THE PRICE SHE'LL PAY: For the secret she never knew she had...
Page 23
“No aberrancies Dave.”
Dave glanced at the EKG. ‘So far. So good.’
Kane applied the tourniquet.
Dave got his second IV in, got flash.
Mango was breathing slowly, trying to relax, eyes closed as Dave drew a large syringe of blood for the lab, handed it off to Kane who had the lab tubes ready and filled them as Dave attached the IV tubing. Dave hooked up the Lidocaine, “Where were those broads from?”
“France they said. But I’ve been with Russian broads before. They were Russian.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX — THE LADS
“DID THEY GIVE YOU and Chris Ex? Anything?”
“No, nothing. We drank, boned, ate and boned some more. They made omelettes for breakfast. Both of them gave me a long kiss good-bye... Ah. The elephant is on me again.” Mango was breathing faster.
“Try not to hyperventilate, just slow, normal breathing. Good. So you both ate it?”
“Yes... we were starving,” Mango said whispering.
“Did they eat it?”
“No. They made themselves smoothies, one for Chris. You know... his V-8 and raw egg hangover smoothie.” Mango chocked up.
“Breathe slowly. Chris would want you to survive, man. No more talking now.”
Mango nodded as tears collected under the mask.
Kane tapped Dave on his shoulder and pointed to the monitor.
The EKG said his heart rate and ST segment were climbing.
Dave nodded as he watched it. Dave turned up the Lidocaine to max dose, and he’d opened up the fluids for 30 seconds, careful not to overload him and his heart’s workload, then pushed the morphine Kane had ready. Dave had taken extra blood from the second IV stick. Dave always started two IVs. The docs loved it. Old training dies hard.
Carefully, Kane emptied the second syringe of blood into the clot and coag tubes for the lab.
Mango opened his eyes. He noticed the closed curtain and looked at Dave.
Dave just nodded and Mango closed his eyes and shook his head as tears ran down his cheeks.
“Can I see him?”
“Of course, but later. Let’s keep you calm, OK?”
Dave held Mango’s hand as sobs erupted. Dave wiped his own tears.
Kane tapped him again.
Dave looked at the monitor and saw bigeminy. He looked over at the defibrillator and Kane understood instantly. He turned it on and it was charging.
‘Here it comes.’
Mango’s eyes flew open. He grabbed his chest, “Oh my God, Dave…”
“You’re safe. I’ve got you!”
Mango coded in the ambulance, just as they pulled into the parking lot.
Dave started CPR. Kane was bagging as they pulled the gurney out and ran him into the E.R.
Dave and Kane continued CPR, worked side by side with the E.R. Docs and the nurses who were always happy to have Dave and Kane in a crunch. Dave prayed as they worked on Mango. Dave explaining to the Docs that had joined them for the Code, he thought Mango had a drug induced M.I.
After his second shock, Mango converted into normal sinus rhythm. They were able to save him. He was lucky. He hadn’t been out too long. Dave just prayed the conversion stayed.
The E.R. team actually cheered.
Kane and Dave stepped back as the nurses took over and cleaned up Mango. Whatever drug was on board had his heart rate quite high.
They took half of the blood right to the lab, ready to find anything unusual. The duplicate lab tubes Dave put in a Styrofoam cooler with an ice pack for the planned transport to Big Mac. Dave patted Kane on the back.
Hal hugged them as he handed them both a bottle of juice. “Damn good work. Gotta call Mariam. I’ll be spent after that.”
“Let Paul take over, Hal.”
“No. I’ve gotta make this call. I will after I fill CSI in. See ya later.”
Hal took off for a far corner in the E.R. where he could call Chris’ mom.
Dave watched him go. Dave grabbed the E.R. doc and pointed him toward Hal. He seemed to have aged ten years in the last hour.
Dave put his arm around Kane. “You were fucking great, man. I’m so glad you were with me.”
“Had a great teacher. I’ll keep an eye on Coach.” Kane followed Hal.
SHELLY SCOTTI HIS NURSE BUDDY, doubled as head of the E.R. and house supervisor. She put a Sheriff’s hold on Mango’s information with the hospital operator, memoed all departments with the security hold via the computer. She was looking at Mango’s wallet notification card, prepared to call Mango’s family next, as she called the switchboard.
