The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 42
Kerry: Alert security!!
Carter: I'll call Capt. Amos.
Mark: Jing-Mei, are you sure that's what the nurse said? That Dave's sister had the baby.
Jing-Mei frantically nods.
Mark: Alright, Abby take Jing-Mei into the lounge. I'll go up and check the nursery out.
Abby, Sophie and Jing-Mei sit in the lounge and await the police. Thirty minutes later and security enters the lounge.
Security: Dr. Chen, we have closed up the exits and everyone is being questioned. My men are searching the entire hospital.
Malik pokes his head in and tells them Capt. Amos is here. They head out to the admit desk as he heads into the lounge.
Capt. Amos: Why don't we talk in here?
Jing-Mei: What are you doing about my baby?
Capt. Amos: Calm down and tell me exactly what happened?
Jing-Mei(fighting back the tears): It's simple. I went up to the nursery to get my baby and the nurse said that Dave's sister had him. I didn't think much of it because he is her nephew and she has a right to spend some time with him especially since she's going to be leaving for Italy soon.
Capt. Amos: And you didn't have the baby?
Sophie: No. I wouldn't take the baby without asking Jing-Mei first.
Capt. Amos: Where were you at the time of the alleged kidnapping?
Sophie: I had to go to the pharmacy and fill a few prescriptions. It was going to be awhile so I took a walk outside, then came back and went to the chapel then I headed back to the pharmacy.
Capt. Amos: You did go for a walk. Isn't it possible you could have taken the baby with you and forgot?
Sophie: NO I DIDN'T! What do you think I am--crazy. I would certainly remember if I took my nephew with me. Instead of sitting around here, we should be out there looking for the baby.
Mark walked into the lounge with the nurse from the nursery.
Mark: Capt. Amos, this is Nurse Sanders. She was on duty at the time.
Capt. Amos: I'm Captain Amos. I'm investigating the alleged kidnapping. Do you mind answering a few questions?
Nurse Sanders: Not at all. Whatever I can do to help. I feel so responsible.
Capt. Amos: Just tell me what happened?
Nurse Sanders: Well, like Dr. Green said, I was on duty in the nursery just doing some paperwork and watching the babies when Dr. Malucci's sister came in and asked to take the baby for awhile.
Sophie: I swear I never went up there!
Capt. Amos: Just take it easy. Is this the young lady that picked up the baby?
Nurse Sanders studies her for a moment and a discouraging look comes over her face.
Nurse Sanders: She certainly looks like her, but the woman was a slight bit shorter than her and not as dark complexion. No, that definitely isn't her.
Jing-Mei: OH GOD!(crying) Where is my baby!
Capt. Amos: Calm down, we will find him. Nurse Sanders, we will need a full description of the alleged kidnapper.
Nurse Sanders: Well as I said she was a tan skin complexion about 5' 2", long dark hair, maybe 115-120 lbs with an Italian accent and...
Capt. Amos: And...
Nurse Sanders: Now that I think about it, she asked where the Malucci baby was. I didn't realize it at the time but Dr. Malucci's sister was in the nursery enough to know where the baby was.
Capt. Amos: We need you to describe the baby, Dr. Chen.
Jing-Mei: He's only 3 weeks old, he's very tiny. I think he's about 4 lbs. 3 oz. and just over 15 inches. He has dark skin but his face has Asian features. He's got lots of jet black hair and he's still ill.
Capt. Amos: I'll get this description out to every police car in the city. We'll have him back.
Security: Dr. Chen, is there a possibility that the baby's father could be responsible?
Jing-Mei: No, it isn't. That's impossible.
Security: We still have to check it out and find out if he has an alibi.
Jing-Mei: The best alibi. For the past 7 months, the baby's father has been lying in the ICU of this very hospital in a deep coma. He doesn't even know the baby exists. I was still pregnant when he went into the coma. (pause) Besides, Dave wouldn't do that.
Abby: We know.
Capt. Amos: That's a good point though. Dr. Chen, do you know anyone who would want your baby?
Jing-Mei: Yeah, like the people who kidnapped Dave.
Everyone exits the lounge.
Jing-Mei: I have to call over to the Petersons and check on Rusty.
Jing-Mei uses the phone at the admit desk.
Mrs. Peterson: Hello, Peterson residence.
Jing-Mei: Mrs. Peterson, it's Jing-Mei. How is Rusty?
Mrs. Peterson: He's fine. He just woke up and is playing with some of Grant's old race cars and watching Bugs Bunny on the tv.
Jing-Mei: Please keep an eye on him and make sure his guard stays with him.
Mrs. Peterson: What's wrong, dear?
Jing-Mei: Antonio is missing from the hospital.
Mrs. Peterson: Oh god! Have you called the police?
Jing-Mei: Yes, they're here now and they got a description of the woman who took him. They put an APB out on both of them. I just wanted to make sure Rusty was safe.
