Prelude: Piazza di San Pietro

(Page 11 of 20)

“No. I can’t allow that.” Gavin was smaller than most of Italy’s associates, but next to Samantha he was dwarfed. Still, he was, at times, the only individual willing to question her authority. She respected that.

“Why not?” she questioned.

“Hypnos is still in experimental stages. There’s the possibility of hallucinations and panic. He’ll suffer from spouts of vertigo and brief periods of unconsciousness. Worst case, he ends up in a coma and we get nothing from him. I’m not sure about you, but with Mr. de Loa coming I would prefer to avoid shipping this one to the Stygian stoves any sooner than necessary.”

“Look at him, Gavin. He is tearing holes in his head and talking to an audience of his own making. I am willing to risk the side effects.”

“If his vitals show stability in the next half hour, I’ll give him another dose of Thorazine with 900 milligrams of hawthorn extract. The hawthorn should allow the Thorazine to work faster, and may calm down his taint. We can’t risk Hypnos, especially in his state.”

Gavin left the hallway, cursing Samantha’s stubbornness all the way to the med lab.

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