Friends and Lovers
Chapter 17
Disclaimers: do I still need to do this? You know, not mine.
A/N: A little tweak here, a little tweak there and time passes between each tweak. Sorry it took so long to post. Thanks for all the reviews. Love them all! Enjoy.
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Conference Room
"I think you know everyone here, Jan," introduced Myles, "except Sue Thomas."
Sue acknowledged the agent with a nod and smile. "And this is Levi"
"Hi, Levi," Jan responded, bending down to scratch under his chin. "I've wanted to meet you." She looked at his owner. "You, too, Sue."
"He does stand out in a crowd," Sue admitted with a smile.
Jan gave Levi one last scratch and stood up. "Okay, you said you have something to share?" she said briskly as she grabbed a seat.
"Yesterday, while going through Dr. Rickard's insurance records, we compiled a list of about a hundred names of patients who had multiple surgeries done," Sue began. "A preliminary check of a few names revealed that these people all shared a common background—they lived alone with no family."
"So you're saying Dr. Rickard targeted these people for multiple surgeries because in all likelihood, there would be no one to question his course of treatment other than the patient?" Jan surmised, immediately getting to the heart of the matter.
Sue nodded.
Bobby added, "We've been doing background checks on the other names. So far, with a few exceptions, we're seeing the same pattern."
"We didn't pick that up in our investigation," Jan admitted reluctantly.
"Don't take this the wrong way," said Jack, "but why not?"
Jan sighed. "Same old story—too many cases, too few agents to investigate. Even in these so-called good economic times, fraud is rampant. There's always someone who thinks he or she can fool the system. It never ends," she smiled wryly. "But, I'm preaching to the choir here."
"How could so many claims be processed without alerting the insurance company?" asked Sue with a frown.
"Every insurance carrier has their own policy regarding treatment," Jan shrugged. "That's one of the reasons why people can get around the system."
"There must be something else these patients have in common," D declared. "Maybe we're not looking at the right information. Tara, do we have hard copies to look at?"
"Yup, I thought you'd ask so I made them this morning." She was about to pass the folders out when she paused as she recalled, "I'm going to be one short so if somebody could share, that would be great." She resumed distributing the folders as she added, "Patients who had multiple surgeries are in bold."
By tacit agreement, Bobby and Sue shared a list. Heads close together, Bobby looked over Sue's shoulder as her fingers ran down the page searching for that common thread. Flipping through the pages, they both stopped and stared at each other as it dawned on them, the name that consistently showed up on each sheet.
With a nod from Sue, Bobby announced, "I think Sue and I have a hit," getting the team's attention. "Has anyone noticed that most of these forms were approved at the same insurance company—Premium Care?"
"You're right," agreed Jack in growing excitement as he scanned through his list.
The air was filled with rapidly flipped pages and mutterings of 'Premium...Premium... 'Premium..."
"You're right!" agreed Myles. "Now what do we do with this information?"
"Is there anyway we can trace who approved those claims?" asked Sue.
Jan slowly nodded. "It shouldn't be too difficult now that we know what to look for. Every claims adjuster has their own number. It should be on the forms."
An audible groan filtered through the conference room. That meant looking at the information once more, patient by patient. D announced, "Okay, people, take a disk, any disk and start checking. A free eye exam to the one that spots the winning number." This time the groans were directed at him.
As they stood to return to the office, he stopped Jan. "You're welcome to join us in the bullpen. I'm sure Myles won't mind if you share his computer, will you, Myles?"
Myles looked pleased. "Why, of course not. We are being encouraged to work with other groups to promote inter-unit cooperation. I will gladly do my part to promote such a worthwhile cause."
The corner of Jan's lips raised in a half smile at his flowery but gallant offer. "Thanks."
Bobby looked at Sue with a grin. "How about some intra-unit cooperation? I'll share my computer with you."
"We make a good team," agreed Sue.
Their group effort was rewarded when it took the agents only a short period of time to find a common number on most of the forms. The number was passed to Lucy who promptly contacted the insurance company. Moments later, Lucy waved the sheet with a name on it. "Got it! Alfred Lewis."
"Talk to this guy and see what he has to say," ordered D.
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Premium Care
"Alfred Lewis?" the young woman repeated in wide-eyed curiosity when Jack flashed his FBI badge. "His office is two doors down on the right. Shall I page him for you?"
Bobby peered at her name tag. "No, that's all right, Cindy. We'll just announce ourselves."
The receptionist stared after them as Bobby, Jack and Sue walked down the corridor. Jack knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Entering the room, they saw a middle-aged man seated behind a desk. Jack inquired, "Alfred Lewis?"