Mrs. Peterson: Don't worry about Rusty. He can stay here as long as necessary. I'll be saying a prayer for you and holding good thoughts. I know you'll get him back.
Jing-Mei: Thank you. Please don't let Rusty leave with anyone except me or Sophie. If I need to send someone else to pick him up, I'll call first.
Jing-Mei hangs up and is instantly hugged by Sophie.
Sophie: Is Rusty ok?
Jing-Mei: He's fine. The Petersons' said he can stay as long as possible and they won't let him out of their site of leave with anyone except you or I.
Sophie: That's a relief.
The phone rings and Randi answers it.
Randi: Phone for you, Dr. Chen.
Carter: Do you think it's another one of those calls, Captain?
Capt. Amos: Take the call, Dr. Chen. Put it on speakerphone. I want to hear the voice.
Jing-Mei agrees and activates the speakerphone and talks to her caller.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Chen, here.
Frankie: It's 5:30 pm. Do you know where your child is?
Jing-Mei: YOU SON OF A BITCH! WHERE IS MY BABY! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HIM!
Frankie hangs up the phone without saying a word. Randi turns off the speakerphone and Capt. Amos orders a tap on the phone. Jing-Mei is hysterical and all the comfort she is getting from the others isn't helping.
Jing-Mei: Why are they doing this to us? What do they want from us?
Carter: I'm not sure. I can't believe this started with an attempted kidnapping of me and it's progressed into this. I'm going to do whatever I can to get Antonio back for you, Deb.
Jing-Mei: I know you will, John. (pause) Oh no. It's 5: 30.
Kerry: That's right. Why?
Jing-Mei: Antonio's next feeding was at 4:30. They took him before he was fed. He's hungry. My baby's out there and he's hungry.
Kerry: I'm sure whoever took him has baby supplies. They'll feed him.
Jing-Mei: But he finally let me breastfeed him. He may not take to the bottle or to formula. That's if he's still alive.
Mark: Don't you even think of that! They wouldn't dare hurt that little baby.
Later that day, Sophie went to the Petersons and picked up Rusty. She debated whether to tell him about Antonio. When she arrived back at the house, she went into the nursery and saw Jing-Mei sitting at the crib playing with the mobile. "Brahms's Lullaby" played from it. Sophie went over and comforted Jing-Mei when Rusty walked in. He didn't know what was going on but he saw the ladies upset and knew that he felt like that after his mama died. He knew something was definitely wrong and went over and hugged them too. When they looked down and saw Rusty crying, knowing he had no idea what was going on, they thought they needed to tell him after all he'd want to go visit his little brother in the hospital.
Over the next couple days, Jing-Mei held vigil at Dave's bedside. Dave continued to make small movements with his right hand and head. There was still no word on Antonio. Kerry and Luka entered Dave's room.
Kerry: Any improvement?
Jing-Mei: He's been moving around more but that's it.
Kerry: What about Antonio?
Jing-Mei: Nothing.
The three doctors stepped outside Dave's room.
Jing-Mei(crying): What is happening with my little baby? I want him back.
Luka: I know you do and I'm sure the police are doing everything they can to get him back. I know what it is like to lose a child. He'll be back.
Jing-Mei: That's what Carter said about Dave when he was kidnapped and look at the condition he was in. If the same people have Antonio that had Dave, I mean if they can take someone as big, strong and tough like Dave who can fight them off and do what they did to him, then what are they going to do to a little defensive baby?
Kerry: I admit the people who attacked Dave were sick monsters, but they can't---they just can't hurt a little baby.
Jing-Mei: I know you mean well, but I'm not going to be happy until my family is together under one roof and healthy. As far as ever feeling safe again...well.
Kerry and Luka go back to work and Jing-Mei re-enters Dave's room. Over the next hours the ER staff take turns relieving Jing-Mei who refuses to leave Dave's side. On day four of Antonio's kidnapping, while several of the ER staff are up visiting with Dave, something happens that makes their day, especially Jing-Mei's. Dave's eyes open up.
Abby: Hey, welcome back brown eyes.
Jing-Mei: Dave! Dave! Can you hear me!
The doctors check his vitals as the on-duty nurse pages Dr. Vasquez. A few minutes later, Dr. Vasquez enters. The doctors fill him in on Dave's stats. Dave's eyes are wandering around the room, squinting at everyone. The look of total confusion comes over his face.
Dr. Vasquez: Dave, Dave look at me.
Dave's eyes continue to roam the room, paying no attention to his neurologist.
Kerry: What do you think is wrong with him?
Dr. Vasquez: It could be a lot of things. He's obviously disoriented, with good reason.
Dr. Vasquez slams his hands together over Dave's left ear and then his right. Dave jumps.
Jing-Mei: Well, he can hear.
Dr. Vasquez: Just how well we won't know until we run an audiograph test.
Dr. Vasquez points his penlight in Dave's barely opened eyes. Dave squints at the light and turns his head away.