“Holly? We’re putting a Sheriff’s hold on Tony Mangonoti. Write down any number you get on any inquiries about him, he’s also known as Mango, via the call-waiting indicator. He’s our persona non grata, a Sean Wayne from now on.”
KANE LEFT the sleeping Deedee with Dave as they waited for Chris’ body to be released to Big Mac and the trip to the Bay Area.
Dave carried Deedee to the chapel for some quiet time. Deedee woke up.
Dave got Deedee a basin full of water, took a slug of his Coke, and shared his cheese and crackers with her. She was quietly lying at his feet, then she sighed. Dave sighed too and pet her. From his quiet corner in the hospital chapel called Big Mac.
“Mac? Dave here. I’ve got some bad news.”
“Wow. O.K.? Sorry man. Thought we were all done with bad news. Can’t say I want to hear it.”
“Don’t really want to say it. Chris just died. Thirty minutes ago, he coded under mysterious circumstances.”
“Oh My God! You’re kidding. God damn it! How?”
“I think a designer drug induced M.I.”
“Holy shit, why?”
“Hit I think. I want to fly him to you now. We saved Mango. He had a witnessed M.I. We will be in Toyman’s Lear, whenever we can reach Toyman. Pilot needs to get here, too, so I don’t know. Chris’ mom needs to release him, but I’m sure she will. ETA, about ninety minutes to two hours if it comes together. I’ve got labs from Mango’s IV starts.”
“Good! We’ll surely need them. This sucks so bad! I’m sorry man. I’ll get to the bottom of it, I promise. Chris was one of a kind. Sounds like an all out assault. Was there an obvious objective?”
“The dead Andersen family taken out by the avalanche this hit team created. Tom Andersen, daughter and their dog from Santa Barbara is all I have so far. Elise the mother was not with them.”
“Unbelievable. I’ll Google them.”
“Chris 911’d Hal up on Beyond the Edge. Two days in a row he had chased the same skiers in the out of bounds, on the ridge he was going to blow. Told Hal he had chest pain. You remember Duke’s history. Fuckers used chemical to dig a shallow grave. Deedee found him under his log at China Grove. They were very sophisticated, using fake snow to puff up their ski tracks. We think one of them may have bought it in the huge tear down they created. The other one got away via para-sail, and a new patrol team guy, Allen something, that led the family onto the road below was with the killer as they found the family. Shot them up with something to insure death and took him out same way. Same assailant shot Howie while rabbiting. Howie’s OK. They even killed their family dog cuz he got a piece of the killer doing their dirty deed. This is so fucked, Mac.” Dave was beginning to break.
“Some real heavy Fuckers! I’m really so sorry Dave. We can trace what we find on my end. Hope someone’s gone to find the wife, Elise you said?”
“If anyone can, you can. I hope so too. Losing Chris leaves a big hole. Later.” Dave put his face in his hands and cried.
Deedee rose to put her head on his knee.
Dave slid out of his seat, sat next to her, took her in his arms, petted her, thanking her for comforting him. He closed his eyes and tried to keep Chris’ cold still face out of his mind so, he let the tears come as he buried his face in Deedee’s neck.
Dave didn’t know how long he had slept. His phone rang. It was Scotti.
“Dave
? It’s all arranged. Chris’ mom was so nice. Kane has his blood work. Toyman’s jet is ready to go. You did so good. Mango’s stable. Robin and Lisa took him to the Unit. Sorry we lost Chris, Dave. But you saved Mango. He’s alive because of you.”
“Missing the clue to look under my feet will kill me for a long time.” Dave’s walkie squawked. “Gotta go. Thanks babe.”
“Dave? Load up. Chris and I are waiting on you two.” Kane called on his walkie.
KANE BACKED the rig up to the E.R. entrance as Dave and Deedee ran for the E.R. exit.
As they were pulling away out of the corner of Dave’s eye he saw a new black with blackened windows SUV pull into the parking lot.
Kane followed his gaze. “I see ‘em. Menacing bunch of bastards!”
“Just a brand new SUV with four big tense guys in it. Wait one...”
Another identical SUV drove in with a guy and the redheaded girl from the bar.
“Shit! That’s one of the chicks from the bar with Chris last night. It’s the hit team. Hide this rig near the trash area. Call Scotti now, then Hal. I bet they’re here to steal the bodies.”
