The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Previously on ER: As the ER wonders what happened to a comatose Dr. Dave, we learn that just over 2 months previously he was carjacked on the way back from picking up an engagement ring for his girlfriend and future mother of his child, Jing-Mei. His abductors think they have Carter and so does the rest of the ER who get news of the kidnapping while attending a Carter family/hospital banquet. As Mark and Gamma head out to pick up the ransom money, they run into Carter and Abby coming in the door. When the kidnappers call back, the cops and ER staff learn Malucci was actually the victim.
Capt. Amos and the others learn about the mystery phone calls Carter's been getting while the kidnappers learn their hostage's true identity.
A/N: The words in the brackets are the interpretation for Malucci.
Part 9
Rico: Well this is fucking great! What the hell are we suppose to do with this idiot.
Malucci: TKS OE TO KNW OE!takes one to know one
Dino: That would explain why its taking so long for them to get the money.
Rico: And why they thought that last call was a joke. Carter was probably standing right next to them when we were on the phone. They were practically laughing in our faces.
Frankie: Well, they're not exactly anxious to get this one back. I can see why? Paisan, looks like you made some real enemies along the way. Too bad for you.
Malucci: MY FDS WL CME THRH! my friends will come through TY LV MEthey love me
Rico: Silencio!!! You're in enough shit now. Don't push it.
Dino: That still doesn't answer the question. What are we going to do with him?
Rico: I don't know. But did you catch his name?
Frankie: Yeah Malucci.(pause) You don't think that he could.....
Rico: That would be a hell of a coincidence if he were.
Dino: He hasn't seen any of our faces. I say we drive him outside the city and dump him.
Frankie: What's the point in keeping him. We obviously won't get anything for him.
Rico: Because that was not part of the plan.
Dino: Screw the plan!! If we get a dime for him it will be a miracle.
Malucci: TTS TN MR SNS TN YU HVE NW!!!that's ten more sense(cents) than you have now
Rico: What is it going to take to get through that thick skull of yours, Malucci!! SHUT THE FUCK UP!
Dino: I still say we dump his worthless ass.
Malucci(nodding enthusiastically): YH, DMP MY WRHLS AS!!yeah, dump my worthless ass
Rico: Sorry, you don't get a vote in this punk. We don't do anything to him until we talk to Boss man.
Frankie: Then the boss would know we screwed up, Rico.
Malucci: YU SCWD UP, RCO! you screwed up, rico
With that last remark and starting to panic, Rico slams Malucci across his already injured and bloody head. Unable to withstand the pain and abuse anymore, Malucci finally loses consciousness. Dino starts to shake Malucci in order to wake him up. But Malucci remains out.
Dino: What did you do, Rico? Finally kill him.
Rico feels Malucci's neck for a pulse. It's there but it is extremely weak.
Rico: No, he still has a pulse. He's just knocked out is all.
Frankie: What do we now?
Rico: You stay here with him while we go see Boss man and let him know what's going on. He'll tell us what to do?
Before the police arrive, Rico and Dino get out of the hangar and head to where their boss is and bring him up to date on the current events.
At the ER, everyone is aware of the kidnapping now and are trying to make sense of it all. Malucci, truly wasn't one of their favorite people, but he definitely didn't deserve this. Carter, Gamma, Capt. Amos and an officer head for the lounge. Carter opens his locker and searches for the note. He finally finds it crumbled up in the back behind a medical book and hands it to the captain who looks at it and hands it to his officer.
Capt. Amos: Take this down to the police station lab, officer. Dust it for prints and try to trace the handwriting.
As they exit the lounge, they are confronted by other ER staffers.
Kerry: Well, was that note helpful, captain?
Capt. Amos: We'll know more when we get some lab results. Until now, everyone go back to your usual routine. Pay no attention to me and my men who will be coming in and out all day. May I borrow the phone?
Jerry hands the captain the phone and dials an outside line for him. The captain calls headquarters to find out a status on his sting operation. They patch him through to the officer in charge who's en route to the airport.
Capt. Amos(on the phone): Have your men entered Hangar #7 yet?
Officer:( on the phone): No. Not yet. We haven't even arrived there yet.
Capt. Amos( frustrated and angry): WHY THE HELL NOT!!! WHAT THE FU...(realizing he starting to scream in the middle of the ER, lowers his voice)What the fuck is taking so long?
Officer: They're tearing up the road. We've been detoured. It may be awhile before we get there.
Capt. Amos(slamming the phone down): Damn it!
Everyone stares at the agitated detective.
Capt. Amos: Did you guys ever have one of those days.
Jing-Mei: Captain, what about the ransom?
Capt. Amos: Yes, we should still get that together since we have no idea when or if my men will get to the hangar in time. Has anyone contacted Dr. Malucci's family?
Jing-Mei: Dave doesn't have any family except his sister and she lives in Italy. Besides, she can't afford 10 million dollars.
Kerry: Then who's going to pay his ransom?
Everyone stares at Gamma and Carter. Jing-Mei walks over with tears in her eyes and voice to the elderly lady and makes a heart-wrenching plea to her.
Jing-Mei: I would pay it myself since my family could afford it but I can't get at our account to withdraw that kind of money without my parents and they're in China and I'm not going to be able to contact them anytime soon. Ms. Carter, I realize that you were more than willing to pay the ransom for John since he is your grandson-- your flesh and blood--- and you have no obligation now to pay it since Dave isn't your grandson or a blood relative for that matter. John is safe now and I'm glad that he is but Dave isn't safe. In 8 months, I will be giving birth and I would like the baby's father to be there when I have his child. Please Ms. Carter, I'm begging you. Please help a guy who's all alone and doesn't have anyone to turn to now. I promise I will pay you every dime back as soon as I can.
Gamma: No need dear. I owe that young man a lot. If he hadn't taken John's car then it would be John there instead, having god knows what done to him. As I see it, that young doctor has saved my grandson's life. And all the money in the world will never be able to pay him back for that. Dr. Green, I believe you and I were on our way to make a withdrawal.
Capt. Amos sends two armed guards with Gamma and Dr. Green while the others wait.
Rico and Dino arrive at Northwestern Hospital and head into the ICU. They go into a room. The patient's name is written on a plaque outside. The patient's name is VINCENZIO MALUCCI.
Rico: Hello, how are you feeling, Boss man!
To be continued. Please read and review.