Chapter 8
"So, what did you find out?" Mark asked as he led his two friends out into the hall of the ICU.
"They have been booked on assaulting a police officer and kidnapping. Two counts of armed robbery. And there is a charge pending against Isaiah for shooting Steve." Jesse stood back and waited for Mark's reaction to the last part.
"What?" Mark almost forgot to keep his voice low as Jesse reported the latest information. "You have got to be kidding me. There is no way those people hurt Steve."
"Calm down, Mark. The DA is having some problems with that himself. That's why it's pending. There are no fingerprints on the gun and the Tanners have no record of violence or anything else before the bank incident. They don't even have a record of a traffic citation. In fact, Burnside's trying to see what he can do about getting them bailed out until this whole mess is cleared up. He wants to talk to Steve before he actually gets serious about the assault charges and the attempted murder." Amanda had reached out and placed her hand on Mark's arm.
"Apparently, there seems to be an investigation underway, as we speak, into land fraud concerning the Tanner's property. You and Jesse wouldn't know anything about that now, would you?" Amanda folded her arms across her chest and cocked an eyebrow as she observed both Mark and Jesse.
"Uh, well, maybe we might know something about that. Seems like we heard there could be some kind of investigation going on. " Jesse did his best to look innocent but unfortunately he wasn't convincing anyone.
"I was only gone for one weekend. I come back and find out that Steve was kidnapped from the bank and is now in the hospital. It seems you two are in the middle of some big investigation concerning Clay Ashton, of all people. Can I not leave you three alone for just a couple of days without one of you getting into trouble? Start from the beginning and don't you leave out one single word or detail." It looked like Amanda was settling in for the whole story.
For the next hour, the three friends sat and discussed everything that had happened and what they had been able to find out so far.
"If Burnside is having problems with some of the charges he might be willing to settle on the bail concerning the robbery and kidnapping. I wish I knew a couple of friends who would go and take care of that for me." Mark smiled and waited for the two before him to volunteer.
"I guess we could do that for you. It does seem like a shame for them to spend any time in jail. It appears to me they are just as much a victim as Steve is. I hate the way money can be used to manipulate peoples' lives." Amanda spoke in that quiet way of hers.
A few details were discussed and finalized between the three and it was agreed Mark would pay the bail once it was finally set. With everything worked out, Mark made his way back to his son and the two young doctors left to see what could be done about getting Emma and Isaiah out of jail.
About one that afternoon Newman called to check on Steve and let Mark know that the courts had taken pity on the old couple and they could be released if someone would take responsibility for them. They couldn't leave the city, however, until the whole thing was cleared up. It seemed that formal charges would not be pressed until Burnside had a chance to meet with Lieutenant Sloan.
After talking to the DA, it was decided that the Tanners would be Mark's responsibility and would stay at the beach house. Amanda purchased some clothes and other personal items so the guests could be comfortable. Once they had showered and changed into clean clothes, they asked to go back to the hospital. Concerned about how much they had been through in such a short length of time, Amanda managed to convince them the best thing at the moment would be to eat something hot and get a good night's rest. She promised Mark she would make arrangements for the boys to sleep over at her mom's while she stayed with the Tanners.
Back at the hospital Mark remained close to his son not wanting to be very far away when he woke up again. Steve had awakened only once briefly since the first time he had come round and was still on the ventilator. His vitals however, were improved enough to indicated that he could possibly breathe on his own and would soon be removed from the machine. Mark was relieved but had some apprehension about actually pulling the tubing from Steve's throat knowing that this part was always traumatic for his son.
It seemed like hours before Steve finally woke up. When he did open his eyes, it wasn't long before he became very agitated. Not knowing what was causing the restless behavior in his son, Mark was more than a little concerned when Steve refused to settle down. After a lot of talking and promises, the doctor and his father were able to get him to relax. Steve's inability to communicate his concerns for his new friends left him feeling frustrated and helpless. He was more emotional than usual and tears escaped and rolled down his face before he could stop them. Mark reached out and took his son's hand to let him know that he was there for support.