"Yes?"
Holding up his badge, Jack continued. "FBI. I'm Jack Hudson. We have some questions we'd like to ask you either here or at FBI headquarters."
"The good news," chipped in Bobby, "is that you get to decide."
Alfred pushed away from his desk and stood up as he declared agitatedly, "What's the meaning of this? I haven't done anything wrong."
Bobby took a step forward. "Then you won't mind answering a few questions."
They could see beads of perspiration forming on Lewis' forehead as he processed his options—they were extremely limited. He began rubbing his chest as his breathing became labored.
"Are you all right?" asked Sue in alarm.
"Medicine," his speech labored, "I need my medicine."
"What kind of medicine? Do you need medical assistance?" Bobby asked quickly.
"No!" Lewis exclaimed. "I have my medicine here." He slowly made his way to the coat rack and reached into a pocket. In an instant, Lewis had a gun pointed in their direction.
Immediately, Jack raised his hands. "Whoa! Take it easy there," he said, trying to calm the man down. "We just want to ask you some questions."
As soon as he saw the gun, Bobby quickly positioned himself to shield Sue. She only caught a glimpse of the gun before Bobby momentarily blocked her view.
Alfred gestured with the gun. "Move away from the door—now!" he ordered as he inched towards the opening.
Slowly the trio moved. "You're making this hard on yourself, mate," Bobby said quietly. "Give it up and come with us. We'll forget this ever happened," he urged as he took a step forward. He froze when Alfred pointed the gun at him. Sue's heart jumped into her throat as her eyes darted from the gun to Bobby.
Alfred shook his head nervously. "No. I don't believe you." Their positions now reversed, Alfred felt for the doorknob behind him. "Don't try anything or I'll fire in there," indicating the outer office. He slipped out, closing the door emphatically.
Exchanging a glance with Jack, Bobby cautiously opened the door to assess the situation. Signaling Jack, they took off after Alfred leaving Sue to contact the office. "Lucy, send back-up immediately. Suspect has a gun, repeat, suspect has a gun. Agents are in pursuit."
Suddenly, she noticed people ducking. She could see the fear on their faces. "Shots!' she thought in alarm. With as much caution as she could gather under the circumstances, she hurriedly made her way towards the lobby. Abruptly, she stopped at the scene before her. Bobby had his gun trained on the suspect who was holding his arm as he rocked back and forth in pain. She could only see Jack's back from her angle but he seemed to be clutching his arm.
"You all right, Jack?" asked Bobby as he continued to focus on the suspect.
"Yeah," he answered grimacing. "Just a flesh wound. I'll live."
Within moments, sirens were heard as Metro Police screamed to a halt outside the entrance. Police swarmed into the building, guns trained upon Bobby and the suspect on the ground.
"Put your gun down!" barked an officer.
"FBI!" called out Bobby as he lowered his gun.
"Show me your ID," the officer ordered. "Slowly," he warned.
Bobby nodded, complying with the officer's instructions. He handed his badge over.
"All right," the officer pronounced after examining Bobby's ID. He lowered his gun. "Anybody else hurt? The paramedics should be here any minute."
Bobby shook his head, "Just my partner." He turned to Jack. "How're you doing?"
"I've been shot…how do you think I'm doing?" Jack retorted. "Go check on Sue."
Before Bobby could reply, he saw her coming towards him rapidly, a worried expression on her face.
"Bobby? Are you all right?" she asked anxiously. "Jack?"
"I'm fine," he reassured her quickly. "But Jack's been shot." At her gasp of fear, he mentally kicked himself for his tactlessness. Immediately, he tried to ease her alarm, pointing at Jack with the paramedics. "It's only a flesh wound. He's fine." He corrected himself, "Well, maybe not 'fine' but he will be."
Sue took a quick look at Jack to reassure herself, then turned back to Bobby, "What happened?"
"The bloke panicked when he saw us." Bobby shook his head in disbelief. "Fortunately, the area was clear of bystanders when his gun went off. I really don't think he was even aiming at Jack."
"But why did he run?" Sue asked in bewilderment. "We only wanted to ask him some questions."
"Apparently there's more to Mr. Lewis' story than he wants us to know," answered Bobby with a frown, "and it definitely doesn't have a happy ending." He shook his head. "C'mon. Let's see how ol' Sparky is doing."
"Ouch!" Jack grumbled as the wound was being cleaned. He looked up as his two friends approached. "Have I mentioned that this is the part of the job I don't like?" He flinched in pain as the paramedics continued their ministrations before continuing, "What about Alfred Lewis?"
