(Sorry I left out part of the chapter, so I made this part its own chapter)
Today: Channing Hospital
A young woman with golden chestnut hair and blue-grey eyes watched him through the one way glass. She looked to most like a curious bystander or maybe a
family member. She wasn't wearing a doctor's coat or a nurse's uniform. Instead she wore a simple, cotton top and jeans. Her shoes were wedge heeled sandals
giving her the look of someone much younger. A nurse approached her shaking her head. "Such a shame, he has lost weight since his arrival and shows no interest in
doing anything but staring out the window. I don't understand why he or the others are even here. I've seen their parents and the way they care for each other is very
apparent. Something isn't right, Dr. Jackson. I hope you can figure this one out. Dr. Carter said that you had cleared your calendar for them. I'm glad if anyone can keep
these sweet ones from becoming lost it's you."
Dr. Isabella Rose Jackson blushed at the compliment and looked at the young nurse standing beside her. "I hope I can to Rebecca, this just seems so wrong. Have they
seen their families since last week?"
Rebecca's face clouded over angrily. "No that despicable Dr. Richardson won't let them, says it's detrimental for them. I really hate that man!"
Isabella just shook her head. "So that's why Emily called me. I understand now. I wonder how much Dr. Richardson has to do with this atrocity. Dr. Carter has given me
exclusive control over these three cases. Let's see Dr. Richardson go over the administrator of the hospital. I'm going to go have the other children moved to this floor and I
do not want them to have contact with any other doctors. It is imperative that we get them talking so I can get a proper view of this situation. I will need all of their files and
charts and all of the contact numbers you have. In the meantime give me ten minutes then have Alan brought out to the solarium and please tell the attendant not to tell
Alan who I am. Tell him the reason he is going is to get some sun and exercise. It's time to get this show on the road. Thanks Rebecca, you're a dream!"
Rebecca just laughed before heading to the nurse's station to get the files and paper work Dr. Jackson had requested. In exactly ten minutes she went and collected
Alan and escorted him herself. Opening the door to the solarium she nodded at him. "Go ahead you can enjoy yourself for a little bit. Stretch those legs of yours and
enjoy the sunshine, it'll put some color back into those cheeks. I'll come back for you in a bit." She smiled and gave him a little nudge.
Alan smiled back slightly and stepped into the brightly lit room. He liked this nurse, she had a gentle voice and she made him feel like he mattered. He moved
slowly around the solarium looking at the benches here and there and smelling the different flowers along the path. He stopped short as he
realized he wasn't alone. A young woman sat curled up on one of the benches a book in her hand. He was about to turn and go the other way when she looked up
and smiled. "Oh hello, I usually don't see anyone in here this time of day. My name is Bella, pleased to meet ya." Her soft southern accent intrigued him.
He stepped forwards and shook her small hand. "Hi, my name is Alan. Are you a patient here to?"
Bella giggled softly, "No afraid not, just a family member of someone here. Are you a patient?"
Alan sighed and looked down at his feet. "Yes, unfortunately, but I shouldn't be."
Bella uncurled herself and patted the seat next to her frowning slightly. "You aren't sick? You certainly don't look it. Come sit be me, maybe telling me about it will help.
People always tell me I have a great shoulder to lean on and that I listen better than anyone they know. Come sit and tell Bella all about it."
Alan didn't know if it was her accent, her soft manners, or the fact that if he didn't talk to someone soon he was going to explode. He moved over and sat down
beside her, he even accepted the arm she placed gently about his shoulders. He began his story haltingly at first then with more animation and feeling. He left out
the parts about his family being I.R. and the fact that the Hood had been on their island. He told her all about his brothers and his father, how they had helped each
other cope after their mother's death and how much they cared about each other. He talked about his friends and their families and how loving and solid they were.
By the time he had finished he was surprised to find that he did still have tears left in him and now they were coursing down his cheeks.
