And love
Chapter 89 Facing the music
Stony Brook Medical Center
Sheriff's deputy Ibrahim Abdul has just been taken to surgery. Lt. Jameson Reagan-NYPD, is awaiting the arrival of the deputy's father.
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AT THE SCENE
Debbie and Casey had done what they could for the deputy. Basically, applying pressure to the abdominal GSW. The shoulder GSW had stopped bleeding before the EMT personnel arrived; so, they had dressed it with sterile gauze. When the 2 ambulances arrived, the EMTs of one took over Ibrahim's care; they were soon transporting him to the hospital. The other ambulance crew took 1 of the dead perps, headed for the morgue. Arriving backup units called for a coroner's van for the other dead perp.
The arriving officers put the 2 remaining perps in patrol cars for safe keeping, then set about taking statements from all the others at the scene.
When free, Eddie headed home exhausted. Jamie headed to the hospital to see to the status of deputy Ibrahim Abdul.
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"WHERE IS MY SON?" Sheriff Abdul shouts as he strides in through auto doors into the ER.
Jamie steps up, "Sheriff, come with me and I will explain everything." He motions for the sheriff to follow him; Jamie leads the way to a small, private waiting room. The 2 men enter and sit, facing each other.
Jamie carefully goes through the events at the clinic parking lot. Sheriff Abdul has questions, but he gradually calms down.
"I shouldn't have allowed him to patrol alone. Allah, what have I done? I am a terrible father!" He wails, a high-pitched mourning sound that touches Jamie's heart.
"No sir, you are not! Your son was very brave. He just did the wrong thing, at the wrong time."
"You and I have been young officers, Jameson. Did we do such things? No!"
"Sheriff, we all have made mistakes, yes?"
"Yes," he nods. "But-
"Ibrahim just made one at a bad time. He will learn."
"But he can die!" The sheriff lowers his head in agony.
"But listen. He was cared for at the scene by doctor Casey and nurse Debbie."
"Doctor Casey?"
"Yes, my wife's Ob-Gyn physician. Eddie and I were there to receive . . . ah, some distressing news. But, that's not important now."
Jamie continues, "then an ambulance crew took over and quickly brought your son here. Now excellent surgeons are operating on him, and I believe that he will be okay."
"I don't know."
"Mohammed, let us pray for your son. I will go first, then you, yes?"
Mohammed nods. Jamie grasps the sheriff's hands; he prays first, to Isa. Then the sheriff prays to Allah. Afterwards, the men rise and share an embrace.
Jamie leads the way up to the surgery waiting room. After 20" he steps out and calls Eddie.
"Eddie here, Jamie? What's going on, where are you?"
"At the hospital with sheriff Abdul. We are waiting by surgery, for word about his son's surgical results."
"Oh, wait. Is the sheriff angry with us?"
"He was very angry at first. I explained the incident, and we both prayed for Ibrahim. Dad settled down. I just hope his son survives. Otherwise, his father will be extremely distraught. He blames himself for allowing his son to patrol alone."
"Well, there has to be a 1st time."
"Yeah, but he'll still have a hard time. Oh, here comes the doc, I gotta go."
"Call me! Love you."
"I will. Love you too!"
Jamie hustles back to the waiting room.
"Mr. Abdul?" The surgeon asks as he enters.
"Yes, sheriff Abdul. And Lieutenant Reagan," he motions to Jamie.
"Very well. Your son's surgery went well. He lost a lot of blood beforehand; so, we gave him 2 units of RBCs. The bullet penetrated his liver; we needed to remove a portion of that organ and his gall bladder. He will do fine without them. He is now stable and in recovery."
"He will be okay, yes?"
"Yes, he will. Unless complications arise."
Sheriff Abdul turns and faces Jamie. "Thank you, my friend. For helping save my son's life."
"You are very welcome." Jamie departs for home.
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ROOM 412
Deputy Abdul spends 2 days in the ICU, then to a private room on the 4th floor, surgical recovery.. His family is often at his bedside; including his parents, younger brother Eli, and younger sister Sarah.
On the evening of his 4th post-op day Eddie and Cassie stop in for a visit at 7 PM.
3 knocks on the door frame are answered by Eli. "Come in," he breaks into a grin when he sees the 2 ladies.
"Come in," he whispers. "My brother is napping."
They enter, and stand against the wall. "How is your brother doing, Eli?" Cassie asks.
"Good, his doctors are pleased. They said today, that he can go home in 3 days."
