The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 54
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian
Jing-Mei: That son of a bitch!!
Peter: Are you sure?
Capt. Amos: Positively.
Jing-Mei: No wonder Dave didn't like him. And what makes it worse I let Rusty near him. If I had known...
Haleh: But you didn't know....
Capt. Amos: Has the boy been examined?
Jing-Mei: Yes and Dr. Kovac said that there was no sign of sexual abuse.
Haleh: Thank god for that.
Jing-Mei: Captain, what happens now? Frankie goes to trial for his crimes?
Capt. Amos: First, he has to be arraigned and bail set.
Kerry: You don't think the judge would set bail for that piece of trash?
Capt. Amos: Depends how good of a lawyer he gets.
Carter: Then if the judge does set bail that means he could be right back over here to hurt Malucci, Deb or the boys.
Capt. Amos: We have tightened up the security around them, especially Dr. Malucci. But we have other matters at hand.
Jing-Mei: What do you mean?
Capt. Amos: This Frankie, he spent a lot of time around your family, Dr. Chen?
Jing-Mei: Yeah, he's been working for me for a few weeks. Most of the time he was with Rusty, but Mrs. Peterson and I both had contact with him.
Capt. Amos: Alright, since the babysitter and the little boy did spend time with Frankie it only makes sense that they could tell what kind of guy he was. (pause) Tell me, how did the little boy and the babysitter react to him?
Jing-Mei: Rusty was scared of him and Mrs. Peterson didn't trust him.
Capt. Amos: How many times has he been here to visit Dr. Malucci?
Jing-Mei: Once or twice, why?
Capt. Amos: That's what's bugging me. You said that Dr. Malucci didn't like him either.
Jing-Mei: That's right.
Capt. Amos: Obviously, Dr. Malucci didn't spend enough time with Frankie to judge him properly but he knew he didn't like him. Was that just a natural vibe that Dr. Malucci pick up on or...
Peter: Or did Dave remember him from the hangar?
Capt. Amos: That's my point exactly!
Abby: Do you think Dr. Malucci remembered his voice?
Capt. Amos: Or his face.
Carter: But how could that be. Dave was blindfolded the entire time they had him there.
Capt. Amos: We don't know that for sure.
Jing-Mei: We don't?
Capt. Amos: We only know for sure that Dr. Malucci was blindfolded the one time they let him speak to us on the phone and how he was found when my men arrived at the hangar after his abductors had dumped him and left him for dead. What if at some point Dave wasn't blindfolded?
Peter: Do you really think they would've been that stupid to let Malucci see their faces.
Capt. Amos: Only if they didn't know he could see their faces.
Cleo: How do you mean... if they didn't know?
Capt. Amos: Maybe Dr. Malucci was able to manipulate his blindfold enough to get a glance at them.
Jing-Mei: I seriously doubt that.
Capt. Amos: Why?
Jing-Mei: Because he doesn't remember me, any of his co-workers. Hell, he doesn't even know who he is and he's going to remember a face that he might have glanced at for a minute through an eighth of inch opening in a blindfold. I'm sorry, but I can't believe that?
Capt. Amos: I'm not saying that's what happened, but it's possibility. I think our Dr. Malucci knows a lot more than what he's letting on.
Jing-Mei(looking at her watch): I'm sure he does but until he is able to tell us what he knows there's not much you can do to find the bastards who are responsible for his attack.
Capt. Amos: That's true, but...
Jing-Mei: Look, I have to go get Rusty and get home. We have a flight to catch tomorrow.
Capt. Amos: A flight? Where are you going too?
Jing-Mei: Italy. Dave's sister passed. I'm taking Rusty to the funeral. I only wish Dave could go.
Capt. Amos: I don't think that's a good idea to leave right now.
