Just Another Day: Chapter 15
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DISCLAIMER: Most of these characters are not mine at all, but they are memorable. Thank you, Mr. Marlowe. The others? Yeah, they're mine
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3:01 p.m. on May 14, 2012, At San Francisco Chinese Hospital in Chinatown – San Francisco, California
It is a stoic, quiet Willie Crockett that is being wheeled to the imaging room on the second floor of the hospital in the midst of Chinatown. He is still in pain and has refused any additional narcotics to dull this pain.
The doctors have told him they suspect spleen damage. That's where they think the internal bleeding is coming from. A CT scan will confirm the diagnosis, or suspicion. They want a look inside.
The decision was not made without a bit of arguing amongst the medical team.
An external check of his abdominal area showed distention – swelling – in the area, likely due to it filling with blood. Once the spleen became the suspect, they redid a few tests that were done originally when the big man was admitted. Namely, a more thorough examination of his heart rate and blood pressure. Low blood pressure or a rapid heart rate would be an indication that a great deal of blood has been lost. If that is the case, then there is no time for a CT imaging scan to confirm. They have to go inside.
Fortunately, his blood pressure is stable, as is his heart rate, and he is showing no signs of going into shock. Against Dr. Argento's initial instructions, they are going to chance a look inside via the CT scan, since they now believe they have time. If they can save the organ, then all the better.
And if there is other damage?
Well, it is best to know that now, and not find out once the scalpels have cut their way inside the patient.
The test is often done with contrast, a substance injected into the vein, usually in the arm. The contrast is going to tell the team of doctors determine exactly how much bleeding has occurred from the spleen, because potentially, any active bleeding may not be visible without the contrast.
However, a CT scan with contrast will take longer, and Dr. Argento has reminded the team that this scan is only done if they have time. She has also reminded the team that patients with ruptured spleens have died while waiting to have the test done, after contrast has been injected. It is for this reason that a CT scan is often not recommended for those with a spleen rupture and unstable vital signs. Dr. Argento's initial thought was a simple ultrasound.
Fortunately, Sam Carlos was there to inform them that an ultrasound had already been performed back at the complex in Sausalito. So, it is either straight to surgery or a quick scan. Since his vital signs are stable, she has allowed – very reluctantly – the team to do this CT scan, trusting that there will not be any unfortunate developments.
"He goes directly into surgery if any bleeding is found, is that understood?" she has instructed the team.
No, telling Sam Carlos that Willie Crockett died while waiting for surgery is not a conversation the woman is going to chance having with Carlos, who walks alongside his enforcer as he is being wheeled to the imaging room.
Carlos smiles to himself, remembering the conversation with Lindy Matthews just minutes ago.
He was going to allow them to take Willie while he stayed back, to look in on Jennifer. Lindy had not so gently reminded him that anyone coming for Willie could just as easily see Sam there on his own, and get an opportunistic idea to take him out.
"You need to stay where I am, Sam," she had told him. "And I am staying with Willie. Therefore, you are staying with Willie."
He smiles again, recalling the complete lack of fear Richard Castle's most formidable security member showed to the most dangerous man in the Bay Area.
They get to the door where the tech attempts to stop Carlos and Matthews.
"This is as far as you both go," he tells the duo. I will take it from here.
"I don't think so," Matthews chuckles to the imaging technician. His name tag says Darrell.
"I go where he goes," she tells the man, and there is no ambiguity regarding what this fierce woman is willing to do to make this happen.
"Darrell, it would be so very wise for you not to argue with this woman at this particular time," Sam Carlos tells the man, his dark gaze completely disarming the younger man.
Lindy Matthews simply pushes the man out of the way, pushing Crockett through the doorway.
"Well, are you coming or not, Darrell?" she asks sweetly, but her eyes showing anything but sweetness. The young technician fights against the bile of fear rising inside him, now fully understanding the importance of these visitors this afternoon.
Dr. Argento had made it clear to everyone she felt would come into contact with Crockett, of this importance.
