The blast of the detonation shattered the windows on the first floor. Butler threw Artemis on the ground, shielding him with his massive back.
"We have to leave," Artemis said needlessly. Butler nodded.
Artemis tried to protest. "But–"
"No, Artemis. Opal has planned this, and I will not put you in danger. Please trust my experience and stay here."
The boy swallowed and nodded. "Very well, old friend."
He watched his bodyguard crawl over the floor, littered with shards. Odd, he thought. Why would Opal choose such a plump attack?
It hit him then. It was exactly what she wanted them to do. Split up. So she could get to Butler. Artemis's eyes widened.
"It's a trap," he shouted at the GI Joe doll in his hand.
Opal stepped through a shattered window.
"I will protect you," Artemis said, lowering his voice to a deep grumble, holding the doll in front of his face and hitting her with it. Opal snatched the doll from Artemis's hands.
"Enough, Artemis. It's time for your medication."
Artemis crossed his arms in front of his chest, glaring at the tall woman in the white lab coat.
"You won't get away with this, Opal. You can drug me, but my loyal bodyguard will find me."
She sighed, her eyes roaming over the dolls Artemis had lined up in one corner. The naked bulb on the ceiling threw eerie shadows over them. She suppressed a shudder. Of all the coping mechanisms the grieving boy could have chosen, it had to be dolls. The situation was getting out of hand.
The night guard, Jon Spiro, had reported how Artemis kept threatening to hunt him down, screeching in different voices at the poor man. Opal had hoped that the boy would eventually grow out of it, but the way she kept entertaining the boy's delusions seemed to make it worse. Perhaps it was time she asked her doctoral supervisor for help. Dr Ark Sool was a world-renowned expert in child psychology, he'd have a few ideas on how to help.
She offered Artemis some truffles. "Very well, Artemis. I brought you some chocolate."
"Ha, I bet you are still inconsolable about the last time, me and my trusted fairy friend ate all of your truffles."
The woman placed his action figure in her pocket. "Indeed, Artemis. You and Holly really showed me back then. I see you tomorrow."
"You are seeing Mister Diggums now, aren’t you?"
Opal paused, cursing her oversight. She should have never let the two meet. Mulch Diggums wasn’t just a kleptomaniac, he was also a pathological liar. He had probably told the boy he was Napoleon or something similarly ridiculous. She had to have a serious word with him.
“Send him my regards,” Artemis said with a smirk.
Yep, definitely Napoleon, Opal thought.
Gritting her teeth, she left the room, hurrying down the long corridor to her next patient.
