A Cut Above The Rest

Chapter 9

Back at San Francisco General, Steve was sleeping peacefully. The whole day's events had caught up with him and pure exhaustion had forced his body to rest. However as he slept, Steve felt an annoying tingling sensation in his arm. As deeply as he was sleeping, Steve subconscious was telling him that there was something he was supposed to do when he felt that tingling but his exhausted brain couldn't figure what that something was. It was only when a sharp pain shot up his arm and woke him up that he realized what was happening and knew he was in trouble. Wincing from the intense pain that was making itself known in his arm, Steve reached for the bell to call the nurse. Pressing the button he waited but no nurse came. The pain was getting worse so Steve pressed the bell again more urgently this time, but still no-one came. Glancing at the window Steve saw that it was dark outside but he didn't know what time it was.

Steve felt himself panic slightly. The bell obviously wasn't working or else the nurses were all busy and the only other choices he had, was to either put up with the pain until someone arrived or go and get a nurse himself. As his arm throbbed and the pain got worse Steve made his decision. He saw that he was still attached to the IV so he would have to disconnect that first before he could attempt to go anywhere. Reaching for the needle that was attached to him, he hesitated before pulling it out. He watched the door hoping someone would arrive and come to his help before he had to do anything drastic but when no-one did he resigned himself to what he had to do and he pulled the needle as gently as he could but it still stung as the needle came out and Steve sucked in a breath as it finally left his hand.

He knew whatever else he did he had to make sure he didn't bang his sore arm. He couldn't face another surgical procedure to repair any further damage he might do, so keeping his left arm still and unharmed was his main priority. He hadn't been up on his feet since the arrest earlier this morning so he didn't really know how his body was going to react to being in an upright position again. He reckoned that dizziness might be a problem so he got up as slowly as he could manage. He got to his feet without any major problems but he felt very unsteady and his legs felt like jelly. Not wanting to pass out or fall, especially on his arm, he held onto the bed and the chair with his good hand as he forced his legs to walk rather shakily towards the door. When he ran out of things to hold onto he made a grab for the wall and used that to keep himself upright instead.

As he reached the door the pain from his wound was becoming unbearable and his breathing was becoming very irregular. He opened the door and leaned his back against the door frame. Looking out the door and down the corridor, he couldn't see a living soul. The corridor was empty and the nurses station was deserted. Where was everyone? He couldn't keep himself upright any longer and not wanting to collapse he leaned his back against the door and slid carefully down it until he was sitting on the floor.

To his horror he just realized then that he was only dressed in a flimsy hospital gown and because of that he started to feel cold sitting on the tiled floor. He broke out in a cold sweat and prayed that someone would come back sooner rather than later. The IV had been attached to his immobilized hand and it was stinging like crazy where he had pulled it out. As the sensation came back in his arm and spread down into his hand he became aware of something wet oozing down his fingers. He reckoned it was bleeding from where he had taken out the needle but with the strapping he couldn't see how bad it was.

He was starting to shiver and his teeth began to chatter from sitting in the doorway and by now the pain in his arm was excruciating! It felt like someone had driven a scalding hot poker into his arm and was twisting it mercilessly. Over his heavy breathing, he heard footsteps approaching. He looked out hopefully but at first he couldn't see anyone. He listened harder and figured they were coming from the door to the stairs that was just to his right on the other side of the corridor. The footsteps grew louder and he prayed that they were coming his way! He was starting to feel very woozy and freezing cold and began to regret his earlier decision to get out of his warm bed.

He was starting to think that no-one was going to find him and once more he wondered where everyone could possibly be? He closed his eyes tight and tried to breathe through the intense pain in his arm when he heard the door to the stairs open and opening his eyes he saw Dr. Mackenzie emerge reading a medical chart that he had in his hand. He tried to call out but his voice wouldn't cooperate through the chattering of his teeth and as another sharp pain erupted from his wound he closed his eyes again and just hoped that he was visible enough in the doorway to be seen.

As luck would have it Dr. MacKenzie had just finished his rounds and had been on his way to check on Steve. As he approached Steve's room, he closed the file that he had in his hand and looking up, to his horror he saw the young man sitting in the doorway. Racing to his patient, he didn't like what he saw. The young man was shivering violently and his breathing was very laboured.

