Chapter Eleven
Captain Danny Ross glared at the snow his windshield wipers weren't quite able to keep up with. The snow impeded his progress from the Claret farm to the hospital, and Ross hated anything that impeded his progress towards anything. The longer he remained in his car, the greater the chance he'd be called back to the city to deal with the Brass and the press, and the more time he'd have to consider Bobby Goren.
"Bobby," Ross thought. "Why does he want to be called Bobby? He's six feet four and built like a Mack truck. Maybe it's because he's six feet four and built like a Mack truck…Why do you still let people call you Danny?"
Ross frowned at the road. He'd spent most of the previous hours dealing with the Brass and the press, and had no desire to waste any more time with them. Don Cragen had kept him in the loop (Ross was enormously grateful that Cragen was more than living up to his reputations as a great cop and a great guy), but Ross was eager to get to the crime scene and to his detectives.
James Deakins had tried to give him a heads up regarding Goren, but Ross was skeptical, partly because of Goren's reputation, partly because of the shadow over Deakins' resignation. His brief time as head of Major Case led Ross to decide that Deakins was far more sinned against than sinning and that, with the notable exception of Alex Eames, he understood Goren as well as anyone.
"He'll drive you crazy," Deakins told Ross when the two men met for an off the record and out of the way drink. "He'll spin theories…Ignore perfectly logical ideas…Badger witnesses…Create havoc…Annoy the D.A.'s office…Annoy the brass…And then he'll save your reputation by closing a case so neatly that the sharpest defense attorney can't unravel it…He'll do something so brave and foolhardy that you'll want to give him a medal and kick his rear at the same time…And he'll never want any credit for it beyond doing his job." And Deakins, Ross thought, had warned him that Goren wasn't the average cop because he wasn't the average human being. "He's a survivor," Deakins said. "And, from what little I know, he survived some awful things…But he didn't get away without a lot of hurt…and a lot of it hasn't healed."
The first few months of Ross' tenure as head of Major Case confirmed Deakins' words. In case after case, Goren appeared to enjoy challenging his captain and reveling in going against the stream; in case after case, Goren saved the Squad's, the Department's and Ross' reputations. He'd cleared the fourteen-year-old Amberleigh case in a matter of days. Even in the midst of personal turmoil, Goren had found the Deputy Commissioner's daughter and her killer. He hadn't solved the cases on his own, of course; Alex Eames was just as important. Ross had seen how lost and desperate Goren became when Eames was taken by Jo Gage and how hurt and angry Eames became when Goren pushed her away. It was clear this was one of the more complicated, equal, and valuable partnerships in the NYPD. Ross liked Eames. He liked her toughness, her sharp wit (even when it was directed at him), her compassion, her loyalty. Ross knew very few cops, male or female, who would have come back as quickly as Eames did from her attack. Her loyalty to Goren was a major factor in the captain's attempt to keep an open mind regarding the detective.
Ross drove into the hospital's parking garage; it was early enough that he easily found a spot on a lower floor. He sat for several moments to collect his wits. His brief stop at the Claret farm had shaken him. It seemed that Gregory Claret was an evil man who did evil things, and the evidence of that evil was spread through the remains of the farmhouse basement. One of the explosive experts told Ross that Goren and Stabler were lucky, very lucky.
"If this guy knew more about making bombs, or if this house wasn't so well constructed," he said. "We'd have a couple of dead cops."
"At the least," Ross thought. "We've got one badly hurt."
He stepped from his car and tried not to wince as the icy wind hit him. This was one of those times when he wanted to give Goren a medal, not just for his saving of Angela Corelli and Elliott Stabler, but for his behavior throughout the case. Ross had to admit that while he still wasn't sure if he liked Goren, he certainly respected him. It was a new, occasionally disconcerting, occasionally refreshing, experience for Ross not to be the smartest guy in the room, to not be the only guy who read the newspaper beyond the sports page, to not be the only one who could read people like a large print book. He was also getting used to being read as well as doing the reading; Ross smiled at the memory of Goren asking him if he knew he was "reductive". The remark annoyed him at the time, but Ross now thought, "He got that right."
Don Cragen, wearing his usual grim and sorrowful look, met Ross as he entered the hospital.
