Brother of Mine
Part 4
A/N 1: to those of you who have given constructive reviews..I Thank You!! And I apologize profusely for the delay but I've had a case of writers block the size of Stonehenge!!!!!!!
A/N 2: Hey MEG..."Thanks", the Flames don't bother me, they mostly "amuse" me... (I hang out with a tough crowd of gamers!!!) And no Brittany...you didn't offend..takes a lot to offend me, and as I said..I take "great" delight in giving as good as I get.!!!!!
A/N 3: (sardonic chuckle) as for the rest of you folks.. You just don't give up do you..why in the hell are you continuing to read the story when it's obvious you don't like it..if it's not what you like to read, *WHY* read it?????? Have you not met your quota of bitching and whining yet for the week!!!!!! As Spike would say, "Nick off!!!"
A/N 4: final chapter....usual disclaimers....!
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Funeral Home
"Dr. Carson, Dr. Bradley. I'm sorry for your loss." Jesse acknowledged the two men in the receiving line as he shook their hands. "You don't know me, I'm Jesse Travis...my mother was in the car with Dr. Robert's when he had his...accident."
"Thank you Mr. Travis.. and my condolences to you also..." Dr. Carson said. "Did you know Dr. Robert's?"
"No, not personally. But since he was obviously a good friend to my mother I thought I should attend the service. " Jesse said.
"That's very kind of you..will you're mother's service be held soon?"
"As soon as they release the body.." Jesse said sadly.
"They haven't released your mother yet? Earl's was released days ago." Bradley said in surprise.
"I don't know, something about some discrepancies in the autopsy that have yet to be cleared up." Jesse answered with a sad shrug of his shoulders.
"Discrepancies?" Dr. Bradley inquired.
"Some...some of my mother's injuries weren't consistent with injuries one would have received in a car crash." Jesse said, looking at the two men curiously. "Have the police said anything to you about the crash..given any indication that it might not have been an accident?"
"No. No, of course not. It was ruled an accident." Dr. Carson said a little to quickly. "Why in the world would they believe any different?"
"You do know that his house was broken into shortly after the accident." Jesse pressed.
"What does that have to do with his accident?"
"The police are still trying to determine if there is any connection." Jesse said with a shrug. "Well again, sorry for your loss, and if you should hear anything from the police I'm staying at this hotel."
With that Jess held out a business card and turned to walk away from the church. Once around the corner he climbed into the back seat of a car where Steve, Jim and Blair were waiting.
"Good job Jess." Steve said. "You all right?"
"Yeah, fine." Jesse said tiredly. "Are you sure this was a good idea? I mean, if they think that the police might be on to them then they might pull up stakes and run before we can catch them."
"So far we haven't been able to shake them and it's been *two* days and they still haven't made contact with Blair or Brian." Jim said. "We can't wait to much longer for them to take the bait."
"Maybe they just don't have the results yet." Blair said.
"Somehow I think with hundreds of thousands of dollars and a life on the line these doctor's would move a little more quickly." Jim said.
"Somehow I don't think they care about saving a life." Jesse grumbled.
"In any case we need to be ready with a back up plan." Jim said.
"And that would be....why exactly was it so important that Jesse attend Dr. Robert's funeral." Steve asked.
"Because it's about time we upped the stakes a little for our two doctor's." Jim said.
"How?" Jesse asked.
"We *need* them to make a move....if they pass on our set up then we've lost our chance...or worse they find a more compatible donor; we need them to feel threatened enough to make a mistake to take the bait." Jim said.
"And you plan on doing that how?" Steve asked suspiciously.
"With these." Jim said, holding up the envelope with the medical records that had been sent to Jesse's mother.
"Those records came from the clinic..how can we use those?" Jesse asked.
"What would our good doctor's do to keep these records out of the hand's of the police?" Jim asked rhetorically.
"Are you suggesting blackmail?" Steve asked. "How do you plan on pulling that off...they all ready know we're cops and Blair and my dad are all ready set up..wait a minute..no, absolutely not...." Steve said as Jim's plan suddenly dawned on him.
"We need it to be someone who would have reason to have the records, who would have a good reason..." Jim started to explain.
"No, Ellison...I won't subject Jesse to that kind of danger. Not after everything else he's been through." Steve said angrily. "How could you suggest such a thing, he just got out of the hospital for god's sake."
Jesse looked over at Blair. "Ever get that 'invisible' feeling?"
"Oh, pretty much all the time." Blair said with a shake of his head, casting a smirk at this partner.
"Jess..." Steve started.
Jesse held up a staying hand. "Steve, please..I at least want to hear what Detective Ellison has to say."
"If we freeze the assets of the clinic temporarily because of the investigation then someone shows up with incriminating evidence against them....tying them to the murders and the organ ring they are no doubt going to want to close up shop and run; we checked and both doctors have current passports." Jim explained.
"So that means they'd need quick cash to get out of the country." Blair said.
"Which means that they are more likely to take the bait and try to schedule the surgery." Jesse exclaimed. "So what do I need to do?"
"Jesse!" Steve exclaimed. "You don't need to do anything."
"Steve...this case has *everything* to do with me...both professionally and...and personally...I want, no, I need to do this." Jesse said. "Everyone is putting themselves on the line..."
"We're cops Jesse, that's our job." Steve said.
"Mark's not a cop and neither is Blair.." Jesse shot back angrily, adding sadly. "Is this all this is to you..a job?"
"No, Jess, I didn't mean it that way." Steve said, letting out a tired sigh as he saw the hurt in his friend's eyes. "All right...but I want a wire and a surveillance team...you don't get out of my sight for a minute."
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Doctor's Clinic Next day
"Mr. Travis, I didn't expect to see you here. My receptionist said you had something urgent to discuss." Dr. Carson said as he came into his office and shook Jesse's hand. "I hope this isn't a professional call...you're not ill?"
"No, Dr. Carson, I'm not ill." Jesse said returning the handshake.
Dr. Carson waved Jesse to a chair and went around to take his seat behind his desk. "So what can I do for you then?"
"I'm...I'm...well, the police released my mother's body...I'm leaving shortly to take it back to LA..." Jesse stuttered.
"Again, I am sorry for your loss, but I'm still not quite sure why you're here."
"Because I don't think it was an accident that killed my mother..or your partner, Dr. Robert's." Jesse said pointedly, pulling the large envelope out of his jacket. "And I think I know why."
Dr. Carson sat back in his chair, clasping his hands and resting then on his chest. "And you believe this because..."
"Because of these." Jesse said as he pulled the pages from the envelope and tossed them onto the desk. "These were amongst my mother's stuff that the hotel boxed up for me, they made for some interesting reading."