"STEVE ! What on earth are you doing out of bed?"

"Rang the bell ... no-one came. My arm ..." Steve stopped talking as the pain robbed him of breath again and a pain filled groan escaped his lips.

"Ok Steve! Take it easy!"

The doctor looked down at the Nurses Station and couldn't see anyone there.

"NURSE! I NEED HELP HERE ! WHERE IS EVERYONE?" the Doctor shouted frustratedly then turned to help his patient.

"Steve? Did you fall? Did you bang your arm?"

"No ... I was careful. Didn't hurt ... my arm ..."

The Doctor quickly examined Steve. His breathing was ragged and it was clear that he was in a lot of pain. His skin was like ice and he was freezing cold. But there were no further signs of injury. Just then Doctor MacKenzie heard running footsteps and looking up he saw one nurse emerge from the kitchen at the end of the corridor and another emerged just after the first from a patient's room halfway down the corridor. Both were running towards him. Turning his attention back to Steve for the moment he spoke clearly.

"Steve, you're freezing cold. We've got to get you off the floor and back into bed then we'll get the pain under control. Put your good arm around my shoulders."

Steve did as he was told and soon the Doctor had him up on his feet. Careful of his injured arm, Dr. MacKenzie got him back sitting onto the bed and then swung his legs up so that he was back lying down. The first nurse came running into Steve's room behind them followed by the second.

"Oh my God, what happened?" the first nurse asked panicked.

"Where were you both? He was ringing the bell! No one came! "

The first nurse looked nervous and embarrassed. She stammered a profuse apology.

"Oh my God! I'm very sorry Doctor. I only left my post for a few minutes. Angela from ward 10 was finishing her last shift. She's leaving. They had a cake for her down in the kitchen. I checked on him before I went. He was fast asleep! And Eleanor was still at the desk. I'm so sorry Doctor!"

The second nurse then felt the need to explain her absence.

"Mr Harrison in room 104 had a bad asthma attack and called for me. I had to attend to him. I'm sorry too."

"We'll discuss this later! Just get Dr. Santos here NOW!"

Both nurses flew into action. One raced to page Dr. Santos while the second one helped Dr. MacKenzie with Steve.

By now, Steve was in an awful lot of discomfort and as such his vital signs were through the roof. His heart rate was fast and his breathing laboured and knowing that it would take a considerable time before Dr. Santos could be found, get to Steve's room, administer the local anesthetic and for it to kick in, Dr MacKenzie made the decision to administer a small dose of morphine instead to ease Steve's suffering until Dr. Santos arrived. Instructing the nurse to fetch it quickly, he prepped Steve's good arm and as she returned with the medicine, he prepped the syringe and injected the painkiller into Steve's arm.

"Steve! Hold on now. I've just given you something to take the edge off that pain until we can get Dr. Santos here to numb the arm. I'm going to put the oxygen mask on you too and I want you to take deep breaths for me until the meds kick in. Ok?"

Steve merely nodded to show he understood and the oxygen was given and Steve struggled to obey the Doctor's request. After about ten minutes Steve seemed to relax somewhat and Dr. MacKenzie knew that the meds had started to kick in. Finally Steve's breathing slowed down and his heart rate started to normalise again. With the crisis past Dr. MacKenzie rubbed the back of his neck grateful that his patient was now more at ease and turned his attention back to Steve's sore arm. He carefully examined the dressing and lifting it to check the sutures he was pleased to see that no further harm had come to his arm. Steve had said that he had been careful with it and the Doctor was grateful for that. He was still icy cold though so the Doctor instructed for him to be covered in more blankets. Next he had to undo the strapping on his left hand in order to clean up the blood from the IV disconnection and then they reattached a new line. Restrapping his fingers carefully the Doctor once more took Steve's pulse and was relieved to find it slow and steady. As Steve was breathing better now Dr. MacKenzie removed the oxygen mask from Steve's face and spoke to him.

"Steve! How are you feeling now? Has the pain eased?"

Steve merely nodded feeling drained from the whole incident.

"Ok, Dr. Santos should be here any minute to numb that arm again. I think from now on we'll keep it regularly topped up and not let it wear off in future. We don't want a repeat of this evening's episode. Try to rest now and we'll keep a close eye on you. Ok?"

