Song of the Blackbird (Albatross Prison #1)

by DB Michaels

  “Pulse ox fifty percent!” Ms. Bryant shouted. “He’s crashing!”

  Madison tossed her the catheter. Mid-clavicular line, left second intercostal space. Emma pushed. A loud hiss gushed out some air. Thank God. She removed the needle. Trachea now back to midline.

  “Good call with the angiocath,” Madison called out. “Pulse ox now ninety-five percent.”

  “You saved him, Doc,” Smith said from the foot of the bed, his eyes wide.

  “Thanks guys, but he’s not out of the woods yet. Keep the oxygen going.” Emma secured the catheter with tape and then listened again with her stethoscope. Yes, breath sounds now present on the left.

  The patient twisted his head back and forth, mumbling something. There was something familiar about him. She leaned closer and held his hand. “It’s okay. You had a collapsed lung and I had to push a small tube in your chest. Try to relax. The ambulance will be here in a few minutes.”

  The man cracked his eyes open. “You promised. You promised, Doc,” he said, his voice hoarse.

  Goosebumps popped up on Emma’s arms. It was her patient staring back at her, the asthmatic she’d helped move.

  “Mr. Cavendish?” Emma squeezed the man’s hand. Her heart lurched as a thousand knives danced in her stomach.

  “Why did you tell them?” His voice was barely audible. “You promised you wouldn’t.”

  “I didn’t tell them,” Emma breathed out. “I didn’t.”

  “They got me in the bathroom. So many of them I couldn’t fight back.” Tears trickled down his swollen cheek. “Am I going to be okay?”

  Abrasions and cuts flayed his chest. His face puffed out like a swollen watermelon, and his left ear seemed to be hanging on by a thread. Emma bit her lip.

  “Dr. Edwards did everything she could, Cavendish.” Smith patted the patient’s good shoulder. “The paramedics are on their way. Hang in there, buddy.”

  Emma tried to speak but couldn’t come up with anything. Soon the paramedics arrived and whisked Cavendish to the local trauma center.

  “It’s okay, Doc.” Madison’s golden brown eyes were full of sympathy. “You didn’t know he’d get hurt. You were only trying to help.”

  “I said his dorm was damp.” Emma felt a wetness on her cheek and brushed it away. “Not cigarette smoke. Steam. How could they do this to him?”

  “They can be pretty vicious. It’s not your fault.”

  “I want them arrested.” She caught herself and laughed, a small hysterical sound that burst forth. “But they’re already in prison. What else can you do to them? Oh my God. I can’t believe it. That poor boy.”

  Cavendish’s bloodied face and half-missing ear flashed before her eyes. Had she played a role in the attack? She should’ve spoken with Maxim earlier. Should have told him at the birthday party. Maybe he could have intervened somehow. Sent out more guards to monitor the place better. Better monitoring might have saved Cavendish.

  Something had to be done to catch the men responsible. She couldn’t sit here and let the perpetrators get away. Emma shoved her stethoscope in her bag and ran up the hill to inform Maxim. Surely he’d want to know and help catch the assailants. Please, please let him be in his office. A few minutes later, she rushed into the admin building and flung open his door. Damn. No one was there. She knocked on the room next door and jerked it open.

  “Is Mr. Chambers here?” she huffed out to the grim elderly woman sitting behind the desk.

  “No.” The woman’s voice was as cool as ice.

  “Ms. Lee, right?” Emma forced out a placating smile. “I’m Dr. Edwards. Can you tell me where the warden is?”

  “Your appointment was for three o’clock. He’s already left.”

  “Please. I need to speak with him.”

  “Didn’t you get his message?” The woman glared at her. “I told him not to bother but he waited for over an hour for you to show up. He even called down there to try to talk with you.”

  “I was busy with patients.”

  “He’s available tomorrow between one and two. If you’re free.”

  “No, thanks.” How could she wait that long? It was imperative she reached him today. Emma raced out the Eagle gate and was panting by the time she got into her car. Where was that business card Smith had given her? She flipped through her purse and finally found it wedged between two gum packs.

