Chapter 2 - Shock

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2255, Wednesday, 18/3/92

Cooper's Crossing Hospital

"Well, there doesn't appear to be any physical injury." He met Jackie at the foot of the trolley.

Jackie lowered her voice. "I know how to do this. Look, I, I'm not trying to second guess you, or over-step my authority. I just want to make sure we get the best outcome here," Jackie spoke awkwardly. She was all too aware of the last time she'd questioned his judgement on a case.

"It's all right. It's been a long time since I've had to be the primary physician for something like this. You're probably a lot more familiar with current protocol," Geoff acknowledged.

"There are parts of the forensic collection that I am qualified to carry out, and in the absence of another female doctor," she trailed off, slipping on examination gloves.

Geoff interrupted immediately, "As long as you stick to the limits of your qualifications regarding the legal aspect, I'm happy for you to run this."

"First step is obtaining informed consent, otherwise we're going nowhere." Jackie sighed.

"Right." Geoff nodded, as Jackie made her way back up to Rowie's side.

"How you doing?" Jackie lowered the railing of the trolley.

Still not uttering a response, Jackie saw Rowie's chin begin to tremble involuntarily.

"It's all right," Jackie repeated, exchanging brief glances with Geoff.

"Rowie, tonight when I found you, you were dazed, your blouse was torn and I noticed bruises on your thighs," Jackie spoke carefully.

"I don't want to talk about it," Rowie answered quietly, yet determinedly.

"You don't have to," Jackie reassured immediately. "But it's important that we examine you." Jackie watched her patient's reaction intently. "If only to make sure you're not hurt."

Rowie felt the implications of Jackie's words hit her; the humiliation washed over her. "I'm not hurt," Rowie spoke in a clinical, detached tone.

Geoff watched on, intrigued by Jackie's sensitivity.

"Good," Jackie whispered. "Rowie, I know you know all of this. It's important that you're examined, not only for physical injury, but also for forensic evidence."

Rowie shook her head vehemently.

"I promise, we'll go as slowly as you need, but you have to let us help you," Jackie pleaded.

Geoff stayed perfectly still, alternating his glance between each of his colleagues.

Jackie waited, knowing that forcing a reply or even eye contact was going to make the situation worse.

"I know," Rowie eventually murmured.

"Give me a minute, Row," Jackie touched the back of Rowie's right hand very gently before crossing the room.

"Okay." Jackie took a quick breath. "I'd like to start with some diazepam, it's standard protocol. As long as we're not taking a verbal statement for legal purposes, there's no problem. We can still take a history for medical purposes. Ten megs IM is the usual dose," Jackie answered professionally.

"I'll go get it." Geoff slipped off the examination gloves. "Would you like me to see if Kate can come in to help?" Geoff suggested.

"Mightn't be a bad idea," Jackie answered.

Jackie turned back towards Rowie as Geoff left the room.

Jackie glanced back down at her patient, seeing the silent tears trickle along Rowie's cheeks.

"Everything's going to be all right." Jackie clenched her jaw tightly, to stop herself from crying. "It's going to be all right," Jackie repeated softly.

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As he walked down the hallway towards the supply room, Geoff felt the events of the evening begin to catch up with him. He found himself pondering the same question as he suspected everyone else had: Who did this?

Swallowing, there was only one name that came to mind. Geoff couldn't rationalise his instincts, but he'd learnt over the years to listen to them.

Shaking his head in thought, Geoff knew he'd let things go too far between his colleagues. He thought back over the conversation he'd had with Guy only a month ago.

"What the hell do you think you're doing Guy?"

"Excuse me?"

"You are meant to be running the base, not having a feud with one of the staff."

"Are you taking sides now Geoff, are you?"

"Why does everything around here now have to end up in some sort of competition?"

"It takes two."

"You are going to sort things out with Rowie."

"Yes. I tried to have her transferred. I discussed the situation with head office and in the long run, it seemed to be the best solution. But it hasn't worked."

"And that's good management, is it? Just get her out of the way? Guy, you are working with people; with thinking, feeling people. Why didn't you just try and talk this out with her?"

"Geoff, I have tried everything with her,"

"No you haven't, you've done as you damn well pleased!"

Geoff sighed under his breath, and regretted not intervening sooner.

Arriving at the locked door, he heard the sounds of footsteps in the corridor.

"Katie!" Geoff turned around and called.

"What's going on?" Kate ran over to him and clutched onto Geoff's arm. "Is Rowie all right?"

"Not really." Geoff sighed.

"But I don't understand? What's happening? Vic and Nancy are a mess, Clare wouldn't tell me anything and just said to get here as soon as I could."

"Look, we don't know for sure at this stage what's happened," Geoff continued, as he unlocked the door and entered the small room.

Silently, he collected the medication, syringes, and alcohol preps.

"Geoff," Kate pleaded impatiently, "What the hell's going on?"

"We think she's been raped," he answered.

"Oh my God." Kate brought her hand to her mouth.

Geoff brought his left hand to Kate's back. "I was actually just about to ring you and get you to come in."

"What can I do?" she nodded, drawing a strengthening breath.