Again Steve nodded. The morphine was making him feel drowsy but he was grateful for the fact that it had eased the agonizing pain from his arm. It was still throbbing but it was bearable again. He could hear the Doctor talking to him but didn't have the energy left to answer so he reckoned nodding his head would have to suffice. As the morphine took hold, he found himself drifting off to sleep again and didn't even hear Dr. Santos enter the room or Dr. MacKenzie filling his colleague in on what had happened.

While he slept, Dr. Santos numbed his arm again and then having left strict instructions for him to be checked regularly in case of a reaction to the morphine, the Doctors left their sleeping patient to rest.

Meanwhile...

Back at Bryant Street things were not going well. Lee had done what Mike had asked. He took Ms Saunders statement and having thanked her for her assistance he arranged for one of the squad cars to take her home. Locating the lady that Stahlbecker had grabbed was proving difficult though. The phone number she had given on her witness statement was just ringing out despite the fact that Lee had rung it many times. Bill had the previous day's CCTV footage from the BART station delivered over to him and was pouring through reams of footage but with the crowds of people coming and going it was proving to be tedious and to his dismay there were a lot of men wearing black hats and coats on the footage and with no distinguishing feature to look out for, the guy who picked up the gun could be any of them!

Having got updates on their lack of progress Mike was feeling frustrated and went back into his office and sat down wearily. They had to catch a break soon! He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his tired eyes. It had been a very long day and Mike was starting to feel the strain. He knew that the more time that went by where they hadn't found Steve's gun the more likely it was that they would never find it at all. The guy could be heading out of the state and the gun could have already been used and could be at the bottom of the Bay by now. He tried not to be too negative but things were looking hopeless.

Knowing that they were not making much progress there, he decided that perhaps Steve might be their only hope of remembering something that could identify the culprit so sitting back up straight, Mike reached out and picked up his phone and dialled San Francisco General. While he waited for the phone to be answered, he glanced up at the clock and saw that it was ten past midnight. He knew it was unlikely that Steve was up to being asked questions at this hour of night but decided to ask anyway as he really did feel that time was of importance in the search for the missing gun. The main switchboard answered and Mike asked to be put through to the first floor nurses station. A nurse answered and Mike quickly explained.

"Hello, this is Lieutenant Mike Stone. My partner Steve Keller is in room 101. Listen, I know it's very late and he might be sleeping but something has come up and I really need to ask him some questions about this morning's incident. Do you think he'd be up to seeing me now for just a little while if I came over?"

Knowing what had just happened a short while ago, the nurse hesitated, not knowing quite how to explain what had happened to the Lieutenant so she spoke nervously.

"Let me just check with the Doctor, Lieutenant."

Dr. MacKenzie was standing at the nurses station counter writing up Steve's chart at the time so the nurse put Mike on hold and explained to the Doctor about Mike's request. The Doctor gestured for her to hand him the receiver and reluctantly took the call.

"Lieutenant Stone! This is Dr. MacKenzie. I'm afraid Steve won't be up to any visitors until the morning."

"Oh hi Doctor. Ok. I guess he's worn out. I figured he'd probably be asleep. I just thought I'd ring and ask."

Not wanting to hold back on Mike and figuring that he should at least be aware of what had happened to his partner, the Doctor continued.

"Listen Lieutenant, there was an incident a short while ago concerning Steve."

Mike's blood ran cold and he swallowed hard.

"What happened? Is he ok?"

"Yes, yes he's fine but ... the numbness in his arm wore off while he was sleeping and by the time he woke up he was in a lot of pain. He rang the bell for the nurse but they were both occupied so he got out of bed to go looking for someone."

Again Mike almost froze on the other end of the phone.

"Dear God! Did he fall? Did he burst the stitches?"

"No ... on both counts. He was actually very careful. But I ... found him sitting in the doorway. He was in a great deal of pain from the arm and he was freezing cold. I'm not sure how long he'd been there."

Mike felt his hackles rise. He was angry for the hospital allowing that to happen but mostly he was angry with himself for having left Steve in the first place. If he had stayed he could have alerted the staff before the pain had gotten that bad.

"How was that allowed happen?" Mike asked unable to mask the anger in his voice.