Dave took his gun from the rig cabinet, and then he and Deedee got out and went inside.
“Scotti? Kane here. Yellow alert. Yellow alert. Five guys and a red haired woman in dark SUVs at the front entrance coming your way. Copy that? Activate shut down. Call Hal.”
“Get me back up. We’re all alone, except for Cyle and Dale and Matt the new deputy at Mango’s door. Hal left for the station five minutes ago.” Scotti’s voice was stressed.
“O.K. Calling Hal. Dave’s armed and just went in the supply door.”
“Roger that. Something’s wrong, yellow alert won’t activate. They’re inside. I’ll try the fire alarm... Nothing. Geezus.”
“I’ve gotta make the call. Just act dumb. Don’t panic.”
“Roger that... Hello? May I help you?”
Scotties dead phone click made Kane’s adrenalin jump.
“Hal? We’ve got five menacing guys inside and Dave recognized the red haired woman from the bar. All entered the hospital. Think it’s our kill team. Call the cavalry. I got a man to take out and help Dave. They can’t activate the yellow alert.”
“Jesus. Hit team at the hospital, let’s go!” Hal yelled at everyone his office.
AS KANE DROVE AWAY to hide the rig, he noticed someone standing by the huge electronic station with a hand held device. He was shorting out the whole hospital. Kane parked, locked the rig beside a huge camper and went in back and got two scalpels and attached their blades.
“You missing the party, Chris boy. Wish me luck!”
Kane crept toward the guy with the hand device. He threw the scalpel at his neck and got a hit just under the jaw, then threw the other one and got the guy in the eye, he was screaming. You could hear the alarms as the power was cut. Kane retrieved the device from the guy bleeding from his jugular.
“Payback! Fucking surprised ya huh, fucker!? You’re gonna die right outside a hospital! What irony!”
Kane shut off the devise. As the power surged back on he kicked the guy hard in the nuts, then he walkied the fire department.
DAVE AND DEEDEE gingerly ran up the stairwell. Back was the old feeling of fatigue and adrenalin he and Mac had run on for three tours each in two theaters. He had to get to Mango before they did.
He and Deedee entered the Unit and ran into his friend Robin, Mango’s nurse. Lisa a fellow Vet, by her side. Then he noticed a new guy at Mango’s door.
“Ladies, we’ve got five bogies, one a red headed petite female. Who’s that?”
“Shit. It’s Matt, Hal’s nephew, newly deputized. Just back from Afghanistan, close to where I was stationed. We can use him. They’re inside,” Lisa said, noticing the power surge had brought with it the yellow alert lights.
Yellow rotating lights on, no sound. Dave looked at all the entrances.
“Good, he’s big, and solid, like Hal. Lisa, back me up? Skills feel fresh?”
“Yep, embedded like I never left. I got scalpels and blades out of the cart.”
She gave one each to Dave and Robin and kept one for herself.
“And the plan?”
“Robin? Busy yourself in his room. Lisa, handle the desk.”
They both went to their stations. Robin went inside Mango’s room as Dave went to the nurse’s bathroom and called Hal.
“Hal? We’ve got five bogies inside, escorting one petite red headed woman.”
“En route. Matt’s my sister Nancy’s kid, just back from Afghanistan. He’s deputized and packing. Hold the fort ‘til we get there.”
“We’ll try. Lisa, very tall, auburn haired nurse, up in the unit with Mango is a Vet too. Mango and the widow Andersen need Federal Protection and WIT-SEC.”
“Already in the works. Feds and Marshalls are on their way here and en route to the Andersen home. Front’s coming in. May ground your ride to the Bay, so we gotta get you out of here. Coming in through the Central Supply department.”
“I’m up here in the Unit. Watch your nine.”
“Copy. Out.”
Dave went quickly to Mango’s room. Matt gave him a thumbs up. Dave saw Robin futzing in the room, laying another blanket on Mango, sleeping peacefully. She showed him the OK sign. He nodded to Robin then she left to alert her staff.
Whispering not to wake Mango, “hi Matt. I’m Dave, the EMT and Mango’s friend. Welcome back, you packing?”
“Yes sir and yes sir. Heard you’re a I and II and sandbox Vet yourself.”
