Chapter 82: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing? (5000 words)
Senator Walker, who was sitting on the edge of the hospital bed undergoing rehabilitation assessment, looked at Terney entering with a surprised expression.
Wasn't he perfectly fine? Why did Terney's tone sound like he'd been on death's door?
Seeing Senator Walker staring blankly without responding, Terney frowned and sternly asked Chase, who was examining Walker:
"What's wrong with Senator Walker? Did you administer medication that affects cognitive function?
Why isn't he answering me?
Or is this hospital mistreating patients?"
With such a serious accusation thrown at him, Chase immediately panicked.
He couldn't understand why the political operative who'd stormed in so aggressively was so upset when Senator Walker had clearly recovered exceptionally well.
Fortunately, Walker quickly snapped out of it and waved his hand dismissively:
"Raymond, Raymond, I'm fine. I'm doing very well.
Don't act like that. If word gets out that we're being arrogant toward medical staff, it could significantly damage our approval ratings."
Seeing that Walker could still think strategically, Terney finally breathed a sigh of relief, and his expression gradually softened.
"Is that so? I thought these reckless doctors had administered some experimental medication without your informed consent."
While saying this, Terney specifically glanced at David, who'd followed behind him.
Vogler wouldn't have said those things without reason.
With this preconception, Terney was almost certain David's actions weren't entirely above-board.
Perhaps he'd violated Walker's privacy during treatment.
General medical privacy would be one thing, but if this David kid knew anything about the corruption network—about their organization—then Terney would probably need to arrange an accident.
Just as Terney was considering whether David knew that genuinely dangerous secret, Senator Walker spoke:
"Huh, why would you think that... Wait, speaking of which, there's something I want to know—who removed my oxygen mask back then?!"
Walker's gaze immediately swept across the small hospital room.
He'd been semi-conscious when his oxygen mask was suddenly removed, and then his memory became extremely blurred.
He no longer had clear recollection of that scene, only vaguely remembering a ghost-like voice asking questions.
He could barely remember someone asking questions about his medical history, which ultimately led to discovering the true diagnosis.
As for who that person was, he couldn't remember at all—the face in his memory was completely blank.
This result was somewhat unexpected for David. He'd assumed Walker would only have no memory of the final question about the bribery ledger.
Now it seemed the consequences of oxygen deprivation for Walker were better than he'd anticipated.
Walker had even forgotten his face entirely.
If Dr. House were present, he would've informed Walker that he'd suffered memory damage due to cerebral hypoxia.
But currently, besides David and the silent Chase, only Terney—who knew nothing about medicine—stood here.
So when Terney heard Walker's question, he immediately realized Vogler had been right—something inappropriate had definitely happened!
They'd dared to remove Senator Walker's oxygen mask? Were they trying to harm an important political figure?
He sneered at David, then looked at the still bewildered Chase and demanded:
"This hospital is something else. You actually dared to remove the oxygen mask maintaining Senator Walker's respiration?
Which one of you did this? Who authorized it? Speak up!"
Chase was startled by the final two emphasized words, and his eyes involuntarily glanced at David.
Although he said nothing, Terney—a genuinely experienced operative—could naturally read ordinary people's tells.
He chuckled darkly and turned to stare at David.
Terney's face held what appeared to be a kindly smile, but in reality, every crease was filled with lethal intent.
"So it was you—this intern—who ignored hospital protocols and privately removed Senator Walker's oxygen mask?"
David nodded calmly:
"Yes, that was me. I just needed to ask some questions."
"Ask questions?"
Terney's eyebrows immediately shot up. Was this targeting the organization? Had Senator Walker's involvement been exposed?
He immediately realized this David might just be a minor player.
Someone else was giving orders behind the scenes!
Terney stared intently at every subtle expression on David's face and asked in a severe tone:
"Tell me—who ordered you to interrogate him?"
David feigned ignorance and panic:
"Ah? What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
Seeing David's reaction, Terney immediately intensified his tone and said sternly:
"If you don't want to lose your career, answer my question!"
David flinched exactly as Chase had done moments earlier, then timidly whispered:
"It... it was Dr. House who told me to ask the patient if he was concealing any medical conditions."
"House?"
Terney frowned, clearly skeptical.
"Do you need to remove someone's oxygen mask to inquire about medical history?"
Just as Terney was pressing David relentlessly, Senator Walker, sitting on the hospital bed, suddenly had a look of realization.
He grabbed Terney's arm and said:
"Hey, I remember now! I remember—it was this young doctor who identified the real illness.
Raymond, don't intimidate him. What if you scare away a talented physician?
I wasn't trying to blame him when I wanted to find out who it was—I wanted to thank him!
If he hadn't discovered my actual condition, you probably wouldn't be seeing me alive today."
Hearing Walker's words, Terney was visibly stunned.
Someone removed your oxygen mask, and you're defending them? What's happening here?
Seeing Terney's astonished reaction, Walker showed a weak smile:
"If this young man hadn't removed the oxygen mask, I—being in my comfort zone—might never have revealed the truth about nearly biting through my tongue during that seizure when I was six.