"That is good news," Eddie voices. She smiles at Eli.
"Do you visit often," Cassie asks, rather shyly. She isn't making eye contact with her friend.
"I come about every other evening. Ibrahim has been somewhat nervous about being able to still be a deputy. I try to cheer him up." He shuffles his feet, nervous himself.
Eddie notices, "I am sure he welcomes your visits and support." She tries to pump him up.
"Yes, you are being a good brother, Eli," Cassie supports him.
"Thanks, I try."
After an interval of silence, the sheriff walks in.
"Mrs. Reagan and Cassandra. Thank you for coming to see my son." He extends a hand in greeting to each lady.
"Eli tells us that his brother is doing well," Eddie declares. "That is good news." The small talk continues, voices hushed.
"Yes, we hope to bring him home soon."
Eddie and Cassie stay for 5 minutes longer, then take their leave.
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In the car ride home, they talk. "That's good news, huh?" Eddie opines. "Eli's brother can go home soon?"
"Yeah, I guess," Cassie mumbles.
"What's with you, sweetie?"
"Eli was strange, mom."
"Strange? How?"
"Ah . . . it was like his brother wasn't asleep. Like he was waiting for Eli or me to slip up and say or do something we shouldn't." Cassie fidgets with her hands. "Mom, did you think Ibrahim was really asleep? Did you see anything?"
Eddie thinks for a moment.
"You may be right, as I think about it. What did you see?"
"His breathing didn't seem like he was sleeping. I recorded some video; I'll show t to you and dad at home."
"Really, that's great! Dad should give you good feedback."
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AFTER SUPPER, ON THE ISLAND
Cassie shows mom and dad the video that she recorded on her phone.
"You see his breathing pattern, Eddie?" Jamie points out.
"Yes, he is NOT asleep. I can tell," Eddie states emphatically.
"So, what's up Cassie? What do you think?" Dad asks her.
"I'm afraid that Eli and I are caught in a culture war."
"Wow! Prescient," Eddie proclaims. "I am impressed."
"Ditto here," dad agrees.
Cassie types away on her phone, pauses, and says "Oh, yeah, I like that. Thanks!" She grins.
RING – CASSIE LOOKS DOWN
She dashes out of the FR and upstairs. She enters her bedroom and closes the door behind her. She hops up onto her top trundle and answers on the 3rd ring.
"Eli?" She whispers. "What's up?"
"Are you alone, Cass?"
"Yes, in my bedroom. Just a minute," she goes to the door. She quietly opens it a crack. She hangs a piece of red ribbon on the outside door knob. "Now I'm ok. What's up Eli?"
"Did you notice that my brother was just pretending to be asleep? When you visited at the hospital today."
"Yes, and I shot a little video and showed mom and dad."
"Cass . . . you can't-
"It's ok. They know what's going on. We can trust them!"
"Are you sure" Eli croaks out.
"Positive. They are on our side."
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Mary Rose's knock. "Hang on Eli." Cass goes to the door and opens it 6".
"I need in for a minute, Cass." Mary Rose whispers.
"Hang on Eli," Cass mutes the phone and lets MR in. Her younger sister enters, goes to her desk and picks up some papers and scampers back out.
"Eli, I'm back."
"Cass, my dad is acting strange. I think he's suspicious of us."
"Eli, he knows we are friends."
"Yeah, but this morning he was listening at the bathroom door while I was getting ready for school. I didn't know, but when I opened the door really quick, there he was. He jerked up and blushed."
"Have you ever called me from the bathroom before?"
"Yeah, twice." Eli admits.
"Maybe we need a better system, don't you think?" Cass suggests.
"I suppose so. Let's think about that. Bye, Cass."
"Bye, Eli."
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NYPD 1-PP
Captains Espinoza, Wells and Jacobs stand at attention in front of PC Frank Reagan. He stands and returns their salute, "As you were." They relax and sit before him.
"I have read your recommendation, gentlemen. Something seems to be missing. A name."
They look at each other, it was a long shot.
"Sir?" Captain Wells tries to appear puzzled.
"Your recommendation appears sound. However, it lacks a name."
"Is this candidate lacking in some way, sir?" Captain Jacobs tries his hand.
"Only in that I don't know who he or she is. You are trying my patience!"
"Does that matter, sir?" Captain Espinoza tries.
Frank Reagan stares (glares) at them.
The trio look at each other; finally, Jacobs speaks up. "Lieutenant Jameson Reagan, sir."
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TBC