Dancing in the Moonlight Chap 2
June 20, 2024
Molly looked quickly at Bling as she heard his sharp intake of breath and the whispered words.
"Bling?" she questioned. "What is it?" He was about to answer when the door opened and Dr. Gentry stepped into the room. Molly jumped slightly at the interruption. She looked at Bling, who shook his head almost imperceptibly.
"There you are Molly; I was looking for you. And who might this be?" Dr. Gentry asked genially, indicating Bling.
Bling stood and extended his hand. "Dante Bling, but most people call me Bling. I'm the new occupational and physical therapist. Molly was just introducing me to her patients," Bling said.
Gentry looked at Bling and smiled. "Well you must have made quite an impression on Molly. She brought you to see her favorite patient." Gentry glanced down at Bobby who began to shake at hearing his voice. "We should go to my office, our presence here is upsetting Bobby." He turned and left the room. Molly and Bling followed quietly. As she locked the door to Bobby's room she saw Bling's hands clenched at his side. She looked at him questioningly, but he just indicated for her to follow Gentry.
When they reached Gentry's door he turned and said. "Mr. Bling, it was good meeting you. If you are half the therapist Molly suspects you to be then you will be a great addition to our staff. I will go over your resume and we can meet tomorrow. Molly and I have some matters to discuss privately."
Bling smiled at the clear dismissal. "I'll be glad to meet with you tomorrow Dr. Gentry. Molly, I'll catch you later." Bling turned and walked back down the hall.
"Molly, come in and we can talk about Bobby." Gentry opened the door and walked to his desk and sat down. Molly followed suit.
Without preamble Gentry said, "Molly you have gotten too emotionally involved in Bobby Whiteson's case. I'm afraid you have lost your judgment. You are questioning my clinical decisions and you brought an unknown person to see Bobby. This Bling may be a very good therapist, but you breached treatment protocols in taking him to see Bobby. You can't go on pure emotion or intuition. For your sake and Bobby's I'm removing you from his case. I've asked Carroll Lewis to take over. I'm very sorry Molly."
Molly jumped up. "You can't do this! I've been Bobby's therapist since he's arrived here!" She exclaimed. "We were making progress! He was getting better until you changed his treatment regimen. I know can help him. Please don't take me off his case," she pleaded.
"Molly," Gentry said gently, "I know how much Bobby means to you, but listen to yourself. You've lost objectivity. You see much more in Bobby than is possible. He's had severe mental illness since childhood; you're not going to change that."
"I've worked with severely schizophrenic patients, Carroll hasn't. You know that." Molly said flatly. "I'm beginning to think that you don't want Bobby to get better. I know they pay a lot to keep him here, but this is wrong. He is a human being with a lot of potential, not a money machine for the hospital."
"How dare you accuse me of wanting money over the well being of my patients? I've taken in indigent patients and treated them for free, and you accuse me of not having a patient's interest at heart." Gentry was clearly angry although his demeanor was calm. "Because you have been exemplary in your care of patients, I won't dismiss you. You will have no further contact with Bobby Whiteson. You will bring Carroll Lewis up to date on Bobby tomorrow. Are we clear Miss Webb?" Gentry said coldly.
"Yes sir," Molly said, then she turned on her heel and quickly left the office, tears streaming down her face. When she reached her office, she went inside, closed the door and completely broke down. A few minutes later a soft knock sounded at the door. "Come in," she called bravely.
Bling walked back in the door. Molly tried to make herself presentable but her tear-swollen face gave her away completely. Bling took one look at Molly and came to the desk and handed her a tissue from the box sitting there. He sat waiting for Molly to speak.
"Have you always known the right thing to do?" Molly said as she took the tissue and then gave Bling a sad smile.
He grinned. "Well I had a mother and many girlfriends and a boss that sometimes drove me to the end of my patience." His face became serious and he said, "Molly can we go somewhere to talk privately. This concerns Bobby Whiteson."
Molly looked as if she would start crying again. "Gentry's pulled me off Bobby's case," she said.
"I thought it might be something like that. We really need to talk"
Molly looked thoughtfully at Bling and smiled. "My instincts are rarely wrong and for some reason I trust you. There's a very quiet coffee shop about two miles away. We can meet there." Fumbling for her pen she quickly wrote down an address on a slip of paper and gave it to Bling. "I'll be there in an hour. I'll bring Bobby's chart."
Bling took the slip of paper and stepped out of the room. He fought the urge to go back to Bobby's room and look in on him one more time. He went quickly to his new office and gathered his things and left without looking back. He didn't see Gentry looking out a window at him.
Bling drove to the coffee house. He smiled at the name 'Java Juice.' He drove around the building and parked in a discreet place where he could watch the comings and goings of the patrons.
About fifteen minutes later Molly arrived. She looked around furtively as if she expected to be followed. She went in quickly and sat at a small table in the back. Bling waited for ten minutes then went inside. Going to the counter he ordered tea for himself and a coffee for Molly. He casually walked to the table where she was waiting. Bling sat down, strategically placing himself with a good view of the door and room. He handed Molly her coffee. "Nice place," he said.