"And by important, I mean it is important to the continuing breathing state of everyone in this room," she had told the roomful of people assembled for this 'briefing' roughly half an hour ago.
Seconds later, she and the technician are helping Willie Crockett from the wheelchair to the long, slender table that will mechanically slide into the large, cylindrical imaging tube.
"Easy, my friend," Sam Carlos tells Crockett, as he and Lindy lay the larger man down, as the technician moves behind the glass enclosure. Once he is set, Sam joins the man behind the enclosure, while Lindy stays with Willie.
He knows enough by this point not to argue.
I'm going to move you into the cylinder now, Mr. Houston," he tells Crockett. Houston is the pseudo-name Crockett has given to the medical team. Lindy had marveled that the large man actually has a drivers license with that name.
"Precautions," Carlos had told her, smiling.
"We are right in the other room, Willie, and the outside door into this area is locked," she tells him. "No one is getting in here."
The large black man responds simply by nodding his head and gripping the hand of the blonde woman. Seeing the two hands grasped together, Sam Carlos once again is taken aback by the bond that has been forged between he, Crockett and the team that Richard Castle has assembled.
His bond with Kate has always been there, and been absolute. That he can now say that about these people still surprises him, even now.
She releases her grip, as she joins Sam Carlos and Darrell the technician behind the glass enclosure, standing with the technician.
"Please hold your breath now, sir," the technician instructs, beginning the procedure.
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At the same time, still 3:01 p.m. on May 14, 2012, At San Francisco Chinese Hospital in Chinatown – San Francisco, California
"You don't have to come with us, Kate," Detective Jennifer Blackard tells her best friend in the world.
The detective is being wheeled into surgery, to repair her damaged arm.
"Actually, I do, Jen," Kate reminds her. "I know you're in pain, but surely you haven't forgotten what just happened in the last half hour."
"I haven't," Jennifer replies. "I just know where I am. I know this hospital. I know whose protection this hospital is under."
"Today, Jen," Kate tells her, "I don't think that matters."
"Why not?" Jen asks her, her eyes widening now.
"Because Willie is here," Kate answers.
"Well, that just makes my point even –"
"Willie is here as a patient, Jen," Kate interrupts her. "He was injured during the quake. It may be serious. That's why Sam is here. For you and for Willie."
"And an injured, vulnerable Willie Crockett is too tempting a target for some," the SFPD detective realizes out loud.
"And even though Sam 'owns' this hospital as you put it, it is under his protection –"
"That won't stop someone who has an itch to scratch," Jennifer finishes the thought.
"And how many people do you think have such an itch, Jen?" Kate asks her, bringing the conversation to a close.
"Too many," Jennifer Blackard agrees.
"So that's why Sam is here, but not here," Jennifer tells herself out loud. Kate understands her friend's disappointment, and quickly tries to correct any misunderstanding.
"Oh, he wanted to be here with you," Kate chuckles.
"What's so funny?" Jennifer asks, not seeing the humor at all.
"Lindy told him – in no uncertain terms – that her place was with Willie, Sam's place was with her, so Sam's place was with Willie."
"Lindy is here?" Jennifer asks, surprised.
"She is here to watch over Willie, just as I am here to watch over you," Kate tells her friend. "I am sure you will see Sam when Lindy allows it," Kate finishes with another chuckle.
"Hard to imagine anyone telling Sam what to do," Jennifer chuckles with her. "But yeah, I can see Lindy having that affect."
With that, the two women and the technician moving the wheeled bed reach the surgical room.
"This is as far as you go, ma'am," the young female tech tells Kate Beckett. Both Kate and Jennifer laugh out loud at the naivete of the young woman.
"Uh, I don't think so," Jennifer tells the younger woman.
"What she said," Kate addresses the woman. "Where she goes, I go. So, get me in scrubs and sanitized, or whatever you have to do. My friend needs her arm fixed, and that isn't happening without me in the room."
The door swings open, and any confrontation that could potentially brew is quickly put to bed.
"Dr. Chen," Kate greets the medical examiner, who is already in scrubs.
