Recovery
Part 9
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian.
Anything written in between ** is in Dave's dream sequence
Jing-Mei: Are you serious? That means the threat to Dav...uh Erik is over.
Jing-Mei sits Rusty back down at the tv and Dave falls off to sleep while Capt. Amos moves to the opposite side of the room. Jing-Mei follows him and they start to talk in whispers.
Capt. Amos: Take it easy there, Dr. Chen. Not so fast. It's not that simple.
Jing-Mei: What do you mean? You said you matched the prints and arrested the owner of them.
Capt. Amos: Please sit down and let me explain.
Both Jing-Mei and the captain take their seats as Capt. Amos explains.
Capt. Amos: It's true we did match his prints with some of the ones we got from the hangar, but...
Jing-Mei: But...what?
Capt. Amos: They didn't match any prints we removed from Dr. Carter's car.
Jing-Mei: That just proves that he wasn't the one who actually kidnapped Dave.
Capt. Amos: There's more. The only good set of prints we could get off the ropes, blindfold or gag was from Frankie Maldanado but no others to make a positive identification.
Jing-Mei: Then what are you getting me so excited over?
Capt. Amos: Because we did, however, remove an excellent set of prints from inside the hangar, itself.
Jing-Mei: And they matched, right?
Capt. Amos: Right. But it's not conclusive evidence.
Jing-Mei: You've lost me now. The prints match those in the hangar than that proves that he kidnapped Dave.
Capt. Amos: Unfortunately, all that proves is that the man was in that hangar at some point in time. It doesn't necessary mean that he was in there at that particular moment.
Jing-Mei: That's too big of a coincidence. Da..Erik tells you a name and you remove prints from the place he was held captive at and they match some one with that same name and now you tell me that he might have just have wandered into that specific hangar at sometime.
Capt. Amos: We just can't prove 100% that this Rico Leoni had anything to do with Dave's abduction.
Jing-Mei: I just suppose that Erik pulled the name Rico out of thin air then.
Capt. Amos: Look, I'm not the enemy here. I want these bastards as much as you do. I'm just covering all the bases that Rico's lawyer will explore if we get him in on the stand in a trial. I believe that Rico was involved in Erik's kidnapping but my feelings aren't going to be taken into account at trial. If we had some more solid evidence...
Jing-Mei: Like what?
Capt. Amos: If we could have gotten a good set of prints off of any of Erik's bindings or the weapons used on him that would have be more sufficient evidence.
Jing-Mei: But you didn't, so now what?
Capt. Amos: We are not completely without hope, yet. If Erik can give us a positive identification of the suspect that should convince any jury that we have the right guy.
Jing-Mei: That would mean Erik having to come face to face with this...Rico. I won't let him do that.
Capt. Amos: Not even if we put the suspect in a line up and Erik behind a two way mirror.
Jing-Mei: No way. Besides, even if I did agree to it. Erik couldn't identify him--as far as we know, Erik was blindfolded the entire time he was there.
Capt. Amos: That's true. I forgot about that. (pause) Alright, how about this. Maybe Erik didn't see him but at some point Erik's abductor had to speak, like during one of the ransom demands over the phone when he was first kidnapped so maybe Erik could recognize his voice.
Jing-Mei: We heard the voice too, but we probably couldn't identify it.
Capt. Amos: But unlike us, Erik heard the voice unmuffled and it was much clearer to him than to us. Now, if I can get an audio tape of Rico talking and bring it in, Erik could ID him that way.
Jing-Mei: I want this over with as soon as possible. I'm tired of lying to my friends and sneaking around and I'm sick of Erik and I want Dave back.
Capt. Amos: We'll do it, but there is something else you should be aware of.
Jing-Mei(running her hand through her hair): What?
Capt. Amos: I don't think that this...Rico is the one calling the shots.
Jing-Mei: You mean there's someone else out there behind this? (pause) How can you be so sure?
Capt. Amos: I just got this feeling that Rico isn't in charge. But he's definitely one of the top guys and I think if we can get him to talk, we could find the mastermind behind this.
Jing-Mei: If you are right about Rico then that means...
Capt. Amos: Right. That even if we get Rico charged with...something, there's someone else out there who could hurt you if they find out Eri..Dave is still alive.
Jing-Mei: This is never going to end. We are never going to be safe.
Capt. Amos: That's not true. We are getting closer.
Jing-Mei: Not with Erik, we aren't.
Capt. Amos: This is about his sudden setback, right.
Jing-Mei nods.
Capt. Amos: Do you mind if I talk with him?
Jing-Mei: Not at all.