"Lieutenant, I'm very sorry. You're absolutely right! It shouldn't happen in an ideal world but we're short-staffed and over budget and mistakes were made. I can assure you I'll be looking into the matter and trying to make sure it never happens again. You have my word on that!" the Doctor apologized profusely while at the same time glaring at the young nurse at the desk who had abandoned her post negligently.

Mike calmed down, realizing that it hadn't been the Doctor's fault and knowing from experience that being in charge of other personnel was not always easy. He was also grateful to the young Doctor for at least finding him when he did and looking after him.

"Well ... thank God you found him when you did! How is he now?"

"He's resting peacefully now, however he was in a great deal of pain. His vital signs were going through the roof so I couldn't wait for Dr. Santos so I ... I had to give him some morphine to control the pain. It's made him sleepy but he should at least rest comfortably for the rest of the night."

Mike rubbed a hand over his face, knowing the effect that would have on Steve and knowing that with morphine in his system he wouldn't be able to focus on anything much let alone remember anything about the guy who had been behind him on the escalator.

"Won't that make him sick again?" he asked almost not wanting to hear the answer.

"I'm hoping not. I just gave him a very small dose but we'll be keeping a close eye on him throughout the night just in case. But I'm afraid he won't be able to answer your questions until the morning. I'm sorry Lieutenant."

"Ok, that's alright. I'll call to see him first thing in the morning and ... thanks for looking out for him."

"Sure ... don't worry! I'll keep him closely monitored tonight. He should be feeling much better tomorrow. I'll see you then Lieutenant. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Doc." Mike said and waited holding the receiver until he heard the click and dial tone that meant the Doctor had hung up.

He sat holding the phone for several seconds, frustrated by the amount of dead ends he seemed to be running into and inwardly still worried and concerned about Steve. Then feeling his fatigue and frustration boil over he slammed the receiver back on the phone and sat with his face in his hands. The door of his office had been open and the loud slam of the phone was heard by all those outside in the bullpen. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Mike's office and seen their Lieutenant looking tired and totally fed up. Bill Tanner looked at Norm Haasejian and the look they exchanged was one of sympathy and concern for their colleague. Norm was the first one to move and walking bravely towards Stone's office he knocked casually on the open door and as Mike looked up at him he entered the office.

"Is everything ok Mike?"

"NO! Everything is most definitely NOT ok Norm!"

Then realizing that his answer had come out a little too forcefully and also realizing that he shouldn't be taking out his frustrations on the burly detective standing in front of him he softened his tone and continued.

"I'm sorry Norm. I didn't mean to jump down your throat! Steve had an incident at the hospital after I left."

Noting Mike's concern, Norm quickly asked.

"Is he ok?"

"Yes, yes he's alright but they had to dose him with morphine so I won't be able to ask him about the guy who was standing behind him on the escalator until tomorrow morning at the earliest. That's if he remembers anything about him at all! It's just so frustrating Norm! The longer it takes to find Steve's gun, the more chance there is that ... " Mike stopped mid sentence and looked at Norm dolefully. "Well, you're a smart guy Norm. You know the odds."

"Look Mike, we'll get the guy! And Steve's gun! We just need to catch a break that's all! You look exhausted Mike. You said yourself there's not much more we can do tonight. Why don't you go home and get some sleep. Maybe tomorrow with fresh eyes we'll get the break we need. Huh?"

Mike smiled at the wisdom of his senior detective. Leaning back in his chair Norm had made a lot of sense.

"Yes, as much as it pains me to admit it, Norm you're right! There's not much more we can do tonight. And it has been a long day! Maybe a few hours sleep wouldn't be a bad idea! Send some of the men home will you? We'll start again first thing tomorrow. If there's any further developments ring me at home. It doesn't matter what time it is ok?"

"Sure Mike! You got it!"

Nodding his thanks at his colleague Mike stood up and crossed his office. Norm handed him his coat and hat and Mike wearily made his way through the bullpen feeling all his men's eyes burning a hole in his back as he went. As he reached the main door, Bill Tanner called out.

"Hey Mike! We'll get him. Everything will be ok. You'll see."

Mike turned and smiled at Bill and all his men appreciating their support and positive words and nodding his appreciation he turned back and headed out the door. Reaching his car, Mike started the engine and headed for home, hoping against hope that tomorrow would see things taking a turn for the better, both with Steve and the case of the missing gun.