Clearing the devil's name

Dr. Cortez didn't need to remind himself that he had already won, everything around him already did. As he basked in his self-proclaimed victory, he wondered how prison would treat Dr. Bates- Surely it be a horrid experience, even more so for a doctor. He also wondered what he was going to do with the Glock '96 that was buried deep in his safe. Why he thought he needed it in the first place baffled him. Dr. Bates was not much of a threat after all.

He moved closer to the safe and unlocked it, revealing the gun and some wad of cash. But then he heard a tap on the door, interrupting his brief moment of self-appraisal.

"Come in," He groaned as he locked the safe shut.

Hannah stepped in; worry and concern could be seen clearly on both eyes shielded by the big round glasses.

"Dr. Cortez, I'm sorry for intruding."

Cortez warded off the apology with a wave. "You have something to say, spit it out."

"I know I'm probably going to get screwed for this, so you didn't hear it from me."

"Go on." Cortez nodded.

"Okay," Hannah took a deep breath. "I overheard Dr. Simon and Dr. Herman speaking with Dr. Bates' assistant."

Hannah's momentary pause was beginning to incite anger in Cortez.

"Well just say it already!" He barked.

"They said something about having a way to clear Dr. Bates' name and make the police go after you instead."

Dr. Cortez's heart skipped a beat. "Really, and what way is that?"

"According to them, they are meeting a young hacker this evening, one who could trace and recover all your bank transactions. I don't know what that has to do with anything but I thought you should know."

Cortez smiled. It was clear Hannah was still clueless to be giving him such information. An opportunity he planned on making the most out of.

"And where exactly does this hacker live?"

"They didn't say. But I heard a name- Darlow."

"Is that the hacker's name?" He queried.

"I guess so," Hannah answered abruptly.

Cortez chuckled and looked around for nothing in particular, and then he turned back to her. With slow steps, he advanced towards her and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. She moved her head back in a quivering shrug.

"There's something else you're not telling me." He whispered as his hand slid down to her neck, his touch more daunting than ever.

She narrowed her eyes at him and swallowed hard. "I know Darlow; he stays with his mother in a small apartment downtown."

"And yet you gave me only his name." He wondered, eyes panning out her small face as he tried to study her intention. "Why?""

"As I said, I don't know, and I'm probably going to get in a lot of trouble for this too. But you are the very reason I am here and I thought it is something you should know."

Cortez scoffed. . The news certainly was alarming but he was still unsure of what to do. If Hannah's words were true, then it would seem that his victory over Henry was all a fuss and that meant that he was bound to lose everything. He thought of running away, but he felt tired of his cowardice- tired of the aching terror he felt as a result of his actions. There was no turning back now, he had to act forward.

"And why should I believe you or that all you said is true?"

"You don't," Hannah blurted. "But you don't have a choice too I know you did It."" She added after a brief pause.

Unfortunately, her confession didn't seem to take Cortez aback. Rather, he wanted to hear what she had to say.

"But I'm grateful to you and that is why I want to help.""

Cortez let out a chuckle.

"Alright then," He said finally as he took his hand back. "Take me to your friend."

** ** **

Although Dr. Cortez made it look as if he only needed her to locate Darlow, Hannah knew he brought her with him as a means of protecting himself should the meeting go sideways.

A couple of tenants hung around the old-story building, each giving way as they entered the passageway, their lingering eyes following them each step along the way. But not everyone paid attention. Some Goth-like teenagers in their black clothing and hair dyed in shades of red and purple sat at the edge of the stairs, one of them nodded at Hannah as she and Cortez climbed onward.

Finally, they came to the door and Hannah stopped.

"We're here." She announced, facing him.

"Well, go in." Cortez suggested.

Hannah gave a subtle smile and then opened the door. The living room was dark except for a little light coming from another room inside.

"Yo Darlow, you in there?" Hannah yelled as she headed for the smaller room while Cortez remained behind. A gut feeling inside told him something was not right but then he couldn't turn back now.

Soon enough, he heard nothing from Hannah- proof that his instinct was correct and he shouldn't have followed her.

