Leaving Sabatier’s office, Stephen’s mind was consumed with the weight of the task ahead. He knew he had to act swiftly and cautiously to uncover the secrets hidden within Derleth McKenzie’s will. As he walked through the clinic’s bustling hallways, he considered his options.

Stephen decided to start by gathering information discreetly. He headed towards the clinic’s records department, hoping to find any relevant details about McKenzie’s medical history or connections. Martha, the nurse he had spoken to earlier, might have access to valuable insights.

Entering the records department, Stephen found Martha meticulously organizing patient files. She glanced up, noticing him approach. “Stephen, back so soon? Is everything alright?”

Stephen put on a reassuring smile. “Everything’s fine, Martha. I just need your expertise. Do you have any additional information on Derleth McKenzie, his medical records, or any peculiarities surrounding his treatment?”

Martha paused, considering his request. She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Well, I can’t disclose specific patient details without proper authorization, but I can tell you this: McKenzie’s medical history was certainly… unusual. He had a long-standing association with a renowned neurosurgeon who operated on him periodically.”

Stephen’s curiosity piqued. “A neurosurgeon? Do you happen to know the name?”

Martha hesitated for a moment, seemingly assessing the situation. Finally, she whispered, “Dr. Evelyn Sinclair. She’s quite renowned in certain circles, known for her groundbreaking research in neurological disorders.”

Stephen jotted down the name in his notebook, grateful for the lead. “Thank you, Martha. This information could be crucial. I appreciate your help.”

With newfound determination, Stephen left the records department and headed back to his office. He needed to dig deeper into Dr. Evelyn Sinclair’s background and any potential connections to the Ouroboros Syndicate or Phytocorp. He fired up his computer and began a meticulous search, hoping to uncover any leads that would shed light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding Derleth McKenzie’s involvement.

As the search progressed, Stephen’s excitement grew. He stumbled upon fragments of information linking Dr. Sinclair to clandestine medical experiments and rumors of her involvement with secretive organizations. It appeared that she operated in the shadows, much like the Ouroboros Syndicate itself.

Just as Stephen delved deeper into his research, the clinic’s emergency alarm suddenly blared through the halls, interrupting his concentration. Startled, he rushed out of his office and joined the commotion.

“What’s happening?” Stephen asked a fellow phyctor, struggling to be heard over the chaos.

“It’s Gary Hyle, the patient with the odd shoes!” the phyctor exclaimed, his face pale with urgency. “He’s experiencing a severe relapse. We need to stabilize him immediately!”

Stephen’s heart sank. Gary Hyle’s deteriorating condition was the reason for his rush to the clinic in the first place. He couldn’t help but wonder if there was a connection between the escalating symptoms and the enigmatic clues from his dream.

Determined to find answers, Stephen sprang into action, offering his expertise and support in the urgent situation. Amidst the chaos, he couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that there was a hidden puzzle waiting to be solved—one that held the key to both Gary Hyle’s well-being and the secrets buried within Derleth McKenzie’s will.