"Miss Beckett," Dr. Natalie Chen greets her in return. "It is good to see you again. It is not good to see you again under – once again – traumatic circumstances."
"Well, that's why you are here," Kate replies with a smirk, one that is returned by the medical examiner.
"Wait a minute," Regina says, stopping the rolling bed. The young technician has had about enough at this point.
"Someone tell me why our medical examiner is sitting in for a surgery . . . of a live patient," Regina remarks, with a serious tone.
"This is an important patient," Dr. Chen tells the young woman. "I am here . . . Miss Beckett is here . . . to ensure that nothing untoward happens to this patient. Am I clear, Regina?"
"Crystal," the young woman replies with a salute.
With that, Kate Beckett kisses her friend on the forehead, and moves to the adjacent room to get fitted and properly sanitized. Of course, she won't be anywhere near the patient on the surgical table. But Dr. Chen will be. And Kate will be in the room. She is satisfied with that arrangement.
She glances at her watch.
"Jen will be a couple of hours, most likely," she thinks to herself. "And Willie . . . well, if they can repair any damage to his spleen with stitches, he could be out in an hour or two. If they have to remove the thing . . . "
She shakes her head, knowing that in the next few minutes, and next few hours, time is going to tick tick tick so very slowly.
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3:30 p.m. on May 14, 2012, Back at the Castles Complex in Sausalito, California
Richard Castle sits with Mike Monroe in the cafeteria. The two men are silent, both deep in their own thoughts.
Monroe is thinking about what else may be coming to the complex. The dead intruder – Hoffner – is still 'on ice' in Castle's office. Richard Castle has told Monroe of his conversation with Sam Carlos. There are new enemies that Castle and the team have made. Hoffner is proof of that.
And Hoffner likely is not going to be the last.
For the past ten minutes since Castle informed him of the phone call from Carlos, Mike Monroe has been mentally rolling through his rolodex of trusted security contacts from his past. He knows that – suddenly – the team he has assembled here – although formidable – is too small.
"We're going to need more bodies, fresher bodies, more shifts," remarks out loud, interrupting Castle's thoughts.
"I leave that to you, my friend," Castle tells him. "I trust you implicitly."
"More security isn't free, Rick," Monroe reminds him. "It isn't my money. I just want you to be aware."
"I know, Mike," Castle replies. "And I appreciate you thinking like this. Thank you. But money has never been an obstacle for this place, and it won't start now. Whatever you think is best."
His ringing phone interrupts the conversation. Castle answers the incoming call, immediately placing the call on the speakerphone so that Mike can listen in.
"Hello, this is Rick Castle," he answers, recognizing the incoming caller ID from the Chinese Hospital back in the city.
"Mr. Castle, this is Dr. Argento, chief of staff here at –"
"I remember who you are, Dr. Argento," Castle breaks in. "And I thank you for taking such good care of me earlier this year."
"You are quite welcome, Mr. Castle," the chief of staff remarks. "I just wanted to let you know that both of your friends – Mr. Crockett and Miss Blackard – are now in surgery. Miss Beckett is with Miss Blackard, and Mr. Carlos and your scary lady security guard are with Mr. Crockett."
"Hey, she's actually a fine and wonderful human being," Monroe laughs with mock indignation.
"That is Mike Monroe, my chief of security, and the . . . how shall I say it . . . significant other for the scary lady security guard in question," Castle laughs with him.
"I meant no-"
"No offense taken, ma'am," Monroe interrupts her apology. "That isn't the first time, nor I suspect will it be the last time Lindy has that effect on people."
"Well, this is the second time she has been in my hospital," Dr. Argento answers with a chuckle herself. "And both times, she is frightening as hell."
"She will appreciate that," Castle tells the doctor. "Thank you for calling me. I assume I will hear from you once both are out of surgery?"
"Yes, you will, Mr. Castle," the chief of staff replies. "Goodbye for now."
The call disconnects, and Richard Castle stares at his old friend for a second, before both men smile again.
"Just another day, Rick," Monroe laughs, with a slap on Castle's shoulder. "Just another day."