Molly looked at Bling. "What is going on? You know something about Bobby, I know you do." She said tensely as she nervously twirled the cup of coffee that Bling had brought her.
Bling looked at Molly, appraising her. "I need to know everything Gentry told you." You're not the only one with instincts, he thought. He took a deep breath and said. "The man you know as Bobby Whiteson...that's not his name. His name is Logan Cale."
Molly looked at Bling disbelievingly. "That's impossible, Logan Cale was killed over a year ago in a botched kidnapping scheme. Bling, it was all over the news! I saw it! All of Seattle talked about it for months. They even took his wife in for questioning. The police thought she might have arranged it. It's still in the gossip pages."
"They were wrong!" Bling said bitterly, his voice rose enough to draw the attention of another patron. He quickly lowered his voice. "The one thing I'm totally sure of is Max and Logan Cale love each more than any two people I have ever seen."
Molly, they never found his body," he said softly, "you have to believe me. I know it's Logan. You have to help me get him out."
"Bling, I know you want it to be Logan, but..."
Bling stopped her in mid sentence, "Look even if you don't believe me, do you want Bobby to get better?! He's barely hanging on as it is. He's terrified of Gentry. I saw that in my visit." Bling's voice held an urgency that Molly couldn't ignore. "You have to help him!"
Molly looked at the man be-side her, reluctant to believe. "Gentry said Bobby's brother was coming in two days to check on him. He's gotten worse each time his brother has visited."
"Then we have less than forty eight hours to get him out." Bling quickly pulled out a cell phone and speed dialed a number. He tapped impatiently as the phone rang. "Pick up the phone... pick up the phone." He slammed the phone closed and looked at Molly. "Let's go I need you to meet someone."
Molly stared at Bling. Finally she asked. "Who?"
Bling sighed deeply and looked at Molly. "We're going to see Logan's wife Max Cale."
~~~
Dr Gentry made evening rounds occasionally and tonight he thought it would be a good idea. He stopped at the desk and chatted with the evening nurses. He then checked on all his patients, stopping last at Bobby Whiteson's room. Bobby was cowering in a corner sitting on the floor with his knees pulled up to his chest. "Well Logan Cale, I'm not exactly sure what happened here today or who Mr. Dante Bling is, but I will find out," he said, with quiet menace. He walked over to where Logan was cowering and pulled his arm straight. Gentry then took a syringe out of his pocket and injected the contents into Logan's arm.
June 20, 2024
Molly looked quickly at Bling as she heard his sharp intake of breath and the whispered words.
"Bling?" she questioned. "What is it?" He was about to answer when the door opened and Dr. Gentry stepped into the room. Molly jumped slightly at the interruption. She looked at Bling, who shook his head almost imperceptibly.
"There you are Molly; I was looking for you. And who might this be?" Dr. Gentry asked genially, indicating Bling.
Bling stood and extended his hand. "Dante Bling, but most people call me Bling. I'm the new occupational and physical therapist. Molly was just introducing me to her patients," Bling said.
Gentry looked at Bling and smiled. "Well you must have made quite an impression on Molly. She brought you to see her favorite patient." Gentry glanced down at Bobby who began to shake at hearing his voice. "We should go to my office, our presence here is upsetting Bobby." He turned and left the room. Molly and Bling followed quietly. As she locked the door to Bobby's room she saw Bling's hands clenched at his side. She looked at him questioningly, but he just indicated for her to follow Gentry.
When they reached Gentry's door he turned and said. "Mr. Bling, it was good meeting you. If you are half the therapist Molly suspects you to be then you will be a great addition to our staff. I will go over your resume and we can meet tomorrow. Molly and I have some matters to discuss privately."
Bling smiled at the clear dismissal. "I'll be glad to meet with you tomorrow Dr. Gentry. Molly, I'll catch you later." Bling turned and walked back down the hall.
"Molly, come in and we can talk about Bobby." Gentry opened the door and walked to his desk and sat down. Molly followed suit.
Without preamble Gentry said, "Molly you have gotten too emotionally involved in Bobby Whiteson's case. I'm afraid you have lost your judgment. You are questioning my clinical decisions and you brought an unknown person to see Bobby. This Bling may be a very good therapist, but you breached treatment protocols in taking him to see Bobby. You can't go on pure emotion or intuition. For your sake and Bobby's I'm removing you from his case. I've asked Carroll Lewis to take over. I'm very sorry Molly."
Molly jumped up. "You can't do this! I've been Bobby's therapist since he's arrived here!" She exclaimed. "We were making progress! He was getting better until you changed his treatment regimen. I know can help him. Please don't take me off his case," she pleaded.
"Molly," Gentry said gently, "I know how much Bobby means to you, but listen to yourself. You've lost objectivity. You see much more in Bobby than is possible. He's had severe mental illness since childhood; you're not going to change that."