"Just some old patient files..." Dr. Carson said after a moment of looking over the pages. "And you say they were delivered to your mother? By who?"
"They were mailed to my mother from right here in Cascade. Funny that, why would someone mail my mother a large packet of medical records of your clinic patients, do you think." Jesse asked in a knowing tone.
"I'm at a loss to explain it..but thank you for returning the files. Can't be to careful now a days with all these new privacy laws." Carson said quickly, standing up. "If there's nothing else Mr. Travis.."
"Actually there is. First off, it's not mister, it's doctor; and secondly, I have a pretty good idea what's in those files, and what it means." Jesse said casually.
"Doctor. Travis." Carson said slowly, sitting back down. " You're a doctor?"
"An ER doctor to be exact." Jesse added. "And I don't think the ethics board would take to kindly to how you procure your organs for transplant."
"Just what exactly do you think these records indicate?" Carson exclaimed.
"So, you're saying that all your patients received their organs through the national registry? If I researched these organ recipients I'll discover that their donated organs came through the registry...that I'll find the donor files?" Jesse asked with feigned innocence.
"I don't like what your implying here Dr. Travis..this is a credible establishment..."
"Is that why one of your doctor's was murdered..along with my mother...and why his house was tossed and his computer erased?"
"Then it had to have been Dr. Robert, that's probably why someone killed him...there's nothing to be gained by dragging his name through the mud now."
"You're right about one thing; I do think it had something to do with Dr. Robert's, only I don't think he was the one performing the illegal surgeries...but I think he did know who was..." Jesse said, looking straight into Carson's eyes.
Suddenly suspicious Carson said. "Why are you telling me all this?"
"Because those are just copies.." Jesse answered, pointing to the papers on the desk.
"What do you want?" Carson demanded angrily.
Standing now and leaning over the desk, Jesse's voice was hoarse with anger. "What I want is my mother back, but I'm not going to get that am I...so I'll settle for a half a million...
"Half a million? A half a million dollars? Are you crazy, that's blackmail...." Carson raged.
"Which doesn't get you nearly as much time as fraud, assault, trafficking in illegal organs.....*and* murder." Jesse ground out. "I'm willing go take my chances, how about you?"
"You..you can't prove anything..." Carson sputtered angrily.
"Don't need to...all I have to do is hand this over to the police, let them start poking around; what is it you think they'll find Dr. Carson?" Jesse said, adding sarcastically, "I win either way."
"You won't get away with this." Carson ground out.
"I all ready have." Jesse said. "You have two days to come up with the money..I need to go back to LA for now."
"Wait, how can I find you?"
"Don't worry, I'll find you. And don't bother getting up, I can find my own way out." Jesse said, leaving the office.
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Jesse walked across the street and through a parking lot to the far end, climbing into the waiting car.
"Am I glad that's over." Jesse said with a sigh as he laid his head on the back of the seat.
"You all right Jess?" Steve asked in concern.
"Yeah, Steve, fine." Jesse said, looking up at his friend.
"You certainly don't look fine." Steve pressed.
"It was hard okay..standing there, talking to that man, when he may be the one...the one responsible for..." Jesse trailed off, not having the energy to finish what they all already knew. "So did you get it?"
"Loud and clear." Jim said, waving the cassette.
Jim then looked over at Steve. "Now, Detective Sloan, I believe it's our turn to do some police work."
"Let's do it." Steve said getting out of the car.
"All units, this is Ellison, let's move in." Jim said in his mic, before following Steve out of the car.
Two squad cars pulled up in front of the building the same time Steve and Jim crossed the street.
The sight of the two detectives and four officers coming in the front door startled the receptionist. "May I help you?"
Holding out their badges, Jim stated. "Detective Ellison, Detective Sloan. We're here to search the premises."
"Excuse me...I don't understand." The woman said standing up. "I'll have to call the doctor.."
"You do that ma'am, they can meet us in their offices.." Steve said as he stepped through the door that lead back to the offices, followed closely by Jim.
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"Are you sure you're all right?" Blair asked Jesse.
"Hey, I'm fine." Jesse said absently.
"Hey, man, it's just me...fellow sidekick, the testosterone twins are busy playing cops and robbers remember...you don't need to lie to me." Blair said.
Jesse gave a slight frown and squirmed a little in his seat. "Okay, if you really want to know I feel like crap..and talking to Carson was just...I just wanted to kill him where he stood..."
"Had to be tough man..."
"Anyway, I just hope this works." Jesse said tiredly, resting his head on the back of his seat.
Blair just nodded and turned to look out the front window to watch the police milling around across the street at the clinic.
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"You're doing what?" Carson exclaimed angrily. "I don't think so, we have appointments...patients to see.."
"Sorry, doctor, but this is a court issued warrant to do a thorough search of these premises for any information in the murder of Dr. Earl Robert's." Steve informed the man, waving the warrant in his hand. "You can read it if you like."
"Earl died of injuries in a car accident..." Dr. Bradley exclaimed.
"Not according to the autopsy report." Steve said.
"What exactly do you think you're going to find detective...medical records are confidential..."? Carson interjected smugly.
"Not with a warrant and not during a criminal investigation." Steve said.
"Well see about that." Carson said curtly before turning to his secretary. "Miss Ryan, please get my lawyer on the phone."
"That's good, why don't you just have him meet us at the police department, we're going to have questions after we finish our search." Steve said.
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CPD
Steve and Jim watched Dr. Carson and Dr. Bradley leave with their lawyers; after the elevator doors shut they exchanged grim looks and headed for Simon's office.
"How did it go?" Simon asked.
"Just like we expected...they denied all knowledge of any criminal activity then threatened to have our badges..." Jim said with a shrug, looking over at Steve. "That about it?"
"That pretty much sums it up." Steve said dryly. "Oh, don't forget the harassment charges..."
"Oh, yeah, and the libel suit they want to file for defamation of character.." Jim said.
"What exactly did you guys do in there?" Mark asked.
"Standard Q & A." Jim said with a shrug.
"Are they scared enough to run?" Simon asked.
"I think we hit some nerves...came just close enough for them to wonder what we really have." Steve reported.
"So we're back to waiting?" Blair said.
As it turned out they didn't have long to wait
.
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Evening The Loft
"Hello, Mr. Sandburg. This is the lab at Cascade General..we found something in your tests that we need to discuss. Please call the lab as soon as possible and ask for Raymond Shoop."
Blair pushed the button to rewind the answering machine tape and looked over at his roommate. "They certainly didn't waste any time did they."