The doctor waited until he was sure that Steve had calmed down enough to listen to him while he explained about removing him from the ventilator. Nodding his head that he was ready, the Lieutenant braced himself for the part that he dreaded most. As expected a coughing spell followed causing him to gasp with the pain from his shoulder wound. After catching his breath and impatiently waiting for a few ice chips to melt on his tongue, the first thing he did was begin to interrogate his father about Isaiah and Emma. Mark tried to assure him that they were fine and resting at the beach house but the medication that was being pumped into him seemed to be blocking his ability to reason. Once again, he began to struggle trying to fill his need to help his new friends. It took both Mark and the doctor to keep him in bed. The pain he was experiencing didn't even seem to register with him as all he could focus on was to make sure the Tanners were safe. Someone had shot at him and he was afraid that who ever had tried to kill him would target Isaiah and Emma next. He couldn't quite make his father understand his concerns and all his drugged mind could process was he needed to get to them before they became the next victims.
"I need to know where they are, Dad." Steve once again tried to sit up and push himself out of the bed, which sent the alarms on the machines, attached to him, off as they responded to his stubbornness.
Pushing him back down on the bed, and becoming rather agitated with his son himself, Mark tried to explain about his friends. "Steve, stop it. Lay down and I'll tell you. They are at the beach house as we speak resting and doing as I asked them to. Something I wish just once you would do! I'll have you in restraints if you don't lie down and be still. You can't just get up and waltz out of here after being shot and nearly bleeding to death. You're causing yourself more harm."
Too weak and too exhausted to do anything else, Steve finally gave up his fight to get up and go to the Tanners. "Dad, they didn't do anything wrong. You've got to be sure that they're going to be all right. Please, Dad. Don't let anyone hurt them. It's important to me."
Mark looked down on his son and his heart ached for the concern that Steve had for the older couple. He smoothed the hair back from his face and gently assured him. "I know it is, Son. Please stop worrying. They're at home with Amanda under my care until we get this all straightened out. The DA is holding off on the assault and attempted murder charges against them until he gets to talk to you. I'll see how you are doing in the morning. If I think you're up to it I'll have them come and take your statement. But you have to promise me you won't pull another stunt like this again. I meant what I said, Steve, I'll have them put you in restraints if you try to get out of this bed again. You do understand me now, don't you?"
Steve searched his father's face. It wasn't that he doubted his word but he wanted to see if he could see any hidden concerns. Finally, after he was sure that Mark wasn't holding anything back he answered. "I promise, Dad. I won't try to get up again. But please don't let anything happen to them. They haven't done anything wrong."
It seemed rather odd to Mark that Steve would be so upset and concerned about the Tanners. He had assured him several times that they were doing fine and resting at the beach house. Still Steve had seemed anxious to get to them. He wondered if there was something else his son was trying to convey to him but unable to get across.
He knew that the medications would have him a little disoriented and possibly unable to understand what his father had been trying to tell him. It nagged at his subconscious though, and after pondering on it, he made a quick phone call to the precinct and talked to the desk sergeant in charge telling him of his concerns. After a brief conversation, it was agreed that a patrol car would make periodic checks of the house throughout the night. Relieved and assured that he had done everything he could at this time, Mark settled back to wait out the rest of a hopefully peaceful night. Unfortunately this was not to be the case.
Dr. Drayer came in a couple of times and was a little surprised and frustrated at the fact that his patient seemed determined to cause his nurses a busy night by showing how difficult he could be. Time after time he would set off an alarm to one of the machines that kept his vital signs monitored with hisrestless activity.
It seemed as if Steve was going to be unable to sleep for any length of time. Just when Mark thought he was settled again, he would wake up anxious and afraid for the older couple. On these occasions, he insisted that his dad call the house to check on them. Finally, Mark gently but firmly explained to his restless child that calling at this time of the night would disturb them from the rest they needed. Even after Steve was told about the patrol car checking the house from time to time he still couldn't seem to relax enough to get the rest he also needed. Frustrated and at his wits end, Mark finally requested a heavy sedative to put his son out for the rest of the night. He hated to do it but Steve had really left him no other choice. His continued agitated state was doing him more harm than good.
