THE ADJUSTMENT CLINIC

Ramses cleared his throat. “Murphy will be giving stories to the press that Roger Umbo is depressed and feeling extremely guilty about the Wormwood manufacturing glitch. This will be followed by more articles implicating Umbo as being on the take by another company to deliberately undermine Wormwood.”

“What’s their goal with this tactic?” Brasher scribbled a few outlined notes.

“The last series of articles will indicate Roger Umbo is remorseful and beside himself with grief and depression. Ultimately, he's to commit suicide.” Ramses stared at Noire who now sat in front of his desk. He continued, “Wilson, or in reality, Murphy, plans Umbo’s suicide note to implicate Wormwood as being out of GMP compliance with the FDA and will press for an FDA investigation positioning Wormwood’s products off the prescription pads of any physician.”

“Suicide? How’s that to be arranged?” Brasher sat bolt upright.

“By Alicia and I. Murphy has some twisted idea that we can hypnotize Umbo into a suicidal terminal event.”

“Can it be done?”

“Not in Roger’s case. First, he’s not experiencing any of those feelings. Quite the opposite. His profile would be more on a vendetta-like crusade against Wilson’s for getting him into this situation. Second, he doesn’t have clinical depression and would never be predisposed to suicidal ideation.”

“So we have no problem.”

“I’m afraid we do. Murphy wants us to arrange a suicide. It would be something like a car accident or window jump–something with a note left at the scene.”

“Remember, you both work for AC now. What are you two going to do?”

“First of all, we’re not and never will be, homicidal types of anything. Alicia came up with an idea and I agree totally.” Ramses outlined the plan which fell far short of killing Roger Umbo.

“It should work Ramses. I have to run it by our Board. I’ll get back to you.” Brasher hung up and called Diaz.