The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 58
Mark walks over to a startled Jing-Mei and places his hand on her shoulder.
Mark: So, this is the punk who tried to hurt Dave and his son.
Jing-Mei: Yeah, that's him. I know as a doctor I should be feeling some kind of compassion or sorrow, but I don't. He got exactly what he deserved and if I could have gotten to him after I found out what he was I probably would have done the same thing to him.
Mark: You don't mean that. You couldn't deliberately kill someone.
Jing-Mei: We never know what we are capable of doing until we see our loved ones in danger. I just should have checked him out better before I hired him. I was putting all our lives in danger. What if he had succeeded in hurting Dave or Rusty or even Antonio before I found out who or what he was.
Mark: Well, that's the good part of hindsight. It helps us see our mistakes after we have already made them.
Jing-Mei: I can't think of this piece of trash right now, I have patients to see.
Jing-Mei goes back to caring for her patients with some relief that the fucker who's been threatening her and her family for months can no longer hurt anyone. However, the thought that there is someone else out there who wants Dave dead lies heavy in her mind.
Later that day, Jing-Mei is ready to sign out her patients for the day and make one last trip up to check on Dave when she is confronted by Capt. Amos.
Capt. Amos: Dr. Chen, can we speak?
Jing-Mei: I was just on my way up to see Dave before I go home for the night, so if you want to talk while we walk.
Capt. Amos: That will be fine.
Jing-Mei: I don't need to ask you what brings you to the hospital?
Capt. Amos: So, you know then.
Jing-Mei nods.
Capt. Amos: I was on another case when I got the call. Apparently, his body was dragged from the river. The passengers on a passing boat radioed in that they seen something suspicious in the river. He had a single gunshot to the back of his head.
Jing-Mei: I can't say that I'm sorry. It certainly didn't take his men long to get rid of him.
Capt. Amos: Well, his murder won't keep me up nights either but it makes trying to find who's responsible for Dr. Malucci's abduction and attack that much harder.(pause) Do you think I will be able to talk to him yet?
Jing-Mei: I don't know. That would be up to Dave and his doctors. He doesn't remember anything. One of his therapists is planning to test his memory and see where we go from there. I would just be grateful if he would remember the basics, like me, his co-workers, the hospital, himself. (pause) Here we are. Do you want to come in?
Capt. Amos: Sure, why not now that I'm here.
Jing-Mei and Capt. Amos enter Dave's room to find that he discovered the remote control on the tv. He's pushing the buttons to skim channels. He passes by the home shopping network and half a dozen infomercials and winds up on HBO when Jing-Mei takes the remote from him and turns the volume down.
Jing-Mei: Come on sweetheart. Capt. Amos wants to talk to you.
Capt. Amos: Are you up to answering some questions, son?
Dave looks over to Jing-Mei confused.
Jing-Mei: You don't have to if you don't want to.
Capt. Amos: But it will help us find the people responsible for doing this to you.
Jing-Mei: I really don't know how he's expected to answer any questions if he can't speak.
Capt. Amos: We can limit his questions to yes and no answers. He can handle them right.
Jing-Mei sighs and then looks back at Dave.
Jing-Mei: It's up to you, Dave. What do you think?
Dave thinks for a minute and blinks twice(yes).
Jing-Mei: Alright, but if he starts to get tired or upset you stop immediately.
Capt. Amos: Agreed.
Both Jing-Mei and Capt. Amos pull up a couple of chairs and start the questioning process.
Capt. Amos: Dr. Malucci, do you remember anything about how you got here?
Dave thinks but blinks once(no)
Capt. Amos: Let's start from the beginning. Dr. Malucci, the day you were injured, you were going somewhere--do you remember where?
Dave looks at Jing-Mei hoping she will help him, but when she doesn't give him a clue he blinks once(no)
A few more questions from Capt. Amos and a few more responses of no from Dave and Jing-Mei gets discouraged.
Jing-Mei: We aren't getting anyway. I understand that you are trying to help Dave but he needs more time with a therapist. Maybe, in a couple weeks or after he gets to the rehab center and the therapists work with him more he'll be more helpful. Capt. Amos, right now I'm just trying to get Dave to remember me. I don't want to confuse him with so many different things.