Steve tried to fight the drug that was injected into his IV but found that he was no match for the powerful medication coursing through his veins. Between the exhaustion and the sedative, he was soon asleep much to the relief of his father. After battling with Steve for the last few hours Mark returned to his chair and finally found himself relaxing enough to catch a nap as well. His last thoughts were of how a simple trip to the bank had turned into a complicated journey that only Steve could manage to embark on.
Steve slept late into the following morning not even stirring when the nurses came in to attend to his needs. His vital signs were well within normal range and his color had improved tremendously.
Mark had spoken with his doctor and made the request to have his son moved to Community General. Dr. Drayer agreed that it would be a good idea to have him moved to more familiar surroundings. He also appreciated the fact that he would be in a place where the staff were use to dealing with his stubborn behavior. The Lieutenant had already proven to be a difficult patient to handle while weak and under the influence of heavy pain medication. He could only imagine what he would be like once he had begun to recover and get his strength back.
By lunch, Steve had been transferred to a room at Community General. Once he had been settled into bed and everything set up he started in again about his friends.
"I need to talk with them, Dad. I need to know for myself that they are ok." Steve was adamant about his desire to find out for himself that Isaiah and Emma were indeed ok.
"What? Now you don't even trust me? Do you think I would lie to you, Steve?" Mark couldn't hide the irritation in his voice. He was tired and not quite ready to start the battle again with his son over the welfare of the couple who had kidnapped him. He knew he was being harsh but the last several days of worrying and fretting over where his son was being held were beginning to take a toll on him and he was not in the mood to appease his frustrating offspring at the moment.
"What I want from you, Young Man, is to just settle down and try to take a nap. IF you promise to stay in bed without trying to get up, I won't have you restrained. I'm going to go to the beach house and get cleaned up. When I come back, I'll bring the Tanners with me. You had better not give the nurses any trouble while I'm gone either."
It had been a long while since Steve had seen his father so angry with him. For the first time since he had awakened he really looked at his father and realized just how exhausted he appeared. Guilt washed over him and Mark must have noticed the change because the sudden expression of alarm thatappeared on his facewas almost his undoing.
"Steve, what's wrong?" He reached out to take his son's hand fearing that he was experiencing some sort of pain or complication from his wound or even the transfer.
"I'm fine, Dad. I just realized that you must have been going through hell. All this time I have been so worried about the Tanners and not once did I even consider what all of this has done to you. I'm so sorry. I …" Steve faltered as the lump in his throat began to threaten an emotional outburst that he didn't want to display.
Grasping his father's hand firmly, he looked up, and with the tears that were threatening to escape still filling his eyes, he barely whispered again the only thing he could. "I'm so sorry, Dad."
Mark reached over and placing his other hand on top of his son's he gave it a little squeeze. Smiling, he gently removed himself from his son's grip and leaned over so that he was only a few inches from Steve's face.
"I know that you have been worried about Isaiah and Emma. I understand that protective nature of yours. I'm going to take care of them. I promise. You just need to rest so that you will have the strength to take over that job again soon. Now I'm going to get cleaned up and I'll be back with your friends in about an hour or two ok?"
"No, Dad. You don't bring them back in an hour or two. You all stay home for the remainder of the day. You need to rest as well. I'll be fine and if they need you they'll call. I want you to get some sleep." Seeing that his father was about to protest Steve spoke up with a glint in his eye.
"I'll make you a deal. You stay home and get the sleep that you need, and I promise to be on my best behavior. I won't even argue with the nurses. Scouts honor." Steve held up his hand signifying the scout symbol with his fingers.
As he smiled back at his son, Mark replied, "Yeah, well, that would probably mean more if you had actually been a scout. I'll call you later this afternoon. I'm sure Jesse will be here in a few minutes. He got held up in the ER. Just remember your promise, Boy Scout." Chuckling Mark turned and left.
As he made his way to the elevator he couldn't help but hope that he would be able to convince the Tanners that it would be better for them and Steve if they could wait until the next morning to visit. Oh well, what was one more battle?