Chapter 24
Hey guys, here's hoping you're all doing well. Here's another chapter for you, i hope you enjoy it.
The Life Flight took off smoothly and headed for the trauma center. Hitting an active air current, the
helicopter dipped suddenly to the right and Danny felt his stomach drop. The medics didn't even seem
to notice as they continued to stabilize their patient. He took a couple of deep breaths and swallowed
hard.
"You airsick? Bags are behind you if you need one."
"Thanks." Danny said quietly, determine not to get airsick. He adjusted the boom on his flight
headphones. "How's he doing, guys?"
"Next time you have a head injury, don't move the victim! What if his neck or spine had been
compromised?! You could have crippled him! Do you guys need a refresher course on CPR? It MUST be
done on a firm surface. On a bed, you're just bouncing the patient around." The lead medic bitched.
"Sir, l don't think NOW is the time." The co-pilot said.
"You're probably right, Jake. Just pisses me off." The flight leader said sourly. "ETA?"
"15."
"Notify the ground team, please." He leaned over to check Steve's vital signs. "Your friend is holding his
own. Still breathing on his own, thats a good sign. He's got a lot of fight in him."
"You have no idea." Danny smiled. "What's your name?"
"Life Flight Leader Glen MacAnders. Just call me Mac." He said with authority.
"Ex-military?"
"Marine. You can take the man out of the Marines, but the man is always a Marine." Mac looked down.
"Your friend's a navy SEAL, huh? I thought those guys were indestructible. The guy on the floor must
have gotten the drop on him."
"Yeah." Danny agreed. "How did you know he was a SEAL?"
"Coding on his dog tags." Mac shrugged. "If you know how to read them. Don't worry, he won't need a
priest."
"He's Catholic?"
"Just assumed. Most 'Mac' guys are." Glen checked the dog tag. "He's blank. Probably smart with his
job."
The transport hit turbulence. Danny grabbed his armrests.
"It just another air pocket. No worries, hey what's your name?" Mac asked.
"Detective Sergeant Danny Williams."
"Nice to meet you, Danny." Mac said. "What happened to your friend here?"
"Unclear. But he got it coming and going. Have you ever seen injuries like this?"
"Not exactly but he'll be in good hands. Dr. Charity is the absolute best there is in the northeast. If he
has the fight in him, she'll save him."
"I hope so." Danny crossed himself. "I hope so, Amen."
The co-pilot turned, "We're making our approach."
Mac started updating Steve's vitals and making his final transportation notes. "Strong pulse, good blood
pressure." He checked Steve's eyes and made additional notes.
"Any better?"
"He'll need medical intervention. We got him stabilized." Mac said in a no nonsense tone.
The Life Flight started its decent into the New Brunswick Trauma Hospital.
After filling the tank, Lou went into the gas station for drinks and snacks for the road trip. Not knowing
Lynn's preferences, he bought water and diet sodas, beef jerky, potato and corn chips and some fruit.
And a box of tissues. He got in the car.
"You ready?"
"Yes. I wish we could fly. I want to be there for Steve, after all, this is all my fault." Tears overtook her
again.
Lou realized that in her vulnerable state, with gentle questioning and understanding, he may just get
valuable insight and information. "Listen, did you try to kill Steve?"
"No."
"Did you kill Lt. Wyler?"
"I didn't pull the trigger but he's dead because of me."
Lou kept his face and voice neutral. "A little thing like you?"
"George and l were in the next door room. After he raped me, he threatened me with a gun. I panicked
and swatted the gun away and it went off and if I had known that sailor was hurt, I would have called for
help. I didn't know until Detective Williams told me how he died." She looked at Lou miserably. "His
death is my fault and Im so sorry." Tears overtook her again. "All I wanted was to run a hotel." She
said between her tears.
"What happened?" Lou asked quietly.
"I took 'loans' from 'business men' and didn't realize it wasn't going to be a straight forward repayment
plan. Before I knew it, I was giving more than half of my revenue to those two."
"Two?"
"George and Adam Noshimuri." She dabbed at her eyes. "They helped me with renovations and
modernizations. They told me I had 18 – 24 months to start making payments. First, George moved in,
demanding the hotel pay for everything for him. Food, dry cleaning, incidentals, me. Then Adam
Noshimuri moved in. He's a gentleman, he gets room service but that's about it. He covers the night
desk, is friendly with hotel personnel and customers. But George…" Emotions overtook her again. "It's
all my fault."
Lou kept his eyes on the road. He wasn't shocked at Lynn's revelations since Steve had already surmised
as much. "How much do they take of the top?"
"More than 60%." Lynn sniffed. "I barely make enough to pay everyone. When l can't make payroll, I
have to beg, beg, to cover. George adds it to 'my tab' and rapes me at his pleasure. I'm a perk of their
arrangement. When Steve took interest in me, for the first time in months, I felt hopeful. And I got him
killed too." She gave in the despair she was feeling and cried uncontrollably.
Keeping his eyes on the road, Lou felt around for the tissues. Finding it, he put the tissue box in Lynn's
lap. "Take a candy bar and a soda, at least a bottle of water. I know I could use a diet soda."
