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"So we go from insurance fraud to organ trafficking." Jessica said. "That's a pretty big step, isn't it?" "For us, yeah. But we're relatively normal people, with an average moral compass. And even those can be corrupted, in some people. Think about someone who doesn't have that to begin with." "A small step. Yeah, I can see it." "What was the plan for me?" Alex asked. "Well, ACCH was first a money machine. So regular revenue was the primary objective. So first, they keep you in there for as long as they can. Ideally forever, or as long as your body holds up in that condition. Which can be quite a while." "People can live for years in a vegetative state," Harry said, "but typically don't. For most a long time is two, three years. There are occasional exceptions. "So they keep you in there, a year or more, always telling your family there's no improvement, you just lie there. Eventually, in that condition, you'll die. Develop an infection of some kind, just general deterioration of body functions. People who don't know better, and trust doctors, believe it. One way or another you die." "Meanwhile they've been collecting probably twenty, maybe thirty thousand a month from the insurance or Medicare. Maybe up to a million a year. "And when it's over, they collect another half million from your parts." What the fuck? Was the world this nuts a year ago? I'm getting up and going to work and... "Alex? You all right?" Jessica asked. How long I been daydreaming? Never can tell. "Yeah. I guess." "You are. You're alive. I understand, it makes me sick too." "Most people this happens to don't have family and friends to take care of them." Harry said. "The medical industry preys on the weak most. The elderly, the ones without anyone to look after them. But in spite of that, you may well have been a target. You're not young, but you're in exceptional shape for your age. And a lot of parts aren't as affected by age. "Besides," he said with a cynical grin, "people who steal body parts will probably lie like a used-car salesman about their mileage." "You got a point there." "What now?" Jessica asked. "For now, get on with your lives. You survived. And you'll never, Jessica for sure will never let them get their hands on you. And if you hear of anyone you know, that has someone in their family, or a friend, you hear they're being sent there. You know what to do." "Got it. If there's nothing else, we'll let you get back to work." "I'm good for now. I'll let you know if I need anything. This thing is looking like it's going to be big, and could get nasty. Alex, how are you on self-defense?" "Beats me. In this condition, not good." "If I understand you," Jessica said, "Alex needs to get his memory back fast, if possible. He was pretty good with guns before, and still has his collection. You were pretty decent in hand-to-hand too, Alex. And with knives. "Which reminds me, I need to look up Scott and get you two back together." Scott who? "I'll give him a call when we get back." she said. "He's likely to be a lot of help." |
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