Troy watched as they moved Gwen onto the board. Logan bandaged the wound around her head before placing the immobilizers.
“Boss, I need another pair of hands; Logan took the dayshift report. I’ll do the transport,” Terry advised Julian.
“I’ll go. Mr. Bremen, do you want to ride along?” Ryan Dotson from 3-Romeo, a paramedic, asked.
Troy stood frozen.
“Ryan, go. We’ll follow.” Julian wrapped his arm over his shoulder. “Troy, come on. They’re taking her to the unit. It’s gonna be okay.”
* * *
Ethan Miller ranan ultrasound probe across her chest and abdomen. “Damn, free fluid. My guess from your exam, it’s a ruptured abscess.”
“I think you’re right.” Russ shook his head. “There has to be a missing link. It was a chronic infection. The only time I’ve seen this is an incomplete miscarriage or abortion. You saw her history. You don’t think the animals got her pregnant, and she lost the pregnancy?”
“We don’t have time to play twenty questions. I want a pan CT and then the OR. See if Holland or Seton are in. I want the assistance. Trish, alert the team. Type and cross for four units. Let’s move.”
Ethan and Russ easily transferred her to a rolling stretcher, then rolled to the elevator, riding it to one of the subbasements to use the CT scanner. The two doctors watched her pelvis come into view.
“Look at the size of that. It’s behind the ovary, around the tube. It’s already leaking; if we don’t get to it fast, she’ll go septic,” Ethan said. “Russ, call gyn and pathology. Is she allergic to anything?”
“No allergies,” Russ said. “I’ll call her next of kin too. Ethan, a heads up: there’s something between her and Troy Bremen. Watch what you say.”
“Russ, you always add something to make me confirm for myself why I became a surgeon. Patch them up and move on. Damn Seton for saving my ass in Afghanistan. I took the medical director job for him. And instead of being the cold, brooding surgeon, I have to be all emotional and caring.” Ethan rolled his eyes.
They transferred the still unconscious Gwen back to the stretcher from the CT scanner, where Tim Holland and Eric Seton joined the doctors. Trish was starting a second IV and drawing more blood.
“Eight-centimeter leaking abscess behind the right ovary and around the tube. Free fluid in the abdomen. Plan to try a keyhole approach through the belly button. Go scrub,” Ethan ordered.
* * *
Julian and Troysat in Russ’s office. “What happened? We had dinner together and parked by the beach. I told her what happened in Silverton. I told her how I felt about her. She said she’d wait until I’m ready.” He covered his face with both hands. “I can’t lose her.”
“Let’s see what the doctors say,” Julian replied calmly.
The office door opened, and Ethan Miller walked inside, sweat dotting his scrub cap. “Gwen’s in recovery. As soon as we get her settled, Troy, you can sit with her. I spoke with her dad. He flew in by chopper to Halsey Field. He’s at her side.”
Troy’s brows crunched. “How is she?”
“I can only give you the required supervisor’s report. She’s stable, and depending on the next few hours, we’ll see how her recovery goes,” Ethan said. “I need to scrub in on another case. I’ll see you in about four more hours.”
“Thanks, Ethan,” Julian said.
Troy chewed his lip. “Russ, what do you think her fitness will be to return?”
“You heard Ethan. We’ll keep you posted,” Russ said, following Ethan out.
“Before you go anywhere, how are you?” Julian cleared his throat.
“Damn it, will this ever stop?” Troy angered. “Each interview hurt more than the next. I didn’t say anything to you, but I got another call yesterday. God, he said he left Gwen a message. You need to pull it off her voicemail.”
“Merde, did you tell anyone?” Troy knew by the tone of Julian’s voice he was furious.“Trask called me out. I’m sure he filed a report. I’ve let you down. I’m sorry,” Troy insisted.I’m shaky. Reach out.
“You haven’t let anyone down. Tell me what you need,” Julian softened his tone.
Troy dipped his chin to his chest. “I’m over the edge. Not reporting that call is a huge mistake. I heard what happened to Gwen overseas, and now I’m petrified what will happen if her prognosis is bad.”
Julian crouched in front of his friend. “Okay, one step at a time. I’ll deal with the call. Unofficially, you’re on light duty. I’m asking Trask to stay closer. No more interviews. And I’m calling Holland.” Julian opened his phone.