"The paramedics are working on him. Doesn't look too serious but Metro is taking him to the hospital before we can question him," reported Bobby. His attention was diverted by the arrival of an officer who needed him to walk them through the shooting one more time.
Sue asked Jack, "You okay?"
"Yeah, I've been hurt worse playing basketball with Bobby," he joked while the paramedic finished bandaging his arm.
"Are you up to date with your tetanus shots?" the paramedic asked as he closed his kit.
"Yeah, I am," Jack answered as he slipped on his shirt. He grimaced at the movement. "Thanks."
"You should let us take you to the hospital."
"Not right now," Jack declined as he struggled with his shirt.
The paramedic looked at Jack and then approached Bobby for a few words. Bobby glanced at Jack and nodded his head.
"Need help?" Sue inquired gently. She helped him ease the tattered sleeve on his injured arm and started buttoning his shirt.
Jack raised his eyebrows in response. "Thanks. It does kinda sting."
"I thought it might," she commented with a shake of her head.
Bobby turned to rejoin his colleagues when he was momentarily taken aback at the sight of Sue with Jack. He shook his head as if to clear it. 'They're friends,' he said to himself, 'friends'. He walked up to catch the tail end of their conversation.
"I don't know if he's gonna buy it," said Jack.
"Buy what, Sparky?"
"I said I don't know if Randy's gonna approve a replacement jacket" Jack stuck a finger in the hole the bullet had made. "Not exactly the look I was going for."
"I said we'll vouch that he got that bullet hole in the line of duty," Sue offered.
"Tell you what, mate. If Randy disapproves it, we'll take up a collection in the office to get you a new one," suggested Bobby. "Although, with our paychecks, it may take a few years to collect enough money."
"Ha! Ha!" said Jack. "If you're done with the jokes, we have a suspect waiting to be questioned. You know, the one that started this," he reminded them.
"Correction—you're going in that ambulance to the hospital," said Bobby clamping his hand on Jack's uninjured shoulder and pointing to the waiting vehicle.
"I'll be okay," Jack protested. "It's only a flesh wound."
"It's not a choice, Sparky," Bobby said matter-of-factly. "Besides, we can't question Lewis until the doctor clears him anyway. Sue and I will finish up here and meet you at the hospital. All right?" He looked at his friend.
"All right," Jack relented. "I'll send the nurses your regards. Lucky for them, it's me and not you."
Sue glanced quickly at Bobby with a frown.
Bobby jerked his head in the direction of the ambulance. "You better go before I put a bullet in the other arm."
Jack put up his good arm as if to surrender. "I'm going...I'm going. No need to get nasty about it."
Bobby and Sue watched as Jack climbed into the back of the vehicle with Alfred Lewis and a police officer. A second officer rode in front with the driver.
"Better let the office know what happened," said Bobby when the ambulance sped off.
"I already did."
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Interrogation Room
Sue stood behind the two-way mirror with Jan Watson and Myles while Bobby and Jack conducted the interrogation. Initially, Alfred Lewis refused to answer any questions until Bobby forcefully informed him of his probable sentence for firing upon federal agents.
Then the man broke down.
"I owe thousands in gambling debts," he explained trying to rationalize his actions. "I had to come up with the money somehow. I noticed that Rickard was submitting an unusual amount of insurance claims for secondary surgeries. So I approached him and we came up with this scheme. I'd get a percentage of his take from the surgeries I approved. No one knew, not even the investigators."
Jack and Bobby exchanged looks at the words 'gambling debts'
Bobby found himself understanding Alfred's plight more than he wanted to acknowledge. "You need help, mate. Maybe you'll get it now."
Jack outlined what they would recommend to the DA's office provided Alfred Lewis gave evidence to help convict Dr. Rickard of fraud. "Talk it over with your lawyer and let us know whether you accept the deal or not."
Lewis nodded. Jack signaled for a guard to take him back. The two men walked into the hallway.
Bobby looked very somber as he stared at Jack. "That could've been me," he said seriously.
"But it's not," Jack said emphatically. "You recognized you had a problem and you're doing something about it. He didn't."
Bobby glanced at Jack. "That bloke also didn't have a good friend to bail him out of trouble—twice."
Jack acknowledged the truth of that statement. "And now you have Sue." He looked at Bobby intently, "You were gonna tell her, weren't you?"
Bobby opened his mouth to say something, then shut it when he realized his mind was blank.
"You can't keep something like this a secret from her," Jack said in concern.
"I'll tell her tonight," Bobby promised apprehensively.
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