The lights came on just as he considered what his options were.

"Hello Cortez, it's been a while."

Lucifer sat on a wooden chair by the wall, his eyes narrowed at Cortez as his mouth spread in a cunning smile.

Cortez grimaced. And then the doors to both rooms jammed shut.

"Henry, I should have known." He glanced at the other room, hoping to get a glimpse of Hannah.

"Oh, don't let Hannah's betrayal surprise you," Lucifer remarked as if reading his thoughts. "We all figured it was high time you paid for your sins."

"Mhm… and what makes you think you are capable of doing that?" Cortez blurted.

"Oh believe me when I tell you, I am not like your men in blue, and I can very well play judge, jury, and executioner," Lucifer warned.

His tongue clicked now as he slowly got to his feet.

"Tell me, Cortez, would you have been truly contented if your plan had worked, if you had gained power and authority over Henry? Cause I know he would be dead by now." He inquired as he walked closer.

"You're doing it again, talking about yourself like you aren't here. Stop it!" Cortez spat in anger.

"For there's one thing I've known over," Lucifer continued, each step forcing Dr. Cortez. "You men are all the same. Once a man longs for power, he is never truly satisfied. Like an unquenchable flame, the desire cannot be put out. It keeps on burning till it burns the man inside out."

Lucifer had successfully driven him back to the wall now as Cortez gaped. But then came a moment of desperation as Cortez chose to fight back, pulling out the gun to Lucifer's face. The weapon only seemed to amuse Lucifer.

"Not so intimidating now, eh?" Cortez uttered, his finger wrapped around the trigger. Yet his shaking hands betrayed him almost as soon as he spoke.

"You humans and your faith in your weapons," Lucifer chuckled as he shook his head. No sooner had he done that did he stretch his hand forward and snatch the gun from Cortez's quivering hands. Cortez could sense Lucifer's muscles contract as he broke the gun in half effortlessly and tossed it away.

"What the hell do you want from me? What are you doing to me?" Cortez shrieked.

There was something about Lucifer's eyes now that sent cold shivers down his spine. His gaze was an overwhelming terror; Cortez could see another world filled with total darkness and agony. He also heard wailing and screams amid that darkness. His five senses were alert to it all, he could feel their pain- the horror of what they were experiencing.

"Showing you a glimpse of what befalls you." Lucifer's voice thundered as he smiled.

Heart pounding in fear for his life, Cortez began bending to his knees.

"No, please I beg of you. I don't want to die, not like this!"

"We've gone past begging, your soul is mine." Lucifer threatened with a smirk.

"Please, don't kill me!" Cortez pleaded. "I'll confess! I'll confess to everything!"

Lucifer stopped, his eyes studying the doctor now on his knees.

"Yes, I sabotaged the experiment and caused the explosion that killed over twenty employees including Dr. Karen. I'll go to the police too. Just don't kill me." Cortez cried with his head bowed down.

"And to think you pointed a gun in my face not too long ago." Lucifer mocked. "Maybe I should--"

"That's enough." Detective Donnie thundered as he emerged from the other room. His partner followed as well as Tony and Hannah including Dr. Simon and Herman.

Lucifer turned to them, a sinister smile worn all over.

"You've made your point and proven your innocence. Let us take it from here." Detective Donnie added.

"If you insist," Lucifer gestured his hands at Cortez as if permitting them.

"Dr. Cortez, you're under arrest--"

"Oh, thank God! Yes, arrest me, I did it." Cortez exclaimed, offering his hands to be cuffed. "Just take me away from him. He is the devil!"

The two detectives took Cortez away, leaving Lucifer with the rest of the gang.

"I must say, your plan worked like a charm." Dr. Simon commended.

"You're welcome," Lucifer smirked.

"Where did you learn to act like that?" Hannah exploded in awe. "You scared the crap out of me too, and I was only listening behind the door."

Lucifer studied their expressions; all their faces except Tony's demanded an answer. But he was not ready to reveal himself just yet. Still, the truth was always known to keep humans guessing. He smiled once again.

"As he said, I am the devil."