"I've worked with severely schizophrenic patients, Carroll hasn't. You know that." Molly said flatly. "I'm beginning to think that you don't want Bobby to get better. I know they pay a lot to keep him here, but this is wrong. He is a human being with a lot of potential, not a money machine for the hospital."
"How dare you accuse me of wanting money over the well being of my patients? I've taken in indigent patients and treated them for free, and you accuse me of not having a patient's interest at heart." Gentry was clearly angry although his demeanor was calm. "Because you have been exemplary in your care of patients, I won't dismiss you. You will have no further contact with Bobby Whiteson. You will bring Carroll Lewis up to date on Bobby tomorrow. Are we clear Miss Webb?" Gentry said coldly.
"Yes sir," Molly said, then she turned on her heel and quickly left the office, tears streaming down her face. When she reached her office, she went inside, closed the door and completely broke down. A few minutes later a soft knock sounded at the door. "Come in," she called bravely.
Bling walked back in the door. Molly tried to make herself presentable but her tear-swollen face gave her away completely. Bling took one look at Molly and came to the desk and handed her a tissue from the box sitting there. He sat waiting for Molly to speak.
"Have you always known the right thing to do?" Molly said as she took the tissue and then gave Bling a sad smile.
He grinned. "Well I had a mother and many girlfriends and a boss that sometimes drove me to the end of my patience." His face became serious and he said, "Molly can we go somewhere to talk privately. This concerns Bobby Whiteson."
Molly looked as if she would start crying again. "Gentry's pulled me off Bobby's case," she said.
"I thought it might be something like that. We really need to talk"
Molly looked thoughtfully at Bling and smiled. "My instincts are rarely wrong and for some reason I trust you. There's a very quiet coffee shop about two miles away. We can meet there." Fumbling for her pen she quickly wrote down an address on a slip of paper and gave it to Bling. "I'll be there in an hour. I'll bring Bobby's chart."
Bling took the slip of paper and stepped out of the room. He fought the urge to go back to Bobby's room and look in on him one more time. He went quickly to his new office and gathered his things and left without looking back. He didn't see Gentry looking out a window at him.
Bling drove to the coffee house. He smiled at the name 'Java Juice.' He drove around the building and parked in a discreet place where he could watch the comings and goings of the patrons.
About fifteen minutes later Molly arrived. She looked around furtively as if she expected to be followed. She went in quickly and sat at a small table in the back. Bling waited for ten minutes then went inside. Going to the counter he ordered tea for himself and a coffee for Molly. He casually walked to the table where she was waiting. Bling sat down, strategically placing himself with a good view of the door and room. He handed Molly her coffee. "Nice place," he said.
Molly looked at Bling. "What is going on? You know something about Bobby, I know you do." She said tensely as she nervously twirled the cup of coffee that Bling had brought her.
Bling looked at Molly, appraising her. "I need to know everything Gentry told you." You're not the only one with instincts, he thought. He took a deep breath and said. "The man you know as Bobby Whiteson...that's not his name. His name is Logan Cale."
Molly looked at Bling disbelievingly. "That's impossible, Logan Cale was killed over a year ago in a botched kidnapping scheme. Bling, it was all over the news! I saw it! All of Seattle talked about it for months. They even took his wife in for questioning. The police thought she might have arranged it. It's still in the gossip pages."
"They were wrong!" Bling said bitterly, his voice rose enough to draw the attention of another patron. He quickly lowered his voice. "The one thing I'm totally sure of is Max and Logan Cale love each more than any two people I have ever seen."
Molly, they never found his body," he said softly, "you have to believe me. I know it's Logan. You have to help me get him out."
"Bling, I know you want it to be Logan, but..."
Bling stopped her in mid sentence, "Look even if you don't believe me, do you want Bobby to get better?! He's barely hanging on as it is. He's terrified of Gentry. I saw that in my visit." Bling's voice held an urgency that Molly couldn't ignore. "You have to help him!"
Molly looked at the man be-side her, reluctant to believe. "Gentry said Bobby's brother was coming in two days to check on him. He's gotten worse each time his brother has visited."
"Then we have less than forty eight hours to get him out." Bling quickly pulled out a cell phone and speed dialed a number. He tapped impatiently as the phone rang. "Pick up the phone... pick up the phone." He slammed the phone closed and looked at Molly. "Let's go I need you to meet someone."
Molly stared at Bling. Finally she asked. "Who?"
Bling sighed deeply and looked at Molly. "We're going to see Logan's wife Max Cale."
~~~
Dr Gentry made evening rounds occasionally and tonight he thought it would be a good idea. He stopped at the desk and chatted with the evening nurses. He then checked on all his patients, stopping last at Bobby Whiteson's room. Bobby was cowering in a corner sitting on the floor with his knees pulled up to his chest. "Well Logan Cale, I'm not exactly sure what happened here today or who Mr. Dante Bling is, but I will find out," he said, with quiet menace. He walked over to where Logan was cowering and pulled his arm straight. Gentry then took a syringe out of his pocket and injected the contents into Logan's arm.