entry approved."
Michael shouldered his tactical bag. "Breach protocol?"
"Standard federal extraction operation. I lead, and you follow operational guidelines. Rowan provides behavioral analysis support." Andrews secured his sidearm. "Hospital security will escort us to the isolation levels. Once we verify Dr. McCabe's medical condition, we possess full federal authority to extract him from harmful circumstances."
I stared at the building schematic. "Matthew, what's the response time for your countermeasures?"
"Depends on what dosage and the period of exposure." He loaded syringes with emergency room efficiency. "Optimal scenario: twenty minutes to restore cognitive clarity. Worst case scenario..."
He left the sentence hanging. None of us wanted to consider permanent psychological damage.
The institutional machinery aligned in our favor, but it meant nothing if Miles's mind was beyond recovery.
I followed Andrews to the entrance. After three years of investigating alone, I was finally operating within federal authority instead of circumventing it.
The automatic doors whispered open. The lobby bustled with legitimate medical care—families visiting patients and staff coordinating treatment protocols.
Dr. Lemon met us at the administrative checkpoint. She was younger than I'd expected, maybe in her early forties, and she was harried but efficient.
Two security guards flanked her—hospital employees, not federal agents. "Dr. Harrow specifically warned us about potential interference from anti-therapy extremists," Dr. Lemon said. "She indicated that federal oversight might be infiltrated by groups opposed to breakthrough trauma research."
Andrews pulled out his phone. "Dr. Humphries at Johns Hopkins is standing by to provide medical authority. Would you like direct confirmation from NIH program officers?"
Dr. Lemon called off any resistance, and she led us into the elevator, pressing the button for Sublevel 2. "Research protocols require strict confidentiality," she said as we descended. "Dr. McCabe signed extensive documentation agreeing to isolation procedures."