"I'm gonna call Sloan and let them know." Jim said reaching for the phone.
"Seeing as how I'm dieing and all you should be the one to cook dinner tonight." Blair said melodramatically falling onto the couch.
"Keep that up chief and you really will need a doctor." Jim said. "Hey Sloan, Ellison. They took the bait..Blair got the call while we were out. Yeah, okay, see you at eight."
"It's all set, you can call the lab back from the precinct tomorrow and then we can set you up...they'll probably be contacting Brian soon too." Jim said after he hung up the phone.
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Hospital Doctor's Office
"Thank you for being able to see me on such short notice, doctor." Blair said.
"No problem..since you only listed the university health service and not a primary care physician the lab sent your results to me....I take referrals from the lab in these cases." Dr. Carson said congenially. "Now let's have a look here shall we."
Blair fidgeted while the doctor read over his file, finally asking. "Doc, what is it..I mean, I didn't think much of the pain and all..."
Dr. Carson closed the file and looked over at Blair, his face grim. "I'm afraid it isn't the best news...according to this your left kidney has a tumor..that would account for the pain and the nausea and the blood..."
"Blood? I never saw any blood!" Blair exclaimed.
"It was only trace amounts...we need to get in there and biopsy the tumor, make sure it isn't malignant."
"You're talking surgery?" Blair questioned.
"It's the only way..and depending on what we find..we may have to remove the organ.."
"Remove it!? You mean take out the whole kidney?" Blair exclaimed. "What can't you just take out the tumor?"
"It will depend on what the biopsy finds..if the blood supply is compromised or the tumor is embedded to deep in the tissue we won't have a choice but to remove the entire affected organ..and if the tumor turns out to be pre-cancerous we may also be looking at radiation treatments." Dr. Carson finished explaining.
Blair let out a deep sigh and fell back into his seat. "I just came in for a back ache and a little bit of burning and now you're telling me I may have a pre-cancerous tumor in my kidney?!"
"I'm really sorry Mr. Sandburg..I know this is a lot to take in, if you would like I can refer you to a specialist...but we really don't have a lot of time here...we need to remove the tumor before it has a chance to spread or metastasize."
"Yeah..sure...that, that sounds good...a second opinion...not that I don't trust you doc, but, this is a whole lot to digest.." Blair stuttered.
"Don't apologize, it's a lot to take in. Now, you just sit here and gather your thoughts, I'll go right now and make the appointment."
When the door closed behind Dr. Carson Blair let out another big sigh and said quietly. "Hope you guys are getting all of this. I swear, if I didn't know any better I'd swear this guy is telling the truth..he's good."
Out in the car, Steve and Jim exchanged wry smiles.
"He's not doing to bad himself." Steve commented.
"Obfuscation is Sandburg's middle name." Jim said wryly.
The door to the office opened and Dr. Carter came in with an appointment card. "The clinic is on Seventh Avenue, called Doctor's Clinic, you have an appointment for four thirty this afternoon."
"This afternoon! Isn't that rather sudden?" Blair said in surprise. "I mean, I thought you said this doctor was a specialist and all; I figured it would take months."
"Time is of the essence Mr. Sandburg and months may be too late." Dr. Carson replied. "The clinic deals with what you'd call time sensitive disorders..."
"Okay, doc, four thirty it is." Blair said standing. "Thanks a whole lot for everything you're doing."
"You're quite welcome, anything I can do to help a patient and save a life." Carson said shaking Blair's outstretched hand.
Ten minutes later Blair was climbing into the back seat of the car.
"Good show chief." Jim commented.
"Thanks. I take it you heard all of it." Blair said. "Can you believe this guy..aren't doctor's supposed to take an oath to do no harm...this guy did not bat an eye at the prospect cutting into a perfectly healthy body--- mine! No wonder Mark and Jesse are so adamant about nailing these guys."
"You won't find two doctor's more dedicated than my dad and Jesse." Steve commented.
"Well, kids, we better get ready for step two..I imagine just as soon as they convince Blair he needs surgery they'll be contacting Brian with the good news." Jim said.
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Doctor's Clinic
Blair's visit with Dr. Bradley was similar to what he had heard from Dr. Carson.
"We should schedule the biopsy immediately..." Dr. Bradley urged.
"I just don't know...I mean this is so much to take in..and I've got classes.." Blair said hesitantly. "I mean this just brings everything to a screeching halt.."
"No, Mr. Sandburg, it's just a temporary set-back....we want to make sure you can continue to live your life; and the sooner we get this tumor under control the sooner you can have your life back." Bradley said.
After a moment Blair took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "All right, all right. I'll have the biopsy...how soon can we schedule it."
"Well the sooner we know what we're dealing with the sooner we can begin treatment if does turn out to be malignant....how does tomorrow afternoon sound." Bradley said.
"That soon!" Blair exclaimed. "But I have things to take care of..arrangements to make.."
Taking a firmer stance the doctor said seriously. "You don't seem to realize the time factor here; if we don't take care of this immediately the next arrangements being made may be for your funeral."
"Okay, doc, I get it...this is important." Blair said impatiently.
"Only if you consider your life important." Bradley shot back.
"What do I need to do?" Blair asked with a defeated sigh.
"Sign some release papers..we will do the surgery at Cascade General..it will depend on what we find as to how we will proceed...however, if we do find a malignancy in it's early stages we may be able to save you the pain of a second surgery and remove it during biopsy."
"Sure doc, whatever..." Blair trailed off in a daze.
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An hour later Blair slid into the back seat of the car.
"Trying to talk your way out of the case chief..for a minute there I though you weren't going to agree to the surgery." Jim said, eyeing his partner worriedly.
"Hey, I couldn't make it easy for them...I don't know of anyone who is 'excited' about the prospect of getting surgery." Blair grumbled.
"Well, with that fine performance they certainly won't suspect anything." Steve commented. "Now let's hope my dad and your brother give an equally stellar performance."
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Doctor's Clinic
"Dr. Sloan. Mr. Rafe. So glad you could come on such short notice." Dr. Carson said shaking hands with the men before ushering them to their seats.
"You have news for us?" Brian said urgently. "Have you found an organ?"
"Yes and no." Carson said slowly.
"Yes and no? What is that supposed to mean?" Brian snapped out.
"Dr. Sloan, you know the stringent protocol for organ donations and transplants.." Dr. Carson said knowingly.
"Yes, I do. And you know that the protocol procedures could very well be what kills my patient instead of saving his life." Mark returned.
"So then you understand my quandary..." Carson said, hands out as though weighing options. "A patients life verses the protocol procedures that don't always take the patients needs, their families needs; the true benefit to society as a whole..into account."