Jing-Mei: Sophie was a good friend of mine, she's Rusty's aunt. We are going to the funeral. I am not going to stop living my life because somebody wants to kill my boyfriend. It is difficult enough to explain to an already traumatized six year old why his mommy was taken away from him, why his daddy can't talk or play with him, that his favorite aunt is gone too and why the hell we have these armed guards following us around. I am trying to give that child as normal a life as possible but I can't because those bastards took that away from us. I am NOT going to let them keep us away from Sophie's funeral. Now excuse me why I take Dave's son home and again try to convince him that his aunt is gone forever.
Kerry: Is Rusty still having trouble accepting her death?
Jing-Mei: Yes. He expects her to be waiting for us at the airport in Sicily. I think he knows she won't be there but he's trying not to believe it.
Carter: Go to the funeral and don't worry about Dave. We will keep an eye on him.
Jing-Mei: Thank you everyone and I'll be here on Monday to start my shift, Kerry.
Jing-Mei stopped by the tv room and picked up Rusty. He was asleep on the couch and she had to carry him out to the car. She drove straight home while Rusty slept the entire way. Back home, she carried a sleeping Rusty in and put him to bed and then she went into see Antonio. The baby was fast asleep. She put his intercom on then went into the kitchen with Mrs. Peterson.
Mrs. Peterson: Would you like me to fix you something to eat?
Jing-Mei: Just coffee, please.
Mrs. Peterson: So, what happened at the hospital?
Jing-Mei: You wouldn't believe what happened? Do you know those threatening calls that I've been getting?
Mrs. Peterson: Yes.
Jing-Mei: They were from Frankie.
Mrs. Peterson: You're kidding?! Oh, I know you're not. I don't believe it.
Jing-Mei: Neither did I. I can't believe I didn't recognize his voice. I was so stupid to let him into my home, near you, the boys and Dave. Can you ever forgive for not believing you?
Mrs. Peterson: No problem. It's not your fault. How could you have known?
Jing-Mei: I didn't. If I had known what I know now, I would never have let Rusty alone with that monster. To think that because of him, Rusty no longer has a mama.
Mrs. Peterson: WHAT!!
Jing-Mei: Frankie was the one who murdered Rusty's mother, Jada.
Mrs. Peterson: That son of a bitch!
Jing-Mei: That's what I (yawning) said. I'm sorry. It's been a long day. I'm just going to finish this coffee and try to go to sleep.
Mrs. Peterson: I doubt you will be able to do that now with the coffee in you.
Jing-Mei: I am so tired I don't think that coffee will even be able to keep me awake.
Mrs. Peterson: Well, I'll sit with you and keep you company.
Jing-Mei: That's not necessary. I've kept you long enough. You should be getting home.
Mrs. Peterson: I'm fine besides you haven't told me what happened at the hospital yet.
Jing-Mei: Right. I asked Frankie to take Rusty up to Dave's room. BIG MISTAKE! Shortly, after they went up I received another one of those phone calls but this one was different. I heard Rusty's voice in the background anyway I figured out what was going on but by the time the cops and I got to Dave's room, Frankie was getting ready to inject Dave's IV with air trying to cause an embolism. We stopped him in time but he grabbed Rusty and held him hostage with scissors to his throat. Obvious, everything turned out alright. Rusty's fine but Dave...
Mrs. Peterson: What happened to Dr. Malucci?
Jing-Mei: Dave's had another heart attack?
Mrs. Peterson: OH GOD!
Jing-Mei: He's in CHF--uh congestive heart failure---and he's back in the coma again.
Mrs. Peterson: I am so sorry.
Jing-Mei: Thank you. His doctors have him on all new medicine and he's responding to painful stimuli in his upper extremities.
Mrs. Peterson: And that's good, right?
Jing-Mei: Yes it is. It means he's probably not in the coma as deep as he was the last time so he'll probably be awake soon.
Mrs. Peterson: Poor Dave and Rusty, too. That little boy has had so much tragedy in his little life. Speaking of which, what is going to happen now with Rusty?
