Mike and Rudy stood stunned for a moment. The surgeon broke the silence. "Does he have any close relatives?" The surgeon assumed the two detectives would pepper him with questions, but was surprised by the relative silence.
Rudy looked to Mike, who shook his head, "No."
After a beat, Mike drew a breath. "May we see him?" Mike asked quietly.
"He's in recovery now and he'll be there for some time. He's not regained consciousness yet, so we're not sure to what extent there may be brain damage. There's not much you can do for him now. But later on this evening, he'll be moved to ICU. Perhaps you can see him then."
"Brain damage?" the words stung as Mike uttered them. Rudy put a hand on his shoulder and took a quick glance up to the ceiling.
"Mr. Keller has a hairline skull fracture. The fracture was the source of uncharacteristically high intracranial pressure or brain swellling. We took measures to increase his oxygen and blood pressure levels which should slow the swelling considerably. We also inserted a catheter to drain the fluid that was building. It's difficult to say if there was any permanent damage at this point."
"Good Lord," Rudy exclaimed.
The surgeon sensed the concern with both men. Realizing that his current bedside tactic gave little hope, he added, "There's a possibility that there's no damage, too," the surgeon looked at his watch. "I have another surgery scheduled, so I'll need to leave you. Do you have any other questions?"
"No," Mike said sadly. "Thank you."
Rudy looked over to Mike as the surgeon walked away. "Mike, there's nothing we can do right now. Steve's in good hands in the recovery area. Let's see how Charlie is doing."
More than anything, Rudy wanted Mike to take a break. He thought that by taking him over to see Spags, it would be at least a change from the surgical waiting room. Perhaps he could talk Mike into grabbing a bite at the cafeteria.
"I don't know, Rudy. Steve has no one in case there's a problem. What if something happens?"
"I don't think that anything will happen, but if it does, we won't be far. Let's go tell the recovery room nurse where we'll be."
"Okay, you're right," Mike conceded. He put his hand behind his neck and tried rubbing his own fatigue away.
"I'll also make some calls, Mike. I'll contact the judge who is presiding over the Livingston trial to see what's going on there. I've got Tanner and Lessing following up on the details of the shooting, so I'll touch base with them, too." Rudy slapped Mike on the back. "It will be all right, Mike. He's a tough kid."
SOSF SOSF SOSF SOSF SOSF
"Spags," Rudy exclaimed. "How are you doing?"
"I've been hurt worse, Captain. Nothing's broken, but I'll be sore for some time."
"Well, I guess you're right - it could have been worse. I'm having a guard posted outside of your room, by the way," Rudy added. He wanted to assure Spags that he was being protected, although it would be standard procedure anyway for a guard to be posted in front of any prisoner's hospital room.
"How's that young man?" Spags was afraid to ask, but truly wanted to know how the young man who saved his life was doing.
"Not well," Mike replied sadly. "You saw the injuries. He was in surgery for six hours. He hasn't regained consciousness yet."
"I'm so sorry, Mike. I don't know him well, but it's a damned shame. Reminds me a bit of my Danny."
"Charlie, did you recognize the trigger man?" Rudy asked.
The older man shook his head. "No, not at all. I've been around long enough that I know most of the professional types that would try a hit like that. Must either be new or out of town."
"Besides the Livingston case, is there anything else you are involved in that would cause someone to put out a contract on you?" Mike asked.
Spags thought for a moment. "I've made a load of enemies in my life, Mike. Someone could come after me at any given point, so I can't be absolutely sure. But as far as recent problems, there's been nothing else. Hell, the only reason I'm going back to the pen is that I hired a parolee into my operation. Didn't even realize it was a problem."
Rudy smirked, "What kind of operation did you hire him into?"
"It was strictly, legit, Cap. Strictly legit." Spags returned the smile.
Mike's face remained emotionless.
Spags noted how somber his long time acquaintance was and continued. "One of your guys came in and got a description, so perhaps they can get something going."
"They got Mike's description, too," Rudy acknowledged. "We'll put Livingston's operation under surveillance and see if we can pull anyone that matches the description," Rudy replied. He looked over to Mike. "The guy had to have had a partner - someone to drive the getaway car."
Mike walked over to the window and looked out. "Whomever he was working with also provided a distraction. Whichever entrance we went in, the other guy was going to cause a distraction on the other side of the building."
"I think you are right," Rudy agreed. He tried to show some reassurance to Mike. "I've got some guys out there now scouring the courthouse and the area. If we can find a second man involved or get a make and model of the car they were in, we'll have a chance at pinning this down."
"Whoever did this to Steve, I want them. I want them bad!" The anger had been simmering within Mike for hours and now was about to break open. "He took this hit straight on. Damn it!" He slapped his hand hard on the hospital tray table.
Spags interrupted. "He took this hit for me. He put himself between me and a couple of bullets with my name on them. Don't think I don't know that, Mike." Spags studied the older detective hard. "Mike, you and I have known each other for decades. We haven't been on the same side of the law very often, but what your boy did for me is something I'm not going to forget. We'll figure this out, Mike, and this will be taken care of."
"I appreciate that, Spags. You will let the law take care of this, right?"
"Oh, of course, Mike, of course."