"Do you have an organ or not, doc?" Brian said impatiently.
"As I said I may have access to a viable kidney.."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Brain demanded.
"Its not that easy, Mr. Rafe, there could be complications in obtaining the organ...special arrangements need be made..a special team assembled.." Carson trailed off, looking pointedly at Mark.
Furrowing his brows, Mark asked. "What is it exactly do you need to procure the organ for my patient?"
Doctor Carson studied the two men for a moment before handing Mark a file. "I think this will pretty much cover our needs."
"I see. And how soon can we expect...results?" Mark asked, closing the file.
"Would tomorrow be to soon to give your patient his life back?" Carson said. "I can have the arrangements made by tomorrow afternoon..he off course needs to come in for pre-surgical testing for his condition."
Carson handed Mark another file. "See to it that this is the file and case notes that admitting receives."
"Understood, Dr. Carson." Mark said, standing and extending his hand. "We'll see you tomorrow."
Carson shook hands with both doctor and patient before escorting them to the reception area.
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As Dr. Carson came back into his office and inner door opened. "It's all set. Tomorrow we get the money and get out of town."
"What about the transplant?" Bradley asked.
"What about it?" Carson replied. "We make an appearance at the hospital, collect the money and we are gone."
"But, when Sloan doesn't get the kidney for his patient he's going to report it." Bradley exclaimed. "And we all ready set up the other kid."
"That was when we had time, when we could use another wealthy and very grateful patron." Carson snapped. "We need to be outa here before Travis comes back from LA. Besides, who's Sloan going to tell; what's he going to say---'the black market organ I purchased for my patient didn't arrive I demand a refund'---it does him no good to go to the ethics board, at this point he has as much to lose as we do."
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Cascade General Hospital Patient Room
"How are you feeling Mr. Rafe?" Dr. Carson asked as he came into the room. "All the arrangements have been made."
"Good, good. I think this covers our end of the arrangements." Mark said, pulling a cashier's check out of his jacket pocket. "How soon until the surgery?"
"Soon, my colleague and I have a few last minute arrangements to make before we can proceed." Carson said as he pocketed the check.
"We'll be waiting." Mark said.
As the door closed behind Dr. Carson Mark turned to Brian. "That is not a doctor ready for surgery..."
"How do you know that?" Brian said, pulling on his hospital robe.
"Because I inquired at the desk and there are no surgeries scheduled in either Dr. Carson or Dr. Bradley's names."
"So they were planning to take the money and run...leave the patient high and dry." Brain said. "Let's go."
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"I was paged?" Dr. Carson asked as he came to the nurse's station.
"There is a young man in the lounge, a Mister Travis..insisted that he see you immediately." The nurse informed the doctor. "Said you would want to see him."
"Thank you nurse." Carson said.
Carson walked into the lounge, closing and locking the door behind him. "Dr. Travis. Thought you were in LA?"
"Decided to check on my money...do you have it?" Jesse said.
"That kind of money will take awhile to raise..you said two days, it's barely been twenty-four hours." Carson defended.
"Really? I thought Dr. Sloan just gave you a check for a million dollars.." Jesse said, quirking an eyebrow. "Now you weren't planning on skipping out on me were you?"
"Skipping out...how did you...?" Carson sputtered.
The side door to the lounge opened and Steve came through the door, his hand firmly holding a cuffed Dr. Bradley. "Probably because your partner here was sitting in your car waiting for you with a trunk full of suitcases...instead of prepping for surgery."
"Surgery?" Carson said with a shake of his head.
"Yeah, doc, mine." Blair said as stepped out from behind Steve. "Did you forget about me? I'm beginning to wonder if I really need that surgery; somehow I think that tumor is just going to fade away on its own."
"There has been some sort of misunderstanding.." Carson said, backing up to the locked door and turning to leave.
Carson found himself face to face with Jim. "Going somewhere.. doc?"
"What is the meaning of this?" Carson demanded.
"This." Mark said coming into the room waving several medical files. "Duping patients into believing they have life threatening medical problems so you could go in and remove perfectly healthy organs to sell to the highest bidder. How many people have you mutilated..*doctor*?
Carson looked over at Jesse. "You..you set me up!"
In a voice ragged with emotion Jesse spat out. "You killed my mother...you cut into healthy people...you don't have any right to call yourself a doctor!"
"Dr. Robert's found out what was going on, didn't he? He knew his life was in danger so he sent copies of what he had found to Dr. Sharon Travis, the woman in the car with him the night of the accident." Mark explained. "These might easily have gotten lost in the shuffle, just been sorted in with the rest of Dr. Travis's things...but you couldn't take any chances, you had to make sure the accident was fatal..you didn't count on anyone being in the car with him..of them surviving the crash."
Bradley just shook his head sadly, looking down at the floor while Jim moved up behind Dr. Carson, grabbing his arm and pulling it behind him. "You have the right to remain silent..."
Jim marched Dr. Carson out of the lounge followed closely by Steve, who was similarly Mirandizing Dr. Bradley.
"It's over." Mark said succinctly to those left in the room.
"I'm going to go get dressed now, then we can all go to the station and make statements." Brain said before leaving the lounge. "Meet you out front in fifteen."
"I'll go bring the car around." Blair said, leaving behind his brother.
Jesse had wandered over to a couch and fell heavily into it. "It's over..it's really over...that's it...."
"Yeah, Jess, it's over and we caught them." Mark said as he put a comforting hand on Jesse's shoulder. "Are you all right?"
Jesse shrugged. Yes. No. I don't know. I just feel so...so..I mean we caught them, they've been arrested...but.."
"But somehow it doesn't feel like enough does it?" Mark said.
"I should feel something...happy, relieved....all I really feel is empty." Jesse said with a quiet sigh.
"I know son....but it does get better....I promise." Mark said with a sad smile. "Let's go home."
######END########
FINI !!!!! I know it ends abruptly and could do with an epilogue but frankly; I'm outa ideas for this one!!!!!!
*Sorry folks..this story just had "SO" many ways I could take it..it got away from me and became a convoluted mess..but I take some comfort in the fact that it still wasn't as bad as an actual DM epi---"Alienated" (which I recently watched)...I'm a Trekkie (surprise, surprise), and Koenig and Takei were my fav's on the original, but damn, that epi was the most illogical and convoluted TV show I've seen in awhile (so if they can do it, so can I!!!). The writer's should have left out the whole alien angle and just gone with Jesse being set up as a drug addict as a way to discredit him (as it was it was just damn stupid!); many apologies, but I just had to get that out of my system!!!!!!
