Boiling Bucket of Fate

 234.

Instinctively Harlan calls Julie.

"Do we have security at the clinic?" he hurriedly asks.

"Negative, it's a private facility and no one outside of us knows anything about the patients - or the staff for than matter. Why?

"Because Mr. 38 just parked his car next to the building and is walking towards the front door as we speak. Calling this coincidental could be catastrophic."

"Alright, can you assist?"

"I can but you better make a call and alert the staff, put them on high alert. Better safe than sorry," he suggests while grabbing the keys to his car and heading out the door.

It takes Julie less than five seconds to dial her contact at the clinic. She is advised that they have security protocols for such situations that will go into effect immediately. Harlan is the first to witness the efficiency of the clinic's emergency response as he attempts to open the front door that is now locked and impenetrable. From the sidewalk he can see Mr. 38 inside scanning the information board in the lobby and then taking the stairs upward.

Harlan again calls Julie to provide the update and current situation.

"Let's keep this line open. We are going to trust the clinic's security system. They have locked down both the third floor as well as The Queen's private room. The building's chief of security is stationed in the clinic lobby. I don't think our perp is willing to engage in a fire-fight, so let's use this as bait. Police are responding to the alarm, so please advise them on the sensitive nature of the event, Drysdale is also on his way. If we can witness him attempting to enter the clinic's main lobby, and nab him on the way out, we might be able to get some answers to a few important questions. The clinic security is aware of the play and will fully cooperate."

"Roger that," he says as a DC squad car pulls up to the front door.

Harlan meets them, shows his ID and briefs the two officers on the situation. While not thrilled about having a gunman locked inside, they defer to the jurisdiction and offer assistance as backup.

Drysdale skids to a halt seconds later, checks in and asks the officers if the building has side or back doors. Learning of the affirmative he assigns one officer to each.

Julie, on the open line relays that on the third floor Mr. 38 walked directly into the trap, going right to the clinic front door and attempting entry. Security cameras show him visibly upset, in a moment of thought, and then quickly turning to descend the stairs. He should be on the ground floor any second.

Her communication late, Mr. 38 sees Harlan and Drysdale and turns in a panic to follow the EXIT signs out the emergency side door.

Seeing the officer outside he retraces his steps and tries the back door with the same result.

Harlan tells Julie on cell to open the locked front doors. They open with the familiar click.  

Mr. 38 sees Harlan and Drysdale enter the lobby. He is trapped like a rat in the boiling bucket of fate.

Weapons drawn, Drysdale barks for him to put his hands behind his head and kneel.