Capt. Amos: I do understand. I know how difficult this is for you both, but...
Jing-Mei: Wait a minute. Captain, there may be a way for you to help us.
Capt. Amos: How?
Jing-Mei: Let's step over here.
Jing-Mei pulls the captain to the opposite side of the room out of Dave's line of vision and Dave starts to search for his remote control.
Jing-Mei: Dave's not a citizen in this country and the government is trying to deport him. I have told them that he is in no condition to leave the hospital much less the country. But, I have a feeling that once their doctors examine him he'll be on the next plane to Italy.
Capt. Amos: And?
Jing-Mei: And that's where you come in. I was thinking that maybe if you could contact INS and let them know that Dave is a material witness in a major case here, then they would have to let him stay.
Capt. Amos: I guess after all the failed attempts we made of protecting him, I could at least do this for him to make up for my carelessness. But I'm not sure how much of a major case this is?
Jing-Mei: What do you mean not a major case? Dave was kidnapped. I thought kidnapping was a federal offense.
Capt. Amos: Only if he was taken out of state. Within the state, it's a local matter.
Jing-Mei: Alright then what about the threatening calls to me, attempted murder of a six year old and his daddy, the beatings and not to mention Dave's rape.
Capt. Amos: I know how you feel, but unfortunately, unless someone was actually killed none of those crimes warrant overriding a government office's decision.
Jing-Mei: Someone was killed--- Jada.
Capt. Amos: Frankie killed Jada and now he's dead so there's no one to prosecute for it.
Jing-Mei: Do you really think Frankie killed Jada on his own. It's obvious that someone ordered the hit.
Capt. Amos: Even still, if that is proven then that person would be tried for that crime over in Italy. There's really no crime committed here that the government would feel big enough to keep Dr. Malucci in the country for.
Jing-Mei thinks for a moment.
Jing-Mei: What about a black market human organ ring? Remember, Dave had his kidney cut out of him and stolen. He may not be the only one this has happened to. He may be the only one that survived it.
Capt. Amos: Hmmm. You do have a point there. (pause) I'll talk to D.A. and see what we can do, but no promises.
Jing-Mei: Good enough. Thank you.
Capt. Amos leaves and Jing-Mei heads back over to Dave to see him going up and down in the bed. She can't help but laugh.
Jing-Mei: Dave, sweetheart. I think you have the wrong remote control. That's the one to control the bed not the tv. Here, I'll help you.
Jing-Mei finds the tv remote and turns the sound back up on the tv, then makes room on Dave's bed for herself. She kisses him on his head and holds him while he stares at the tv.
Jing-Mei: Everything is going to work out, baby. I'll see to it. At least two of the people responsible for putting you here are dead, so they won't ever be able to hurt us again. And maybe, with the captain's help, we won't have to worry about you being deported. But if that doesn't work, I have a back-up plan...
Dave starts to whine. Jing-Mei jumps off the bed and panics.
Jing-Mei: Dave, what is it? You're scaring me. Can you breathe? (pause) Dave, I don't understand--what is wrong?
She notices that he is pointing at the tv.
Jing-Mei: What is it? The tv---something about the tv.
She stares at the tv and within a few minutes begins to understand what has Dave so upset.
Jing-Mei: Dave, that's the movie--U571. What about it?
Dave starts scrabbling for his pad of paper and pen and Jing-Mei hands it to him. Dave grabs the pen in his fist and presses it to the paper. A couple of minutes, and he drops the pen on the bed and pushes the paper towards Jing-Mei. She picks it up but has difficultly reading and understanding it.
Jing-Mei: What is it? I can't read it. It looks like an upside down A and a W.
Dave slams his hand on the paper, then points at the tv screen. He shakes his head. Then points back to the paper at the letter W.
Dave: mmmmmm.
Jing-Mei: MMMM? (pause)M----The letter M, right.
Dave nods.
Jing-Mei: A and M. But what does it mean?
Dave continues to point at the tv screen.
Jing-Mei: What, Dave? (pause) The character in the movie--the sailor---Anthony Mazzolla---what about him?