  He’d told her she could always try him on his cell, hadn’t he? Or was it something polite he spewed out to everybody? The guy probably was furious with her for making him wait earlier. But it wasn’t her fault. She was busy taking care of his inmates. She punched the number in and waited. After the fifth ring, his distinctive voice came on the voicemail.

  Just her luck. Emma rubbed her temple and waited for the beep. Cavendish’s bruised and bloodied face flashed before her again, and she squeezed her eyes tight.

  “Hi, Maxim?” God, she sounded so pathetic. She cleared her voice and wiped away the tears. “Sorry to bother you but it’s Emma. Emma Edwards. I need to talk with you. Where are you? I didn’t want to call but it’s an emergency. You see...” She swallowed a few times. What was she doing? Cavendish was already in the hospital. Where was the emergency? There was nothing Maxim could do tonight. She sounded hysterical and needed to pull herself together. The talk could surely wait until tomorrow, couldn’t it? She took in a deep breath. “Sorry. It’s actually not an emergency but I need to talk with you. Can you call me back? Please?”

  Emma pressed the Off button and threw the phone back into her purse. Okay, it wasn’t that bad, was it? She’d seen trauma patients before. She’d rotated in the ER many times. And she hadn’t told anyone about the cigarettes. She wasn’t really to blame for the beating, was she? In any case, she couldn’t do anything tonight. She was going to head home and take a long, hot bath. And tomorrow she’d tell Maxim about the beating. Surely he was going to help somehow. He could investigate, find out who the attackers were, punish them as they deserved. Her cell suddenly rang. Was it Maxim?

  Emma fumbled in her purse and yanked out the phone.

  “Hello? Maxim?”

  “Emma? It’s me. John.”

  “John.” Emma let out a huff of air. “I can’t talk right now.”

  “What’s the matter? You don’t sound good.”

  “I have to go.”

  “But Em. I want to talk to you. I’m sorry about everything.”

  “Everything?”

  “Yes. So, your brother’s a criminal. I get that. I can deal with it.”

  “You’ll deal with it?” Emma gripped the phone harder.

  “Yes. He’s not going to get out for a while. We don’t have to tell my family. You can even take me to meet him.” She heard him swallow. “But there’ll be guards around, right? I don’t have to be alone with him, do I?”

  “I can’t believe I’m hearing this.”

  “I know. You can thank me later.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “What?”

  “We’re done, John. Finished. Don’t call me anymore.”

  “What? Didn’t you hear what I said?”

  “Bye, John.” She slammed the phone shut. Why had she dated him for that long? Riley was right. The guy was a total loser. As she was pulling out of the parking space, her cell rang again.

  “Leave me alone, John,” she yelled. “We’re finished, can’t you get that?”

  “Hold on, Emma. It’s Maxim. Are you okay?”

  “Maxim?” God, she should have checked her caller ID. This was definitely not her day.

  “Yes,” he said, his voice a little frantic for some reason. “Where are you? What’s wrong?”

  “I’m about to drive home.”

  “So you’re safe? You’re not hurt?”

  “No. I’m not hurt.” Was that why he’d sounded so worried? She hadn’t meant to scare him. “Something happened at the prison.”

  “What? Where’s Smith? I told him not to leave you alone.” His
voice rose a notch. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m fine. It’s not me; it’s one of the inmates. He got beat up pretty badly. Can I tell you about it?”

  “Now isn’t a good time.” He sounded more than a bit frazzled.

  “No? It won’t take long.” Don’t go. He’d always seemed strong and indomitable. She wanted to throw everything into his capable hands and let him take charge. “Please?”

  A long silence ensued. Emma thought he’d hung up until he spoke again. “I’m in the emergency room. I can’t really talk right now.”

  “I’m sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?” Emma said, feeling like a heel. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” She heard a long sigh. “It’s my dad. He fell and they’re doing some testing.”

  “Is he alright?”

  “I don’t know.” Another sigh. “I’m waiting for the test results.”

