Chapter 10
All of a sudden the alarm on the machine monitoring his blood pressure, pulse and heart rate started blaring. Jamie, John and Betty came running in. His blood pressure was dropping.
After a quick examination, "Damn," Jamie said loudly, "He must be bleeding internally."
He was very upset knowing he would have to take him back into surgery to check for a bleeder. John and Betty quickly prepared him for surgery as Jamie scrubbed up. It took them an hour to repair a ruptured blood vessel. Luckily Jamie found it very quickly not putting any more stress on the admiral's already weakened system.
John wheeled the admiral back into the recovery room and put on the monitor. His blood pressure was still low but it wasn't any worse than before the surgery.
Lee and Janet were waiting outside the recovery room when Jamie came out to talk to them still wearing his surgical gear.
"That was close." he told them as he took off his surgical cap and gown. "Hopefully his blood pressure will start to go up and he will regain consciousness."
Lee looked at Jamie and could see he was exhausted.
"Jamie, why don't you follow your own advice and take a nap. John can monitor him. He'll wake you if anything changes."
"For once Lee, I'm going to take you up on the nap. I didn't get much sleep last night between checking on the admiral and the ladies I'm dead on my feet. One more thing, please don't go in the recovery room. He'll be there at least an hour. Let him settle back in his room before you seen him."
"Okay Jamie we'll wait for John to tell us when we can go in," Lee replied patting Jamie on the shoulder.
Jamie went over to John and left him instructions. He went to his office where he laid down on the couch and fell asleep.
((()))
Aaron returned to the institute to pick up Wanda's car, saw Chip's car there and went upstairs where he found Chip in the office checking out the repairs. He was impressed at how fast things were done here as the front door was already repaired.
"Hi Chip. You didn't waste any time getting rid of everything in here," he said looking around the waiting room.
"Your team finished up pretty quickly and we hope to be able to work in here on Monday. We don't want the ladies to have to face the mess of what happened here. We're remodeling the whole second floor so we just used the items that were going to be installed there. They're in another building so they can wait a little longer to get back here. Could you tell Wanda what's been done when the time is right?"
"Sure no problem. You think they may have a hard time coming back here?"
"I'm not sure. We'll see what happens on Monday."
"How's the admiral doing?"
"Still critical. How are you this morning? You look a little long in the tooth."
"Tired. I was up late booking the prisoners. I don't want any screw ups with this case."
"Is there enough evidence to get them for the other murders?"
"Yes, there should be. I also need to talk to Lee and find out how he knew about Claudia's background?"
"Good luck with that," Chip thought.
"Where are Janet, Angie and Wanda? I do need to take their statements. I will need one from the admiral too but it can wait until he's better."
"Janet's in Med Bay with the admiral. Angie and Wanda were sent home but are coming back later this afternoon."
"Good. I'll talk to Janet first."
"I'm going back there so you can come with me, "Chip stated. "But first I need to pick up some coffee and sandwiches."
"I could use some coffee."
"Cookie makes the best. Hot and strong."
Chip drove to the cafeteria and picked up some chicken salad and tuna salad sandwiches for himself, Lee and Janet along with a carafe of coffee. Aaron followed Chip and got a sandwich and coffee too.
((()))
By the time they got back to Med Bay, the admiral was still in the recovery room. His pulse was a little better but John wasn't taking any chances so he wouldn't let anyone in until they put him back in his room.
Chip found Lee and Janet standing outside the recovery room. Both of them were pacing.
"Come on and eat, John will let us know if something changes. I got chicken salad sandwiches for you and Janet and a carafe of coffee."
"Not hungry," they replied.
"Mmm, I'll tell Jamie on you," Chip threatened.
"Okay, we'll eat," Lee said reluctantly as he took Janet's hand and led her to an empty office where Chip had set up lunch.
Lee poured a cup of coffee from the carafe. He needed a cup of Cookie's coffee very badly. He also took a sandwich and gave half to Janet.
"How's it going Aaron," Lee asked noticing him sitting there as he drank his coffee.
"Fine," he replied, "Janet when you're done with lunch I need to take your statement on what took place yesterday."
"Okay, we can do it now, I'm really not that hungry" she said putting down her sandwich which got a frown from Lee. "Can Lee and Chip stay or do they have to leave."
"They can stay. They weren't there when it happened so they won't influence your statement. But please finish your lunch. I can wait. I need to talk to Angie and Wanda too and I know they won't be here until later."
Lee checked his watch. Sharkey and Kowalski should have landed in Boston and picked up Edith by now. If they didn't have any problems, they should be landing in about two hours.
((()))
"I'm going to video tape your statement so just start at the beginning," Aaron told her pressing he button on the video camera. State your name and position at NIMR.
