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Chapter 20

Cozumel Garrison Infirmary, Late Wednesday Night Day 19

Where… focus… dark… focus eyes. Ceiling… focus eyes… beeping… heart monitor… hospital! Beeping is faster… bad… calm down… they'll come… slow beep… yes… slow beep… hurts… no drugs! HURTS… No DRUGS! Slow beep… slow beep… yes… slow beep. Move hand… focus… move hand… yes! Move hand… yes! I'm moving my hand.

Hurts… no drugs! Move foot… focus… HURTS! NO DRUGS! Slow beep… slow beep… yes… good beep.

Fin woke from a light sleep. Did the rhythm of Bobby's monitor change? He watched Bobby in the dim light from the PFP cot. There were small trembling movements in his left foot. He watched quietly as Bobby lifted his foot up an inch. His heart rate went up then went back down. Bobby practiced over and over until he could move his feet and not change his heart rate.

Fin could see a slight tremor in Bobby's body, but the heart monitor remained constant. He moved to test more with his left hand. He awkwardly brought his hand to his face and rubbed.

HURTS… TO MOVE! What… no… no… god… no! I can feel… their hands on me! No… they are not here! Tears, I feel tears… on my face. WIPE THEM AWAY!

Fin silently sat up so he could see Bobby better. He was crying, no sounds came from his lips. He was trembling and crying.

Fin got up and went to Bobby's side. "Bobby?"

Bobby's eyes were pinched closed, his hand swiping at his tears.

"Bobby, its Fin. You're ok man. I'm with you, I'm here."

Fin reached out to touch Bobby's shoulder and found himself across the room before he knew what hit him.

I'm not ok! Don't fucking touch me!

Bobby's heart monitor went crazy as he rolled onto his side and curled into a ball.

Fin jumped up and rushed to Bobby's bed. Behind him the door flew open and the lights clicked on. Several people filled the room.

Fin held out his hand motioning everyone to stay put. "Bobby, it is ok. You are in a hospital. Calm down."

Bobby stayed quietly curled into a ball. His eyes were fixed and unfocused. The only movement was the tremor in his body.

No… stay away. LEAVE ME ALONE!

Fin looked at one of the nurses behind him. She stared at his face. Fin felt his lip swelling and a dribble of blood on his chin.

"Give him the shot. I'll stay in between the two of you."

She reached around Fin and administered the shot. Bobby didn't move.

No. No drugs. I don't want drugs.

Everyone watched and waited for Bobby's body to relax. Fin grabbed a tissue and wiped the small trickle of blood from his chin. He would not let anyone close to Bobby.

Twenty minutes later Bobby's heart rate was still up and his body trembling. He squeezed his eyes shut, his left fist clenching and unclenching. He didn't seem aware of people in the room.

A nurse came into the room. "Dr. Delgado wants to give him this." She held up another shot.

"Then go around me like before."

Fin kept his eyes on Bobby. Bobby didn't change, he continued clenching his fist.

Another ten minutes went by and Bobby quit clenching his fist. At fifteen minutes he stopped trembling and his body started to relax.

After twenty minutes Bobby's body fully relaxed. Fin dropped into the chair rubbing his eyes.

The night intern stepped in the room and helped the nurses examine Bobby.

The intern carefully checked all the sutures and performed a thorough exam. They left Bobby on his side where he could easily see Fin. They placed pillows behind his back and one between his knees to keep his back straight. The last pillow was placed in front to keep his right hand elevated.

Roca and Benet walked over to take a look at Fin when the medical staff left.

Benet squatted down to Fin's level and looked at his lip. "You need ice."

"I got it Benet." Roca ran out to get the ice.

Fin leaned back in the chair and let out a sigh. "I don't understand what happened. He was doing so well. I guess that is what they mean by delusional and agitated."

Roca came back with the ice and handed it to Fin. Fin held the ice to his lip and chin.

Roca watched Bobby sleep. "The nurse said they gave him enough drugs to knock out a horse. Twice!"

Fin stood up and gave Roca the ice. "He'll be out for a while. I'm going back to the hotel and take a shower and get some shut eye."

Fin rubbed his eyes, deeply concerned about Bobby. He knew in his gut there was more going on with Bobby.

