3 Now It’s Personal

Chapter 3 NOW IT'S PERSONAL "We need a doctor over here!" People were hollering for help before Pep had even hit the ground. She was unconscious, lying on the grass, for about thirty seconds. When she opened her eyes, a doctor was leaning over her—Dr. Herman Warsaw. Women, for unexplained reasons, found him irresistible. He was an odd-looking man. Extremely thin and squinty eyed, Dr. Warsaw was a chain smoker who dressed in baggy suits that made it look like he belonged in an old gangster movie. Years before, he had been a brilliant inventor who made a fortune with a GPS for people to track down their lost pets. A

millionaire many times over, he got bored with making money and turned his attention to solving society's problems by enlisting the young people of the world. Then, of course, came 9/11, when the seeds of his insanity were germinated. "She'll be okay," Dr. Warsaw proclaimed. "The heat must have gotten to her. She just needs a little air." He had actually climbed down from his wheelchair to sit on the grass next to Pep. Somebody handed him a water bottle, and he put it to her lips, cradling her head in his arms like she was an injured puppy. "What an adorable young lady," he said. Pep, too petrified to move or speak, just stared at him, eyes wide-open. Coke watched from a few feet away, dumbfounded, as his sister was being nursed back to health by the man who had repeatedly tried to murder them. Dr. Warsaw seemed to have matters well in hand, so the other grown-ups drifted away into

small groups to do what grown-ups love to do—make small talk. Catch up. Introduce each other. Discuss the weather, as if it mattered. Mrs. McDonald ran over to hug Aunt Judy and congratulate her. When the other grown-ups had become sufficiently distracted, Dr. Warsaw lowered his voice so only the twins could hear. "So we meet again," he whispered, his voice dripping with hatred. "I should just choke your sister to death right now, Coke." "And I should just throw you on that wheelchair and push it down the steps," Coke said, "but that wouldn't look very good in front of all the relatives." "I never expected you two to make it this far," Dr. Warsaw said quietly. "I thought I had gotten rid of you back in Cleveland at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I'll say one thing about you brats. You are quite resourceful." "And I thought you were dead at The House on the Rock after we pushed you out of The

Infinity Room," Pep croaked. "I almost was, thanks to you little punks!" Dr. Warsaw whispered. "Just about every bone in my body broke when I hit the ground. The doctors say I may never walk again." "Boo-hoo," Coke said sarcastically. "We were just defending ourselves!" Pep protested. "You were trying to kill us." "Yes, and after that you killed my protégé, Archie. I spent years training that fine young man to carry on with my work. He was the son I never had." Tears welled up in Dr. Warsaw's eyes as he talked about Archie Clone. "He was trying to kill us too!" Pep pointed out. "He was going to drop us on the tip of the Washington Monument!" "Oh, it's always about you, isn't it?" Dr. Warsaw sputtered, his face clenched. "Well, listen to me, you spoiled brats, and listen good. The differences between us have nothing to do with The Genius Files program anymore. Now

it's personal." "Wh-what are you gonna do to us?" Pep asked. "Right now, sadly, I am in no condition to do anything to you," Dr. Warsaw told them. "But these broken bones will heal soon enough. And when they do, I'm going to track you down like dogs and make you pay for what you did to me and my young friend Archie. Believe me, you're going to wish you never tangled with me." "We already wish we never tangled with you," Pep said. "You started it!" "Don't argue with him," Coke told his sister, "He's insane!" "Perhaps," Dr. Warsaw said. "Insanity and genius often go hand in hand." "Let's blow this pop stand," Pep said as she stood up and brushed the grass off her dress. Dr. Warsaw grabbed her wrist roughly before she could get away. "Oh, and by the way," he said, "if you say one word about any of this to your parents, I

will kill them both. I don't care if we're all related now. Mark my words. You know I do not make idle threats." The other grown-ups, having run out of small talk, straggled back to get their belongings and say their good-byes. Mrs. McDonald and Aunt Judy were arm in arm, reminiscing about their childhoods. "I'm so glad the whole family was able to be here for our special day!" said Aunt Judy. "We wouldn't have missed it for the world," replied Mrs. McDonald. "You two seem so happy together." "It was love at first sight," Aunt Judy gushed. "The second I set eyes on Hermy, I knew I had met the kindest, sweetest, most wonderful man in the world." "You are too kind, my love," said Dr. Warsaw as he pulled himself back onto the wheelchair. "Hermy?" asked Coke. Pep looked like she might pass out again.