Dave points back at himself and then writes down on his paper and hands it back to Jing-Mei. She reads it.
Jing-Mei: WE---or is it Me?
Jing-Mei thinks about it for a moment.
Jing-Mei: Well, yeah I guess he does kind of look like you---or at least the way you use to look before...well, never mind that. But, we settled that the first time we watched...the...movie. Dave, we did watch this movie before, didn't we? At your place. You remember that.
Dave nods and Jing-Mei smiles and runs back over to him and gives him a big hug but he's still very jumpy when she tries to kiss him.
Jing-Mei: You remembered something. Something small like that---but at least it's a beginning. We are going to get you back yet, baby. I know it.
Two days later, it's Jing-Mei's day off and she decides to take Antonio to visit his daddy. She gets him bathed and dressed before Mrs. Peterson comes. As she is finishing up her coffee, Mrs. Peterson comes into the kitchen. She sees Jing-Mei at the table and Antonio sitting in his swing staring at the toys hanging from the top of the swing.
Mrs. Peterson: This is the earliest I remember him being up and dressed. Are we going somewhere today?
Jing-Mei: To the hospital to visit his daddy and he's got an appointment with Dr. Waylon, the pediatrician. Do you want to come with us?
Mrs. Peterson: Sure. I have a present for Dr. Dave, anyway.
Jing-Mei: There's a hot pot of coffee on the stove, help yourself. I have to get showered and dressed.
Later at the hospital, Jing-Mei, Antonio and Mrs. Peterson enter Dave's room. The shades are drawn and the room is extremely dark. The light from the hall shines in through the opened door, startling Dave awake.
Jing-Mei: Relax Dave, it's just us.
She kisses his head and then opens the blinds. Mrs. Peterson lifts Antonio out of his carriage so Dave can see him better.
Jing-Mei: There, let's get some of that beautiful sun out there to shine in and brighten up the room. That's better.
Mrs. Peterson: How are you doing, Dr. Dave?
Dave gives her a half smile then drops it. Jing-Mei walks over to him and sits beside him on the bed.
Jing-Mei: What's got you so down, baby?
Dave shrugs.
Mrs. Peterson: I have something that might cheer you up a little. I bought you a present.
Mrs. Peterson hands the baby to Jing-Mei and as Jing-Mei is trying to get Dave's attention on his son, Mrs. Peterson reaches into her purse and pulls Dave's present out.
Jing-Mei: What do we have here? A hat. Very nice, isn't it Dave?
Dave seems unamused.
Mrs. Peterson: I made it myself. I thought it would feel more comfortable for you now that the bandages are off and it'll cover up all those nasty looking scars on your head, at least until your hair grows back.
Jing-Mei: That was very nice of you, Mrs. Peterson. Wasn't it, Dave?
Dave doesn't reply.
Mrs. Peterson: Let's see how it looks.
Mrs. Peterson walks over to Dave and he pushes into the bed and away from her.
Jing-Mei: Dave, where are your matters? Mrs. Peterson made you a very nice present the least you could do was let her put it on you. (pause)I'm sorry, Mrs. Peterson--he's still a little nervous around strange people. Not that you're strange or anything. I didn't mean that.
Mrs. Peterson(laughing): That's okay, I understand. He doesn't know me yet. He will in time and I have a feeling we are going to be good friends. I should have asked his permission first before just moving over towards him and scaring him to death.
Jing-Mei: I guess so.
Mrs. Peterson: So, may I put this on your head Gran...uh, Dr. Dave.
Jing-Mei was disturbed by Mrs. Peterson's statement and Dave was confused by it but he allowed her to place the hat on his head.
Mrs. Peterson: There--how's that look?
Mrs. Peterson takes out her compact and shows Dave how he looks.
Jing-Mei: He looks great. Just as cute as ever.
Dave starts to blush and then pulls at the hat.
Jing-Mei: Dave, what's the matter?
Mrs. Peterson: He doesn't like it.
Jing-Mei: I don't think that's the problem, is it Dave?
Dave continues to pull at the hat.
Jing-Mei: Does it itch?
Dave nods.
