The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Previously on ER: Dave lies in a coma while everyone wonders what happened to him. Four months earlier after being set up on a blind-date, Dave and Jing-Mei become a couple. After learning of Dave's past, Jing-Mei and Dave make love. Several weeks later they learn she is pregnant. On the way back from getting an engagement ring, Dave is carjacked when he is mistaken for Carter. At the hospital banquet, Mark gets a call from Carter's abductors asking for a 10 million dollar ransom.
Part 6
At the banquet hall, the ER staffers are stunned by what Mark tells them.
Gamma: Oh my god! My poor John.
Peter: Are you sure that's what they said, Mark?
Mark: Yes, positive. They said they carjacked Carter and if we want to see him alive again we have to pay them 10 million dollars.
Kerry: I'll call the police.
Mark: No, Kerry. They said no police. They were very clear about that. They said they would call back with the details.
Luka: We can't just sit around and do nothing.
Mark: And if we do call the police and they are watching us, they will kill Carter. Is that what you want, Luka? Do you want Carter's death on your conscience?
Luka: No, but...
Peter: Luka's right. We can't just stand here with our tails between our legs.
Elizabeth: I don't like it either but I'm afraid for Carter. Ms. Carter, what do you think we should do?
Gamma: Maybe if we call the police and tell them to be very discreet, we can pull it off.
Mark(defeated): We can give it a try. I don't know what else to do until they call back.
Kerry: I'll call the cops.
At the hangar, the abductors construct their plans while a frustrated Malucci sits nearby.
Malucci: What are you guys doing over there? Maybe I can help? Anything beats being tied to this chair.
Rico: This doesn't concern you.
Malucci: Somehow, I doubt that. If it doesn't concern me then what am I doing here?
Frankie: Making us a ton of money. NOW SHUT UP, PAISAN!!!
Malucci: You guys are not being very nice hosts. The least you can do is put on a tv for me to watch if I'm going to be here for awhile. Of course, it might be a little hard to see with this blindfold on, but I'm flexib...
Rico, Frankie and Dino: SHUT THE HELL UP, ALREADY RICH BOY!!!
Malucci: So how much are you asking for me?
The abductors have chose to ignore Malucci as difficult as that is and Malucci is making sure his presence is known.
Rico: We give them enough time for the news to set in and then we make our next phone call with the first instructions.
Dino: But, that will give them enough time to call the police.
Malucci: Yeah, and then they'll trace the call.
Rico: We just make sure we don't stay on the phone long eno....(realizing Malucci has joined the conversation). You stay the hell out of this!
Malucci: I was only trying to help.
Rico: Never mind. I specifically told them not to call the cops and if they care so much about this rich doctor, and I don't know why they do, they will follow orders.
Frankie: So who's going to make the call?
Malucci: I will.
Dino: Like hell you will.
At the banquet hall, the police arrive shortly after Gamma postpones the presentation. The Chief of Detectives, Captain Amos takes over and starts to interview all the doctors.
Capt. Amos: Who took the call?
Mark: I did.
Capt. Amos: And you are?
Mark: Dr. Mark Green. I'm an attending over at Cook County.
Capt. Amos: Did you recognize the voice?
Mark: No, but it was kind of hard to hear. It was kind of muffled.
Capt. Amos: What exactly did he tell you?
Mark: That they had carjacked Carter and they want 10 million dollars or they will kill him and that they would call with more details.
Capt. Amos: I'm going to need a description of Dr. Carter's car.
Gamma: I can give that to you.
Capt. Amos: And who are you, madam?
Gamma: Millicent Carter, Dr. Carter's grandmother. He was driving a blue, four door, 2000 Lexus.
Capt. Amos: Do you know the license plate number?
Gamma: Yes, it's his birthday OCT020.
Capt. Amos: Sgt. Davis, check that out. See if we can get a location on the car.
Sgt. Davis: Yes, sir.
