En-GAGE-ment–Part 4
By Nancy F. Thysell, the Nifty Lady
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was early evening when Chris Martin regained consciousness. She was confused at first. She looked around and realized that her right leg ached and that it was in traction and she was obviously in the hospital. How did I get here? Johnny! Johnny must have found me and brought me here. She smiled and looked around the room hoping to see him. She was disappointed when she didn’t see him. She tried to make herself more comfortable in the bed. Chris reached over with her left hand to pull the blanket closer. She panicked when she didn’t see her engagement ring! Oh no! I’ve lost my ring! Tears welled in her eyes. What will Johnny think? A tear escaped and ran down her cheek. Then a terrible thought. Johnny’s not here. My ring is gone. What if he can’t put up with me like this? He’s left me! Tears streamed down her face. She felt so alone and worthless. No one would want a cripple for a wife. Not even Johnny! Otherwise, he’d be here. I wish I was dead! Chris began to sob as though her heart would break. Maybe it already was broken.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kelly Brackett sat behind his desk trying to finish up a report. There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," he said somewhat brusquely. The door opened and Police Captain Terrence Tobias entered.
"Doctor Brackett. Are you ready for me now?" the policeman asked.
Kel looked hard at the man for a moment, pursed his lips and gestured toward the chairs in front of his desk. "Have a seat Captain."
"Thank you," Tobias responded as he took the chair nearest the door. "I’m sorry I couldn’t have been more available to you earlier but the situation here was chaotic at best. I hope you understand."
"What I want to know, Captain, is how two of your prisoners escaped from my ER. Why weren’t these prisoners in restraints?" Brackett asked tersely.
"I want to know that myself. The incident today wasn’t typical and admittedly, the appropriate measures were not taken. We have recovered one of the men. We found the jumpsuit the other man was wearing in a storage closet. It appears he slipped out of the ER in surgical scrubs. We have searched the hospital from top to bottom. So far the only thing we’ve found is that a Mr. Morrison on the sixth floor is missing a suit of clothes. And a set of soiled scrubs was left in place of the suit. So we now know what our man is wearing," Tobias explained.
"Is he still in the hospital?" Brackett wanted to know. Tobias looked at his notes.
"We feel 99% certain that he’s made good his escape. Our concern is that this Chandler fellow..."
"Chandler? Did you say Chandler? Not Jimmy Chandler?" Brackett became alarmed at that name.
Tobias checked his notes and frowned as he nodded his head. "I’m afraid so, doctor. Do you know him?"
Kel nodded as he explained, "Chandler was recently convicted of arson, robbery and attempted murder against a couple of our paramedics. I thought he’d be in the state prison by now."
Tobias sighed heavily. "He would have been if the system wasn’t so overloaded. He was scheduled to be shipped out tomorrow. Then this altercation broke out at the jail today. He was one of the less serious injuries. And apparently he has slipped through our net."
"Obviously. I think I’d better get a hold of my paramedics in case he’s trying to get back at them. He seems to be a bit unstable. Chris Martin, the young woman I was operating on this afternoon became the object of his obsession. I’d like a guard placed on her room until you catch this guy," Brackett informed the officer.
"Consider it done," Tobias agreed. "I have a few loose ends to take care of yet in the ER. I should be able to return its control to you shortly. I believe we only have one or two more prisoners for your staff to finish treating. Then they will all be on their way back to the jail."
Tobias rose to his feet and extended his hand to Brackett. "Thank your doctor for your patience. I know today has been unusual in many ways. I’d appreciate you letting me know what, if anything, you learn from your paramedics. At least we can warn them to be careful this way."
Kel took the man’s proffered hand and shook it. "I will captain. I’ll call you as soon as I know anything."
"Of course. Now, do you know room Miss Martin is in?"
"No, I’m sorry. I don’t have that information yet. Hang on. Let me check." Brackett picked up the phone and dialed the surgical floor and asked the nurse for the required information and thanked her. He looked at Tobias as he replaced the handset.
"Miss Martin is in Room 533. It’s a private room. Tell your officer that aside from hospital personnel right now the only visitors she’s allowed will be John Gage, and Roy and JoAnne DeSoto."
Tobias wrote down the information. "Thanks. Don’t worry doctor. We’ll look after her. I honestly don’t think Chandler would be stupid enough to come back here. He’s probably on the run as far away from LA as he can go. I know if it were me, I’d be long gone."