Part 4
A/N 1: to those of you who have given constructive reviews..I Thank You!! And I apologize profusely for the delay but I've had a case of writers block the size of Stonehenge!!!!!!!
A/N 2: Hey MEG..."Thanks", the Flames don't bother me, they mostly "amuse" me... (I hang out with a tough crowd of gamers!!!) And no Brittany...you didn't offend..takes a lot to offend me, and as I said..I take "great" delight in giving as good as I get.!!!!!
A/N 3: (sardonic chuckle) as for the rest of you folks.. You just don't give up do you..why in the hell are you continuing to read the story when it's obvious you don't like it..if it's not what you like to read, *WHY* read it?????? Have you not met your quota of bitching and whining yet for the week!!!!!! As Spike would say, "Nick off!!!"
A/N 4: final chapter....usual disclaimers....!
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Funeral Home
"Dr. Carson, Dr. Bradley. I'm sorry for your loss." Jesse acknowledged the two men in the receiving line as he shook their hands. "You don't know me, I'm Jesse Travis...my mother was in the car with Dr. Robert's when he had his...accident."
"Thank you Mr. Travis.. and my condolences to you also..." Dr. Carson said. "Did you know Dr. Robert's?"
"No, not personally. But since he was obviously a good friend to my mother I thought I should attend the service. " Jesse said.
"That's very kind of you..will you're mother's service be held soon?"
"As soon as they release the body.." Jesse said sadly.
"They haven't released your mother yet? Earl's was released days ago." Bradley said in surprise.
"I don't know, something about some discrepancies in the autopsy that have yet to be cleared up." Jesse answered with a sad shrug of his shoulders.
"Discrepancies?" Dr. Bradley inquired.
"Some...some of my mother's injuries weren't consistent with injuries one would have received in a car crash." Jesse said, looking at the two men curiously. "Have the police said anything to you about the crash..given any indication that it might not have been an accident?"
"No. No, of course not. It was ruled an accident." Dr. Carson said a little to quickly. "Why in the world would they believe any different?"
"You do know that his house was broken into shortly after the accident." Jesse pressed.
"What does that have to do with his accident?"
"The police are still trying to determine if there is any connection." Jesse said with a shrug. "Well again, sorry for your loss, and if you should hear anything from the police I'm staying at this hotel."
With that Jess held out a business card and turned to walk away from the church. Once around the corner he climbed into the back seat of a car where Steve, Jim and Blair were waiting.
"Good job Jess." Steve said. "You all right?"
"Yeah, fine." Jesse said tiredly. "Are you sure this was a good idea? I mean, if they think that the police might be on to them then they might pull up stakes and run before we can catch them."
"So far we haven't been able to shake them and it's been *two* days and they still haven't made contact with Blair or Brian." Jim said. "We can't wait to much longer for them to take the bait."
"Maybe they just don't have the results yet." Blair said.
"Somehow I think with hundreds of thousands of dollars and a life on the line these doctor's would move a little more quickly." Jim said.
"Somehow I don't think they care about saving a life." Jesse grumbled.
"In any case we need to be ready with a back up plan." Jim said.
"And that would be....why exactly was it so important that Jesse attend Dr. Robert's funeral." Steve asked.
"Because it's about time we upped the stakes a little for our two doctor's." Jim said.
"How?" Jesse asked.
"We *need* them to make a move....if they pass on our set up then we've lost our chance...or worse they find a more compatible donor; we need them to feel threatened enough to make a mistake to take the bait." Jim said.
"And you plan on doing that how?" Steve asked suspiciously.
"With these." Jim said, holding up the envelope with the medical records that had been sent to Jesse's mother.
"Those records came from the clinic..how can we use those?" Jesse asked.
"What would our good doctor's do to keep these records out of the hand's of the police?" Jim asked rhetorically.
"Are you suggesting blackmail?" Steve asked. "How do you plan on pulling that off...they all ready know we're cops and Blair and my dad are all ready set up..wait a minute..no, absolutely not...." Steve said as Jim's plan suddenly dawned on him.
"We need it to be someone who would have reason to have the records, who would have a good reason..." Jim started to explain.
"No, Ellison...I won't subject Jesse to that kind of danger. Not after everything else he's been through." Steve said angrily. "How could you suggest such a thing, he just got out of the hospital for god's sake."
Jesse looked over at Blair. "Ever get that 'invisible' feeling?"
"Oh, pretty much all the time." Blair said with a shake of his head, casting a smirk at this partner.
"Jess..." Steve started.
Jesse held up a staying hand. "Steve, please..I at least want to hear what Detective Ellison has to say."
"If we freeze the assets of the clinic temporarily because of the investigation then someone shows up with incriminating evidence against them....tying them to the murders and the organ ring they are no doubt going to want to close up shop and run; we checked and both doctors have current passports." Jim explained.
"So that means they'd need quick cash to get out of the country." Blair said.
"Which means that they are more likely to take the bait and try to schedule the surgery." Jesse exclaimed. "So what do I need to do?"
"Jesse!" Steve exclaimed. "You don't need to do anything."
"Steve...this case has *everything* to do with me...both professionally and...and personally...I want, no, I need to do this." Jesse said. "Everyone is putting themselves on the line..."
"We're cops Jesse, that's our job." Steve said.
"Mark's not a cop and neither is Blair.." Jesse shot back angrily, adding sadly. "Is this all this is to you..a job?"
"No, Jess, I didn't mean it that way." Steve said, letting out a tired sigh as he saw the hurt in his friend's eyes. "All right...but I want a wire and a surveillance team...you don't get out of my sight for a minute."
######################
Doctor's Clinic Next day
"Mr. Travis, I didn't expect to see you here. My receptionist said you had something urgent to discuss." Dr. Carson said as he came into his office and shook Jesse's hand. "I hope this isn't a professional call...you're not ill?"
"No, Dr. Carson, I'm not ill." Jesse said returning the handshake.
Dr. Carson waved Jesse to a chair and went around to take his seat behind his desk. "So what can I do for you then?"
"I'm...I'm...well, the police released my mother's body...I'm leaving shortly to take it back to LA..." Jesse stuttered.
"Again, I am sorry for your loss, but I'm still not quite sure why you're here."
"Because I don't think it was an accident that killed my mother..or your partner, Dr. Robert's." Jesse said pointedly, pulling the large envelope out of his jacket. "And I think I know why."
Dr. Carson sat back in his chair, clasping his hands and resting then on his chest. "And you believe this because..."
"Because of these." Jesse said as he pulled the pages from the envelope and tossed them onto the desk. "These were amongst my mother's stuff that the hotel boxed up for me, they made for some interesting reading."
