“What should we do with her after this?” Even I didn’t know what to do with a true toady who lives in thrall to a murderous cult.
“You’ve heard the term ‘too stupid to live’, right? That’s how I feel about Flo,” Lynn replied. Jafar, Samira, and Clint who had only then rejoined us, all expressed agreement with Lynn’s pronouncement. “We’ve had incredible success with the acupuncture technique. She has parents in LA who even Clint thinks are legit.”
“Lynn’s right. Achmed and I went through their lives with a fine tooth comb. They’re legit. They don’t even donate to the Islamist front groups like far too many supposed American citizens of Muslim leanings. No one will believe anything she babbles once she leaves here. Hell, her mind may be gone by the time Lynn retrains her. It would be a good experiment in the dark side turnings Lynn has already had some success with. We can return her to the parents as a reformed American. We’ll check on her integration back into society without the burka.”
“That sounds good to me,” I agreed. “I guess we better get started.”
“I’ll stay with the kids, Achmed, and Samira,” Clint said. “Developing those files left a bad taste in my mouth. If you need anything in the Podiatrist Room, call out to the minions. Gus told me they’re staying until after we have enough info to decide on our plan for Pilot Hill.”
“You and Achmed did a hell of a job with the files. They even shocked Sam and Janie.” I went to our intercom system controls. “Mr. Denova… please escort our female guest to be prepped for interrogation. How did the warmup go?”
“Exceptionally well,” Gus replied. “We’ll settle Ms. Nazari into position. She’s a bit out of sorts at the moment. We’ll make her drink some water before anchoring her to the table.”
We purposely have the intercom on speaker for the inmates’ enjoyment. Flo began screaming her heart out as Gus disconnected.
*
Although recovering from an electronic jolt to quiet her down, Flo’s twisted features could not relax from utter terror. The minions, having strapped her securely onto the table with her feet in our special restraints, filed out of the room as we entered. Lynn wore her new interrogation costume: black slacks, black lab-coat, red-lettered nametag with Dr. Cruella Deville on it, and black exam gloves. Her blonde hair, tied tightly in a bun like a ‘Nurse Ratchet’ clone, contrasted with her very dark eyeliner and lipstick. I wore black jeans, black t-shirt, and black exam gloves.
When she first walked into a room with all of the ‘Monster Squad’ in attendance, we were struck dumb for a moment, before erupting in applause. Flo took one look and began hyperventilating as Lynn and I followed our agreed approach to the table. Lynn remained silent, stroking Flo’s hair and cheek. She then traced one black gloved index finger over Flo’s center, leg, and right foot, pausing at the little toe. Lynn then smiled hugely at the gasping Flo.
“Hi there, Flo. I’m Dr. Deville. This is my assistant, the Dark Lord. We are recording our examination and conversations. Would you like to tell us everything you know about everything or would you like to play ‘this little piggy went to market’?”
Flo tried to speak but could only babble. Lynn folded her arms in contemplation. “What do you think, Dark Lord? Perhaps Flo doesn’t understand she is no longer in the hands of the regular federal authorities.”
“I believe she’s terrified out of her mind, Dr. Deville. Pain might be the only balm for this malady. I could break a finger so she’ll have something to concentrate on besides her predicament.”
“No! Please…please don’t hurt me!”
“What do you know about that, DL? Flo found her voice all by herself. We have some time constraints, so tell us what you know about Nick McCarty and why your husband tried with those other two mutants to kidnap McCarty’s daughter.”
“Majd heard about an assassin named Felix Moreau being killed in Salem on the Dark Web. Moreau…” Flo ran out of air for a moment, calming herself with pleading features aimed at gaining a moment’s respite from her interrogators. “My husband knew Moreau was hired by… Isis to kidnap Emily Waterson and kill her if State Senator Waterson didn’t agree to stop blocking land acquisitions by our representatives. I-”
“Your representatives, huh?”