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Cozumel Garrison Infirmary, Thursday Morning Day 20

"Morning, Fin mumbled to Roca and Benet outside the door to Bobby's room.

"I wouldn't go in there. Nurse De La Rosa is giving him a sponge bath and shave."

"Thanks Benet, but I need to talk to her anyway."

Fin gave the door a light tap and pushed it open. "Good morning, Rachelle."

Fin closed the door behind him and approached Bobby's bed. Bobby was on his side. Rachelle was cleaning his back and frowning at his wounds.

Fin stepped around where he could see Bobby's back clearly for the first time.

"Shit!" Fin looked at the wounds lacing from the lower back to the shoulders.

Rachelle smiled at Fin. "His back is almost completely healed. Some of these wounds are more than two weeks old. There are a couple of bad spots and deep muscle damage, but our man is doing good now. I suspect he contracted sepsis through these large wounds from the ocean water."

"I've seen these wounds before."

Fin stared at Rachelle. "Tell me everything you know."

"I work at one of the Playa Del Carmen hospitals part time. Lately it is common for drug addicts to come in with these wounds. They are caused by a whip with metal on the tips. The metal causes the deep muscle damage you see here."

Rachelle applied an ointment to the swollen red areas. "The men say they were punished for stealing drugs or for owing money."

Fin nodded. "I heard that from Tejada."

Rachelle continued. "It's common knowledge that this is the mark of disobedience from Suarez. Typically there are six to eight lashes. Our man has one set of fifteen lashes, over two weeks old. A second set of ten lashes, about ten days old. The deepest wounds were stitched and treated."

Rachelle looked at Fin. "You are his medical proxy. I'm sorry, but there is more I need to tell you."

Fin rubbed the back of his head. He knew Bobby was held and tortured for two weeks. Fin found it difficult to think about the torment he suffered.

Fin closed his eyes. "What else?"

Rachelle grabbed Fin's hand. "Fin look at me. This does not go past this room. Do you understand?"

Fin swallowed. "I promise."

Rachelle gently held up Bobby's left hand. "Do you see this?" She turned his hand over. "And this?"

She pulled back the blankets covering Bobby's feet. "The same wounds are on his feet."

Fin looked at Rachelle questionably as she replaced the covers.

"Those are puncture wounds made by large nails. There are two more on his right hand and arm."

Rachelle gently pushed Fin into a chair. She sat down in the chair next to him.

Her eyes became misty and her voice less steady. "I've only seen this on dead men. I have a friend in the morgue…"

She stopped and grabbed a tissue.

Fin waited patiently for her to continue. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to hear any more. He was already feeling nauseous.

"My friend performed autopsies and found the victims had been brutally raped."

Fin cleared his throat and looked at Bobby. "Did they do a rape kit on Bobby?"

Rachelle shook her head. "No, his injuries were too severe. The truth is, even if they suspected, they wouldn't run a rape kit on a man."

Fin put his head down and covered his face with his hands. "Is he ok… you know."

Rachelle reached over and rubbed Fin's back. "There is no permanent physical damage."

Fin moaned. "I touched him when he was… delirious. I should have known better."

"Fin, you didn't know. No one would place this in his chart."

"It doesn't matter. A torture or rape victim would lash out if they felt threatened."

Rachelle lifted his head and inspected the swollen lip and bruised jaw. "He packs a mean wallop."

"Yea, he does. He isn't a violent man by nature."

Rachelle pushed out of the chair and went back to finish bandaging Bobby's back. She left him on his side and propped pillows around his body. She looked closely at the damaged right hand and gently placed it on the pillow.

As she headed toward to the door, Rachelle turned back. "You look like you could use some coffee. I'll get the kitchen to send some over."

Fin looked past Bobby to Rachelle. "Thanks, that would be great… and thanks for letting me know."

Rachelle nodded and left the room.

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Cozumel Garrison Infirmary, Thursday Morning Rounds

Fin was on his second cup of coffee when Dr. Delgado dropped by for morning rounds. He checked the chart and examined Bobby.

He sat down in the chair next to Fin. "So, he gave you a fat lip last night."

