The Cure

AGENTS TONY DEACON AND BRUCE KERN arrived at the headquarters for Dryden Pharmaceuticals just after two that same afternoon. As they walked into the building, Bruce whistled in amazement at how lavish the lobby they entered was. The tiles on the floor were marble, and there was fine art on every wall. Clearly put together by one of the best interior decorators that money could buy. For a company that did nothing more than push drugs, the place looked more like a five-star resort rather than a corporate headquarters. Bruce couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and Tony noticed.

“Pharmaceutical Drugs are a massive industry, Agent Kerns.” Tony said as they strolled through the palace like lobby. “We’re talking billions a year in profit. Places like this are making it rich by overselling their drugs overseas and charging a hefty price to their own base here too. This place is no different than the mansion that houses a drug cartel. These people make money pushing drugs, some that I personally believe should be taken off the market.”

“Don’t hold back Tony, tell me how really feel.” Bruce requested sarcastically as they strolled through the massive foyer.

Tony laughed out loud but became all business when he reached the main desk.

“Hi there,” Tony started, “I’d like to speak to the person in charge of records.”

“I’m sorry, you’re not authorized.” The guard replied.

This is when Tony reached into his pocket and produced a badge. It was always amazing how those three navy letters on the top portion of the credentials stuck out like a sore thumb and always managed to get someone’s attention. “I’m special agent Deacon and this is Agent Kerns. We’re here to speak with the person in charge of records. I’d recommend you contact someone and ask that person to co-operate fully because I’d hate to come back with warrant and twenty more agents, and maybe even a tactical unit.”

“Let me see if I can get someone you can talk with.” The guard said before jumping on the phone at his desk. He spoke with someone on the phone for a few moments and explained what was going on and then listened to the person’s response.

“Someone will be down to speak with you in a moment.” The guard told them.

“We’ll be over there.” Tony said as he pointed to the lush sofas by the fountain.

Both Tony and Bruce walked over to the fancy sofas and sat down to relax.

“Did we get into the wrong industry or what?” Tony asked.

“Nope.” Bruce said without hesitation. “If I wanted to be a drug dealer, I would’ve stayed in the old neighborhood and did it myself.”

“Touché.” Tony said with a smile as he looked around. He wasn’t the biggest advocate of the drug industry and could tell Bruce wasn’t too keen about it either. “So, this is the house that everyone’s pills are made.”

“Well, if you thought what’s going over here is bad,” Bruce responded, “The racket they’re running here ain’t nothing compared to what’s going on in Africa. I’d shut this whole place down if I could.”

They sat there in silence after that exchange for a few moments until a lovely young lady came into the lobby to greet them.

“Hello there,” the young woman started, “My name is Sandi and I’m with the legal department. I’ve been told you requested to look at some of our records?”

“Yes, it involves a serious matter of someone that used to work here.” Tony said, as he got up off the couch. “Your co-operation would be appreciated as we could use your records to complete our investigation.”

“Well, follow me and I’ll show you to where we keep all our files.” Sandi said as she motioned them to walk towards the elevators and they did so. Once in the elevator, she hit the button for the fourteenth floor. After a few seconds they stepped out and all that was in front of them was a small room with a desk. Behind that desk was a door that likely led to where all the records were likely kept. The two agents and the lawyer walked over to the desk and the clerk looked up at them in surprise, obviously not used to seeing anyone drop by.

“Can I help you?” she asked in a not so pleasant tone.

Tony decided to adjust her attitude with his credentials, as he took out his badge and flashed it for her. “I’m Special Agent Deacon. We’re I’m here to inspect the files of a former employee of this company.”

“Name?” she asked.

“Carter, Xavier.” Bruce chipped in.

Tony watched her closely to see if there were any hints of awkwardness from the clerk or the lawyer when Bruce asked for that specific name. Neither of them gave any response to that name drop.

“I’m sorry but we don’t have any files under that name.” the clerk replied.

“Excuse me,” Tony replied as he flashed a cute smile. “But that answer is unacceptable. I know the information I’m looking for is here, and I am going to look at it. I want every scrap of paper whether it’s a report, status update of any experiment or even a receipt for a business dinner with his name on it placed that desk over there within the next half hour. If you refuse to comply, I will contact the Bureau and have a warrant rushed over here. So, I suggest you start co-operating unless you’d like to have every one of these files seized and scanned back at Quantico?”

The Clerk looked back up at Tony and could tell he was ready to gut the entire floor and take every piece of paper out the door with him. All he needed was one reason to do it. The clerk picked up the phone from her desk and made a call of her own. Tony and Bruce waited for a moment as the Clerk turned her back to both men so she could speak with her supervisors. After a moment, she turned back and put the phone back on the receiver.