"Yeah, but you’re not a sick man like this Chandler is," Kel pointed out. Tobias gave him a tight smile.
"You’re right, of course. I’ll talk to you later," Tobias concluded as he left the room. Kel leaned back in his leather chair and brought his fingertips together in front of his face and sighed. Then he picked up the phone to notify the nurse on the surgical floor about the police arrangement.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The sun had set by the time Roy pulled into Johnny’s drive. He was relieved to see the Land Rover sitting in front of the house. He parked and quickly climbed the porch steps and knocked on the door. After a moment, he wondered if perhaps Johnny was in the barn. But then, he dismissed that idea as he knew how worried Johnny was about Chris. Just as he started to turn back to the door, he noticed the broken passenger window on the Rover. Instinct told Roy that something was wrong. Definitely wrong. He pounded on the door with his fist.
"Johnny? It’s Roy! Are you in there?" he yelled. He pulled his keys out and singled out the spare key to Johnny’s house and unlocked the door and pushed it open. The room was dark and he hit the light switch. The lamp came on and flooded the room with a soft light. Roy immediately saw Johnny prone on the sofa with his hands tied behind his back. Alarmed, Roy rushed to his friend’s side. He checked first for a carotid pulse and let his breath out when he found it strong. Johnny lifted his head slowly.
"Roy?" he asked in a raspy voice.
"Yeah, it’s me, partner. Hang on, I’m going to untie you," Roy told him as he worked on the knots. They were so tight, he couldn’t loosen them. "I’ll be right back. I need a knife to cut the rope."
"‘Kay," his partner mumbled into the sofa cushion. He heard the rattle of the utensils in the kitchen. A moment later, he felt Roy cutting his bonds. Then, gently Roy rolled Johnny on his side. He paled when he saw Johnny’s battered face. He had already noted dried blood on the back of Johnny’s head. The paramedic began his assessment.
"Okay, Johnny. Tell me where you hurt," he directed. Johnny rested his hand on Roy’s arm.
"Chandler," he whispered hoarsely. Roy was confused for a moment then he comprehended.
"Chandler did this? How? Wait a minute. The prison break at Rampart?"
Johnny nodded his head. Roy was putting two and two together.
"And he got away from the hospital by using you as a hostage?"
"Uh huh. Roy, he’s trying to find Chris. Don’t let him find her," the younger man pleaded.
"Don’t worry partner. He won’t hear it from me. Come on, I’m taking you to Rampart. We’re going to get you checked out," Roy directed as he pulled his friend unsteadily to his feet. "Can you walk?"
"I’ll try," Johnny promised. With Roy’s help, he traversed the distance from the house to Roy’s car and slumped down in the passenger seat. Roy ran back and locked the door. In moments he had the car in gear and headed back down the road to the hospital.
As Roy's car disappeared down the drive, Jimmy Chandler came down the stairs and stepped to the front window and peered through the drapes. He fingered the knife. The fireman had been lucky again. His friend had arrived just in time. Chandler had hidden when the other man had pounded on the door. He figured he’d have another chance. He grabbed the fireman’s car keys and headed for the Land Rover. He needed to find a new set of wheels. There would be time to find another car with the fireman going to the hospital. He wouldn’t report the assault for a while yet. Time enough to get another vehicle. He drove off into the dark.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dixie McCall sighed heavily as the last of the prisoners were loaded onto their bus. What a day this had been! She stretched on her stool before she stood up. Kel Brackett and Joe Early headed down the hall toward the base station.
"Hi guys! You need anything before I get out of here?" she asked wearily.
Joe Early raised a curious eyebrow. "What makes you think you’re getting out of here?" he asked innocently. Dixie gave him that look.
"Joe Early! It is the end of my shift and I am going home to a well deserved bubble bath," she informed the older doctor pointedly. With an authoritative thump of the file in her hand, she dropped it into the "Out" basket and sauntered down the hall. Both men watched her departure appreciatively.
"Well, I guess she told us," Brackett chuckled. Joe laughed as well.
"I guess she did, Kel. No arguing with that woman."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dixie rode the elevator to the fifth floor. She decided that she would check on Chris before she changed and headed home. She figured she’d see Johnny as well. As she walked off the elevator, she was surprised to see the policeman stationed outside Chris’ room. She walked up to the officer.
"Excuse me," she said. "But I need to check on this patient."