Taking a deep breath Janet started, "Janet Crane, administrative assistant to Captain Lee Crane and Lt. Commander Chip Morton. I was sitting at my desk when Claudia, Roy, Curt and David walked in. David told me to move away from my desk while Curt pulled the plugs out of the computer, took out the phone lines and cut off the ends. He then asked me for my cell phone which I was reluctant to give him."
"Did he threaten you?"
"David said he would have no problem telling Curt to shoot me if I didn't give him my cell phone. When I did give it to him he turned it off and smashed it. I couldn't press the number three button to let Lee know I was in trouble. "
"What do you mean?"
"Her phone is programmed so that if she has a problem or is in trouble she can press the number three key and it sends an alarm to my phone immediately," Lee explained. Aaron nodded his head understanding what Lee was telling him. He was amazed at how up-to-date the institute was on technology.
"What happen after that?"
"He told me sit in the chair across from the door to Angie's office. Curt and Roy went into Lee's and Chip's office and found they weren't there. David asked me where they were and I refused to tell them."
"What did he do then?"
"He slapped me across the face and said he had no qualms about shooting any of us."
"Sweetie, why didn't you tell me he slapped you? I was wondering where that bruise on your cheek came from. I thought you hit it on the chair when you covered up the admiral."
"Lee I forgot it happened. I was so worried about the admiral I never even gave it a thought."
"Janet let me get a close up picture just in case we need it at the trial."
"Okay Aaron."
Aaron zoomed in the camera and got a shot of the bruise on her face.
"Please continue."
"I told him they were down on Seaview and he wanted to know how long and threatened to hit me again if I didn't tell him, so I told him they would be on there most of the day."
Her mouth was dry from talking so she took a sip of coffee. She really wanted some water.
"Can I get some water please Aaron," she asked softly. "I'll be right back."
"I'll get it for you," Lee said going out to the water cooler just down the hall.
He came back with a cup and gave it to her to drink.
"Thanks."
"After he found out Lee and Chip weren't there, what did he do next?"
"He wasn't too happy about it but they disabled their equipment just like the rest of ours. Angie came out of her office before they could go in and get her. She heard a lot of people talking and wondered what was going on in the waiting area. David told her to sit about three chairs down from me while either Roy or Curt took care of disabling her telephone and computer. He searched her for her cell phone when she wouldn't give it to him and smashed just like mine."
"Did they go in the admiral's office after that?"
"David sent Claudia in there to get him. He thought she was there for a surprise meeting. She pointed her gun at him and brought him out of the office. I think Curt went into his office and took his computer apart along with the phones. He wouldn't tell them where his cell phone was so David made Claudia search him but the phone was in his office. They destroyed it just like the other ones."
"When did they shoot Wanda and the admiral?"
"The admiral asked who they were and what they wanted. David explained that he blamed the admiral and three other men for causing the death of his brother, Oscar." Janet continued to relay to Aaron what David had told them about the admiral and the mission.
She took another sip of water and continued, "After he told us why he was there, he turned around and shot Wanda in the shoulder for no reason. Angie and I started to get up to help her but were pushed back down by Curt and Roy who had their guns pointed at us. We started to protest but the admiral ordered us to do what they said. The admiral got up to help her and David shot him," Janet told him as tears started to run down her cheeks.
Lee wanted to put his arms around his wife but couldn't because of the video camera.
"I'm sorry to make you go through this but I need to have you tell me what happened," Aaron apologized.
"They wouldn't let us help him either so we had to sit there and watch them both bleed and suffer. They just sat there with grins on their faces. They said they had gotten their revenge," she paused and took another drink of water before continuing. "Then I saw Lee in the admiral's office. Kowalski knocked down Curt. I didn't see what else happened as I was lying on top of the admiral trying to protect him. When I looked up I saw David's body a few feet in front of me."
"Janet, that was very brave of you to lie on top of him. You could have been shot."
"Aaron, she was shot and didn't even know it," Lee commented. "She has a graze wound on her arm."
"I'm sorry I didn't know. Thank you for your help. I know that was very hard to do but I know it will help us. Depending on what they decide to do, you will have to testify in court as to what happened."
"Yes I realize that," she said unhappily.
"Lee, when Angie and Wanda get in I'll have to talk to them too."
"No problem. I will make sure they find you, they should be here shortly."
Chip, Lee and Janet left the office to check and see if the admiral was out of the recovery room. Lee reached for his wife's hand as they walked back to the admiral's room
((()))
By the time Aaron was done taking Janet's statement the admiral was back in his room. Lee, Chip and Janet found Jamie outside of his room with a small grin on his face.
"I think he's over the hump. His blood pressure is rising so hopefully he will gain consciousness soon.
Lee looked at his watch.
"FS-1 should be landing in less than an hour. Edith should be able to wake him up," Lee told Jamie.
They went in his room and Janet sat next to his bed, grabbed his hand and was rubbing the top of it. Lee and Chip grabbed a couple of chairs and sat next to her.
He still didn't move.
