REVENGE Part 1
by Margaret Davis
The television anchorman continued his synopsisof the days events in spite of the disinterested audience. Twenty mensat in front of the TV, some in bathrobes, others in casual clothesand one in a business suit. To the casual observer they were a groupassembled to watch the news program. Under close observation,however, the blank stares, the ritual of repeated gestures and thehospital bracelets told another story, a story of mental illness. Thebarred windows, locked doors and restraints close at hand, warned ofviolence. These patients were a risk to themselves andothers.
Ward 7 of the Mayfield Institute was reservedfor patients whose mental illness made them non-functional. Theseverity of their symptoms was beyond the control of conventionaldosages of drugs. The high doses they required caused some extremeside effects and sometimes produced a zombie-type behavior. Thepatient/staff ratio was three to one, an indication that thedeceptively docile atmosphere of this evening was not thenorm.
Steven Bass stared out the window wonderingwhen they would come for him. Bernie had found him, had asked himquestions about Cathy and that inhuman thing that put him in thiswheelchair and in this place. Cathy had used all her legal skills tohave him imprisoned here with all these loonies, she must have. Nowthat he had been able to talk with someone and tell the truth, itwould only be a short time until he was released.
Suddenly Steven heard her voice. Was shehere? Turning, he realized she was being interviewed on thenews.
"Miss Chandler, is the District Attorneythrowing the book at Andrew Warner because he used to work in youroffice?" The tone of the question indicated what the reporterbelieved.
"The District Attorney has found probable causeto charge Mr. Warner with murder. We are here to see that justice isserved. That's all I can say at this time. Thank you."
"Miss Chandler, what about the violent mannerin which the victim died?"
"There is seldom any justification for violenceagainst helpless victims. The District Attorney is proceeding withthe case in the standard manner."
"Liar, liar!" Steven's rage boiled over intoaction. Rolling himself forward, he pushed at the TV and knocked itover before the nurse could get to him.
It took three of them to wrestle him intorestraints and get him into solitary confinement. Each wondered whatthey would have needed, if Steven Bass had use of his legs. It wasnot a pleasant thought.
Assistant District Attorney Joe Maxwell arrivedin the office on this Friday morning in a state of sartorialelegance, that caused a number of whistles as he walked through theoffice.
"Hey, can't a guy get a new suit now and then?"Joe tried to keep a frown on his face, but a grin broke through as heopened his office door.
In his breast pocket were two tickets to "ThePhantom of the Opera," a major investment. When your favorite ladydoctor had a Friday night free and loved both music and Italian food,serious planning was in order. They would have dinner at his favoriterestaurant in Astoria. Then to the theater, and afterwards... well,better not plan too far ahead. At least she had promised to leave herbeeper at home.
The tall man was slightly breathless as hehurried through the door to the District Attorney's offices. Atelephone call had assured him that Miss Chandler had not left theoffice. Now if he could just get the District Attorney to see him,maybe they could interrupt the chain of events that had unfolded overthe last two days.
"Yes sir, may I help you?" the youngreceptionist queried.
"I need to see the District Attorneyimmediately. It is a matter of utmost urgency."
"He's out of the office until Monday. Couldsomeone else help you?"
"Who is Miss Chandler's supervisor?"
Looks like Cathy is in big trouble,again, thought Marilou as she escorted the man to Joe Maxwell'soffice.
"Mr. Maxwell, this gentleman asked to seeDistrict Attorney Moreno. Since he's gone, he wants to talk to MissChandler's supervisor," she announced.
Joe looked up from the deposition list for nextweek, as the lanky, blonde man entered his office. What had Cathydone or not done to cause such a anguished expression? Well, he'dfind out soon enough.
The man introduced himself as Dr. Mark Richardsof the Mayfield Institute. He closed the door before sitting on thecouch in front of Joe's desk.
"Dr. Richards, how can I help you?"
"Is Miss Chandler still in theoffice?
"Suppose you tell me what's theproblem."