"We've got some good leads on Gregory Claret," Cragen said. "Fin and Munch are following some…The lead detective from the state is furious that Claret was on their payroll and is devoting a lot of manpower to tracking him down…But Claret's family may be helping him…"
"How are Stabler and Goren?" Ross asked as they took an elevator to the ICU.
"Elliott's fine, aside from cuts and bruises and a well deserved guilt trip," Cragen said. "Goren…" He shook his head. "The doctors say he should be ok…but I have to tell you…He looked awful last night."
Ross nodded. "The victim?"
"She's traumatized, of course…George Huang has been with her…He told me Stabler and Goren handled her perfectly, and that's a huge plus…The doctors say that physically she should be fine…Stabler thinks that he and Goren got to her just in time…" The two captains reached the ICU. "I have to tell you, Ross…I've been extremely impressed by your two detectives…They've done remarkable work during this case…And I'm convinced Goren saved Elliott and Angela Corelli's lives…"
"They're the best," Ross said. "Even when they're driving me crazy…"
"Let's see if the nurses will let you back to see Goren," Cragen said as they approached the nurses' station. "This," he said to one of the nurses. "Is Detective Goren's captain…"
The nurse studied Ross; he apparently passed the inspection. "You can go back for a short time," she said. "Maybe you can get Detective Eames to take a break…"
"She's been with him since he got out of surgery," Cragen said admiringly. "She let me sit with him for a few minutes…And Benson got her away for a cup of coffee…But she's been away from him for only a few minutes…"
"I'm not surprised," Ross said. "When Eames was in the hospital, Goren was at her side every minute her family wasn't."
Cragen promised to keep Ross up to speed on the investigation and left. Ross found Goren's bed and paused outside the glass door. Surrounded by machines, Goren, pale and eerily still, was propped up on the bed. Her small frame sprawling from the chair to the bed, Eames was asleep. Her left arm was draped protectively over Goren; her right hand clutched his left. The sight was vaguely familiar to Ross, and he remembered with a start that Bobby Goren maintained that same posture when he was at Eames' bedside a few months before. Ross stepped into the room as quietly as he could, but some sixth sense informed Alex of his presence. She woke, blinked, and slowly and stiffly sat up.
"Captain," she said softly and looked quickly at Bobby.
"How is he?" Ross asked.
The doctors…" Alex stretched her protesting muscles. "Are optimistic…But he has a concussion…a couple of broken ribs…His right lung collapsed…
Ross winced.
"He lost a lot of blood." Alex continued to hold Bobby's hand. "But he's stable now…"
Ross tentatively placed his hand on Alex's shoulder. "And how do you feel?"
"Numb, I guess," she said after a beat. "And…tired…It…it was a rough night…"
"That," Ross said. "Sounds like an understatement."
A nurse carrying a small tray entered. "I'm sorry," she said. "But I need to give Mr. Goren some medication and to check his vital signs…If you could just step out of the room for a few minutes…"
Alex reluctantly followed Ross from the room. They walked to the waiting room where Olivia Benson greeted them.
"Some of the nurses finally persuaded Elliott to take some painkillers and get some real sleep…He's in an actual bed," she said.
"How's he doing?" Alex asked. Her attitude towards Stabler had softened considerably in the face of his genuine remorse and guilt and his vigil with Olivia in the waiting room.
"He's got bruises and cuts and a ringing in his ears…For a guy who nearly got blown up, he's doing pretty good," Olivia smiled. Her mood grew somber. "Captain…how's the hunt for Claret?"
Ross gave Olivia and Alex as much information as he could, and then left with a promise to stop by the hospital before he returned to the city. Olivia departed to check on Stabler, and Alex, uncertain of what to do, was alone in the waiting room. "His Mom," she thought. "Her doctors need to know…" And Alex realized she had no idea of how to reach Carmel Ridge, or even if Bobby's Mom was at that or another hospital. "Damnit, Bobby!" she thought. "You're a cop…Things happen to everyone, but especially to cops…You have to let someone know something…"
She sighed, pulled out her cell phone, and began dialing. "When you get better, Bobby Goren," she thought. "You're going to have to take me to a really expensive restaurant to make up for all the extra charges on my cell phone…"
Alex fortunately possessed enough information to track down Dr. Shimo, the psychiatrist she'd heard Bobby mention in connection with his mother's case. Dr. Shimo, initially hesitant at speaking with Alex, became more open when she identified herself as Bobby's partner.