"We're playing this by ear, but we need to find out what happened." Geoff answered. "Come on." He led her back through the corridor towards the treatment room.

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2310, Wednesday, 18/3/92

Cooper's Crossing Hospital

"How are we going?" Geoff arrived back into the room.

"All right," Jackie spoke quietly.

Jackie noticed Kate standing by the doorway. Their eyes met briefly.

Kate was struck by the stillness and silence of the room. Rowie sat on the edge of the examination table, a blanket wrapped around her. Kate could barely see her face through the mass of auburn hair that fell against both shoulders.

"Rowie, we've got some diazepam to give you, all right?" Jackie watched as Rowie slowly seemed to absorb the sentence, lifting her gaze and turning her head towards Geoff.

Rowie watched as he drew up the syringe. As if eventually comprehending Jackie's words, she gave several affirmative nods.

"Good." Geoff appreciated the significance of the development.

"Geoff, is it all right if I administer?" Jackie asked, reaching for the syringe.

"Of course," Geoff replied and handed her the kidney dish. "Kate, can you assist, please."

Jackie quickly deduced the best access point. "Can you pull the blanket up, as I pull back her blouse?"

"Sure." Kate moved in next to Jackie.

"Rowie, I'm just going to move your blouse back enough to administer the injection. Is that all right?" Jackie knew that the initial contact with victims' clothing was the most invasive.

Rowie tightened her grip on the blanket, and shook her head.

"Okay," Jackie paused, glancing back at Geoff for a moment. "I can administer into your thigh if you'd prefer?"

Rowie looked from her hand clasping the blanket to the kidney dish in Jackie's right hand.

"I'll do it," Rowie answered.

Jackie nodded, and placed the kidney dish on the examination bed next to her, opened the alco-wipe and handed it to her.

Kate deliberately moved back across the room beside Geoff.

Jackie watched as Rowie meticulously moved the blanket back far enough, to wipe a spot on the outside of her right thigh.

Geoff and Kate exchanged intrigued glances.

"10 megs diazepam," Jackie repeated automatically as she handed Rowie the syringe.

Rowie drew a breath, and quickly injected the drug, handing Jackie back the syringe.

"Well done. Let's just give that five minutes or so. Geoff, can you start prepping please?" She hoped he would deduce her meaning.

"Sure. I'll be as quick as I can." Geoff turned back towards the door.

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As he stepped out into the corridor, Geoff was surprised to hear Kate's voice behind him.

"Why isn't Jackie asking her what happened?" Kate spoke in a hushed tone.

Slipping his arm around Kate's back, he walked with her several metres along the corridor.

"Because that's the worst thing we could do at this point. As soon as Rowie does say anything, we're able to be called on as witnesses. This means, if she says anything now, which differs from a formal statement in a few days' time; the defence can use those discrepancies to weaken the case. Jackie knows what she's doing, Kate. She's done this more times than you and I put together. We have to trust her instincts on this one." Geoff squeezed his wife's shoulder.

"I know. It's just not like Row, that's all," Kate whispered.

"That's the point, isn't it? What about you?" Geoff rested his hands on Kate's shoulders.

"I'm okay for now. Jackie's holding it together well," Kate answered.

"Yeah." Geoff nodded.

Kate followed her husband back towards the supply room. "So she hasn't said who it was?" Kate frowned.

Geoff shook his head, "I've got a pretty good idea though."

"Guy? But why would he do something like this? He and Rowie can't stand each other." She stood in the doorway, watching him locate the half a dozen sexual assault kits stacked in a corner of the room.

"Maybe because he perceived her as a threat. Anger and power are dangerous combinations." Geoff paused with a drawn-out, exhausted sigh, "Damn it, they're all out of date!"

"You could transfer her?" Kate suggested.

"We might have to. This is exactly why head office wanted a female doctor around this place. I don't even know if she'll let me examine her." Geoff threw his hands up in exasperation.

"What about Jackie? She's worked emergency in Melbourne. Could she do it?"

Brushing his hand against his chin, Geoff considered his wife's suggestion. "I don't know," he sighed.

"Have you notified head office yet?" Kate asked, seeing the tension flash across Geoff's face.

"Kate, have you seen me stop moving? I haven't had time. There isn't anything that anyone can or will do until tomorrow morning anyway."

"But you're the only doctor we've got," Kate looked up as Geoff cut her off sharply.

"We can't jump the gun. Until we have a formal accusation, I can't suspend Guy."

Kate sighed, drawing a breath. "I'm sorry, I'm just; I can't believe it, you know?" she fought back the tears that had collected in her throat.

"Finally!" Geoff held the white cardboard box in his right hand. "At least we've got a kit. Look, once everything settles down here, I need to get on to Clare. I deliberately kept the specifics from Johnno, just in case. Until we know for certain, I'd sooner we have a relief pilot for a few days. Especially if we have to transfer her."

"Johnno wouldn't have done this, Geoff." Kate was taken aback by her husband's suggestion.

"We've said that before, haven't we?" Geoff looked at Kate for several moments.

"Yeah," she reflected over Jeannie Mooreland's assault.