“Ya. We have five male bogies in house, plus a petite red headed woman may pose as a nurse. Lisa, the tall auburn haired nurse is a Vet, too. Don’t confuse them. You’ve met the floor nurses. You heard he survived an assassination attempt?”
“Yes sir. I know Lisa. No one will get past me. Guaranteed.”
“Good. No nurse or doctor in there. No maintenance, housekeeper, transport team with a gurney, or security. Absolutely no one unless Robin or Lisa know them. If one surprises you, play along. Pull fire alarm. No food or drink, unless from Robin, no exceptions. Understood? I’m on patrol. I’ll be right there on your six. In that lounge.”
“Yes sir. Uncle Hal gave me the drill. It’s been a long sad morning.”
“Thought I was done with those.”
“I hear ya. Feels like they never end.”
“Thanks soldier. When do you go back?”
“Eighty-four days.”
“Make the most of it. So glad you’re here.”
“Will do. Glad to be of service.”
With Deedee already in the room sniffing Mango’s bed, Dave lifted her up to see him and then set her down gently.
Mango was still sleeping, his color was good, his hands were warm and pink. O2 on at four liters, and his Sats were 98%. His EKG looked better, heart rate a bit high, both his drips were going. His catheter bag indicated good output. He was safe for now.
Dave gave Matt a nod and a pat on the shoulder and headed out. Instinct told Dave not to leave Mango, but he was within steps of Matt. The kid was built to kick ass and he was combat seasoned. Lisa and Matt gave Dave a lot of comfort.
Dave made the rounds of the floor. All was clear. He checked the stairwells. Clear there too, for now. He wondered where Kane was. Dave decided to go to the nurse’s lounge and look back outside where he had left Kane and there by the substation, was a guy in a blood puddle.
‘Shit.’
Angels named Robin and Lisa had put some scrubs, lab coat, slippers, and paper booties, a clothes bag, a few blankets and pillows in the lounge for him, some hospital sandwiches and bottles of water. A bath basin of water and extra gauze for Deedee and a blanket were ready for her. Deedee went right to the water and drank and drank while Dave changed into scrubs from his snow gear to blend in. He bagged, then hid his snow gear behind a couch and put his paper booties on to hide his slippers.
Deedee made a nest, then looked at Dave to see if he was settling i
n, too.
Dave took the Glock out of his underwear, broke open the roast beef sandwich. Deedee perked up realizing she was hungry now that food was around. Dave tore it in bite size pieces for Deedee.
She wolfed it down and drank more water and settled in, nose to her belly to sleep.
Dave covered her with a corner of the blanket. Then he made a fake bed, put the pillows under the blanket, but sat behind the chair, gun in his lap.
‘They’re here to steal the bodies. I’m sure of it. Got anal desire to cover their ass. But where the fuck were they, terrorizing the ER staff?’ It was too quiet.
Lots of people in the bar had seen two identical strawberry blonds. They both looked like Nicole Kidman, but their faces and thighs were short. Slavic descent, probably. They were fit. Their clothes and hairstyles looked expensive. Their perfume had filled the bar with all their dancing. He’d never forget that perfume.
They looked like they’d stepped out of a rent-a-jet, straight from the high dollar resorts of the French Alps, Courchevel 1850 or Meribel, the hangout of Harry and William and Kate, both number one and two in Three Valleys, France.
They acted like high class call girls would act, Dave imagined.
Only he and Brittany, who had been on bar duty that night had seen them up close. She’d remember them because the four of them sat right in front of her, Chris and Mango giving her big tips for keeping the shooters coming. And Brittany had a crush on Chris, so she’d remember them well.
‘Brittany! She could be in danger.’
But no one saw him and he didn’t see anyone from his dark corner booth. Dave texted Brittany, they’d dated once and he still had her number.
‘Brit? Dave here. U ok?’
She answered, ‘Ya heard rumors about Chris & Mango. R they tru?’
‘Yes. Go to Sheriffs station, now. No more questions 4 ur protection. Put ur phone in aluminum foil. GPS in phone can be tracked. No packing, no phoning or texting unless to Hal, Paul, or 911. Go now. Understood? Bogies are those women from the bar last night.’
‘Going now! Thanks a lot! Just peed my pants. I think one of them is Mavra Kimirov, I just looked at my magazine to confirm. Yep positive it’s her.’
“You’re in danger, now get to the station.”