The consequence of that would've been death due to immunodeficiency complications.
Fortunately, although this young man was somewhat unorthodox in his methods, I did reveal the secret I'd originally sworn to bury deep in my heart under that pressure.
Speaking of which, I really should thank him properly."
After listening to Walker's explanation, Terney's expression became distinctly uncertain.
Clearly, Vogler had been correct—this intern had indeed committed a protocol violation.
No legitimate doctor would remove a life-sustaining oxygen mask just to inquire about medical history.
This was equivalent to putting a gun to someone's head and demanding their bank password!
This action was absolutely against regulations!
But without this violation, Senator Walker might genuinely have ended up dead.
For a moment, Terney didn't know whether he needed to punish this audacious intern.
But if he didn't punish him, it would look bad with so many witnesses. Yet punishing him would be equivalent to publicly slapping Walker's face.
This wasn't beneficial for him, someone known for political discretion and understanding appropriate boundaries.
After all, even Senator Walker didn't know that the mastermind behind the entire corruption network was Terney himself.
So the surface-level respect still had to be shown to Walker—there was no need to incur his displeasure over one intern.
After considerable deliberation, Terney turned to Vogler at the door and asked:
"Edward, when a doctor commits a protocol violation, what's the hospital's standard procedure?"
Vogler grinned. Finally—this was the moment.
He'd wasted valuable business time coming here, waiting for exactly this opportunity.
Did this David kid think that just because Vogler was no longer running the hospital, he couldn't interfere?
How naive!
Now wasn't the opportunity right here?
Of course, this could only be blamed on David himself being foolish enough to hand over leverage.
If David had been smarter, he would've known to exercise more restraint after last time.
Unexpectedly, just a random inquiry revealed a clear violation.
These thoughts flashed through Vogler's mind, then he cleared his throat with a light cough and spoke:
"For physicians who violate protocols, we typically terminate their employment and then report their egregious behavior to the State Medical Board.
The Board's usual ruling is license revocation and reserving the right to pursue legal action depending on the severity of consequences."
Terney nodded after listening, then turned back to David and said:
"You heard him. Your protocol violation could affect your entire professional career.
Your unauthorized interrogation of the Senator could directly end your medical future.
So although you performed well in this particular instance, don't repeat such behavior.
To express the Senator's gratitude, we'll let this matter go.
But you must remember—not everyone will be as forgiving as Senator Walker here. Be more careful with your actions going forward!"
Terney paused, then waved dismissively at everyone:
"Alright, you all go handle whatever you need to. Just leave one person to process discharge paperwork for us."
He paused here, then suddenly seemed to remember something and added:
"Oh, right—remember to vote for Senator Walker on Election Day.
The Senator won't forget this excellent hospital."
As Terney's campaigning voice faded, this incident was officially concluded.
But for some, this outcome was clearly highly unsatisfactory.
For example, Edward Vogler.
Upon hearing Terney's handling—all talk, no consequences—the sagging flesh on Vogler's face couldn't help but quiver.
That's it?
They just let David off with barely a slap on the wrist?
Just a verbal warning?
Shouldn't he be expelled from the hospital, have his career destroyed, and then get beaten up by hired muscle?
Shouldn't David be made to experience true professional darkness?
While he thought this, he didn't dare openly criticize Terney's actions. His factory land permits were still waiting for this guy to approve.
If he dared say anything, those nearly-approved industrial zoning permits would vanish!
If he delayed the plans of his backers, his own outcome wouldn't be pleasant.
So Vogler could only emit a low snort, then departed with a dark expression.
Since he'd gotten angry here, he could only go find House to vent his frustration.
He wanted to see whether the seemingly arrogant House could refuse to participate in the new product launch and endorse the pharmaceutical under immense pressure.
If House refused him, then he'd have justification to propose his suggestion as a board member to Cuddy—who was also a pragmatic businesswoman—for one hundred million dollars!
Compared to Vogler's displeasure, Senator Walker was quite satisfied with Terney's handling.
This was the method of an experienced politician.
Easily dismissing David's life-saving contribution, ensuring Walker wouldn't owe him any political favors.
On the contrary, if David was intelligent, he should still be filled with gratitude toward them.
Because their decision not to report the violation was equivalent to largely saving David's precarious medical career.
And through this lesson, they could teach David the importance of working within established rules and regulations.
These lessons—ordinary people would have to fall hard, learning them only after getting bruised and bloodied.
But David was lucky. He could learn so much from just a harmless warning.
It had to be said that from Walker's many years of political experience, this intern David had profited enormously.
So Senator Walker, supported by Terney, walked up to David and patted his shoulder, indicating:
"Once you've gained a few more years of experience at this hospital, I'll recommend you for the State Medical Advisory Committee."
After delivering this empty promise—whose fulfillment was uncertain for how many years—Walker was supported by Terney toward the discharge processing area.
As for his legs not being fully recovered, he could simply use this condition to gain some sympathy votes and public support.
David narrowed his eyes as he watched the two departing.
These damn politicians hadn't asked for his opinion at all, just went on spouting self-important nonsense.