Jing-Mei(yawning): I guess when we go to Italy tomorrow for the funeral, Rusty will stay there with Sophie's husband. Sophie told me that although Dave provided financially for Rusty, he still didn't have a father around. So, Sophie's husband, Manny, will assume the duties. Manny's always wanted a son and Marissa would love to have a big brother.
Mrs. Peterson: So, I guess when I come over to pick Antonio up tomorrow and say goodbye to you it will be goodbye to Rusty for good.
Jing-Mei: Just for awhile. Remember, he's still Dave's son and as soon as Dave is better I'm going to send for Rusty and make sure that Dave takes part in his life.(pause) You're going to miss him, aren't you? It's alright so am I.
Mrs. Peterson: The little guy does grow on you.(pause) Well, I better be going and let you get some sleep. I'll be back over around 6 am to pick the baby up.
Jing-Mei: Thank you and goodnight.
Mrs. Peterson left and Jing-Mei went and check in on the boys before finally going to bed herself.
The next morning, Jing-Mei was up and running around trying to get Antonio fed, bathed and dressed before Mrs. Peterson came. Rusty was sitting in front of the tv eating Capt. Crunch, his dad's favorite cereal and now his. Jing-Mei had just gotten the baby out of the bath when the doorbell rang. Rusty got up to answer it but Jing-Mei stopped him before he could and signaled for him to go back and finish eating.
Jing-Mei: Hi Mrs. Peterson.
Mrs. Peterson: I'm sorry I'm a little early. I just couldn't wait to pick the baby up. My husband is so excited about him coming to stay. He's out now buying a supply of diapers, bottles and toys for Antonio.
Jing-Mei: I'm glad that you're early. I just finished giving the baby a bath and both Rusty and I still need to shower and dress.
Mrs. Peterson: What can I do to help?
Jing-Mei: Could you get Antonio dressed?
Mrs. Peterson: No problem. I loved to.
Mrs. Peterson heads into the nursery and starts searching through all the baby clothes that aren't already packed. She picks up a blue jumper with matching hat and booties and puts him in it. After about 45 minutes, Rusty has taken a shower and is now putting on his only pair of clothes that aren't packed. Jing-Mei, who's finished dressing smells something cooking and walks into the kitchen.
Mrs. Peterson: I thought you'd like some coffee and breakfast before your trip.
Jing-Mei: Coffee's fine. You didn't have to make me breakfast.
Mrs. Peterson: You can't fly on an empty stomach, now take the time to sit and eat.
Jing-Mei: So, you are sure that Antonio won't be much trouble for you.
Mrs. Peterson: He's an angel. We will have a lot of fun together. So what about you, are you okay?
Jing-Mei: I don't like leaving Dave and Antonio but I know that the baby is in excellent hands and so is Dave. Mr. Santini, is going to meet us at the airport.
Mrs. Peterson: He's nice. I like him a lot more than I did Frankie.
Jing-Mei: Let's not even talk about that monster.
Mrs. Peterson takes a deep breath and walks into the dining room and retrieves something from the hutch and brings it back in to Jing-Mei.
Mrs. Peterson: I found this last night while I was packing your things. I was going to put it right back but... here.
Mrs. Peterson hands Jing-Mei a small velvet case. Jing-Mei opens it up.
Jing-Mei: It's the engagement ring that Dave brought for me last year. He never had a chance to properly propose to me because he was kidnapped by those fuck...
Rusty comes running in to the room, interrupting Jing-Mei from her present thoughts. Jing-Mei closes the box and puts it in the pocket of her slacks.
Rusty: Time to go. Home. I going home.
His guard translates. Jing-Mei looks at her watch and realizes it is time to go. Mrs. Peterson takes Antonio's bags out to the car and comes back for the baby. Jing-Mei gets Rusty's coat on him and Mrs. Peterson walks over to him.
Mrs. Peterson: Well, I guess this is goodbye big guy. You take care of yourself and promise me that you will come by and see me when you come over to visit your papa. I'll miss you. I love you.