"Just some old patient files..." Dr. Carson said after a moment of looking over the pages. "And you say they were delivered to your mother? By who?"
"They were mailed to my mother from right here in Cascade. Funny that, why would someone mail my mother a large packet of medical records of your clinic patients, do you think." Jesse asked in a knowing tone.
"I'm at a loss to explain it..but thank you for returning the files. Can't be to careful now a days with all these new privacy laws." Carson said quickly, standing up. "If there's nothing else Mr. Travis.."
"Actually there is. First off, it's not mister, it's doctor; and secondly, I have a pretty good idea what's in those files, and what it means." Jesse said casually.
"Doctor. Travis." Carson said slowly, sitting back down. " You're a doctor?"
"An ER doctor to be exact." Jesse added. "And I don't think the ethics board would take to kindly to how you procure your organs for transplant."
"Just what exactly do you think these records indicate?" Carson exclaimed.
"So, you're saying that all your patients received their organs through the national registry? If I researched these organ recipients I'll discover that their donated organs came through the registry...that I'll find the donor files?" Jesse asked with feigned innocence.
"I don't like what your implying here Dr. Travis..this is a credible establishment..."
"Is that why one of your doctor's was murdered..along with my mother...and why his house was tossed and his computer erased?"
"Then it had to have been Dr. Robert, that's probably why someone killed him...there's nothing to be gained by dragging his name through the mud now."
"You're right about one thing; I do think it had something to do with Dr. Robert's, only I don't think he was the one performing the illegal surgeries...but I think he did know who was..." Jesse said, looking straight into Carson's eyes.
Suddenly suspicious Carson said. "Why are you telling me all this?"
"Because those are just copies.." Jesse answered, pointing to the papers on the desk.
"What do you want?" Carson demanded angrily.
Standing now and leaning over the desk, Jesse's voice was hoarse with anger. "What I want is my mother back, but I'm not going to get that am I...so I'll settle for a half a million...
"Half a million? A half a million dollars? Are you crazy, that's blackmail...." Carson raged.
"Which doesn't get you nearly as much time as fraud, assault, trafficking in illegal organs.....*and* murder." Jesse ground out. "I'm willing go take my chances, how about you?"
"You..you can't prove anything..." Carson sputtered angrily.
"Don't need to...all I have to do is hand this over to the police, let them start poking around; what is it you think they'll find Dr. Carson?" Jesse said, adding sarcastically, "I win either way."
"You won't get away with this." Carson ground out.
"I all ready have." Jesse said. "You have two days to come up with the money..I need to go back to LA for now."
"Wait, how can I find you?"
"Don't worry, I'll find you. And don't bother getting up, I can find my own way out." Jesse said, leaving the office.
#######################
Jesse walked across the street and through a parking lot to the far end, climbing into the waiting car.
"Am I glad that's over." Jesse said with a sigh as he laid his head on the back of the seat.
"You all right Jess?" Steve asked in concern.
"Yeah, Steve, fine." Jesse said, looking up at his friend.
"You certainly don't look fine." Steve pressed.
"It was hard okay..standing there, talking to that man, when he may be the one...the one responsible for..." Jesse trailed off, not having the energy to finish what they all already knew. "So did you get it?"
"Loud and clear." Jim said, waving the cassette.
Jim then looked over at Steve. "Now, Detective Sloan, I believe it's our turn to do some police work."
"Let's do it." Steve said getting out of the car.
"All units, this is Ellison, let's move in." Jim said in his mic, before following Steve out of the car.
Two squad cars pulled up in front of the building the same time Steve and Jim crossed the street.
The sight of the two detectives and four officers coming in the front door startled the receptionist. "May I help you?"
Holding out their badges, Jim stated. "Detective Ellison, Detective Sloan. We're here to search the premises."
"Excuse me...I don't understand." The woman said standing up. "I'll have to call the doctor.."
"You do that ma'am, they can meet us in their offices.." Steve said as he stepped through the door that lead back to the offices, followed closely by Jim.
#####################
"Are you sure you're all right?" Blair asked Jesse.
"Hey, I'm fine." Jesse said absently.
"Hey, man, it's just me...fellow sidekick, the testosterone twins are busy playing cops and robbers remember...you don't need to lie to me." Blair said.
Jesse gave a slight frown and squirmed a little in his seat. "Okay, if you really want to know I feel like crap..and talking to Carson was just...I just wanted to kill him where he stood..."
"Had to be tough man..."
"Anyway, I just hope this works." Jesse said tiredly, resting his head on the back of his seat.
Blair just nodded and turned to look out the front window to watch the police milling around across the street at the clinic.
######################
"You're doing what?" Carson exclaimed angrily. "I don't think so, we have appointments...patients to see.."
"Sorry, doctor, but this is a court issued warrant to do a thorough search of these premises for any information in the murder of Dr. Earl Robert's." Steve informed the man, waving the warrant in his hand. "You can read it if you like."
"Earl died of injuries in a car accident..." Dr. Bradley exclaimed.
"Not according to the autopsy report." Steve said.
"What exactly do you think you're going to find detective...medical records are confidential..."? Carson interjected smugly.
"Not with a warrant and not during a criminal investigation." Steve said.
"Well see about that." Carson said curtly before turning to his secretary. "Miss Ryan, please get my lawyer on the phone."
"That's good, why don't you just have him meet us at the police department, we're going to have questions after we finish our search." Steve said.
#######################
CPD
Steve and Jim watched Dr. Carson and Dr. Bradley leave with their lawyers; after the elevator doors shut they exchanged grim looks and headed for Simon's office.
"How did it go?" Simon asked.
"Just like we expected...they denied all knowledge of any criminal activity then threatened to have our badges..." Jim said with a shrug, looking over at Steve. "That about it?"
"That pretty much sums it up." Steve said dryly. "Oh, don't forget the harassment charges..."
"Oh, yeah, and the libel suit they want to file for defamation of character.." Jim said.
"What exactly did you guys do in there?" Mark asked.
"Standard Q & A." Jim said with a shrug.
"Are they scared enough to run?" Simon asked.
"I think we hit some nerves...came just close enough for them to wonder what we really have." Steve reported.
"So we're back to waiting?" Blair said.
As it turned out they didn't have long to wait
.
#########################
Evening The Loft
"Hello, Mr. Sandburg. This is the lab at Cascade General..we found something in your tests that we need to discuss. Please call the lab as soon as possible and ask for Raymond Shoop."
Blair pushed the button to rewind the answering machine tape and looked over at his roommate. "They certainly didn't waste any time did they."
"I'm gonna call Sloan and let them know." Jim said reaching for the phone.
