SSS: THE LAST ANTIDOTE

Chapter 3

Nella recognized Dr. Pazzo's face from the case files and the television news, but only barely. She'd been shown the pictures that were available and they were of a doctor still fresh from grad school. He had looked young, slightly bewildered, but happy and eager. She hated to admit it, but his picture had even been attractive. She tried to equate it with the man in coveralls standing near the plastic table in the most secure prison on earth. It has been eight years since the Cure and probably ten since the photo was taken, Nella thought to herself. Still, this man looked closer to the father of the boy in the pictures. Unlike the other Infected he had no visible scars, since he had secluded himself before the madness overcame him. But the other signs were there. He was underweight even all these years later and his hair was bright white and thinning in places. His shoulders curled around him like a dried rind. His face though, his face held the most marked changes. His eyes had sunk into his skull as if they were too ashamed to look upon the world. His cheeks and chin were jagged peaks that closed off any expression in their tight shadows. Nella glanced back at Mr. Courtlen. She had thought him too lean for his height and that his bald head made him look sickly, but compared to Dr. Pazzo, the lawyer was a model of health and vigor.

Mr. Courtlen saw her glance at him and noticed her shock. He stepped quickly toward her and touched the back of her elbow to steady her. "Dr. Pazzo, this is Dr. Rider, the court appointed psychiatrist. She'll be evaluating you and Miss Connelly throughout the trial. This is not a private relationship, so it isn't privileged. This means anything you say-"

"Yes, yes, Frank, I know. We don't have anything to hide. Dr. Rider, a pleasure to meet you." He offered her a hand that was little more than a rake with a thin covering of skin. Nella took it, intending to be gentle, but his grip was surprisingly strong. "Please, have a seat," he said, indicating the plastic picnic table. Mr. Courtlen sat beside him. Nella chose to sit on the opposite side, facing them. She placed her briefcase on the seat next to her.

"I just want to clarify what I'm here for. Judge Hawkins has asked me to monitor you and Miss Connelly to insure that you are competent to stand trial and that you remain so during the trial. It's important, no matter the verdict, that you are a healthy and active member of your defense and that this tribunal gets a reliable version of the events which caused the December Pandemic. Do you understand?"

Dr. Pazzo looked amused. He leaned back slightly and crossed his arms. "Well, aren't you the perfect reincarnation of Gustave Gilbert?"

Nella smiled, but it never reached her eyes. "I don't think the world is going to fall for another Albert Speer, Dr. Pazzo."

Mr. Courtlen frowned at the reference, his scar stretching and blanching. Nella felt a pang of remorse for having said it. Dr. Pazzo just laughed.

"I think I'm going to like you," he said, "But I have a few rules myself, if you want full access to me."

Nella straightened her posture and stared intently at him.

"Relax doctor. They're nothing unexpected. First, my lawyer, Mr. Courtlen must be present during our interactions. If he isn't here, our conversations will be limited to the current state of the weather. Second, I will answer any question you have and I will answer them truthfully," said Dr. Pazzo with a beatific smile, "But you need to make sure you have recording equipment or are taking notes," his voice began to become strident, "My answers will not change with repetition. So don't ask me over and over and over." Dr. Pazzo was shouting at her and had risen from his seat. His cuffed hands were two balls of shaking bone. Mr. Courtlen looked alarmed and helped his client sit back down as the guards moved nervously closer around them. Nella remained calm and motionless. "I understand," she said as Dr. Pazzo rearranged himself and softly cleared his throat. He smiled again.

"Very good doctor, very good indeed. Third, we will get to all of your questions. We're probably going to become very tired of each other. We have time. So if I say we are done for the day, I don't want to hear any whining or see any fits. You'll get your answers, just be patient. As unpleasant as these visits will be for you, I guarantee they will be ten times more unpleasant for me. But I've resolved to do this." Dr. Pazzo was serious and quiet. Nella sensed that she was now seeing the real man that Dr. Pazzo was. The one that had destroyed the world. And then lived to regret it.

"Very well, Dr. Pazzo," she said, "Is there anything else?"

He straightened his shoulders and looked up at her brightly. "Well, not as a requirement, but maybe a favor? I'd really love some books."

Nella shot a confused look at Mr. Courtlen but his face was impassive. "They won't let you have books?" she asked, surprised.

"I'm allowed to have them, but I don't exactly have people racing to the library to borrow books for me." Dr. Pazzo tapped his foot restlessly. "Look, you may have already decided that you don't like me. Hell, I think even Mr. Courtlen doesn't like me and I'm paying for his company. But right now, and for the forseeable future- probably until my death, you are the only two who are willing to talk to me. And that makes you the closest thing I have to friends.

If you want me to stay sane enough to be tried, I need to do something besides pace my tiny cell. A few more weeks of this and I'll be as mad as poor old Ann next door. I've already been mad once in this lifetime. I have no wish to do that again."

Nella pulled a notepad and pen from her briefcase. "What kind of books do you like?" she asked. Dr. Pazzo gave her a list of a few dozen books, pretty evenly mixed between novels and scientific journals, but nothing jumped out as suspicious or even as a reliable pattern of tastes to Nella. She looked up from her list just in time to see Dr. Pazzo discreetly nod at Mr. Courtlen. The lawyer looked uncomfortable, his scar pulsing an ugly dark brown across his cheek.

"What is it? What did I miss?" she asked sharply.

Dr. Pazzo gave her a slow, sly smile that she didn't much care for. I'm sure they didn't tell you in court, but you are the fifth psychiatrist to enjoy my hospitality," he said, the smile still growing in his skull face. Nella felt the painful prick of her neck hair again. "I had to refuse to speak to them. They were more interested in maintaining their power by denying simple requests than in discovering the truth. I was just indicating to Mr. Courtlen that we can work with you. Oh yes, I think you'll do nicely. It's a good thing too, I was beginning to wonder if they'd find someone suitable before time ran out."

She saw Mr. Courtlen start and glance quickly at his client. Nella knit her brows and slightly shook her head. "Before time runs out for what?" she asked.

Still smiling, Dr. Pazzo rose and backed away from the plastic table. "That's enough for today, I think. I'll see you both tomorrow." And he walked back to his cell leaving Mr. Courtlen and Dr. Rider still sitting in shock.