“You don’t.” Seth Brady, facility director for Denver medical, removed his helmet. “Now get in a bay so we can take a look at you. Wentworth and Crockett met us outside. A repel and an ascent. A half-click jog?”
Tuck Hanlon removed his helmet next. “When was the last time you peed? You remember you have a urethral stent.”
The final person in a flight suit wore a physician patch. Hunter Montgomery doffed his helmet and crossed his arms against his chest. “Get on that bed and take that uniform off.” Hunt’s usual easy-going demeanor was nowhere to be seen.
Brody Garrett entered the bay. “Doc, this is our medical director, Hunt Montgomery,” Troy said.
“Nice to meet you. Ms. North is in the CT scanner. I should have her labwork back any minute.”
“Great. Bremen, does this conversation have anything to do with you? Clothes off. Dr. Garrett, I don’t care how many toes we fracture in the process, but I need labs and a CT scan for him.” Hunt turned to Troy. “I am going to be as clear as I can. Troy, do you want the surgery was discussed with you?”
“Yes.” Troy looked down.
“It doesn’t look that way to me. There are seven surgeons, two anesthesiologists, six PAs, and countless other medical people who’ve been losing sleep over your case. And yet, you continue to violate the rules we’ve set for you. Do you think we say these things because we have repressed Napoleonic complexes?”
“Hunt…I’m sorry, I… Damn, there is no excuse.”
“I get it. Love makes us stupid. You three can fight over him. I need a full panel, 500 cc bolus, then 150 cc per hour normal saline, a sterile urine, EKG, and check his feet for rubs. Add anything else you can think of for shits and giggles.” Hunt’s face turned from angry to amused. “I’m going to see how Gwen is doing.”
Troy began unbuttoning his uniform. “Okay, I’ll admit it. I hurt from head to toe. I’ve used muscles I forgot I had.”
The three PAs turned sympathetic and helped him with his uniform. As they worked, a woman’s voice rose, “Doctor Acosta, you can’t go in there. Dr. Garrett and her private physician are examining the patient.”
Troy, his uniform pulled down to his waist, ECG pasties attached to his chest, yanked himself free from the monitor. He drew his gun and ran out into the center of the ER, where a man in a lab coat was fighting with a nurse.
“Freeze!” Troy roared.
“You. Greece. You are responsible for this mess. Without you, she’d never recover. Gwenny knows too much,” said the psychiatrist, Acosta, gun in hand as he pushed his way toward the bay where Gwen was being treated.
“Doctor Acosta, I’m telling you to stop now.” Troy raised his weapon.
Someone screamed, “Gun!”
Panic ensued as staff and patients ducked for cover, making Troy’s shot impossible. His heart exploded in his chest as Acosta made his way to the bay.
“NO!” he screamed. His legs gave out as the sound of a deafening gunshot rang out.
Pete, Tuck and Seth surrounded Troy. “Gwen, is she all right?” he pleaded. The three PAs helped him stand. Reaching his full height, he was able to scan the area. Marines and Bravo Team were controlling the area.
Dr. Acosta lay in a heap on the floor. Kip stood grim-faced, his gun in his hand. Catching Troy’s eyes, he touched his heart and pointed. Troy repeated the gesture.
Chapter 45
The Chase Pave Hawk helicopter landed before dawn at the health center. Hunt Montgomery took Gwen straight to the OR while Tim conferred with Tuck, Seth and Eric. Troy’s CT scan showed he managed not to hurt himself during Gwen’s rescue.
“I think, emotionally, it boosted his mental status,” Tim said.
“He’s not going to want to leave her,” Eric observed.
“Hunt said, considering, her CT scan looked pretty good. The leg injury is a strafe. And from her battered face, she likely has a concussion,” Seth said.
“I spoke with her dad. Her brother is en route from the Nimitz. On the other side, Gwen arranged for Troy’s sisters, their husbands, and kids to fly in tomorrow morning. Kip assigned Papa Team to provide necessary support,” Tuck said.
“I saw Ian. The remaining executive staff is arriving Thursday morning. They will all be here to wish him well,” Tim added.
* * *
Troy sleptin the recliner at Gwen’s bedside while General North worked in the other chair. Gwen’s left eye opened before either man noticed she was awake. Her right eye was packed with ice, as well as her jaw.
