Chapter 33
Adam Hampton II sat alone in the library of the West Wing. He was experiencing a period of cerebral clarity. Scrambled circuits and a mix of medications made clear thinking difficult for the several years. It was now or never for the execution of his plan. Ever aware of the multiple monitors that observed and recorded his every activity, Adam II sat staring blankly at the rows of books on the far wall. They can watch and listen all they want, but they can’t know what I’m thinking. They can’t know how much resentment I harbor over what has happened to me. I’ve been stripped of everything including my dignity by a son set on controlling Hampton Industries, at any price. I know I was sick for a while, but that happens to a lot of people. They take medicine for a while and then they get to feeling better, as I do now. I wasn’t even given that chance. Now I’m trapped in this prison with no way out. If I try to prove that I’m lucid, I know that my son will have them give me some pills that will permanently scramble my brain cells. Adam says he’s doing everything out of love, but I know that he really fears me. He’s so afraid of losing control of the Hampton estate. Look at how he’s reacting to the threat of a co-heir. He’s going bonkers with worry. If he only knew my little secret, if he only knew that I not only remember who “E” is but I know who his half-brother is as well. He’s fearful that someone will challenge his position as heir to the Hampton fortune and I’m fearful that another heir might muddy-up any chance that I have to reclaim what is rightfully mine. Somehow this will all play out. The better man will win and I intend to be that man.
I was known as a “Captain of Industry.” When my father killed himself, I took over the company immediately and grew Hampton Industries to new heights. We were one of the most well known companies in the world. My picture was on the covers of magazines. I don’t know what went wrong, maybe there’s something with the genes. My father must have been very depressed to take his own life. I remember saying goodbye to him the morning he shot himself. He appeared to be in good spirits.
What happened to me the day I lost it? Was it the same malady that suddenly struck me down, and why did I suddenly come out of the malaise, after two and a half years, only to discover that I was classified as too mentally ill to handle my own affairs? They try to keep me sedated. What are they so afraid of? Is my behaving rational that much of a threat to them? The joke’s on them, though, because even with all their surveillance they haven’t caught me tonguing my medicine. I can’t imagine how I would feel if I had swallowed all those pills. There must be a lot of tipsy rodents running around in Old Brookings’s sewers.
Adam entered a survivor mode as he continued to plot. So here I sit, staring at a fucking bookcase, instead of performing my duties as CEO of Hampton Industries, sitting here like a zombie instead of directing my company. Here I am, having to fake seizures in order to buy time. How long will it be before my son’s investigators find out who “E” is? I need to act before then; to divert them somehow. I know what I’ll do. I’ll make up a name and send them off in a false direction for a while. That will give me much needed time. They think they’re so smart, but I’ll have the last laugh. It’s amazing what you can get away with when you’re thought to be incompetent. There has to be a way for me to contact Nelson Platt. He was my attorney through all the tough years after my father died. Adam fired him, so I’m sure he isn’t in with them. I know he’d be an advocate for me if he knew I was being held here against my will. He could get me another competency hearing and I could reclaim what is rightfully mine. I’ve got to find a way to get the word out to him. The game is about to start and it isn’t going to be pretty.
His optimism took a sudden turn to despair as he thought, Hell, I don’t even know if Nelson is still alive. He was in his early seventies when I knew him. Shit, I hate being like this; so totally out of control. This is like in the movie Snakepit. Maybe I’d be better off giving in and living out the rest of my days in here? It is cushy, it could be much worse. Or maybe I could save up the pills for and take a super dose.
Oh god, what am I thinking. I’m not going to let Adam win. Hell, he can’t even hold a candle to his half-brother. If only I could find a way to pit one against the other for control of the company. In the confusion that would follow, I’d have the opportunity to make contact with the outside world. Then I could turn the tables on both of them and reclaim the company as rightfully mine. A faint undetectable smile appeared on his lips as he reflected on the scenario. This is going to be the greatest challenge of my life. I’ve got to do something and this looks like the best time.
Adam Hampton II hatched an escape plan that would require an award winning performance on his part. These fools want “E”, well I’ll give them what they want. He pressed the button that summoned John. When John entered his room, the act began.
“John, the other day you asked me about “E”. I think I know how to find out who it is, but I will need to talk to my attorney, Nelson Platt. He knows things that no one else knows. Attorney privilege will prevent him from disclosing anything to anyone other than me, so I must have a private meeting with him. I’m sure that if I could have a few minutes with him we could clear up this “E” thing right away. Will you arrange it?”
John was quick to respond. This was the break they had been waiting for. “I will have to clear that with your son, but I don’t see why he would object. He seems a bit anxious to help you find out who “E” is.”
“Do the best you can, John. I want to help as much as I can.”
As he left the room, John replied, “I will. Thanks for telling me about it.”
John went immediately to Adam’s den to fill him in on this latest development.“He wants to speak with his attorney. He says that Nelson Platt can help him remember who “E” is. He seemed pretty sure that that would work.”
Adam thought for a moment before responding. Now what do I do? Nelson Platt, of all people. He fought me tooth and nail during the competency hearings. I threw him out of the Manor and threatened him with disbarment if I ever saw his face anywhere near my dad. This is an unforeseen predicament. I don’t like the idea, but Chuck doesn’t seem to be making any progress with his investigation. I guess I’m going to have to take a chance with Nelson Platt .I don’t see any downside in it.
“I’ll handle it from here. Tell my father that I’m looking into it. Thanks again for your discretion, John. These are difficult times. I wish we knew how to really help dad.”
“No problem, I just want what is best for your father.”
“As do I, John, as do I.”
His father worked on the rest of his plan. He chose the bathroom in the West Wing where there were no video camera, to construct a note that he planned to smuggle to Nelson Platt. He was confident that the carrot he was dangling in front of his son would be sufficient to give him that opportunity. He wasn’t sure if the ultra-sensitive microphones in the bathroom could isolate the sound of a pen or pencil against paper, but he wasn’t going to take any more risks than necessary. If his attempt at freedom was discovered, he knew that they would return to daily medication aimed at pacifying him.