As expected, American officials were rotten to the core. David felt like he was facing a massive tree infested with parasites.
But soon, he'd be able to pluck two fat parasites from the branches of that tree and crush them underfoot!
David pulled out his phone and texted Sarah about the two men's movements.
Sarah, who'd already concealed weapons in the underground parking garage, sent David an "OK" emoji in return.
David pocketed his phone. Now it was time to establish his alibi.
He first walked to the front desk and deliberately asked for the current time—exactly eleven o'clock.
Then he went to the cafeteria to eat with Chase, and while Chase had his head down eating, David quietly swiped his phone.
Then, using the passcode he'd memorized, he unlocked it and set Chase's phone time back by half an hour.
Finally, after receiving Sarah's signal, David handed Chase a cup of coffee containing dissolved Ambien (zolpidem), and then deliberately asked Chase for the time.
Chase, while drinking his coffee, lit up his phone screen and replied, "Twelve-thirty," mumbling that time had passed incredibly quickly today and that he desperately wanted to nap.
Then his eyelids became impossibly heavy.
Chase, who didn't notice anything wrong, said goodbye to David and mentioned resting briefly, then his head dropped and he fell asleep at the table.
Seeing Chase unconscious, David changed the time on Chase's phone back to accurate, then successfully climbed down from the first floor to ground level from a surveillance blind spot outside the window, using an exterior water pipe.
Then he proceeded to the basement level to rendezvous with Sarah.
At this moment, Terney was preparing to help Senator Walker into his exclusive armored Cadillac Escalade.
Around them were four security personnel wearing earpieces with holstered Glock pistols at their waists.
Behind a thick concrete pillar, Sarah looked at David—whose hands had started trembling from climbing the water pipe—with a skeptical expression:
"Are you sure you still want to proceed with your hands shaking like that?
You don't actually think 'curved bullet trajectories' exist, do you?
Let me handle it. He was my Continental target anyway. Six people—I can manage them with some effort."
David smiled and slapped the magazine into his Glock.
If Wesley Gibson from Wanted existed in this world, curved bullet trajectories might actually be possible.
Unfortunately, according to John's intelligence, Wesley didn't exist in this world, which meant this reality didn't possess that magical ability that existed somewhere between superhuman and peak human capability.
"Of course not. Just give me a second, and they'll stabilize."
As David closed his eyes and took a deep breath, the hand that had been constantly trembling from overexertion actually stopped completely—much to Sarah's astonishment.
What was even more impressive was that Sarah observed David's gun hand was completely motionless suspended in mid-air.
This was something humans simply couldn't accomplish.
At least Sarah couldn't achieve such stability. Even if she tried her absolute hardest to control her hand, there would be microscopic tremors while suspended, making complete stillness impossible.
Before Sarah could finish processing her surprise, she saw David walk directly out from behind the concealing pillar, raise his weapon, and begin firing in rapid succession.
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG!
Terney, who was assisting Walker into the vehicle, flinched and tackled the Senator to the concrete floor.
He never expected someone would be audacious enough to discharge firearms in a public hospital parking garage!
"Eddie! Richie! Allen! MacArthur! What the hell are you doing?! Return fire!"
However, the only answer was silence.
Terney realized these four operators had enjoyed comfortable civilian life too long and had lost the edge they'd possessed on Middle Eastern battlefields.
Now facing actual gunfire, they'd probably abandoned him—their employer—to save themselves.
After all, if the client died, worst case scenario they'd have difficulty finding private security contracts again.
Terney looked at the trembling Senator Walker beneath him and cursed under his breath. Just as he was reaching for the concealed carry pistol in his jacket, a cold gun barrel was already pressed against his skull.
"Ah, your reaction speed was indeed quick. I had to take several extra steps to bypass the bulletproof vest and aim for your head."
A familiar voice came from behind him. Terney slowly turned his head, somewhat disbelievingly.
The first thing he saw were the four bodyguards who'd been shot precisely through the forehead and had collapsed in expanding pools of blood.
They hadn't failed in their duties—rather, they'd been shot in the head with remarkable precision before they could even fulfill their protective responsibilities!
And the head was the fatal vulnerability of all security personnel.
After all, who would go out wearing a ballistic helmet to prevent headshots?
Terney turned slightly more, and a face with a half-amused expression appeared before him.
It was none other than the supposedly timid intern, David, whom he'd met at the hospital moments earlier!
It was this kid?!
Wasn't he intimidated even when Terney raised his voice? How could he now be wielding a firearm to eliminate them? And with such damned accuracy?
This skill level was exceptional even among Continental Hotel assassins, which housed countless killers. How had Terney never heard his name?
What was wrong with this world?
Since when could sheep devour wolves?
Or was this being that appeared to be a sheep actually wearing a disguise? Was he actually a creature far more terrifying than any wolf?
But Terney was destined never to know this answer.
Because in the final moment of consciousness, Terney clearly saw the muzzle flash from the gun barrel.
BANG!
His head exploded in a spray of blood and brain matter across the concrete floor!
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