“There is some information here that might be able to help you.” The clerk replied, “Give me a moment and I’ll retrieve it for you.”

Tony flashed her a friendly smile as he wasn’t the kind of guy to look a gift horse in the mouth.

“Thank you very much.” Tony said, trying his best to be polite even though he had to threaten them a few times to get what he wanted.

They waited for about twenty minutes and Tony pretty much jumped out of his chair when the clerk returned to the room with a decent sized file under her arm. Tony stood up and took the file from the clerk.

“Thank you for your co-operation,” Tony said, “We’ll give this back when our investigation has concluded.”

Sandi didn’t seem impressed when she realized they were leaving.

“You can’t take that with you.” Sandi insisted, “That’s not allowed.”

“Yes, I can, and I will,” Tony responded, his voice cracking like a whip. “Since I already have the file in my hands, I could just stand here for as long as it takes to wait for the warrant to arrive. If you make me wait for the warrant, then I’ll seize every other file you’ve got back there and not return any of them until my case is closed. My longest manhunt was nine years. Do you really want that?”

The clerk’s alleged toughness seemed to crumble as she returned to her the desk and conceded.

“Have a good day, Sir.” The clerk said with little emotion.

“To you as well,” Tony said as he tucked the file under his arm as the elevator door opened. As Tony and Bruce stepped onto the elevator Sandi tried to get on with them, but Tony held up a hand and prevented her from doing so.

“You can get the next one,” Tony instructed her, “We’re leaving anyway. The bureau thanks you for your co-operation.”

After the door closed and the elevator started to return them to the main floor, Bruce could help but give out a little chuckle.

“Is there really any judge that would have signed off on a warrant like that?” Bruce asked his new boss.

“Well,” Tony started to explain, “Getting a warrant is kind of like hitting on a pretty girl at the bar. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Never be afraid to ask for a warrant, and let the judge decide if it’s legal or not. If he or she says no, you’re no worse off than you were before.”

“Never thought of it like that,” Bruce confessed as the doors opened.

Bruce was the first to step out and as he did, he saw two hefty security guards walking towards their elevator. It was evident that Sandi had obviously tipped them off that they were leaving with company property on their person. Rather than start a physical fisticuff with the two men, Bruce drew his weapon and stopped the two men right in their tracks.

Tony smiled as he stepped off the elevator. “Draw first, ask questions later. I like the way you think, Agent Kerns.”

“What the hell?” the first guard asked as he was staring at the point of a loaded semi-automatic hand cannon. Something like what an action star would use when playing a tough cop in a cheesy action film.

“Back away!” Bruce called out, “The First man to make a move on either of us will develop a serious limp!”

“You are in possession of company property!” one of the guards replied, “We can’t allow you to leave with it. Please hand it over.”

“You mean this?” Tony said as he waved the file around. He then responded by flashing his credentials again for the third time. “This was given to me, which means it’s now the property of the federal government. If you two don’t step out of my way and let us pass, I can and will have you charged with obstruction of justice. Lay a finger on us and I’ll add assaulting an officer of the peace in too. So, unless you boys want to go to prison for the next decade, I suggest you get the hell out of my way!”

With that the two guards slowly moved to one side of the lobby, clearing the way for Tony and Bruce to walk through the lobby and out of the building.

“And I have a message for your boss,” Tony added, “Tell them that because of this blatant disrespect for my authority, I will have a warrant with me the next time I come over just as a precaution.”

“Now we wouldn’t want that Mr. Deacon.” a voice called from behind.

Tony spun around and watched as a lovely lady, tanned with fiery red hair walked over and extended her hand to him.

“You the one in charge here?” Tony asked.

“I am,” The lady replied, “Audrey Black, C.E.O of Dryden Pharmaceuticals.”

“Special Agent Tony Deacon, FBI.” Tony said as he took her hand and shook it. “Let me assure you Ms. Black that when this investigation is complete and the man I’m searching for is behind bars, I will be more than happy to return your property promptly and in the same condition as when it was given to me.”

“That sounds good enough for me.” Audrey replied, “And if you need any further information that might assist with your investigation, feel free to set up an appointment with me and I will make anyone available to assist your manhunt.”

“Thank you, Ms. Black.” Tony said, “Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.”

“Just give us a heads up before coming over,” Ms. Black requested, “And I’m make sure you’re not given any resistance.”

“I’ll do that,” Tony said, “Have a nice day.”

Tony and Bruce quickly crossed the lobby and exited the building. As he was walking back to his car, he whipped out his cell phone and made a quick call.

“Wilson,” Tony started, “Get me all the information you can on Dryden Pharmaceuticals and especially of their CEO, named Audrey Black. Why? Let’s just say their actions have made me very suspicious. They know a lot more about what is going on here and I want to find out what that is.”