Capt. Amos: Alright, the kidnapper obviously knows you're here and the phone number so we will make this our command base. Sgt. Palladino, I want a tap put on every phone in this place.
Jing-Mei: Now what do we do?
Capt. Amos: We wait for their phone call. After my officers ask you a few more questions, you may all leave. I really only need the immediate family here.
Kerry: There is no way we are leaving, now.
Mark: I agree with Kerry. Carter's our friend and I think we should see this through. Is that okay, Captain?
Capt. Amos: Is that alright with you, Ms. Carter?
Gamma: I need all the moral support I can get. I don't know how I will get through this alone.
Capt. Amos: It's settled than.
As everyone sat around the hall waiting for the phone to ring, they start to reminisce about the times they had with Carter.
Jing-Mei: Everything is going to be okay, right. I mean I'm going to ask John to be the baby's godfather. So it will all work out, won't it?
Elizabeth(making sure Gamma isn't within listening distance): What happens if we lose Carter?
Peter: We won't. The cops know what their doing. They probably do this 10 times a day.
Gamma walks over to the doctors that are sitting around the table drinking coffee.
Gamma: Not with my grandson as the hostage, they don't.
Haleh: Well, I just can't sit around and do nothing. Does anyone want anymore coffee?
Everyone: Yes.
Lydia: I'll help you, Haleh?
The next few minutes passes without anyone saying a word. Finally the phone rings and breaks the silence.
Capt. Amos: Alright, this is it everyone. I think you should answer the phone Dr. Green since you already established a relationship with them. Besides, if we keep letting different people answer the phone, it might tip them off to who knows about the kidnapping. We don't want to do anything to cause a panic.
Mark agrees and picks the phone up on the fifth ring.
Rico: It's about time you answered. What were you doing? Talking with the fuzz.
Mark: You said no cops. I'm not stupid enough to endanger my friend's life.
Rico: Keep that in mind for future reference. Who am I spe....(yelling to the others in the room) Shut him up back there. Sorry, but your doctor friend is getting hostile. How do you put up with him? Anyway, as I was saying, who am I speaking with?
Mark: I'm Dr. Green. Dr. Carter's boss.
Rico: Are you the same guy my friend was talking to earlier?
Mark: Yes, I am.
Rico: Good, you are the only one I will talk to. Understood.
Mark: Yes.
Rico: Alright, by my calculations, I only have another minute to talk since you are probably having this call traced. So listen carefully, I want you to get Carter's grandmother and the two of you go to the bank and withdraw the entire 10 million dollars and bring it back there. I'll call with the next set of instructions. You have 30 minutes or you'll get Carter back piece by piece.(hang up)
Mark: We can't get it that fas...
Mark hangs up and relays the message to the others. Capt. Amos looks over at his man on the phone line tap. The officer shakes his head no, meaning they didn't get the trace.
Capt. Amos: Why didn't you ask to speak with Dr. Carter?
Mark: They didn't give me a chance. They know we're tracing the calls. They want Ms. Carter and myself to withdraw the money tonight and bring it back here. They will call back with further details.
Capt. Amos: Next time they call you tell them you don't do anything until you talk to Carter first.
Luka: Right, we don't even know if they have Carter and if they do, if he's still okay. (Seeing Gamma getting very upset). I'm sorry, Ms. Carter. I didn't mean...
Gamma: No, it's alright. I know you didn't mean anything by it and you're absolutely right. We need to talk to him and be sure he's still alive.
Capt. Amos: Are you going to be able to withdraw that much money at this time at night, Ms. Carter?
Gamma: You will be surprised at the influence I have in this country especially when my grandson's life is in danger.
Capt. Amos: Then you and Dr. Green go get the money and bring it back here. I'll have a couple of my men follow you. They will be in plainclothes.
As Mark and Gamma head out the door, they run directly into Carter and Abby coming in the door.
Mark: Carter!
To be continued. Please read and review.