Bella hugged Alan tighter as he cried, her own tears threatening to spill. "Oh Alan, I'm so sorry sweetie. I'm sure something can be done to get you all back with your
families. They sound pretty great to me."
Alan finally quieted down and looked up at her with a grateful tear stained face. "Thanks Bella. I needed that."
They both looked up and across the solarium at the sound of the door opening. They quickly composed themselves and looked over as the young nurse came in to
retrieve him. "Hey, Alan, oh and hello Miss. Bella, hope your having a good day. Well Alan it's time to head in, dinner will be served soon. I asked them to bring you
something a little better this time, hopefully they listened, if not I might sneak you in some homemade stew tomorrow. See you later Miss. Bella."
Bella smiled and waved as they left. After they had gone she pulled out her small notebook and jotted down some notes for later reference.
1. Alan is very close to his brothers and father.
2. There are four older brother's; oldest is Scott: loves flying; John: loves astronomy; Virgil: loves the arts and music, plays piano; Gordon: loves swimming
3. Have Alan meet with each brother alone and work on something that is of interest to that brother, see how they interact, become involved if able.
4. Have Alan and father meet alone and watch their interaction.
5. Things are definitely not as they appear to be.
Just as she put away her notebook Dr. Richardson stormed into the solarium. "What the devil do you think you're doing?" He grabbed her arm in a crushing grip and
snatched her up off the bench.
Isabella's voice was firm and her face was filled with controlled anger, "Take you hands off me Simon. Dr. Carter herself called me in and placed all three children under
my care. I don't know what you're up to but you have no say so anymore as to how those children are treated. Now once again, unhand me."
Dr. Simon Richardson was a tall man and extremely slender, almost bony, he reminded most people of those old horror images of 'Dracula'. And right now he
definitely acted the part, snarling he drew her up until their faces were within inches of each other, "You have no idea who you're messing with, Isabella. Back out n…"
He suddenly found himself face to face with all the glory of Dr. Daniel Aaron Jackson's fury. Releasing Isabella he tried to extricate himself from Daniel's grip but
before he could he was knocked to the ground by a very well placed right hook. Daniel stood fuming over him, "If you ever touch my sister again I'll see to it that you
not only lose your job but also your license to practice medicine anywhere. Now get the h-- out of here."
Simon glared at the two of them before getting up and heading to the door. Before leaving he turned and spat, "If I were you Daniel I'd put a leash on that little brat of
a sister of yours. She would do well to leave these cases alone, for both your sakes." With that he left slamming the door behind him.
Daniel growled darkly before turning and gathering Isabella in his arms. "Did he hurt you 'Bella bear'?"
Isabella couldn't stop shaking, more in anger than fear. She gave him a shaky laugh. "Not really, 'Danny boy'. He only grabbed my arm." She winced as she realized
her bad choice of words.
Daniel immediately stepped back and gently taking her arm pushed her sleeve up, and hissed in fury. "That low life, son of a…"
He broke off as she smacked him on the arm. "Daniel Aaron Jackson, watch your tongue, there are children in this building!"
He was still angry but allowed a small grin, "Yes 'mother'. But seriously I want you to report this to Emily in the morning. I want her to see what that jerk has done to
you."
Isabella shook her head, a determined glint in her eyes. "And have her remove me from these cases for my own safety, no way. I can take care of myself, you and Jack
saw to that. I plan on finding out why these kids are here and what secrets are being kept. If you're so worried become my co-counsel, back up my observations with your
own. If you're involved I'm sure Simon won't bother me anymore."
Daniel eyed her for a minute before nodding, "I want to know every step you take Isabella, things can't be taken for granted here. At least one of the families has a lot of
money to back them they could crucify us in a heartbeat if we make one slip-up. Check and re-check your findings okay."
She smiled and nodded then they both proceeded to the nurse's station to pick up the files she had asked for. They would check in to make sure the other children
were settled before heading home, a puzzle was in need of solving.