"Please, don't let her leave! It's vital forher safety!"
The doctor's concern for Cathy was contagious.Joe decided he should go check on her. He excused himself and closedthe door before going around the corner to her office.
An elderly woman sat in a chair by Cathy'sdesk. Joe paused near them and waited until Cathy lookedup.
"Excuse me, could I interrupt you for a minute,Cathy?"
"Mrs. Arnold, I'll be right back." As Catherinestepped away from the desk, she whispered, "What is it? She was justgetting settled down enough to answer questions."
"Radcliffe, do you know a Dr. Mark Richardsfrom the Mayfield Institute? He's in my office and says you're insome kind of danger."
A chill ran down Cathy's spine at the name.Steven Bass was at Mayfield. Bernie Spirko had questioned him therewhen he was after Vincent. Could Steven have convinced the doctorthat Vincent was real and not his imaginary creation?
Joe watched the color drain out of Cathy'sface, in a remarkable example of the descriptive term. He took herarm and steered her into the empty conference room next door. Herknees seemed to give way as he guided her to a chair.
"Stay right here, I'll be right back," hesaid.
Joe ushered the elderly woman out of theoffice. "Miss Chandler has been called away on an emergency. We'll bein touch next week."
Joe sat on the corner of the desk and looked atCathy. She had composed herself somewhat, and now looked at himsteadily. "You want to tell me what's going on,Radcliffe?"
"Joe, I... I don't know this doctor. What doeshe want with me?"
"I don't know. He asked to talk to me, but Ithink we should both hear what he has to say. Okay?"
Cathy nodded and they walked to Joe's office tohear the doctor's story.
Vincent firmly grasped his end of the bundle oftwo-by-fours. Cullen had the other end. Mouse waited for them to putthe lumber on the tunnel floor. They were closing off a tunnelentrance. One of the lookouts had seen a man loitering in the vacantbuilding that had a concealed entrance in the basement. They changedentrance/exits on a regular basis to avoid detection, but thesighting had made it imperative to change this entrancenow.
As he stood resting for a minute, Vincent feltCatherine's uneasiness. He concentrated his thoughts on their bond,but she was still in the office. He would have to wait until she wenthome to find out what had distressed her.
Dr. Richards rose to his feet as Joe and Cathyentered the office. Joe introduced Cathy and pulled a chair close forher. Dr. Richards was clearly uncomfortable with Cathy present, hedid not want to frighten her. Joe assured him that whatever he had tosay, should be said to both of them.
When the doctor still hesitated, Cathy spokeup. "Dr. Richards, does this have anything to do with StevenBass?"
By correctly guessing the reason for his visit,Cathy seemed to put the doctor at ease, and he began to tell them thestory.
"Stephen Bass has had a history of violentbehavior in the time he had been in Mayfield. He is confined to awheelchair from the accident that had preceded his commitment. Hisdiagnosis is paranoid schizophrenia. He claims to have been thevictim of a huge, non-human creature. Evidence gathered at the scenewhere he was injured suggested he had run through a plate glasswindow.
"Over the years we have tried a number of drugsand other therapy to alleviate his schizophrenic symptoms. We’vefound that once results are seen and the patient can expressthemselves clearly, they find the side effects so debilitating thatthey refuse the medication. Mr. Bass has been treated in recentmonths with another less effective medication because he was betterable to tolerate it," he shrugged his shoulders in an attempt to helpprepare them for the rest of the story.
"Mr. Bass continued to hear voices and to makeaccusations of being attacked by a creature. Much of his hostilitywas directed toward you, Miss Chandler. In his mind you are thereason for his paralysis; he claims you caused the creature to attackhim. He has even given the illusionary creature a name, Vincent." Hepaused a moment, taking a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe thebeads of sweat from his forehead before continuing.
’Hisdelusion was so severe that he imagined a relationship between youand the creature. He blames you for his commitment to Mayfield, andno amount of explanation of the judge's order could convince himotherwise."