Jing-Mei: You have to expect that Dave. It is wool. Don't worry, you'll get use to it. (pause)And look here, you look just like your little boy here. He's wearing a wool hat too and it doesn't see to bother him.
Jing-Mei moves the baby closer to Dave and as he pulls away the hat unfolds and falls over Dave's eyes freaking him out. He starts to whine and jump in the bed.
Jing-Mei: Easy Dave, easy. I'll get that.
Mrs. Peterson: That's okay. You have the baby, let me do that.
Mrs. Peterson gently lifts the hat off Dave's eyes and he calms down but his face still shows his fear.
Mrs. Peterson: What was that all about?
Jing-Mei: I'm not sure. Dave, are you alright?
Dave ignores her still shaking from his latest mishap.
Jing-Mei: Dave! Dave, can you hear me.
He stares out into space.
Mrs. Peterson: What's wrong with him?
Jing-Mei: He looks like he's remembering something...but what? What could be so frightening for him to react that way? What is he thinking about...remembering?
Jing-Mei jaw drops.
Jing-Mei: The blindfold.
Just then the door opens and two orderlies walk in bringing Dave out of his trance.
Orderly: Sorry to interrupt. We have to take the patient down to x-ray. If you'll excuse us.
Jing-Mei: Sure. (looking at her watch) I have to get Antonio upstairs for his doctor's appointment, anyway.
As the orderlies move Dave onto the gurney to transport him, Jing-Mei kisses him and takes Antonio's hand and waves at Dave. Dave turns his head away and stares at the opposite wall.
Mrs. Peterson and Jing-Mei take Antonio to his appointment. Dr. Waylon does a regular check up exam on Antonio and pays special attention to Antonio's breathing.
Dr. Waylon: Has he had any major problems with his asthma?
Jing-Mei: No, not since that asthma attack over a week ago. Why is there a problem?
Dr. Waylon: Here, listen for yourself.
He hands his stethoscope to Dr. Chen and she listens to here son's lungs.
Dr. Waylon: Well?
Jing-Mei: Some wheezing and his breathing is little irregular but his lungs are still developing. That's not really that serious, is it?
Dr. Waylon: No, not really. As you said he's still very young and small but I am concerned though. I think I'm going to order constant oxygen on him.
Jing-Mei: What?! For how long?
Dr. Waylon: Just until his lungs are a little stronger. He's still very vulnerable for pneumonia and in his delicate condition with his breathing problems it could be extremely serious. I feel with the oxygen, Antonio won't have to work as hard to breathe and give his lungs a chance to develop to their full capacity. I'll write a prescription for some more Albuterol solution for his nebulizer and I want to see him back here in 2 weeks and we'll check him again then. Of course, if there's a problem before than, you know what to do.
Jing-Mei: I work in the ER. I think I can figure it out.
Dr. Waylon: Okay, I'll get his oxygen ready while you get him dressed.
Jing-Mei pushes Antonio's carriage out of the exam room to a waiting Mrs. Peterson.
Mrs. Peterson: How's our little angel?(pause)Oxygen? What's wrong with him?
Jing-Mei: Dr. Waylon just wants to give his lungs a rest. He's fine. Just a little wheezy. I have the oxygen set up for now but I'll have to teach you how to adjust it for him. You need to learn when to give him more oxygen and how much and when to decrease it. Too much oxygen could cause brain damage or blindness.
Mrs. Peterson: Oh my, it sounds difficult.
Jing-Mei: It's not really that hard with the proper training and hopefully, it will only be for two weeks.
Jing-Mei hands the prescription to Mrs. Peterson and she takes Antonio down to the pharmacy to have it filled. Meanwhile, Jing-Mei heads back to Dave's room. She enters in time to see Dr. Hardy, Dave's orthopedist, in with him.
Jing-Mei: What is happening here?
Dr. Hardy: We just x-rayed Dr. Malucci's legs and it seems like the bones are mending. The interior screws and plates are holding the bones, tendons and ligaments together nicely, so we can remove the exterior screws and take the stiff leg braces off him and put flexible braces on his legs and he can start physical therapy.
Jing-Mei: That's great. I just knew he was getting better. This is great.