"Yea, I should learn to duck. You know, it was strange… When I woke up, he was moving his feet. His heart rate would rise and go back to normal. I've been thinking about what I saw. It was like he was trying to secretly get control of his body. I don't think he remembered where he was and wanted to escape. I tried to calm him down and touched his shoulder. The next thing I know, I'm on the other side of the room."

Fin shook his head. "Man, he fought the drugs. He didn't want to lose control. "

"Fin, I warned you about a violent outburst."

"Yes, you did. I won't give you permission to restrain him. Not after what I saw him go through last night. He can hit me all he wants. I'll protect your staff. We have to work though this until he is good to go."

Dr. Delgado patted Fin on the hand. "We need run some tests and take x-rays. I'll have to keep him sedated during the tests. Dr. Castillo will look at his hand afterwards."

"No problem, doc."

"Will you be ready for round two this afternoon?"

"Yea."

Dr. Delgado got up to leave. "Fin, don't forget to duck."

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Cozumel Garrison Infirmary, Thursday AFI Shift Change

Mendez gave a light knock on Bobby's door and entered quickly follow by Vega, Benet and Roca. Mendez and Vega stopped and stared at the empty bed. Their smiles quickly faded from their faces.

Fin looked around the newspaper he was reading. "Your boys lost my partner."

Mendez and Benet stared at Vega and Roca. Vega kept a dead pan expression. Roca hid a smile behind his hands.

Mendez shouted. "Roca, where is he?"

"In x-ray." Roca couldn't keep the smile off his face.

Fin looked at Roca. "Roca, you suck! I bet you always lose at poker."

Once they got over the shock Mendez and Vega started laughing.

Vega held up two bags. "Fish tacos, these are the best tacos on the island."

The guys grabbed the tacos and started munching away.

Mendez gave Vega a sideways glance. Vega nodded back.

"Hey, I've got some news." Everyone stopped eating for a moment and looked at Mendez. Vega snuck another taco while everyone's attention was on Mendez.

"You remember the tourist Bobby beat up." Mendez paused for dramatic effect.

"Spit it out Mendez."

"The tourist's real name is Ernesto Suarez. He left so fast he forgot his camera. Suarez finger prints were all over it. We also have surveillance video and Niguel Cruz, is without a doubt, Suarez. Bobby kicked his ass good, too. He had a broken nose and fractured ribs."

Fin stood up. "Where's the son of a bitch?"

"We can't find him or Ortega and his family. Our sources say he's in Peru."

Fin paced, his warm tasty taco forgotten. "What a sorry, wormy piece of shit!"

Fin shook his head. "Bobby went after him to protect himself. I bet he didn't hit Suarez once when he went down."

Vega swallowed. "That's about right. He restrained him by sitting on his back and pinning his arms to the floor with his knees."

Fin sat down and picked up his taco. "That's Bobby, he probably found a way to push Suarez buttons until he blindly charged."

Vega picked up his third taco. "That's exactly how it happened. We got some of the detainees to talk. They said Bobby got Suarez so angry, he confessed to killing his own parents."

Fin chuckled to himself. "Bobby is unique. He can kick ass with one arm tied behind his back, and feel guilty at the same time."

All four men stared at Fin. "Believe me. You would have to know him to understand."

The door bumped open, and Rachelle De La Rosa marched in. Before she could put her hands on her hips, Vega handed her a taco.

Rachelle sniffed the taco and smiled. "Here, she handed the taco back. I'll take that later. Now everybody scat, so we can get Bobby back to bed. The agents picked up their food and rushed out the door. Rachelle and four orderlies rolled Bobby to the room. Fin helped them get him onto the hospital bed.

The orderlies wheeled the stretcher out, while Rachelle fussed over Bobby until she felt he was comfortable. "Fin, Dr. Castillo is on his way to see you. I'm going to chase down that taco."

Dr. Castillo slipped in the door. "Rachelle, you better hurry if you want to get the last taco."

Rachelle smiled and closed the door behind her.

"Hi. I'm Dr. Castillo."

"Fin. I'm Bobby's medical proxy."

The men shook hands.

"I've run some tests to check for nerve damage and circulation in Robert's hand. The prognosis is good. He will need a couple of surgeries to regain use of the hand. I would like to start in the morning. First we are going to break the bones that are healing incorrectly. Then we will piece them back together correctly."