’A fewmonths ago, Mr. Bass suffered a particularly violent episode afterseeing you on the evening news, Miss Chandler. We changed hismedication, again, and the new drug seemed to be very effective. Ashe improved, Mr. Bass began to participate in group as well asindividual therapy, and seemed to be making progress. He asked forwriting materials, started a journal and expressed interest inlearning to use the word processor. He told his therapist, BarbaraWilliams, he might write a book. Barbara was my predecessor atMayfield. I was hired after she died."
"Died?" Joe repeated. "What happened? Does thishave anything to do with Cathy?"
"She was found dead six weeks ago. She had beenstrangled in the parking lot beside her car. The police questionedall her patients, but didn't learn much. Steven Bass, was the mostviolent of her patients, but he was eliminated as a suspect becausethere had been no wheelchair tire marks at the crimescene."
Joe looked at Cathy as Dr. Richard paused. Shesat rigidly still with her tightly clasped hands indicating theeffect of the recitation on her nerves. He reached out and put hisarm around her shoulders.
As the late afternoon shadows stretched acrossthe floor of Joe's office, the doctor continued his narrative. "Theytrained Mr. Bass on the PC and he spent hours working on his book.Barbara's notes say he was insistent that no one read it until he hadfinished it. She was so pleased with his progress, that she hadacceded to this demand.
"As he improved, Steven moved to the mediumsecurity ward. He continued to show progress, to work on his writingand had started making friends with other patients. Barbara's recordshowed her plan for his eventual move to minimum security ward. Shethought with continued improvement there was even a possibility ofallowing him a weekend pass." He watched as Joe Maxwell squirmed inhis chair clearly uncomfortable with the lengthy backgroundexplanation, but he was determined they hear the whole story andcontinued his narrative.
"Mayfield computerized staff notations topatient files last year. Drug dosages, doctor's orders, therapistnotes and treatment plans are all a part of the automated file. Whenyou can call up a patient's record and have the latest informationinstantly, it streamlines the day-to-day operation.
"For some reason Barbara kept some of her noteson patients in longhand at home. They were discovered two days ago byher sister who was here to clean out her house. They gave them to me,but I hadn't read them until this morning. I read her notes on StevenBass… after he disappeared early today"
"Disappeared?" Joe looked at Cathy withconcern. "Do you think he'll try to get to Cathy?"
He knew his reply was too sharp, but he hatedto be interrupted when there was so much potential for harm. "Yes, Ido. Let me tell you the rest. When I took over Barbara's case load, Iread the printout of each patient's history. Steven Bass' record toldabout the severe delusions he had suffered, and detailed the progressover the last few months. I had some complaints from some of thepatients who thought he monopolized the computer. I was so glad tosee Mr. Bass' continued interest in something outside himself that Ibrushed off the complaints.
"When I read Barbara's notes on Steven I wasdumbfounded. The notes didn't match the printout I read about Steven.The computer record indicated continued progress, the handwrittenones said the initial progress had been promising but brief. Hisobsessive behavior regarding his writing was troubling to her. In herlast notes she wrote of her suspicion that Steven had learned how toaccess his own file. When she tried to make a correction to aprevious entry, she had found it different from her original. Aftercareful research, she had found evidence of tampering with not onlyher notes, but those of other staff members who routinely enteredtheir observations to patient files." His concern seemed to bematched by the two sitting across from him whose faces reflected amixture of fascination and fear.
"He’d made subtle changes to his own filethat made his behavior appear to be nearly normal. Her concerns thathe was concocting some elaborate scheme to win his release, and thefear she felt when talking to him about his book had been deleted.She wrote that when she suggested he allow her to read his material,for a moment there was a look of incoherent rage in his eyes. Theother thing missing was her theory that his injuries were not thecause of his paralysis."