The officer had stood at her approach. He was tall, handsome, but youthful looking. Dixie noted that he had sapphire blue eyes and dark wavy hair. She estimated that she was probably too old for the good-looking young man so she attended to business as she flashed him a brilliant smile. She read his nametag, B. Young. "How appropriate," Dixie thought.
"Yes ma’am. I need to see your hospital I.D." Officer Byron Young informed her. Dixie showed him her official hospital identification and he opened the door for her with an enchanting smile. She stepped into Chris’ room, finding herself watching Officer Young until the door was closed. She sighed. If only she was ten years younger. She shook her head as if to dislodge the image and turned her attention to Chris.
Chris had turned her head toward the window when she saw the nurse enter the room. She really didn’t want anyone to see that she had been crying. She chewed on her bottom lip as the nurse approached. Maybe she’d just get her vitals and leave.
"Hey Chris. How are you feeling?" Dixie asked pleasantly. Chris wasn’t expecting anyone she knew and before she could help herself, the tears started again. Dixie touched Chris’ arm lightly when she realized Chris was crying.
"Chris? What’s wrong? Are you in pain?" Dixie asked with concern. Chris shook her head, and brought her hands to her face and sobbed.
"Chris! Tell me what’s wrong," Dixie ordered, pulling gently at the young woman’s hands.
Chris looked up into Dixie’s concerned eyes and like a child, reached out her arms to be held. Dixie encircled Chris in her arms. She held her comfortingly for several minutes before she felt the younger woman begin to relax. She released her slowly and eased Chris back onto the bed. Grabbing a tissue from the bedside table, she dabbed at Chris’ tear stained face. Then Chris took the tissue and blew her nose into it.
"Sorry," Chris apologized. Dixie searched Chris eyes. She couldn’t believe how melancholy she looked.
"What’s going on Chris. Why are you so sad?" Dixie urged her to talk.
Chris chewed on her bottom lip. "Oh, Dix. I just want to die." She stared at her in traction leg. Dixie followed her stare.
"Because of this?" Dixie asked with a sweep of her hand at the offending leg. Chris nodded in confirmation. Dixie knew that patients often suffered post-operative depression but was surprised that Chris seemed so depressed.
"Have you talked to Johnny about this?" she asked her gently. Immediately tears welled in Chris’ eyes and her bottom lip trembled as she shook her head.
"I don’t think I can. He hasn’t even been to see me! I don’t think he wants a cripple for a wife," Chris blubbered.
"What are you talking about?" Dixie asked in concern. Chris held up her naked left hand. At first Dixie didn’t understand but then she realized that Chris was missing her engagement ring.
"Oh, Chris! Didn’t you realize that they remove all your jewelry before surgery? We have a bag with all your valuables in it." Chris shook her head. That thought hadn’t occurred to her.
"But where’s Johnny? Why isn’t he here?" Chris’ voice still quivered.
Dixie cast a nervous eye at the door. It suddenly occurred to her that the escaped prisoner must have something to do with Chris and that made her uneasy. Even more, now she was worried about Johnny. Something must be really wrong if he wasn’t here with Chris.
"Chris, I don’t want to alarm you but they’ve posted a policeman at your door," Dixie began. Chris looked sharply at the door.
"Why? Why would there be a policeman at my door?"
"Well, while you were in surgery this afternoon, there was a huge fight at the County jail and a number of the prisoners where transported here for treatment. Two of them escaped in all the confusion. One of them is still loose," Dixie explained quickly. Chris felt confounded.
"But what does that have to do with me?" Chris asked. Then it came to her. Chandler! She looked at Dixie anxiously. "Not Chandler? Tell me it isn’t Chandler!"
"I honestly don’t know," Dixie told her truthfully.
"Oh Dixie! What if he’s done something to Johnny?" Chris worried fearfully. Dixie put a reassuring hand on Chris’ shoulder.
"I haven’t heard anything but I promise you, I’ll find out. Okay? You need your rest so I want you to try to stay calm and don’t worry. Understand?" the nurse instructed.
"I’ll try, Dix. But find Johnny. I need to see him. I really need him," Chris pleaded. Dixie gave her a reassuring smile as she went to leave the room.
"I certainly will," she promised and walked out the door.
The door had barely closed when her bedside phone rang. Awkwardly, Chris maneuvered herself to pick up the handset.
"Hello? Daddy? Am I glad it's you!" she cried. Doug Martin didn't like the tone of his daughter's voice.
"What's wrong baby?" he asked her, his worry evident.