"Come on admiral please wake up," Janet implored.
They sat there about an hour when Lee's phone rang. He got up and went into hallway.
"Crane," he answered quickly.
"Hi skipper we should be landing in thirty minutes and will bring Miss Edith to Med Bay as soon as we land."
Any change in his condition?" Sharkey asked while Kowalski flew FS-1.
"No chief not yet. Call me when land and get to Med Bay, I'll meet you at the door."
"Aye, sir."
Before Lee could go back into the admiral's room he saw Angie and Wanda coming down the hall. They both looked a little better than before.
"Hi Lee," they said. "Any change?"
"Jamie had to take him back into surgery. One of the blood vessels ruptured. He repaired it and his blood pressure was rising. He still unconscious though. Aaron is here and needs to take your statements so why don't you go in and see the admiral before you give Aaron your statements."
The three of them went into the admiral's room. Chip and Janet came out so they could sit with him for a few minutes before they had to leave.
Aaron was waiting in the office and heard Lee talking to them.
"I heard Wanda's and Angie's voice, are they okay?" Aaron asked Chip.
"Yes, they seem better. They're with the admiral right now. Who do you want to talk to first?"
"I'll talk to Angie first."
"Okay if I send her out in a couple of minutes?"
"Sure. I'll be here in the office."
Lee came out of the admiral's room and saw Janet and Chip waiting there.
"Edith should be here in thirty minutes."
"If anyone can get him to wake up, it will be Edith. She'll threaten to stay forever," Janet said quietly.
"You got that right," Chip answered back.
Lee went in and tapped Angie on the shoulder and whispered, "Aaron needs to talk to you."
"I know. Let's go and get it done," she replied getting up and leaving with Lee.
Janet and Lee went back in the room while Chip took Angie to the office where Aaron was.
"Angie, do you want me to stay with you?" he volunteered.
"Is it okay if you do?" Angie replied looking relieved that someone would be there with her.
"Yes Angie, Chip can stay with you." Aaron told her.
She sat down in front of Aaron while Chip stood behind them leaning on the wall.
"Angie just like I told Janet, I'm going to video tape your statement, okay? Just tell me your name and position at NIMR."
"Yes sir."
"Just start at the beginning," Aaron said starting the video camera.
"Angie Pearce, administrative assistant to Admiral Nelson."
She explained her version of what happened in the offices and her story wasn't much different from what Janet had told Aaron except that she pulled Wanda to the floor and laid on top of her. She never saw Lee or the other men until after they jumped Curt.
"Thanks, Angie. I know that was hard to do."
"If it helps put them in prison, I would tell it again to anyone."
"You may have to Angie if they go to trial."
Angie got up and left the office.
"Angie, could you please send Wanda in here?"
"Yes I will."
Angie and Chip went back to the admiral's room.
"Wanda, Aaron needs to take your statement," Chip said softly. "Do you want me to sit with you?"
"Yes, maybe you better. I know Aaron and won't have a problem talking to him but because we're seeing each other I don't want anyone to think he influenced my statement."
Chip took Wanda where Aaron was. He got up when she came into the room and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He was glad Chip came with her. This way there would definitely be no problems with her statement.
Just like Janet and Angie he told her he was going to video tape her statement.
"Just start at the beginning, Wanda, by stating your name and position at NIMR."
"Wanda Carston, receptionist at NIMR."
She relayed to him what took place and her recollection of what happened was very similar to Janet's and Angie's before she was shot. She couldn't tell him anything more because she passed out and when she came to, she was on the floor with Angie on top of her.
((()))
While Wanda was giving her statement, Sharkey called Lee.
"Skipper we just landed and are on our way to Med Bay."
"I'll meet you by the front door."
"Yes sir," Sharkey replied
He left Janet and Angie to sit with the admiral.
Lee went out the door of Med Bay to meet Edith. He stood in front of the glass covered Med Bay building. He was glad he put on his beige sweater and long sleeved light purple shirt this morning as it was quite cool for this time of day. He put his hand around a pole and leaned against it. A worried look etched on his face with concerned about the admiral whom he considered to be more of a father than his friend and boss. He hoped and prayed he would be alright.
Hearing the car approach he went to meet it. Kowalski opened the door for Edith while Sharkey grabbed her suitcase and put it in the front lobby of Med Bay.
"Thanks Chief, Kowalski," Lee said to his men patting them on the back. "Why don't you head on home."
"No problem sir," they replied. They were pretty tired as it was a long haul to fly from Santa Barbara to Boston and back again.
Before leaving Sharkey asked, "Skipper any change in the admiral's condition...did he wake up?"
"No chief not yet," Lee said worriedly.
"He'll come around skipper," Kowalski said to Lee. "Please let us know if there is anything more you need us to do."
"Thanks, men."
Sharkey and Kowalski walked away back to the car and drove back to the sub pen to pick up Kowalski's car before heading home.