Catherine's thoughts carried her back to thatnight of terror. Steven had been violently angry at her rejection ofthe home and furnishings he had purchased. He spent millions ofdollars to replicate the dream house of her youth. Only Vincent'stimely intervention had prevented her death, and she had stopped himbefore the final blow had been struck. I wonder if I will regretthat impulse, she thought, then focused on Dr. Richards' nextwords.
"My treatment of Steven Bass was based on thealtered record. I hadn't worked with him long enough to recognize hisdeviousness, his fury at being confined and his violent hatred ofMiss Chandler and the creature.
"Steven Bass was moved to the open ward atMayfield two days ago. We discovered he was missing around seveno'clock this morning. We feel his primary objective is to get to you,Miss Chandler. We are also concerned he will harm himself or others,in his search for this illusionary creature he callsVincent."
Catherine felt a jolt of terror at the thoughtof Steven coming anywhere near her or Vincent. After she broke theirengagement, Steven had disappeared from her life for five years,resurfacing eighteen months ago. He said he wanted to be near herafter his diagnosis of a brain tumor. Since his parents had beenkilled, Catherine had been the only person he could turn to, forcomfort in the short time he had left to live. She couldn’t bearthe thought of him enduring the end of a too short life alone and hadbeen sucked into his delusional plans by her compassion.
She thought she’d never have to worryabout Steven again. He had been committed to Mayfield Institute on apermanent basis, and she had known he hadn't long to live.
"Dr. Richards, is this irrational behavior aresult of Steven's brain tumor?" Catherine searched for a way to makesome reasonable sense out of what he’d said over the past fewminutes.
"What brain tumor?" he asked,puzzled.
"Steven told me he was diagnosed with a braintumor and had six months to live. That was eighteen monthsago."
"Miss Chandler, Steven never had a brain tumor.He must have been playing on your sympathy. As a paranoidschizophrenic, he sees you as the primary reason for his failures inlife, his continued hospitalization and the cause of his supposedparalysis. That is, of course, not counting his invisible creature.And they can be so convincing because they believe what they tell youis the truth."
"Just what do you mean by supposed paralysis?"Joe's concern for Cathy gave his voice a sharp edge.
"Steven Bass walked away from Mayfield. Wefound his wheelchair hidden in some bushes."
"Couldn't there be some other explanation?Maybe someone picked him up and they left the chair on purpose?"Cathy asked.
"Miss Chandler, we now believe he is the onewho strangled the therapist. Her last sentence in her handwrittennotes indicated she saw him standing by his chair when he thought hewas unobserved. We believe she confronted him and he killed her. Wehave talked with the Boston Police about the death of his parents. Wehave reason to believe he may have killed them deliberately and usedhis drinking to cover his true motive."
Catherine shuddered at the thought, she hadalways liked Steven's parents. Surely even someone as sick as Stevenwould not deliberately kill his parents. Even as she thought it, sheremembered some of the cases she had seen in her time with the D.A.'soffice. Some of the most hideous crimes had been committed by thevictims' family members.
Vincent was uneasy. Since mid- afternoon he hadfelt Catherine's apprehension which had occasionally changed to fear.He could not feel anything specific and suspected she was doing herbest to mask her feelings. She had learned to conceal her feelingsfrom him when Paracelsus kidnapped her and had refused to let herterror draw him into danger. He paced the tunnels near her office,waiting to sense when she left the office and moved toward home ortoward him.
While Cathy and Dr. Richards talked aboutSteven Bass, Joe went to an empty office to call his date. He toldher he would sent the tickets to her by messenger and she would haveto take them and go with a friend.
"Marta, you know I wouldn't cancel unless itwas an emergency," he said and counted it a blessing that sheunderstood. "No, it looks like it could go a day or two. I'll callyou when it's over." He listened a moment, then said, "I will. Seeyou soon."
He had no intention of leaving Cathy aloneuntil Steven Bass was locked up. She had talked him out of stayingwith her when that nut case was watching her, but not this time. Noteven if he had to handcuff her to him. He smiled at the picture thethought brought to mind, Chandler in chains? No I don't thinkso.