Lynn went through the other bag. "Cola or orange?"
"Surprise me."
She twisted the cap of the orange and handed to Lou. He downed half the bottle while Lynn looked
through the provisions. "Candy bar?"
"Oh, yes please, Snickers, with almonds please."
Dr. Candice Charity had had a busy morning. She had retired to her office to dictate patient notes and
do some follow up. Last thing she remembered was being on hold with an insurance company, the
elevator music had lulled her into dreamland. Her quiet nap was interrupted by the intercom buzzer.
Jarred wake by the sound and realizing she was still on hold with an insurance company, she checked
her watch: over three hours wasted. Well, at least she got a nap in.
After shaking the sleep from her mind, she answered. "This is Dr. Charity." Her voice was cultured,
dignified, almost lyrical.
"Bad head trauma coming in, doctor; Mac asked for you by name."
"Okay, okay." She sighed, another night she wouldn't be home for dinner. "Which pad?"
"Blue, east."
"Have Mac send everything he has on the patient to my tablet. I'll meet the Life Flight."
"Yes, ma'am."
Dr. Charity got up, stretched and went to her small bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face and
brushed her teeth. Feeling refreshed, she put on a fresh white coat and headed toward the blue pad.
Catherine was finishing her morning coffee, hoping the jolt of caffeine would help ease the headache
she woke up with. She had awakened with Steve on her mind. She had slept badly; she kept seeing
Steve at the altar, marrying another woman whose face was hidden by her lacy veil. She wasn't at the
altar with him. His mystery woman from New Jersey came back with him; she gave him the opportunity
to fall in love with another. She woke up to a wet, tear steaked face.
She drained her cup and went to wash it and put in the dish rack, ready to repeat the process tomorrow
morning. She looked at the clock on the coffeemaker; it was afternoon in New Jersey. Hopefully, a text
wouldn't throw a wrench in Steve's plan. Jumping up and looking at time she realized she was running
late. She'd text him later.
Catherine's morning was hectic. The admiral was in a strange mood which had the whole office on
edge. She ended up taking a late lunch when she realized she forgot to text Steve. After getting her
lunch, she found a place to sit and took out her cell phone. Noting the time, she figured the lunch date
was over. Well, she hoped the 'lunch' date was over. Being six hours ahead, she decided to call
instead.
Dr. Charity met the Life Flight on the roof. She jumped in the cabin while the pilot was going through his
parking check list. She ignored Danny as she squeezed by him. "Talk to me, Mac."
The marine medic conveyed Steve's status quickly and efficiently. "I wrote all meds we gave him on his
left forearm."
"Let's get him down to the Trauma Unit." Dr. Charity directed.
The team moved as one, carefully unloading their patient even stepping over the landing pad lip in
unison.
Danny followed at a slow jog. He caught up with them at the elevator. After the doors closed, he
noticed the team was quiet so he risked a question. "Ah, Doctor… how's he doing?"
"Minimal response to pain. Uneven pupil response. Difficult to say." The doctor said quietly.
Danny lost the tenuous hold on his patience. "What are you? Yoda?"
Dr. Charity smiled. "Sir, he just arrived here. We're taking him to the CT lab. From there, we'll know
what to do for your friend." She reached out squeezed the detective's shoulder. "We'll take good care
of him, I promise.''
The elevator came to a stop and doors opened. Again, the team moved as one, gaining speed as they
went down the hall to the CT scanner. As they disappeared into the CT lab, Mac skidded to stop and
turned back. "The waiting room is right here. Have a seat and I'll ask someone to bring you a cup of
coffee." With that said, the medic disappeared in the CT room.
Danny sat down. Putting his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands, the seasoned detective felt
nothing but despair. How did this whole matter go so wrong?
He was so deep in his dark thoughts he almost missed the vibration of Steve's phone. Danny quickly dug
out the stashed cell phone. Finding it, he saw a photo of a lovely brunette with bright eyes and a
beautiful smile. A photo Steve obviously snapped on the fly. He almost missed the call but he managed
to answer before the call went to voicemail. "Hello? AAhhh, Steve's phone."
Catherine recovered quickly. "Who is this, please?"
Danny would have liked to be in control before having this particular conversation but he owed it to
Steve. "I'm Detective Danny William, New Jersey State Police. To whom am l speaking to please?"
Catherine felt her stomach tighten and twist. "I'm Lt. Catherine Rollins, United States Navy and Steve's
fiancée. Detective … did something happen?"
Danny sighed. "Hello Catherine. You must be Steve's Cat. A pleasure to meet you."
She cut him off. "Skip the social niceties. What happened? Where's Steve?"
He closed his eyes and dove into the deep end of the pool. He explained. "And now I'm waiting for
them outside the CT lab. I was going to call you after l talked to his doctor."
Catherine could hear his sincerity so she softened her voice. "What hospital are you at?"
"New Brunswick Trauma Center. His doctor is the top in her field…"
"What happened?"
"He has a head injury…"
"New Brunswick you said. I'm on my way!"