"What time is the surgery?"

"I scheduled an OR for 8:30 am."

"I'll be here." Fin shook the doctor's hand again. The doctor made a quick note in Bobby's chart and left.

Fin looked closely at Bobby's right hand. It was bound up in some kind of splint that could be removed. He touched one of the fingers and Bobby's arm twitched.

"Fin." Fin looked up to see Rachelle in the door.

"I think he is waking up. Don't let the guys in."

Rachelle spoke to someone outside the door and shut the door behind her. Fin saw another twitch in Bobby's left hand. Rachelle reached up and turned off the volume on the heart monitor.

They both sat down to see what Bobby would do.

Open eyes… bright lights.

Fin jumped up and turned off some of the overhead lights when he saw Bobby squint and blink.

Ceiling... IV… Clinic? Heart monitor, blood pressure… hospital. No beep. Move left hand. Chest hurts… move left hand… I feel my face. Move feet. Good. Ow… chest hurts… back hurts… sleepy. Lift foot. Good. Lift foot. Good. Lift bad hand… shit that HURTS. Move head right… chest hurts. Door… exit? Chairs, small door… bathroom? Cabinet…with a sink. Sit up… HURTS!!!!! Stupid… stupid… sleepy. Move head left. Fin!!!

When Fin saw Bobby focus on his face, he broke out into a wide grin. "Bobby!" Fin felt Rachelle's restraining hand on his arm.

"Hey big man!"

Fin could see Bobby trying to say his name, but he couldn't pull it together. Bobby gave up and a crooked smile traced his lips.

"Bobby, do you want some water?"

The smile left his lips and a storm gathered on his brow. He turned his head the other way.

No don't touch me. Sleepy. I'm sleepy.

Rachelle rounded the bed, keeping a safe distance from Bobby. She motioned for Fin to stay seated.

"Bobby. Do you want some water, honey?"

Bobby opened his eyes and looked at the woman talking to him.

"I bet you would like some nice cool ice chips. I'll be right back with your ice chips, honey."

Fin was surprised Rachelle could sound so sweet. He watched Bobby and saw the small tremors start. His body looked stiff with pain.

Bobby turned his head and looked at Fin. Fin could see the pain in his eyes as he fought to say something.

"Bobby, your speech will come back. Be patient. It will take time. Relax. Rachelle will bring you some ice chips. She has been taking good care of you. I have never seen you so cleanly shaved."

Bobby reached up to his face again and rubbed his jaw with a shaking hand.

Rachelle came back to the room with an insulated carafe. She grabbed a bowl and spoon from the cabinets and placed them on a small rolling table. She poured ice chips into the bowl. She picked up the bed remote and raised the head of the bed.

Bobby grimaced as his body reached the sitting position. Rachelle rolled the table, with the bowl of ice chips and spoon, in place over Bobby's lap.

Bobby reached for the spoon with a trembling hand. He jabbed at the ice chips, with a few spilling out the other side of the bowl. With his face etched in pain and concentration, he brought the spoon to his face and dropped the chips into his mouth. He laid his head back and let the cold chips gently melt down his dry parched throat.

The ice feels good. Sleepy… tired… chest HURTS! Stop trembling… can't stop trembling.

"Bobby, I think it is time for your meds."

No... no… no… rock head back and forth.

"Bobby, I won't give you a sedative, but I have to give you your pain medicine. If you don't take yourpain meds, they won't operate on your hand tomorrow."

Where's Fin? Roll head. Hurts… Nurse… Roll head left. Fin! Focus… HURTS! Fin?

"Bobby, she is telling you the truth. They are going to operate on your hand. You need your hand to come back to work. You gotta get ahead of the pain. You can't let it wear you down. You need your strength for tomorrow. You got that?"

Hurts Fin. I'm too weak to fight it. Nod head.

"You want the pain meds? Just blink once if you do."

Blink… hurts… chest… back… hand… Not man enough to push through this... sleepy… tired.

Rachelle administered the pain meds into the portal on Bobby's IV.

Fin watched Bobby's body start to relax.

"Our man is doing good, Fin. I think he just needs a little control to feel safe."

"Yea. Good idea with the ice chips."

TBC