  Maxim sounded broken, so different from the formidable man she knew. “What hospital are you in?” she asked, wishing she could help somehow. Cavendish would have to wait for now. No way could she dump problems at work on him at the moment.

  Maxim named a famous hospital in LA.

  “My best friend works there.” And Riley happened to be working that night, too. “And I know some of the doctors. You want me to come? Maybe I can help.” It was the least she could do after the hours he’d spent with her in the emergency room the other day.

  He hesitated for a few seconds. “You don’t mind? I don’t want to impose.”

  “You’re not. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  She hung up and dialed another number. Darn. The ER must have been busy for her friend not to pick up. Emma texted instead, asking Riley to look out for Maxim’s dad.

  “Emma,” her friend greeted her as soon as she arrived in the emergency room a while later. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Tell you what?”

  Riley wiped a hand over her forehead and glanced at her pager. “That you were talking about the Maxim Chambers.”

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  “Chambers of the Chambers Neurology Institute.”

  “You mean…”

  “Yes.” Riley grabbed Emma’s arm and leaned closer. “The guy donates a ton to the hospital. We even have a wing named after him.”

  “Shoot. I didn’t know.” Unbelievable. Maxim was that rich?

  “Admin has been all over me. They want everything to be perfect.” Riley frowned. “But I’m afraid some things can’t be fixed.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I was about to go talk to him.” Her friend pressed her pager to silence. “Admin is hounding me for the results of his dad’s tests. That’s them beeping me again. Come on. He’s this way. His father’s still in radiology, but admin wants me to brief him on what I know so far. Crap. I hate to deliver bad news.”

  Jesus. It didn’t sound good, whatever her friend had to tell Maxim. She followed Riley down a long white corridor, a gnawing sensation beginning in her stomach. She knew Maxim supported charity but the Chambers Institute? Come on. It was huge, treating stroke patients from all over the US. She’d heard there were even branches sprouting off in the East Coast.

  “I was in a trauma when you called,” Riley was saying as she pressed a button to open up a set of double doors. “Yes. I know. Gawk all you want. It’s our new VIP wing. All private rooms with flat-screen TVs, gourmet food, the whole works. Nothing but the best for your Mr. Chambers.”

  “He’s not mine.”

  “I know that. His wife and kid are with him.”

  “What?” Emma stumbled.

  “His family’s here.” Riley took in a deep breath. “Good thing, too. He’s going to need a lot of support right now.”

  “I don’t think he’s married.” Or was he? She’d assumed he was single. Had she been wrong all this time?

  “Maybe it’s his girlfriend. They seem pretty tight.” Riley checked her pager. “That’s radiology about Mr. Chambers’s CT. I’ll be right back. They’re in the room two doors down on the right.”

  Emma stepped forward and knocked on the room, her heart pounding.

  Chapter 15

  “Relax, Maxim,” Lani said, squeezing his arm. “I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”

  Maxim switched Kyle’s sleeping body to the right side of his chest. His godson was at least ten pounds heavier since the last time he carried him. “It’s been over two hours. Something bad may have happened to her.”

  “What? Dr. Washington was just here.” Lani scrunched her eyebrows together.

  “Sorry. I was talking about Dr. Edwards.”

  “The one from Albatross?” Lani’s voice picked up. “She’s meeting you here?”

  “Yes. What? Why the strange look?” Maxim patted Kyle’s back to soothe him back to sleep. “It’s a sixty-mile drive. She sounded really distraught on the phone earlier. Maybe she got into an accident.”

  “Maybe it’s only traffic.”

  “It’s almost eight.” Maxim checked his watch. “I shouldn’t have let her drive.”

  “Let?”

  “You know what I mean. She’s my employee. I’d feel horrible if something happened to her.” He groaned when he noticed the twinkle in Lani’s eyes. “It’s not what you think. She bugs the hell out of me most of the time.”

  “Hmm. Interesting. So what’s she like?”

  “It’s complicated.” Women. Did they have to ask about everything? Maxim looked at his watch again. Where the hell was Emma? And where was the ER doctor anyway? His father had been down in radiology for over an hour already.