Jing-Mei and Capt. Amos move over to Erik's bed. He's still sleeping soundly until Jing-Mei starts calling his name.
Jing-Mei: Erik. Erik, time to wake up.
Erik remains asleep and dreaming.
**Davey and Sophie sit by a grave, crying. Davey has his arm wrapped around his little sister.
Sophie: Mama up in heaven, right Davey?
Davey: Yeah, she's up there taking care of Luciano until I get there, which if pa`pa has his way won't be long.
Sophie: No. No, Davey. I don't want to lose you too. Please don't leave me with him. He scares me.
Davey: I won't. I'll never leave you little sis.
From behind the two upset children comes a shadow about 6' 5''. The shadow bends down and grabs Davey around the throat and starts dragging the boy by his collar across the muddy surroundings of the cemetery.**
Jing-Mei shakes Erik one more time finally waking him up. His eyes shoot open and all he sees is a hand coming at him and he swats it away. He starts screaming and becoming erratic. Both Jing-Mei and the captain attempt to calm him. The closer to him they come the more upset he gets. It's not until they back away that he finally calms down. Once he's settled, Rusty, who was unnerved by his father's latest episode goes back to watching tv and Jing-Mei and the captain start asking him questions.
Jing-Mei: He'll be alright, captain. He's had another nightmare. Usually when he has them it's difficult to wake him and when he does he's often terrified of his environment. He generally calms down after a few moments. (pause) Erik, it's okay. No one's going to hurt you. The captain would like to talk to you. Is that okay?
Erik blinks twice. (yes)
Jing-Mei: It's okay.
Capt. Amos walks over to Erik and Erik pulls away and starts to shake.
Capt. Amos: Alright, alright. I won't come any closer to you. I'll stay right here.
Erik settles down. Capt. Amos pulls up a seat and sits down, being careful not to get to close to Erik to panic him.
Capt. Amos: Okay Erik, do you remember me?
Erik blinks once.(no)
Capt. Amos: Do you know what is wrong with you?
Erik blinks once.(no)
Capt. Amos: Do you why you are here?
Erik blinks once.(no)
Jing-Mei: It's like I said. We are back to square one with him.
Capt. Amos: Maybe and maybe not. Let me try one more. (pause)Erik, does the name Rico mean anything to you.
Erik blinks once meaning no, but as he sits in bed, a look comes over his face of sheer terror and small drops of sweat start forming down Erik's face. His heart monitor starts to beep loudly causing Erik to put his hands to ears. Then the monitor beeps in a sort of monotone sound. Jing-Mei jumps up.
Jing-Mei: Oh god! Erik! He's in V-Fib! Captain, go get a nurse. Tell her we need a crash cart.
Rusty gets out of his seat and starts to cry. The nurse and Dr. Butler, who was down the hall and around the corner examining another patient came running in with a crash cart.
Dr. Butler: What do we have here?
Jing-Mei: V-Fib. His pulse is down to 60. B/P is 80 over 64. Respiratory arrest. Started compressions.
Dr. Butler: Alright, we're take it from here.
Jing-Mei: I'm not leaving here. Damn it, I'm his wi..doctor. I have every right to be here. Now, give me 5 amp of epi! Charge the paddles!
Capt. Amos and Rusty step outside. The captain tries to comfort Rusty with no luck. The hysterical boy keeps trying to get away from the police detective and go back into the room. Capt. Amos, gets an idea.
Capt. Amos: Hey Rusty, look what I have here.
Capt. Amos takes off his handcuffs and shows them to Rusty. Rusty's face lights up and he calms down as the captain shows him how they work and lets him play with them. Rusty puts the cuffs on himself and then on the captain while they wait.
Twenty minutes later, Jing-Mei steps out of Erik's room with an orderly, two nurses and Dr. Butler. They were pushing Erik on the gurney. Jing-Mei went over to the captain and Rusty and sat down.
Rusty: Look, Mama Jing.
Rusty puts his cuffed hands up and shows Jing-Mei what he did.
Jing-Mei: Yeah Rusty, I see.
Capt. Amos: How is Erik doing?
Jing-Mei: He's alive. The doctors think he's had another heart attack. Is EKG levels were rather high. They are taking him up to the cath lab now. All we can do is wait. I'm getting good at that.
Capt. Amos: I'll wait with you. I feel responsible for this happening.
Jing-Mei: So, how did you get hold of Rico?
Capt. Amos: Well, when we first gathered the prints from Dr. Carter's Lexus, the hangar, Dr. Malucci's bindings after he was found we put the prints in the international police computer and they matched. Unfortunately, somehow the paperwork got put into the file and never looked at it. When Erik mentioned the name Rico, I went back through the file and found the prints along with the matched identification. To make a long story short, we tracked him down and what do you know, he was right in the middle of making a drug deal. So, we busted him.