"I'm scared Daddy. I'm really scared. That man who attacked me has escaped. They've put a policeman on my door again. And I don't know where Johnny is!" And with that, Chris broke down and sobbed. Her father tried to offer her words of comfort but it was difficult over the phone. His frustration grew because he was scared too for his little girl and he knew there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Roy pulled up to the automatic doors of the emergency room entrance just as the paramedics from Station 51 were exiting the building.
"Hey! Evans! Joyner!" he called to him as he got out of his car. "I need some help with Johnny here. Get a gurney or a wheel chair."
Paramedic Dan Evans hurried back into the ER as his partner Rob Joyner hurried to help Roy. By the time they had Johnny out of the car, Evans had returned with a gurney. The three paramedics lifted Gage onto it and rushed him into the ER. Evans called in a still alarm to dispatch on his handi-talkie as they pushed the gurney. Dr. Brackett had just stepped out of his office when he saw Roy and the two on-duty paramedics enter the corridor with their patient. He hurried over to the men and saw that it was Johnny on the gurney.
"Let's get him into Treatment Four," Brackett ordered. The night emergency nurse, Libby Johnson, hurried to assist. Once in the treatment room, they moved Johnny onto the exam table. All three paramedics began helping by getting vitals.
"What happened Roy?" Dr. Brackett asked as he let the others get Johnny's vitals and cut away his shirt. He felt he could better help the young paramedic if he had more information.
"I'm not completely sure, doc. But when no one could find Johnny, I went out to his place. I found him tied up with his hands behind his back. I noticed blood on the back of his head and once I had him turned over, well, then I could see his face. Someone hit him pretty hard. Johnny thinks it was Chandler," Roy hastily explained.
"I think he's right. Chandler escaped from a treatment room earlier today when they had difficulty restraining another inmate.
"Chris?" Johnny mumbled. "Roy? Is Chris okay?"
Roy moved to his partner's side and looked at Brackett for an answer. Kel stepped up to the exam table and placed his hand gently on Johnny's shoulder.
"Johnny, Chris is fine. She's in her own room and we have a police officer guarding her room Chandler can't get to her. Don't you worry about her now, you understand? Let us take care of your wounds now."
"Kay," Johnny slurred. "S'long as Cris awight."
Brackett looked at Roy in alarm. Johnny shouldn't be slurring his words like that. He pulled out his penlight and checked Johnny's eyes. The patient tried to bat the offending light away.
"Don't do dat. Hurtz," Johnny complained.
"His eyes are unequal and sluggish. He's probably gotten a concussion from that blow to his head."
"Yeah, well from the looks of his Land Rover, he hit the passenger's window," Roy informed the doctor.
Dr. Brackett examined Johnny's chest and mid-drift. "Looks like he took quite a blow here as well. A lot of bruising but no apparent breaks. We'll get x-rays to make sure he didn't crack any ribs either."
"It looks like he may have gotten in a pretty good lick himself," Roy commented pointing to the bruising on Johnny's left hand.
"I think you're right Roy. Libby, get a portable x-ray machine in here. I want full skull, ribs and two views of his left hand. Then I want a CBC, blood gases..." Brackett dictated to the nurse. Roy tuned it out as he went to stand by Johnny's right side. His partner looked up at him with pain in his eyes.
"How ya doing partner?" Roy asked.
"Hurtz. Whrez Ciss?"
"She's out of surgery and she's in her own room."
Johnny tried to rise from the table. "Gotta see her," he mumbled through his swollen lip. Roy gently eased him back on the table.
"Not yet Junior. The doc isn't through with you yet. He's getting labs on you as well as a whole series of x-rays. Just try to relax."
Evans came over to Roy's side. "Roy, we need to make ourselves available. Let us know how he's doing, okay?"
"Sure thing. Thanks guys," Roy called after the departing paramedics. It was getting late. JoAnne would be worried. He needed to call her. He decided he'd do that while the x-rays were being taken.
A short time later Brackett decided to have Johnny admitted for observation due to the concussion. He had a superficial scalp wound where he had hit the car window. The x-rays indicated no breaks. Just a lot of bruising so he'd be sore for a couple of days but nothing major. And because Chandler was a threat to both Johnny and Chris, Dr. Brackett ordered that Johnny be put in a bed in Chris' room. Johnny didn't mind that at all. He couldn't wait to see her. It felt like forever since he had seen her last. Now he just wanted to be near her.
End of Part 4, Continued in Part 5
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