July 9th, 1942 hours
Martin and Ford made their way through the chaos at the hospital entrance. A cop shot was big news. They reached the small second-floor waiting room where Martin's mom, Fay, ran into her son's embrace.
Ford introduced himself to Dennis Bailey. "I'm sorry about Austin. Ian Chase sent me to be of any service to you and your family."
"Thank you. Now all we can do is wait. Almost four hours now," Dennis said.
A pregnant woman clutching tissues sat in a chair surrounded by Martin's sisters. He squatted in front of her. "Janey, how are you holding up?" Her pregnant belly and tear-stained face made a sorrowful impact. "Do you need something to drink? Do you need to put your feet up?"
"We’re doing the best we can, Marty. Livvy, Mandy, and your mom are taking care of me. They sent someone for my folks."
"Honey, we will get you through this." Martin placed his hands on hers. His dad, his brothers-in-law, and his sisters’ shoulders were stiff.
Ford whispered into Martin’s ear, “I’m going fishing. He attached his Homeland credentials on his belt.
A short time later, Ford returned to the waiting room and jacked his head to catch Martin's attention. "Any news?"
"No, but I guess it's a good sign." Martin’s posture slumped.
"Chief is protective of his turf. Austin took at least one shot to the armpit while investigating an injured child. Chief isn't forthcoming with anything more. Blew off Iowa's DCI. Doesn't make sense. I called in and requested Bravo team to perform our own investigation."
“Thanks.” Martin ran his hand through his close-cropped blond hair.
Chapter Four
The minutes on the clock ticked by. “Could you find someone to help you get food and drink for everyone? It looks like we’re in for a long wait, and I’m worried about Janey.” Martin’s gaze circled the room.
Ford waved over Shaun Murray, who had been introduced as Austin’s best friend. “Martin, are you alright? Can I do anything? His words were frenzied.
“Shaun, this is Ford Cox. We work together. I was wondering if you could pick up food for everyone?
"I’m so sorry, I should’ve thought. Want anything particular?"
"Janey is pregnant, so something healthy for her and fresh, strong coffee. Other than that, no." Ford provided him his credit card. "Feed everyone here well."
"Black card? Chase Group? Austin mentioned Martin, and I guess you work for them.” The exclusive card with no credit limit rested between his fingers.
"Thanks for getting the food." Ford did not comment further.
Thirty minutes later, the officers returned with ample food and drink, including fresh coffee. Shaun passed Ford his card. "Wanted to return this."
"Thanks. Mind talking with us for a few minutes? What was Austin checking out?" Martin asked.
"C'mon, let's take a walk? Maybe a little fresh air might help the wait,” Shaun said.
Inside the operating room, the surgery was going on its sixth hour. A VIP patient in the ER with appendicitis requested Knox. "Where are we at?" A needle driver guided Steven’s sutures. "More suction."
"Replaced Mr. Bailey's blood supply three times. Clotting factors are getting harder to manage; he needs you to finish. Pietra and I can't hold his blood pressure much longer." Warren adjusted the gauges again.
Two fresh nurses took over at 19:00 hours. "Please put out a call for more blood,” Dr. Reed asked of one. “The second we touch that kidney, he'll hemorrhage again." Another bone fragment pinged from Elizabeth's forceps into a pan.
The disembodied voice of a nursing administrator filled the OR, "Can I give the family an update?
"Yes, tell them he's still fighting. It’s slow going. We have him on ECMO for his lungs." A blood-soaked pad around his kidney held her attention. "We’re running out of AB positive." A clamp clattered from her fingers to the floor.
"Find some hand warmers. Beth's fingers are numb." Steven's tiny, shivering colleague smiled when the nurse placed a warmed blanket on her shoulders. Melanie handed her another clamp. The OR was a cold place.
"You know, Steve, we’re all cold." Pietra hung a unit of plasma.
