Chapter Four

Alex stretched and yawned and winced. The plastic hospital chair wasn't the most uncomfortable place she'd ever slept, but it was in the running. Somehow, whether because of his occupation, his injuries, or the words of a few highly placed cops, Bobby secured a private room. Alex looked across the bed to see Dr. Gyson asleep in a slightly more comfortable chair. Alex decided she liked the psychiatrist in spite of her profession. She'd acted rationally and bravely in the past few hours, and she probably saved Bobby's life. She was a good witness, and Alex though that Patrick Copa and his friends faced a formidable enemy. And from what Alex had seen, Gyson was an enemy of anyone who'd attack any of her patients, but especially Robert Goren. Once the psychiatrist recovered from her shock, she was filled with a quiet rage. Gyson apparently had contacts, or knew people who had contacts, and Alex had seen several members of the NYPD Brass whiten when confronted by civilians with power over them.

Alex stretched, sat up, and studied Bobby. It'd been two days since he'd arrived at the hospital. There'd been complications-"Of course," Alex thought. "There's complications. Nothing's simple with Bobby."-with a badly bruised lung and the threat of internal bleeding keeping him in the hospital. His doctors weren't particularly worried. "We just want to keep him for a while," one told Alex and Gyson. "We're prepared for this, and we'll take care of him."

They were taking good care of him. Bobby was clearly better, and on his second day in the hospital, most of the large, frightening equipment around him disappeared. The Ivs in his arms carried antibiotics, pain medication, hydration, and nutrition, but not blood. Bobby moved in and out of consciousness, and his attitude during his moments of wakefulness worried everyone. He was aware of his surroundings and people around him, but Bobby scarcely spoke. He refused to look directly at anyone.

Alex looked at Bobby, who stirred restlessly. He was clearly in pain, but hadn't asked for any pain medication. Alex rubbed her eyes. She'd spoken enough with Gyson to know that the psychiatrist feared this might break Bobby. And Alex feared this as well.

There was a soft knock at the door. Gyson blinked and woke as Alex moved quietly to the door. Bobby murmured softly, and Gyson's attention turned to him. Alex opened the door to reveal Captain Hannah.

"Alex," he said. "Can I speak with you?"

Alex looked back at Gyson, who nodded.

"Yes, Captain," Alex said, and moved out of the room.

"We've got two of them," Hannah said. "Actually, one of them turned himself in. He's a cop from the 43rd. Used to work with Copa. He claims he didn't know Bobby was a cop or that Copa planned to attack him." Hannah shrugged. "Don't know how much we can believe about his story, but he gave us the names of the others. Caught one of them at his local bar, drowning his guilt. When he finally sobers up, we get some more information."

Alex felt enormous relief. "What about the other guy? And Copa?"

"I think we'll have them soon," Hannah said. "For one thing these guys aren't the smartest in the room. For another, they're turning on each other pretty quickly."

Alex glanced down the hall, where the two uniformed cops spoke quietly. "You think two of them are necessary? Gyson's a civilian, but I can take care of myself. Especially against cowards like this."

Hannah smiled wanly. "I don't doubt that. But Copa's manged to get help, and I don't want to take any chances."

"I don't understand," Alex said. Her voice shook slightly. "I don't understand. Who are these cops? I thought everyone knew what Copa did? How he left his partner for a quickee with his girlfriend? How he lied about what he saw? And cops still..." Alex's voice choked with anger.

"I don't understand that either," Hannah admitted. "And how anyone could pick a Copa over Bobby..." He shook his head. "Bobby is unusual, but he's a good cop and a very moral man. I can only imagine that they don't know what happened with Copa. I know..." He said in response to Alex's glare. "They should know. They have no excuse not to. But some cops are like some people. They won't pay attention to what's in front of them. They won't believe the truth."

Alex folded her arms and leaned back against the wall. "I feel so frustrated. And useless."

"I understand," Hannah said. "But you're far from useless. Keeping an eye on Goren, talking to Gyson...These are valuable things."

Alex sighed. "Well, she'll be a great witness. If I was one of the defense attorneys, I'd plead out before facing a jury after hearing her."

"You like her..."

"Yes," Alex said. "She's smart. And she cares about Bobby. She's almost as angry I am about all of this."

Hannah nodded. "And Bobby?"

Alex hesitated. "He's so quiet. He's still in pain, but he won't talk to anyone. He won't look anyone in the eye."

"Damn," Hannah said. "He's always taken the blame for everything. Tries to save everyone. To have cops...Even bad cops and excops...Attack you...It'd hurt any cop...But Bobby Goren..." Hannah sighed.

Alex ran a hand through her hair. "I know there are cops who support him. If we could get them to she him that he has some support..."

Hannah nodded. "Let me think about that, Alex. You worry about getting him up and about...And take care of yourself and Dr. Gyson. If we're lucky, you may not have to worry about that much longer."

"I'll let Gyson know. She's going to be by Bobby for a while. She's that kind of doctor...And person. But I'm sure she hates any kind of restriction as much as I do." Alex pushed her hair back. "I need to get in there. Spell her a bit."

"I'll talk to you later, Alex," Hannah said. "And work on trying to find some way to let Goren know he's valued around here."

Alex watched Hannah walk away. For a moment she missed Jimmy Deakins terribly. She even missed Danny Ross. She'd gotten to the point where she at least though Ross was on Bobby and her side. She still wasn't sure where Hannah's sympathies lay, although Bobby seemed to be tentatively trusting him.