Dr. Vasquez: Jing-Mei, hold his hand. (pause)Dave, Dave look at me.
Dave continues to look around but totally oblivious of his co-workers presence. Then Dave pulls his hand away from Jing-Mei's grasp and points to the ventilator tube.
Dr. Vasquez: We can't take the tube out yet. Listen to me, I need for you try something for me. If you can hear me, I want you to blink your eyes. Can you do that for me?
A minute goes by and Dave's eyes blink.
Dr. Vasquez: Okay, now I'm going to ask you a few questions, blink once for yes and twice for no. Do you understand?
Another minute and Dave blinks once. (yes)
Dr. Vasquez: Alright, we're on our way. (to Dave) Do you know who you are?
Dave thinks and blinks twice. (no)
Dr. Vasquez: Okay, do you know where you are?
Dave thinks and again blinks twice. (no)
Dr. Vasquez: That's okay. Alright, I need you to look around at the people in the room and tell me if you recognize any of them.
Dave concentrates and squints at them but he blinks twice.(no)
Carter: He doesn't know who we are?
Dr. Vasquez: That's okay. I warned you his memory was going to be messed up. As doctors, you know, amnesia is common with a brain and head injury. It's going to take some time.
Jing-Mei: Time. Like everything else.
Dave's eyes shut and stay closed, Sophie notices.
Sophie: Dave! Dave! What happened?
Dr. Vasquez: He's okay. He's just sleeping. He's very tired. He'll probably sleep for awhile.
Sophie holds his hand and bends down close to him.
Sophie: Sleep big brother. We will be here when you wake up.
She kisses him on the head as they leave the room, Dave tries to cough. Dr. Vasquez sends a nurse in to suction him.
Dr. Vasquez: I'm going to order another set of tests. I'll let you know.
Jing-Mei and Sophie insist on staying but the others convince them to come downstairs while Dr. Vasquez runs the tests. They agree only on the condition that he calls as soon as he knows anything.
Vincenzio orders Rico to call Fila. He does and hands the phone to Vincenzio.
Vincenzio: Did you do it?
Fila: Yes, just like you ask.
Vincenzio: Perfect. You will be rewarded nicely. (hangs up)
Rico: So what's next, Boss man?
Vincenzio: I haven't decided yet. IF and that's a strong IF my mother-fucking kid is still alive, I'll take care of him myself.
Up in the ICU, the nurse starts to suction Dave when the orderlies come in to transport him for an MRI.
Nurse: I'm just about done here then you can move him.
Orderly #1: Sure, just say the word.
Nurse: Be careful with him, he's been through enough.
Orderly #2: Tell me about it. First, he gets attacked and then his newborn gets snatched by the same people who put him here.
Nurse: I'm done. He's ready to go....
Dave's machines start beeping uncontrollably and she runs to get Dr. Vasquez.
In the ER, the news spreads about Dave's improvement. People, who before wouldn't have given Dave the time of day, were happy. They've gained a new respect for the doctor after everything that's happened to him.
Haleh: You know everyone, it probably won't be long before Dr. Malucci is back to being his arrogant, childish self.
Kerry(sarcastically and rolling her eyes): Yeah, I can hardly wait.
Malik: We bet.
Kerry: No, really I missed being doused with buckets of water, or sitting on a whoopy cushion, or having cans tied to my cane. I'm kind of looking forward to having him back. Chasing you guys around isn't nearly as much fun as it is chasing after Malucci.
Mark: I'll admit it. He did keep things exciting here. You never knew what he would do or say next.
Carter: Yeah, you remember the hal...Deb, LOOK!!
Carter points at the door of the ER and everyone's eyes follow as two policemen walk in holding a crying, baby Antonio.
Jing-Mei: Antonio! OH GOD, MY LITTLE BABY!!
Kerry: Where did you find him?
Officer: We got an anonymous tip that he was inside the St. Hope Church. We entered and found him laying in a baby carrier on a pew.
Cleo took the baby and accessed his condition.
Jing-Mei: Check him out for everything. I want to make sure he is completely healthy when I take him up to see his daddy, now that Dave is awake and can really appreciate these visits more.
After a few moments, Cleo exited the exam room holding the baby.
Cleo: Except for some exposure, looks like he's fine.
Jing-Mei: Are you sure? I mean absolutely sure.
Cleo: I took some blood and sent it to the lab and I want to run some x-rays but there doesn't seem to be anything broken. His heart sounds great and he's breathing alright; a little wheezing but I'm sure that's because of the exposure.
Randi: Dr. Chen, phone for you.
Jing-Mei shakes as she takes the phone from Randi.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Chen, here. (pause) Oh god.
She drops the phone again as everyone stares.
Kerry: Was it that man calling you again?
Jing-Mei(gulps as she tries to catch her breath and speak): No, that was the ICU. Dave's had another heart attack.
To be continued. Please read and review.