As Max had promised, it took less than a few days for him and Hugh to complete the paperwork before submitting it to the courts. Prosecutors and even the feds looked over it for a few days before agreeing to it and signing it. As much as they wanted to nail John to the wall and bleed him for every drop of justice they could get, they fully understood that a trail would be costly to the taxpayers. As Max had also pointed out, he could have won the man his freedom and that would have upset the public even more. The idea of spending that kind money just to watch the bastard walk because of a technicality would have caused riots in the streets. This was the right way to go, the safest route for all involved. The deal would send him to a psychiatric facility to monitor his progress as a new man was better than nothing. If the killing stopped, that would make it a price worth paying.

The judge refused to lift the gag order and emphasized to all parties, especially the Sheriff, that any breach or leak of this deal would meet with sweeping, devastating sanctions. The judge also threatened to resign his bench just so he could lead the prosecution of those who breached it himself. That was a serious threat as the judge used to be a prosecutor, so everyone knew he meant every word of it. Even the Sheriff understood that he was dead serious and had no intention of breaking any of the rules his honour had just leveed upon them all. His honor was also adamant about the fact that if even a whisper of this got to the press and the deal they made, the mob would no doubt call for all of them to resign. So for the protection of the people as well as their own careers, this case would remain under seal and remain that way for a very long time if the judge had his way. Nothing stays a secret forever, but the hope was that no one would find out the truth about the Reaper until almost all parties were involved had passed on.

Max had no intention of breathing a word of what he had just done, as well as the deal he just negotiated. There was a part of him that was ashamed that he even defended someone who could be so evil, but at the same time, John wasn't that man. The person who committed those horrible crimes was gone and not murdering women anymore. As long as it remained that way, John has a very good chance of making a very valuable contribution to society. It was everyone's hope that his memory never returned as society was safer for it. The feds were determined to make sure John was monitored so it never did happen, making sure their man was watched during his stay at the mental facility they had agreed to.

John remained at the hospital for a few more weeks as the doctors wanted to make sure he had a few more tests before being released. Max and Hugh arrived early that morning to pick up their client. Both men were wearing clothing that was less formal. Max had blue jeans and a t-shirt while Hugh had kakis and a tie free dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, which was about as casual as Hugh preferred to be. John was there in the room, sitting in a wheel chair as they walked into the room.

"What's wrong with your legs?" Hugh asked.

"Nothing," John answered, "The staff insists this is a tradition, so I don't want to rock the boat. Not after how nice they've all been."

"That's not a bad idea." Max said as he got behind the wheel chair and grabbed both arms. "You all packed and ready to go?"

"Just one bag," John replied, "I don't have anything else."

"I'll grab it." Hugh said as he walked over and picked up the light bag without any trouble.

"What about anything I was wearing at the accident?" John asked.

"I'm afraid the courts are keeping it all as evidence." Max replied, "I checked the stuff myself, there was nothing of real value there and since you have no memory it's all just useless junk. Most of it was badly damaged in the accident."

"We can replace it for you." Hugh also offered. "Just make a list and we'll make sure to bring it on our first visit as long as it's approved by the medical facility."

"Thanks," John replied, "For that and offering to visit."

"It's not a problem." Max said.

"We're not going to forget about you." Hugh also added. "We'll be visiting often to make sure you're being treated well and in accordance with our agreement."

"I also appreciate that," John said as he watched them pull the wheel chair out through the hospital's main doors.

"Is something wrong?" Max asked.

"No," John answered. "This is just the first time I've been outside since the accident. Can I take a moment to enjoy it?"

"Just a moment," Hugh answered, "You can walk from here to our car over there."

As John started to walk towards the car on his own, Hugh grabbed Max by the arm and pulled him closer. "If he runs, you're going after him. I stopped my sprinting a long time ago."

"No need to worry." Max whispered back, "There are agents in the trees over there so if he tries to run, Wilson will have him in less than a minute."

"Not very trusting, that man." Hugh observed.

"Wilson prefers the term cautious." Max countered, "There will be a few cars also following us to the hospital. They'll be keeping their distance, but we have to remain on the approved route at all times."

"He's not cautious," Hugh said with a huff. "That man has OCD."

"You guys coming?" John called out to them. "I don't remember how to drive and considering how I got here, I don't want to."

"Good call." Max called back as they walked to the car.

"I want barbecue for lunch." Hugh said as he opened the door.

"We'll see." Max said as he got into the driver's side.

Once they were in the car, Hugh didn't hesitate to strap himself in and then turn to his driver. "Let's get the fuck out of Dodge, shall we?"

"What does that mean?" John asked.

Hugh sighed as he realized how blank that man's mind really was.

"The term was made popular by a western called Gunsmoke." Hugh replied, "It was making reference to Dodge City, Kansas. That used to be the town that was made popular by famous lawman like Wyatt Earp. Criminals were often urged to get the hell out of Dodge before the law caught up with them, which happened often if you dared to cross Marshall Earp, who was the most feared lawman in the west."

"Why was he so feared?" John asked as Max was pulling them out of the hospital parking lot.

"Because he was the best," Hugh answered for him. "He took part in countless gunfights, and never got hit once. He never lost either."

"Thank goodness he was on our side." Max said.

"If Earp was an outlaw, he would have been infamous." Hugh concurred, "Bigger than Billy the Kid or Jesse James. Instead he chose to enforce the law rather than break it."

"His father was a Justice of the Peace," Max added, "So that would explain why a lot of the Earps were lawmen, as they were pretty much spoon fed the law as they were growing up."

"Considering the Sheriff they have here." John said as he looked back at the hospital. "I'm all for getting out of Dodge."

Hugh laughed. "Ain't that the damn truth!"

"Are we allowed to have real food on the way there?" John asked, "It would be nice to sit down and eat out before checking in."

"There's a rib place on the way," Hugh informed them. "I made sure our approve route went that way."

"You're right, Hugh." Max said, as he was checking the car's GPS system. "There's Bob's Rib joint on the way up. We'll go there for lunch."

"Nice," Hugh said as he looked back at John and smiled. "I've been there a few times; you're in for a treat."

"Sounds good to me," John said, trying to be polite. He had no idea if he would like them or not but was willing to try anything with the two men that were being so nice to him.

"The food there is great, and it's a good spot to stop." Max said, "It's about halfway to the facility and we can use it to eat, pee and fill the tank. Wilson should be alright with it.

As Max was driving towards the highway, he looked in his side mirror to confirm he was being followed. The small pack of black SUVs that were following looked rather cliché and right out of a TV show. Max almost chuckled at the sight of them, and even wondered if they feds got a discount if they bought enough of them with that bloated budget that was footed by the taxpayers. The cars following him didn't need to get too close as Max also allowed them to plant a tracker onto his car. Wilson had appreciated their co-operation, but Max was just doing it to appease the man's paranoia. Max also knew the car was bugged, so when he made lunch plans clear it was his way of informing Wilson a few cars back what they had planned. Wilson would probably speed ahead and scope the place out before they got there. He also promised the agent that no alcohol would be consumed at lunch. Max had no intention of messing with him or the FBI. When Max and Hugh finally got John to the mental facility later that day, it would all be over for Max. he would be finally able to go on vacation with his wife. He was excited, because soon this entire ordeal would be behind him; at least for now.