  A soft knock sounded on the door. Emma entered, wearing jeans and a pretty pink sweater. Thank goodness. She looked pale though, her eyes wide with anxiety and something else Maxim couldn’t decipher.

  “You came,” he said, his spirits rising for the first time that day.

  “Of course. I told you I would.” Her eyes flew to Lani and then fixated on his godson. A brief, wistful expression passed over her face.

  “That was over two hours ago.” Something tugged in Maxim’s chest. Why did she look a little lost?

  “There was a lot of traffic.” Her eyes focused back on Lani. “Hi. I’m Emma Edwards.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Lani Blair.” Lani shook hands with the doctor and then pointed in his direction. “That’s my son sleeping over there.”

  “Oh.” Emma bit her lower lip.

  “How long have you been working at Albatross?” Lani shot Maxim a significant look. “And more importantly, how come I haven’t heard more about you until now?”

  “Leave it, Lani.” Maxim stood and delivered Kyle to his meddlesome mom. The boy let out a little protest before settling in her arms. “You want to sit down, Doc? You look tired.”

  A text beeped. Lani glanced down at her phone. “That’s Alex. He wants some updates. I’ll be right back, okay?” She headed out the door with Kyle.

  Maxim took in a deep breath, a weight falling off his chest. Damn if it didn’t feel good having Emma here. Strange as it was, her presence calmed and soothed him somehow. Maybe it was because he was in the hospital, her usual stomping grounds. She was smart and capable. She could help him through this. And she was damned attractive, too, in that pink sweater of hers. Who knew the woman had such nice curves? Maxim cleared his throat.

  “Do you want me to go?” Emma suddenly asked.

  “What?” Where the hell had that come from?

  “I don’t want to intrude. Your girlfriend may not like it.”

  “Girlfriend?” Maxim shook his head. “You mean Lani? She’s not my girlfriend.”

  “She’s your wife?” Emma’s face paled.

  “No. Of course not.” He couldn’t believe she’d think such a thing. Didn’t she know anything about him? “She’s my best friend’s wife.”

  “Oh. Thank goodness.” Emma brought a hand to her mouth. “I mean. It’s okay, too, if you’re married. I wasn’
t expecting it, that’s all.”

  “I’m not married. Never have been. And I’m not dating anyone. Just to make things clear.” Maxim groaned inside. Good job, Max. Really smooth there. What the hell was he doing? His father was sick and here he was babbling about his personal life.

  Thank goodness Dr. Washington came in then with his father in tow. An X-ray tech was pushing the gurney. “How is he?” Please let there be good news. But no. His father looked worse, lying shriveled up in the center of the gurney, his left leg awkwardly bent outward at the hip. An IV dripped some fluids into his right arm and a mask delivered oxygen to his face. His eyes were closed.

  “He broke his hip.” Dr. Washington cast Emma a harried look. “And he has a bladder infection. We’re giving him some fluids and antibiotics.”

  “Is that all?” That better be all.

  “How did he fall?” Dr. Washington asked, her eyes somber.

  “They were changing him. He wanted his favorite pajamas but the nurse was new so she put on something else.” Maxim closed his eyes. Pops must have felt so distraught. If only he could erase the last twelve hours. “Sometimes they forget that he’s only partially paralyzed. Anyway, he struggled and fell off the bed.”

  “It was ground level? He hadn’t been standing, right?”

  “No. The bed’s only a couple of feet off the ground.”

  The two doctors exchanged a look that made Maxim’s blood run cold. “What is it?”

  “I just got the CT result. Your father has a large bleed in his head.”

  A giant vise squeezed down on his chest. “Can they fix it?”

  “I don’t think so.” Dr. Washington fiddled with her pager. “The nursing home tells me your dad has been bedbound and nonverbal for years. I know it’s hard to talk about but does he have a DNR order?”

  “What the hell does that have to do with anything?” Maxim bit out. “Do everything you can. I want the best for my father.”

  “We do, too,” Dr. Washington said. “Sometimes the best is to be comfortable.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “Maybe it’s time to let him go. We can make him comfortable.”