Dr. Hardy: I think so. Now, if you'll excuse us.
Jing-Mei waits outside Dave's door. Capt. Amos walks up to her along with Carter and Kerry.
Capt. Amos: Don't you ever leave this place?
Jing-Mei: It's become my home away from home.
Kerry: We saw the captain heading up here so we decided to tag along and see how Dave is coming along.
Jing-Mei: He's getting there. Dr. Hardy is removing the exterior screws and the immobilizing braces from his legs and setting him up for physical therapy.
Carter: Looks like Malucci will be up and running around this hospital soon.
Jing-Mei: Not for awhile. The bones are holding together with the help of the surgically implanted screws and plates but the bones, muscles and nerves are still weak. He needs to exercise to strengthen them before they will support his weight, he still has to adapt to the rod in his back and there's fluid building up around his spinal cord despite the shunt.
Kerry: Dave and I had our moments but I'm glad that he's getting better. He deserves it. He really fought hard for his life, I'll give him that.
Jing-Mei: So Capt. Amos, did you get a chance to speak with the D.A. yet?
Carter: About what?
Jing-Mei: The INS is still threatening to have Dave deported so I thought that if the captain could speak with the D.A. about Dave's situation then the two of them could convince the INS Department that Dave is material witness in a major crime.
Kerry: Good idea. Did it work?
Capt. Amos: I thought I had the D.A. in our corner. He was all on board about speaking with immigration about Dave until he found out that Dr. Malucci still can't remember what happened to him that day. The D.A. said that he's not much of a witness if can't remember. He did say that if between now and the deadline of Dr. Malucci's deportation date he does remember than he would be more than happy to help us. He wants these people put out of society almost as much as you do.
Dr. Hardy opens the door and asks Jing-Mei to come in. The captain and other doctors follow. Dr. Hardy lifted the blanket off Dave's legs.
Dr. Hardy: His legs are going to be bruised and discolored for awhile. There's been very little circulation going through them while they were immobilized. Once he starts therapy, he'll be able to loosen them up and as the circulation gets better the color should come back. He's probably going to need more surgery on them over the next few years, but let's just take it one step at a time. No pun intended.(pause) I will get back to you about his physical therapy schedule.
Jing-Mei: Thank you, Dr. Hardy.
As Dr. Hardy left the room he ran into Mrs. Peterson pushing Antonio's baby carriage in.
Kerry: Look who we have here. What's wrong with him?
Jing-Mei: Just a little trouble with his breathing. Dr. Waylon is being careful. Don't want to take any chances with a newborn, especially a preemie. He'll be fine. He's got his daddy's fighting spirit.
Carter: No doubt there.
Jing-Mei: Captain, I know if you give Dave the chance, he will remember. Some things are coming back. Like, just a little while ago we were watching a movie on tv and Dave remembers watching that same movie on one of our dates.
Capt. Amos: That's nice but unfortunately, I'm not the one you have to convince.
Jing-Mei: Alright Dave, take a look around at everyone in the room. Do you recognize anyone?
Dave shakes his head no. Getting nervous and running out of ideas about how to convince everyone that Dave's memory is slowly returning, Jing-Mei suddenly gets an idea.
Jing-Mei: Wait a minute. I know.
She reaches into her purse and pulls something out. It's the engagement ring. She places the ring in front of his eyes and the diamond catches his attention. Dave becomes mesmerized by it.
Jing-Mei: Do you remember this, Dave?
Dave ignores her and remains captivated by the ring. She takes it away from in front of his eyes and breaks the spell that Dave seemed to be under.
Jing-Mei: Dave, answer me! Do you remember that object?
Dave blinks no.
Jing-Mei: Do you even know what it was?
Dave stares at her. She takes it back out and holds it up so he can see it.
Jing-Mei: Dave, it's a ring---an engagement ring. And if Captain Amos and the D.A. won't help us keep you in the country than I've got a back up plan.
Carter: Deb, what are you up to?
Jing-Mei: You'll see.
She takes Dave's hand in her own, looks into his eyes and takes a deep breath
Jing-Mei: Dave, sweetheart, will you marry me?
To be continued. Please read and review.