"He's spoken very warmly of you…although he doesn't say much about his work," Dr. Shimo said. "I believe he tries very hard to keep it from his mother."
"And right now," Alex thought. "Everything's crashing together."
Frances Goren was one of Dr. Shimo's favorite if difficult patients; Bobby Goren was one of his favorite family members. He assured Alex that he'd contact Frances Goren's other doctors and make sure her treatment wouldn't be interrupted. He would also consider telling her about her son, although it would depend upon the older woman's mental state, which, as of last night, wasn't good. Alex promised to keep Dr. Shimo informed about Bobby; Dr. Shimo promised to keep Alex informed about Bobby's mother.
Alex returned to her vigil by Bobby's bed. True to his word, Ross stopped by briefly before he returned to the city. Captain Cragen also came by, as well as Olivia, who managed to get Alex to the hospital cafeteria to grab a few bites of food. Through the day, several of the machines around Bobby's bed disappeared. Dr. Phillips and others periodically swept in, hovered over Bobby, and left. They spoke reassuring words and told Alex they were starting to ease Bobby out of his deep sleep. Near the day's end the doctors and nurses finally released Bobby from the ventilator; Alex spent several anxious minutes standing outside his room willing him to breath on his own. The flock of doctors and nurses left the room, with a smiling Dr. Phillips in the rear.
"He's doing well," he told Alex. "His lung shows no signs of collapsing. It's clear and working fine…There's no sign of the internal bleeding…We're lowering the level of sedation…He should wake up tomorrow…"
Alex breathed in relief. "He's going to be ok?"
"There's still some danger of infection…and he'll be in a lot of pain…But things look very good…You might want to try to get some real rest yourself…"
The thought of real rest even on a waiting room couch was terribly inviting, but Alex looked at Bobby. He was so pale, so weak, so alone.
"I'll stay here," she said softly. "At least for a little while…"
Dr. Phillips smiled at her. "I sort of expected that."
Comforted by the rhythm of Bobby's regular breathing, Alex drifted into a light sleep. She woke with a start when a nurse touched her gently on the shoulder.
"I'm sorry," she said. "But there's a Mr. Corelli in the waiting room…He says he has something of Mr. Goren's…"
Alex yawned and stretched. "Uh…ok…but…" She looked at Bobby.
"He's fine," the nurse said. "Don't worry…"
Anthony Corelli stood uncertainly in the middle of the waiting room. With a shock, Alex saw that he held Bobby's leather jacket.
"Detective Eames," he said hesitantly. "How's Detective Goren?"
"He…he's doing well…The doctors think he's going to be all right," Alex answered.
"I…I'm so glad to hear that…Angela…Angela says he saved her life…" Mr. Corelli was on the verge of tears, and Alex was fairly sure she was near them as well.
"Detective Stabler helped too…Bobby…Detective Goren would want you to know that…"
Corelli nodded. "I…I met Detective Benson in the hall…She said Detective Stabler was ok, too."
"Yes," Alex said.
The dark haired man shook his head. "They both…such courage…bravery…and…they helped Angela so much…Terrible things happened to her…but the way they talked to her…especially Detective Goren…It helped her so much…I…I can't begin to thank them…"
"It's our job," Alex said. "It's what we do…"
"I think it's more than that…" Corelli struggled for a moment. "I…I wanted to return this…" He held out the jacket. "Detective Goren put this around Angela…She held onto it during the ambulance drive…It's…it's got some blood…" He choked.
"That's all right," Alex said gently. "Detective Goren has told me he's helping the owner of the cleaning service near his apartment put his children through college…"
Corelli recovered. "I…I'd be happy to make a contribution to that cause, if Detective Goren sends me the cleaning bill."
Alex tenderly took the jacket. "I'll let him know."
"Please," Corelli said as he started to leave. "When he can have visitors, I'd like to come…and my children would like to meet the man who saved their mother…"
Alex now had to fight against choking. "Of course," she whispered.
She carried the jacket with her when she returned to her chair by Bobby's bed. Before she sat, Alex slipped on the ridiculously large jacket and wrapped it around her. She softly kissed Bobby on the forehead, sat, and clutched the jacket around her as she watched his chest rise and fall.
End Chapter Eleven