"Seeing as how I'm dieing and all you should be the one to cook dinner tonight." Blair said melodramatically falling onto the couch.
"Keep that up chief and you really will need a doctor." Jim said. "Hey Sloan, Ellison. They took the bait..Blair got the call while we were out. Yeah, okay, see you at eight."
"It's all set, you can call the lab back from the precinct tomorrow and then we can set you up...they'll probably be contacting Brian soon too." Jim said after he hung up the phone.
#######################
Hospital Doctor's Office
"Thank you for being able to see me on such short notice, doctor." Blair said.
"No problem..since you only listed the university health service and not a primary care physician the lab sent your results to me....I take referrals from the lab in these cases." Dr. Carson said congenially. "Now let's have a look here shall we."
Blair fidgeted while the doctor read over his file, finally asking. "Doc, what is it..I mean, I didn't think much of the pain and all..."
Dr. Carson closed the file and looked over at Blair, his face grim. "I'm afraid it isn't the best news...according to this your left kidney has a tumor..that would account for the pain and the nausea and the blood..."
"Blood? I never saw any blood!" Blair exclaimed.
"It was only trace amounts...we need to get in there and biopsy the tumor, make sure it isn't malignant."
"You're talking surgery?" Blair questioned.
"It's the only way..and depending on what we find..we may have to remove the organ.."
"Remove it!? You mean take out the whole kidney?" Blair exclaimed. "What can't you just take out the tumor?"
"It will depend on what the biopsy finds..if the blood supply is compromised or the tumor is embedded to deep in the tissue we won't have a choice but to remove the entire affected organ..and if the tumor turns out to be pre-cancerous we may also be looking at radiation treatments." Dr. Carson finished explaining.
Blair let out a deep sigh and fell back into his seat. "I just came in for a back ache and a little bit of burning and now you're telling me I may have a pre-cancerous tumor in my kidney?!"
"I'm really sorry Mr. Sandburg..I know this is a lot to take in, if you would like I can refer you to a specialist...but we really don't have a lot of time here...we need to remove the tumor before it has a chance to spread or metastasize."
"Yeah..sure...that, that sounds good...a second opinion...not that I don't trust you doc, but, this is a whole lot to digest.." Blair stuttered.
"Don't apologize, it's a lot to take in. Now, you just sit here and gather your thoughts, I'll go right now and make the appointment."
When the door closed behind Dr. Carson Blair let out another big sigh and said quietly. "Hope you guys are getting all of this. I swear, if I didn't know any better I'd swear this guy is telling the truth..he's good."
Out in the car, Steve and Jim exchanged wry smiles.
"He's not doing to bad himself." Steve commented.
"Obfuscation is Sandburg's middle name." Jim said wryly.
The door to the office opened and Dr. Carter came in with an appointment card. "The clinic is on Seventh Avenue, called Doctor's Clinic, you have an appointment for four thirty this afternoon."
"This afternoon! Isn't that rather sudden?" Blair said in surprise. "I mean, I thought you said this doctor was a specialist and all; I figured it would take months."
"Time is of the essence Mr. Sandburg and months may be too late." Dr. Carson replied. "The clinic deals with what you'd call time sensitive disorders..."
"Okay, doc, four thirty it is." Blair said standing. "Thanks a whole lot for everything you're doing."
"You're quite welcome, anything I can do to help a patient and save a life." Carson said shaking Blair's outstretched hand.
Ten minutes later Blair was climbing into the back seat of the car.
"Good show chief." Jim commented.
"Thanks. I take it you heard all of it." Blair said. "Can you believe this guy..aren't doctor's supposed to take an oath to do no harm...this guy did not bat an eye at the prospect cutting into a perfectly healthy body--- mine! No wonder Mark and Jesse are so adamant about nailing these guys."
"You won't find two doctor's more dedicated than my dad and Jesse." Steve commented.
"Well, kids, we better get ready for step two..I imagine just as soon as they convince Blair he needs surgery they'll be contacting Brian with the good news." Jim said.
##################
Doctor's Clinic
Blair's visit with Dr. Bradley was similar to what he had heard from Dr. Carson.
"We should schedule the biopsy immediately..." Dr. Bradley urged.
"I just don't know...I mean this is so much to take in..and I've got classes.." Blair said hesitantly. "I mean this just brings everything to a screeching halt.."
"No, Mr. Sandburg, it's just a temporary set-back....we want to make sure you can continue to live your life; and the sooner we get this tumor under control the sooner you can have your life back." Bradley said.
After a moment Blair took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "All right, all right. I'll have the biopsy...how soon can we schedule it."
"Well the sooner we know what we're dealing with the sooner we can begin treatment if does turn out to be malignant....how does tomorrow afternoon sound." Bradley said.
"That soon!" Blair exclaimed. "But I have things to take care of..arrangements to make.."
Taking a firmer stance the doctor said seriously. "You don't seem to realize the time factor here; if we don't take care of this immediately the next arrangements being made may be for your funeral."
"Okay, doc, I get it...this is important." Blair said impatiently.
"Only if you consider your life important." Bradley shot back.
"What do I need to do?" Blair asked with a defeated sigh.
"Sign some release papers..we will do the surgery at Cascade General..it will depend on what we find as to how we will proceed...however, if we do find a malignancy in it's early stages we may be able to save you the pain of a second surgery and remove it during biopsy."
"Sure doc, whatever..." Blair trailed off in a daze.
##################
An hour later Blair slid into the back seat of the car.
"Trying to talk your way out of the case chief..for a minute there I though you weren't going to agree to the surgery." Jim said, eyeing his partner worriedly.
"Hey, I couldn't make it easy for them...I don't know of anyone who is 'excited' about the prospect of getting surgery." Blair grumbled.
"Well, with that fine performance they certainly won't suspect anything." Steve commented. "Now let's hope my dad and your brother give an equally stellar performance."
####################
Doctor's Clinic
"Dr. Sloan. Mr. Rafe. So glad you could come on such short notice." Dr. Carson said shaking hands with the men before ushering them to their seats.
"You have news for us?" Brian said urgently. "Have you found an organ?"
"Yes and no." Carson said slowly.
"Yes and no? What is that supposed to mean?" Brian snapped out.
"Dr. Sloan, you know the stringent protocol for organ donations and transplants.." Dr. Carson said knowingly.
"Yes, I do. And you know that the protocol procedures could very well be what kills my patient instead of saving his life." Mark returned.
"So then you understand my quandary..." Carson said, hands out as though weighing options. "A patients life verses the protocol procedures that don't always take the patients needs, their families needs; the true benefit to society as a whole..into account."