The guard translates and Rusty hugs Mrs. Peterson back. Both try but fail to hold back their tears. Jing-Mei instructs the guard to put Rusty into the car. He sits in the car and plays with his gameboy while Jing-Mei and Mrs. Peterson say their goodbyes.
Jing-Mei: Do have everything you need for the baby?
Mrs. Peterson: Yes. I have his bags in the car and I'm getting his medicine and nebulizer now and I've already got the baby car seat set up. I did that yesterday. If I need anything extra, I'll buy it for him. Now stop worrying about us and just look after yourself and Rusty. We will be fine.
Jing-Mei gets the last of her and Rusty's bags into the car as Mrs. Peterson is bringing out Antonio out. She takes the baby over to Jing-Mei's car. The guard opens the back seat so Rusty can see the baby and say goodbye to his little brother.
Rusty stops playing with his video game and stretches the limit of the seat belt to kiss Antonio on the head.
Rusty: Bye, bye little bro. I love you.
The guard translates.
Mrs. Peterson: You know Rusty, Antonio is very lucky to have you as a big brother. You're good big brother.
The guard translates and Rusty smiles back, proud of himself. Jing-Mei walks with Mrs. Peterson as she puts Antonio in his car seat.
Jing-Mei: Rusty is thrilled to be going back home to Italy. Do you know it is so strange?
Mrs. Peterson: Why?
Jing-Mei: He really doesn't understand that he's going home for his aunt's funeral. The last time he went back to Italy, Sophie took him there for his mama's funeral and now I'm taking him there for Sophie's funeral. Next time he comes back over here it may be for Dave's funeral.
Mrs. Peterson: Don't even think that. Dave's going to be fine. You have to hold positive thoughts for him. He's come this far.
Jing-Mei: You're right.
Jing-Mei gives Antonio a final kiss goodbye and heads over to her car. Mrs. Peterson gets into her car and they drive off in their separate ways. At the airport, Mr. Santini is there waiting for his traveling companions.
The next day at the ER, the staff takes turns visiting Dave like they promised Jing-Mei. His condition remains critical but stable. Kerry enters Dave's room and sits by his bed.
Kerry: Well Dr. Dave, you are really making these doctors earn their pay. You haven't spent this much time in the hospital as a doctor. I hope once this is over and you are back on your feet and assume your duties as a resident that this would give you a little more insight of how it is to be a patient and how they need to be treated. Don't you think that I'm going soft on you. As soon as I have you back under my thumb again, I am going to be harder on you then ever before. Not because I hate you and don't think you can handle the pressure. It's because I do like you and I know you can handle the pressure because you have the making of being a good resident and in time an excellent doctor.(pause) I always thought you're attitude came from not caring enough, but now I see it came because you cared too much. You just need work on knowing when to keep your mouth shut and watch what you say in front of the patients and to your colleagues. But that's all in the past now. We are going to start a clean slate from this time on.(pause) Some doctors have a harder time adjusting and you are one of them. I guess I should have worked with you more and taught you instead of shoving you off to the side most of the time. (pause)Maybe, I could use some lessons in humanity too. No one's perfect certainly not us.
Dr. Weaver bent her head down to say a small prayer for the beaten doctor when she felt some tightness on her hand. She looked up to see Dave squeezing her hand.
Kerry: Dave! Dave, can you hear me?
Kerry grabbed her crutch and headed out of the room to get the doctor. Two minutes go by and she returns with Dr. Vasquez and Dr. Romano. Dave's eyes are opened. While the doctors work on Dave, Kerry heads back down to the ER.
Kerry: Well everyone, Malucci's conscious again.
Mark: That's great.
Carter: So Dave's getting better, huh.
Kerry: He still has a long way to go, but he's on his way.
Carter: That's good since Mrs. Peterson just brought the baby into the ER.
To be continued. Please read and review.