"Well," she thought as she watched Hannah speak with the uniforms. "He's stood by Bobby so far."

She opened the door and entered Bobby's room. Gyson stood and frowned down at Bobby, whose head was turned away from her. Gyson looked up as Alex entered the room.

"Detective Eames," she said warmly. "Detective Goren just woke up. I think he was looking for you."

At the mention of Alex's name, Bobby slightly turned his head. Alex walked to the side of the bed opposite Gyson. Unless he closed his eyes, Bobby had to look at one of them. He still struggled to avoid their eyes.

"Hey," Alex said gently. "Would you like a drink of water?"

Someone who didn't know Bobby well would've missed his slight nod. Alex saw, but wasn't sure if Gyson did. Alex picked up the cup from the table next to the bed.

"Here...Nice and cold..." She pushed the straw towards him.

He winced slightly as he leaned towards the cup. He shook his head as both Alex and Gyson moved to help him. He took a long drink, leaned back against the pillows, and closed his eyes.

"Can I get you anything else?" Alex asked. She glanced at Gyson, who seemed perfectly content for Alex to take the lead.

Bobby didn't answer immediately, and Alex wondered if he was exhausted or hiding.

"No," he finally said. "I'm fine." He looked at Alex and then Gyson. "Dr. Gyson...Are you ok?"

"More than fine," Gyson said. "Detective Eames has been taking good care of me. And she's been good company."

Bobby's attention shifted to Alex.

"There's a uniform in the hall. And lots here in the hospital," she said evenly. "Two of them have turned themselves in. Another got caught. The other two...Well, Hannah and I are both of the opinion they'll either be caught or turn themselves in pretty soon."

"Good, good," Bobby murmured. "You and Dr. Gyson would be safe."

Gyson leaned forward in her chair. "What about you, Detective? What does it mean for you?"

Bobby stared at her blankly. "I...I'm just...I was afraid that you and Detective Eames would get hurt."

Gyson looked across at Alex. "Somehow, I feel sorry for anyone who'd try to take on Detective Eames."

Alex smiled "And I wouldn't want to cross this doctor. Even the nurses don't scare her."

"Don't be too...Don't think you're safe...As long as Copa..." Bobby clutched at the sheets. Saying Copa's name seemed to take a great deal out of him. "Copa doesn't just hate me. He hates you, Eames. He...He blames us both..."

"For the fact he was a bad cop! A bad man!"

Gyson watched Alex's anger with great interest. Copa wasn't its object, and it wasn't from any fear for herself. And it wasn't a blind anger, but a clear, logical one.

"Copa," Alex continued. "Should look at himself. He's the source of his own troubles."

"Eames. That doesn't matter. He doesn't think that way." Bobby fought to speak through his swollen and bruised mouth. "And that's why you have to worry. Maybe more than Dr. Gyson."

"But I'm the witness. I'm the one who saw him..." Gyson studied Bobby.

"but he knows Detective Eames...He connects her with you..."

"Copa...Copa may not even recognize you," Bobby said. "He may have been in such a hurry to get out of that alley..."

"And his eyesight is pretty awful..." Alex muttered.

"But...But you both need to be careful..." Bobby winced.

"Are you in a lot of pain?" Gyson asked gently.

Bobby started to protest, but then stared at his hands. "Great," he said. "The two people I can't face in the world."

Alex pushed the button for a nurse. "You," she said. "We're going to make sure you take care of yourself in spite of yourself."

Several minutes later, Bobby slept fitfully again. The nurses had tried to get some soft food in him, but all he'd manged was some orange juice and a few nibbles at a cracker. The potent painkillers combined with his empty stomach knocked Bobby out quickly.

Gyson yawned and stretched. "Doctor," Alex said. "You look like you could use some sleep, or at least a shower..."

"I look that bad?" Gyson said wryly.

"Actually, pretty good, considering you've been drowsing in a plastic chair all night," Alex said. "There's a bathroom with a shower for friends and families of patients down the hall."

Gyson hesitated. Sleep sounded good, a shower wonderful."

"And the sooner you go," Alex said. "The sooner I can go."

"Oh, I see. I'd be doing you a favor."

"Exactly," Alex said. She liked Gyson, not just because the doctor was clearly devoted to Bobby, but because she liked the woman.

"I'm not too proud to accept the offer," Gyson said. "I seem to remember someone from the NYPD brought some clothes for me..."

"Yea," Alex said. "Over there." She pointed to a duffle bag in a corner of the room. "Mine's next to it."

"All right. I'll be back soon."

"Take your time," Alex said. "The hospital should have a lot of hot water."

Alex's directions were clear, and Gyson found the bathroom easily. A nurse offered Gyson some soap and shampoo, and the psychiatrist walked down the hall. Goren's brief return to the living lightened her mood. He was, ever so reluctantly, engaging with her and Detective Eames, especially Eames. Gyson wasn't surprised that engagement was based on Gyson's need to care for others. Even in pain, angry, and afraid, he couldn't shut off the basic aspect of his character. It might be the best way to help the man.

The visitor's bathroom was to the left of a hall that ended in a T. Gyson turned to the left as she looked to her right. A man shuffled out of the stairwell door. Gyson froze and stared at Patrick Copa.

END CHAPTER FOUR