"Do you have an organ or not, doc?" Brian said impatiently.
"As I said I may have access to a viable kidney.."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Brain demanded.
"Its not that easy, Mr. Rafe, there could be complications in obtaining the organ...special arrangements need be made..a special team assembled.." Carson trailed off, looking pointedly at Mark.
Furrowing his brows, Mark asked. "What is it exactly do you need to procure the organ for my patient?"
Doctor Carson studied the two men for a moment before handing Mark a file. "I think this will pretty much cover our needs."
"I see. And how soon can we expect...results?" Mark asked, closing the file.
"Would tomorrow be to soon to give your patient his life back?" Carson said. "I can have the arrangements made by tomorrow afternoon..he off course needs to come in for pre-surgical testing for his condition."
Carson handed Mark another file. "See to it that this is the file and case notes that admitting receives."
"Understood, Dr. Carson." Mark said, standing and extending his hand. "We'll see you tomorrow."
Carson shook hands with both doctor and patient before escorting them to the reception area.
#######################
As Dr. Carson came back into his office and inner door opened. "It's all set. Tomorrow we get the money and get out of town."
"What about the transplant?" Bradley asked.
"What about it?" Carson replied. "We make an appearance at the hospital, collect the money and we are gone."
"But, when Sloan doesn't get the kidney for his patient he's going to report it." Bradley exclaimed. "And we all ready set up the other kid."
"That was when we had time, when we could use another wealthy and very grateful patron." Carson snapped. "We need to be outa here before Travis comes back from LA. Besides, who's Sloan going to tell; what's he going to say---'the black market organ I purchased for my patient didn't arrive I demand a refund'---it does him no good to go to the ethics board, at this point he has as much to lose as we do."
######################
Cascade General Hospital Patient Room
"How are you feeling Mr. Rafe?" Dr. Carson asked as he came into the room. "All the arrangements have been made."
"Good, good. I think this covers our end of the arrangements." Mark said, pulling a cashier's check out of his jacket pocket. "How soon until the surgery?"
"Soon, my colleague and I have a few last minute arrangements to make before we can proceed." Carson said as he pocketed the check.
"We'll be waiting." Mark said.
As the door closed behind Dr. Carson Mark turned to Brian. "That is not a doctor ready for surgery..."
"How do you know that?" Brian said, pulling on his hospital robe.
"Because I inquired at the desk and there are no surgeries scheduled in either Dr. Carson or Dr. Bradley's names."
"So they were planning to take the money and run...leave the patient high and dry." Brain said. "Let's go."
#####################
"I was paged?" Dr. Carson asked as he came to the nurse's station.
"There is a young man in the lounge, a Mister Travis..insisted that he see you immediately." The nurse informed the doctor. "Said you would want to see him."
"Thank you nurse." Carson said.
Carson walked into the lounge, closing and locking the door behind him. "Dr. Travis. Thought you were in LA?"
"Decided to check on my money...do you have it?" Jesse said.
"That kind of money will take awhile to raise..you said two days, it's barely been twenty-four hours." Carson defended.
"Really? I thought Dr. Sloan just gave you a check for a million dollars.." Jesse said, quirking an eyebrow. "Now you weren't planning on skipping out on me were you?"
"Skipping out...how did you...?" Carson sputtered.
The side door to the lounge opened and Steve came through the door, his hand firmly holding a cuffed Dr. Bradley. "Probably because your partner here was sitting in your car waiting for you with a trunk full of suitcases...instead of prepping for surgery."
"Surgery?" Carson said with a shake of his head.
"Yeah, doc, mine." Blair said as stepped out from behind Steve. "Did you forget about me? I'm beginning to wonder if I really need that surgery; somehow I think that tumor is just going to fade away on its own."
"There has been some sort of misunderstanding.." Carson said, backing up to the locked door and turning to leave.
Carson found himself face to face with Jim. "Going somewhere.. doc?"
"What is the meaning of this?" Carson demanded.
"This." Mark said coming into the room waving several medical files. "Duping patients into believing they have life threatening medical problems so you could go in and remove perfectly healthy organs to sell to the highest bidder. How many people have you mutilated..*doctor*?
Carson looked over at Jesse. "You..you set me up!"
In a voice ragged with emotion Jesse spat out. "You killed my mother...you cut into healthy people...you don't have any right to call yourself a doctor!"
"Dr. Robert's found out what was going on, didn't he? He knew his life was in danger so he sent copies of what he had found to Dr. Sharon Travis, the woman in the car with him the night of the accident." Mark explained. "These might easily have gotten lost in the shuffle, just been sorted in with the rest of Dr. Travis's things...but you couldn't take any chances, you had to make sure the accident was fatal..you didn't count on anyone being in the car with him..of them surviving the crash."
Bradley just shook his head sadly, looking down at the floor while Jim moved up behind Dr. Carson, grabbing his arm and pulling it behind him. "You have the right to remain silent..."
Jim marched Dr. Carson out of the lounge followed closely by Steve, who was similarly Mirandizing Dr. Bradley.
"It's over." Mark said succinctly to those left in the room.
"I'm going to go get dressed now, then we can all go to the station and make statements." Brain said before leaving the lounge. "Meet you out front in fifteen."
"I'll go bring the car around." Blair said, leaving behind his brother.
Jesse had wandered over to a couch and fell heavily into it. "It's over..it's really over...that's it...."
"Yeah, Jess, it's over and we caught them." Mark said as he put a comforting hand on Jesse's shoulder. "Are you all right?"
Jesse shrugged. Yes. No. I don't know. I just feel so...so..I mean we caught them, they've been arrested...but.."
"But somehow it doesn't feel like enough does it?" Mark said.
"I should feel something...happy, relieved....all I really feel is empty." Jesse said with a quiet sigh.
"I know son....but it does get better....I promise." Mark said with a sad smile. "Let's go home."
######END########
FINI !!!!! I know it ends abruptly and could do with an epilogue but frankly; I'm outa ideas for this one!!!!!!
*Sorry folks..this story just had "SO" many ways I could take it..it got away from me and became a convoluted mess..but I take some comfort in the fact that it still wasn't as bad as an actual DM epi---"Alienated" (which I recently watched)...I'm a Trekkie (surprise, surprise), and Koenig and Takei were my fav's on the original, but damn, that epi was the most illogical and convoluted TV show I've seen in awhile (so if they can do it, so can I!!!). The writer's should have left out the whole alien angle and just gone with Jesse being set up as a drug addict as a way to discredit him (as it was it was just damn stupid!); many apologies, but I just had to get that out of my system!!!!!!