Capt. Amos left for the cafeteria to get some food and bring it up while they wait for news on Erik. Tired of playing with the captain's handcuffs, Rusty started doing some of his homework as Jing-Mei came back from using the payphone.
Rusty: Mama Jing, Rascal?
Jing-Mei(looking in her dictionary): I just spoke with his doctor and he was taken into surgery ten minutes ago. We won't know anything for awhile. I'll call back again.
Capt. Amos comes back with some sandwiches, coffee and a juice for Rusty. They sit outside Erik's room and wait.
An hour or so goes by, Rusty is asleep on Jing-Mei's lap with Jing-Mei stroking his head and Capt. Amos is on the phone checking in with the police station when Dr. Butler approaches them.
Dr. Butler: Dr. Chen.
Jing-Mei looks up to the doctor, being careful not to wake Rusty up. Captain Amos walks over to them.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Butler, how is Dd..Erik?
Dr. Butler: Well, he didn't have a heart attack.
Jing-Mei: He didn't. Oh, thank god.
Dr. Butler: I'm glad he didn't have one too but apparently not as glad as you.
Jing-Mei: It's like I said before. He's my patient--my first patient here and I've gotten very close to him. I'm just glad that he's alright.
Dr. Butler: Obviously, but don't jump the gun so quickly. I said he didn't have a heart attack but I didn't say he was alright. In fact, he's a very sick young man.
Jing-Mei: What's wrong with him?
Dr. Butler: Erik had an anxiety attack. Similar symptoms that can feel and act like a heart attack and even be the early warning signs of a pending heart attack.
Capt. Amos: But not as serious as one.
Dr. Butler: Could be. But we've increased his heart meds and are monitoring him very closely. But there is something else you should know as one of his doctors.
Jing-Mei: What?
Dr. Butler: During his catheterization, we noticed that the valve that was replaced when he had his triple bypass, is weakening. It needs to be replaced.
Jing-Mei: More heart surgery then.
Dr. Butler: 'Fraid so. But we have him stabilized for now and as long as he is kept calm, and his blood pressure doesn't become elevated, we may be able to hold off for awhile.
Capt. Amos: How long? I mean---it's heart surgery. That's not exactly something that should be put off.
Dr. Butler: True. The sooner he has the surgery, the better but if we rush into it now then his chances of survival are very small. I want to wait until he regains some of his strength before I let his heart be cut opened again.
Jing-Mei: I guess there's no chance of getting back in to see him today.
Dr. Butler: No, there isn't. When we were trying to put the catheter in him, he became very aggressive. We had to sedate him to perform the test. He was just coming out from the sedation when I came up. He's barely conscious so when they bring him up, I don't think he'll be up to any visitors.
Jing-Mei: That's just as well, he needs his rest. Besides, I have to get my little boy home. I'll call and check on him later.
Dr. Butler: Very well, now if you'll excuse me.
Dr. Butler leaves and Jing-Mei gets Rusty up so they could leave.
Capt. Amos: I have to get back to work but I'll let you know if there are any new developments with Rico and you keep me up to date on Erik's condition.
Jing-Mei: I will. Goodbye Captain. (pause) Come on Rusty, let's go. Home.
The little boy gets up and starts to rub his eyes. Jing-Mei gathers his books and belongings while Rusty stretches and fixes his clothes. Once they have everything, Jing-Mei takes Rusty's hand and they leave the rehab center and head for home.
On the other side of town, Vincenzio has just finished giving some of his men orders and escorts them out of his apartment, when the phone rings.
Vincenzio: Who the fuck is it?
Pincard: Mr. Malucci, it's me Pincard.
Vincenzio: Oh, yeah. I was wondering when the fuck you were going to get back to me.
Pincard: When the hell am I going to be able to come back? You still owe me.
Vincenzio: I know that and I'm good for my word, in fact, I may have a job for you.
Pincard: Me? Why me? Why not Rico?
Vincenzio: Rico is unavailable at the moment. He was arrested while passing some of our merchandize.
Pincard: Okay well, what do I have to do now before I get what you promised me?
Vincenzio: A simple little task and you'll be rewarded soon, actually what I have in mind will make getting what you want that much easier.
Pincard: Really. If I do what you want you promise that Jing-Mei will be mine forever.
Vincenzio: I guarantee it. You can have my ex-daughter in law---I WANT THOSE KIDS!!!
To be continued. Please read and review.