Joe also called the thirty-third Precinct andasked for Greg Hughes. Greg, Joe Maxwell. Listen we've got a problemhere... "
When Joe returned to his office, Dr. Richardsstood to leave.
"Miss Chandler, Steven Bass was identified byan employee at his bank, according to the Police. She remembered himbecause of the large withdrawal he made, over forty-five thousand incash. We believe he is still in the city, you must take everyprecaution! In his delusional state he likely feels if he caneliminate you then his problems will be over and everything will beback the way he wants it to be."
"She won't be alone a minute," Joe statedemphatically.
Catherine felt a desperate need to get toVincent, to warn him. Even though Steven Bass knew nothing of Below,he had seen Vincent. Could Bernie Spirko have said anything to Stevenwhen he interviewed him that might have given Steven ideas? The riskwas too great, she must warn Vincent!
After the doctor left, Joe told Cathy of hisplan to take her to his apartment. She would be safe there, and hewould be with her every step of the way. He refused to listen to herprotests, and was glad when she finally gave in and agreed to go tohis apartment for a while. He agreed to stop by her apartment firstwhile she picked up some clothes, but only after Greg had checked outher building..
Catherine excused herself to go to the ladiesroom. On the way she grabbed a pad and pencil and wrote two notes andlabeled them. She sealed them in an envelope and gave it to one ofthe secretaries, who promised to deliver her order to the deli aroundthe corner on her way home. One note Catherine sent asked the helperat the deli to deliver the second note to Vincent as quickly aspossible.
Vincent continued to keep vigil close toCatherine's office. Suddenly he heard his name on the pipes and amessage from Father to return at once. Torn between the two people heloved most, he hesitated. He sensed that Catherine was all right forthe moment and hurried back to Father's chamber.
"What is it, Father?" Vincent moved quicklydown the stairs into the cluttered chamber.
"Catherine sent you a message marked 'Urgent',"he said as he handed Vincent the note.
"Steven Bass has escaped. He is able to walk.
The doctors think he will come after you and
me. He is extremely dangerous and has vowed
revenge on us. I will be with Joe until the
police have checked my apartment. I will
come Below as soon as I can. Do not come
Above for any reason! Be safe, Catherine."
Vincent handed Father the note. As he read it,Vincent paced back and forth.
"Catherine must come Below. I can protect herhere. She must not be where that... madman can get at her." Hisagitation made his tone harsh tone.
"Vincent, Catherine will be safe with Joe,he... "
"No! You don't understand. He nearly killedher, before. I was almost too late."
"Vincent, you cannot be with her now. You wouldbe in great danger. If they caught you Above..."
"Perhaps we can trust Joe with our secret. Heis a good man. We can send a note with Kipper. They can both comeBelow." In his desperation, Vincent was willing to reveal himself toCatherine's boss in order to protect her.
"You cannot!" Father's voice rose above hiscustomary tone, with this challenge to his authority.
"How can I leave her with only him to protecther? I know Steven's strength. Must I sit in safety and feel hertaken from me?" The thought was such agony that Vincent snarled thelast words and stalked from Father's chamber. Blindly he began torun, pursued by the possibilities.
Catherine sat in Joe's apartment and munchedChinese take-out. She wasn't hungry but ate to appease Joe. Heinsisted she would feel better if she ate. She knew she would onlyfeel better when Steven Bass was behind bars and Vincent was besideher.
They both jumped when the phone began to ring.Each tried to look nonchalant as Joe picked up thereceiver.
"Yeah? What? You sure the area's clear? Okay,we'll be there in half an hour."
"Greg Hughes is at your place. They checked thearea and your building. No sign of Bass. They'll meet us there so youcan get your stuff."
Vincent paced in the tunnel below Catherine'sbuilding, five strides forward then back. Catherine was moving towardher apartment and he wanted to be near. If necessary he couldsacrifice himself to protect her. He could not stay Below if sheneeded him.
