Encountered stranger during outdoor activity. Patient behaved well due to threat of “dog collar” shock. Limit future outdoor activities to evenings and rainy days. 7/9/2013 DWS

Test results positive!!! A breakthrough at last. Dr Curtis running third round of test against HIV virus to verify results. 7/1/2014 DWS

Derek placed the final note back into the folder, realizing that there were no more notes dated after the last one. And there would be no more.

He leaned back into the soft, leather, executive chair, rested his head back and let his mind mull over the pictures and the notes. His mind, however had enough of thinking, and soon Derek was sound asleep.

When he opened his eyes, Derek saw that Ralph was sitting across the desk from him and seemed to have been waiting for Derek to wake up.

“How much reading did you get done before you fell into la la land?” Ralph asked.

“Enough to know that Alexander probably would want to stay out of public as much as possible and that the doctors, Straus, Curtis, and Lucietta, used Alexander as a lab rat.”

“Ya happento read that last note? The one about the big breakthrough?”

“I did. Kind of suggests they were on to something with the HIV virus.”

“Yup. And I went through every other file in the file cabinet over there,” Ralph said as he nodded to Derek’s left, “and didn’t find a single mention of anything related to HIV or any other virus.”

“Any idea where Straus is?” Derek asked after a short pause.

“Now that is an interesting question right there, Derek. And one that I truly wish I had an answer to.”

“I take that as a ‘no.’”

“Some town’s folk reported that they saw the doctor’s car tooling down Route 8 and moving at a pretty good clip about the same time we figured the murders took place. State police put out an APB on Straus and his car but ain’t nothing come of it yet.

“I’d really like to talk to that Straus doctor. Specially since your recent investigative find of the trap door under Alexander’s bed. Sure would like to find out why he wasn’t among the victims we found in this lodge.”

“You liking Straus for an accomplice?” Derek asked.

“I sure do find it peculiar. The timing of everything, that is. The last note says something about a breakthrough. Two of Straus’s fellow doctors found all dead in that room. Straus’s car seen tooling out of the area. And your discovery. Lots of reasons to be interested in Straus, I’ll admit.”

Derek paused and began thinking about the note left for him. He wondered if the Hertz clerk had discovered where the note came from. As what became his habit, Derek slowly traced the scar on his left cheek absently as his thoughts drifted to planning his next step.

“I noticed that scar while you was sleeping. I’ve seen plenty of scars in my day. Spent two years in the Army as a medic. Yup, I sure have seen plenty of scars. But that little beauty you’re sporting, I find to be interesting.”

Derek dropped his hand to his lap and asked, “Why do you find it interesting?”

“Funny thing about scars,” Ralph said looking down, “see enough of them and you can tell what caused them. It ain’t much of my concern, but I have to say that you’re little reminder there is an exit wound. Something went through that there cheek from the inside of your mouth.”

“You do know all about scars, Ralph.”

Ralph, knowing that his curiosity about Derek’s scar was satisfied, and not wanting to find out what drove his guest to create the scar, stood up abruptly.

“I do not know about your digestive system, but mine is telling me that it needs something to do. Now, this town may be small, but it has one of the best diners this side of Texas not four miles from our exact location.”

“Sounds good. Any place to get cleaned up first? I have an overnight bag in my car that’s parked up the road a bit.”

“I took the liberty of moving your car down closer to us. Didn’t think you’d mind all that much. And since you left your keys and wallet out in the kitchen, why I thought you were all but requesting me to get your car.”

“Thanks. Have any trouble finding it?”

“One of my officers spotted it around an hour ago. Gave me a call and told me where it was parked.”

“I do apologize again for breaking into this place. And again thank you for holding off sending a bullet into my head.”

“As I said before, there’s still plenty of time. But right now the only thing I am thinking of is to getting some eggs and toast into my belly. Go get your stuff from out of your car so you can get yourself all prettied up like a good city boy.”

As Derek began walking out of Straus’s office, he felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket. A quick check of the caller ID told him that the call was from a 518 area code number.

“Derek Cole.”

“Mr. Cole, this is Amanda from the Hertz car rental office in the Albany airport. I got a message from another Hertz team member about a note that was left for you when you picked up your rental?”

“Yes,” Derek said. “Do you know who left the note?”

“I wrote the note for you. I received a phone call a little after ten last night. The man on the phone just said he was a friend of yours and to write a note welcoming you to Albany. I’m sorry, but I don’t know the man’s name.”

“Can you tell me what his voice sounded like?” Derek asked, hoping for some clue.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Cole. I really don’t recall the man’s voice. Will you be needing anything further, Mr. Cole?”

“Any way to trace the call through your system?”

“Again, I’m sorry, Mr. Cole. We really have no way to trace any incoming calls. We do appreciate your loyalty with Hertz, and if you should need anything regarding your current rental, please don’t hesitate to call. Have a great day!”

Ralph heard enough of the conversation to know that Derek received no information about who left the note for him. While knowing would have made his case less of a mystery, Ralph could tell that the mystery surrounding the note was bothering Derek much more than it was bothering him.

Ten minutes after getting the call from Hertz, Derek and Ralph climbed into Derek’s rental car and headed out for breakfast.

“Now, I know I told you this diner is but four miles away. And that is the truth of the matter. However, I’m gonna ask you to add some miles to that and drive around a bit.”

“Something you need to see or do?”