Greg and his partner lead the way from theelevator with Catherine and Joe right behind them. Greg took her keyand unlocked the door then reached inside for the light switch.Suddenly he motioned them back and drew his gun.
Joe drew Cathy behind him and watched as Gregwent through the door at a crouch, his partner on his heels. He couldhear them moving, it sounded like there was water on thecarpet.
Catherine's nose twitched, something smelledfoul and it was coming from the open door. Just when she thought shecould not stand the suspense another moment, the lights blazed on inher apartment and she heard Greg say no one was inside.
As Catherine walked through the door, she cameto an abrupt halt. Spray painted obscenities snaked across the walls.The fabric of her furniture hung in ribbons. Slowly she advanced intothe room. Joe was behind her, cursing softly. The carpet underfootwas squishy, covered with an odoriferous soup of oil, syrup and otherunidentifiable liquids.
The bedroom was an equally appalling disaster.All of her clothes hacked to pieces, the linens on her bed torn andcovered with excrement. Across one wall was a chillingmessage:
No one will ever love you like I love you. Iwill be back for you Cathy.
The nausea rose in her throat and Catherinefled to the balcony. Gulping deep breaths she fought the heaving ofher stomach. She was filled with horror and disgust at the senselessdestruction. She felt dirty and violated just knowing that Steven hadbeen in her apartment touching her possessions.
Cathy, I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have to seethis." Joe's spoke to her gently from the door to avoid startlingher. "Are you okay?" he asked, putting his arm around hershoulders.
"I'm grateful I was gone, or it might be mespread all over the walls," she answered, shuddering at the thought.As she looked around the balcony she saw more destruction, all theplants ripped from their pots by a madman and dirt scatteredeverywhere.
Unnoticed by Catherine and Joe, a pair ofsapphire eyes watched from the roof. Vincent had been drawn byCatherine's emotional turmoil.
Catherine ran through the park toward thedrainage tunnel entrance, as if pursued by invisible denizens of thedark. Glancing around to be sure she was not observed, she flew downthe tunnel and into Vincent's embrace.
"Hold me tight," she whispered as she buriedher face in his mane, inhaling the scent that was uniquelyhis.
"Catherine...you're safe and you're here."Vincent had suffered agonies of separation the last three days whileCatherine stayed Above. He’d felt helpless, unable to speak toCatherine, to comfort and protect her.
As they walked hand in hand down the passage,she shared the details of their separation.. She had stayed with Joeover the weekend at his insistence. It had felt as like beingshackled to a guard dog. He would barely let her out of his sight,even when she showered and dressed for work this morning.
"At the office today I was jumpy and hadtrouble concentrating. Every time a door opened or closed, I’dlook up expecting to see Steven advancing on me."
"Late this afternoon Greg Hughes came to theoffice to meet with Joe, Dr. Richards and me to bring us up to dateon the investigation. Steven's trail led from my apartment to JFKInternational Airport to Frankfurt, West Germany. Airline personnelremembered the charming, tall, slender man who’d purchased afirst class ticket an hour before flight time with cash.
"We’d already learned that he’d madea withdrawal of $45,000.00 the day he left Boston. Greg Hughessuspects there are other banks, but for now we know he’s out ofthe country with a lot of cash."
"Do you feel safe now?" He pulled away from herfar enough to look at her face.
"I always feel safe when I'm with you," shereplied, "but I won't feel truly at ease until he is found and lockedup."
"What will you do now? "
"Joe thinks I ought to move, but I refuse tolet Steven drive me away. And besides my apartment holds goodmemories as well as bad. Joe has given me the week off while myapartment is being cleaned and re-done. He thinks I'm atJenny's.
"Catherine...will you stay...with us,Below?"
"For a few days, if you wish." She had packed acouple of changes of clothes and her cosmetic bag in the bottom ofthe backpack slung over her shoulder in anticipation of such aninvitation.
He gazed into her eyes a moment before pullingher back against him. "I wish it with all my heart," hewhispered.