Chapter 8

Back at the hospital, Dr. Callahan comes walking down the hallway pulling off his sweat laced surgical cap. He arrives at the waiting room with a small blue army of officers assembled around the room. As the door opens, Jim's head jerks up to see the surgeon walking into the room still dressed in green scrubs.

"Good Evening, gentlemen. I presume you are here waiting for news on Officer Malloy."

Both Lt. Moore and Jim acknowledge him with a yes. "Well, he made it through the surgery. He gave us a scare a couple of times on the table, but he seems to be gaining strength. He lost a lot of blood between the head wound, stab wound, and abdominal bleeding. I believe keeping that knife in place made the difference in him still being here. As far as his injuries, his left upper lung lobe was lacerated, but fortunately it didn't collapse because of the knife wound being sealed by the pressure applied. We found some moderate bleeding internally in his abdomen that we were able to tie off. He previously had his spleen removed, which may have been a blessing. The internal bleeding might have been much more severe with an organ like the spleen. Other issues he will have to deal with in recovery are a moderate concussion and facial laceration. Both of his shins have severe bone bruises, but by some miracle no fractures were found. He's still in recovery for another hour maybe, but then I'll have him moved into ICU for observations for another twenty-four hours. His condition has improved from critical to serious."

Lt. Moore stands and shakes the doctor's hand. Thank you for taking good care of my officer. Val asks, "When can he have a visitor, doctor?"

"After he moves to the ICU, he can have one at a time, but I think he will be in and out of consciousness for a while. If you have any other questions for me, just have me paged. I'll be here."

As the doctor leaves the waiting room a universal sigh is heard as the officers let out the breath of air they're holding with the cautiously good news. Lt. Moore starts issuing orders. "Woods and Brinkman you should return to the station. Can you just let me know if Mac's wagon was driven back to the garage? I'm sure that Miller and Black need to have it printed and photographed. I appreciate you both being here for Jim, but I'll need you both tomorrow night for your regular shift. Go home and get some rest."

"Ok, sir." Jerry and Bob grab their hats and pat Jim's back on the way out. "Hang in there, Reed. Pete will be back behind the wheel in no time." Jerry says with faint confidence.

"Grant, where is Wells?" Lt. Moore asks.

"He is waiting outside Mac's room. If Mrs. MacDonald needs anything, he wanted to be available."

"By the way, thanks for picking her up." Val says.

Jim interrupts, "Excuse me, sir. I need to call my wife and let her know about Pete." Jim walks out of the waiting room and down the hall to the floor's public phone. He is still numb from the night's events. Exhaustion is chipping away at his thoughts. I hate to wake you Jean, but I know you won't be sleeping soundly with not knowing about Pete. "Hi, honey."

"Jim, is that you?" A soft groggy voice of Jean asks.

"Yes, it's me. Sorry to wake you."

"Don't be. I just dozed off for a minute. I want to know how Pete is."

"I just got done talking with the surgeon who operated on Pete. He made it through surgery ok and will move to ICU within the hour. He's listed in serious condition."

"Have you had a chance to see him?"

"No, not yet. He is still in recovery. I hope to see him soon though."

"How about Mac? Is he doing ok?"

"He's sleeping right now. Dr. Morton sedated him. He called in a hand specialist to see him tomorrow."

"Is Mary MacDonald there?"

"Yes. Ed Wells picked her up over an hour ago, but I haven't talked with her."

"Jim, how are you doing?"

"What can I say, Jean? It's been a really rough night. I just can't believe that this really happened."

"Honey, I want to wrap my arms around you and hold on tight. I'm so sorry about Pete and Mac. Are you coming home soon?"

"I really need to see him. I promise I'll be home in the morning. You go back to sleep. Jimmy will be up in another three hours."

"I love you, Jim."

"I love you, too." Jim hangs up the phone then heads back.

Jim walks down to the waiting area passing Ed's partner, Grant, and then finding Lt. Moore still there. "How are you doing, Reed?"

"I'm holding up, sir."

"Maybe, you should call it a night, Jim. You're not going to do Pete any good if you collapse."

"I really want to see him. If you need to go back to the station, sir, go on. I'm sure I can get a ride if I need one."

Sensing the strong bond these two officers have for one another, Lt. Moore waves him off. "Ok. Ok. Consider yourself off the schedule for the next couple days. Stay as long as you need to. I'll send over someone in the morning to check on Mac and Pete. When they are able, we need to get a report."

Moore walks out and Jim plops down in a chair. Waiting again. With his elbow propped on the armchair and his chin resting in his hand, he closes his eyes. Jim startles awake as a nurse lightly taps at his shoulder. He dozed off in an awkward position and now his neck hurts. "Excuse me, officer. Did you want to know when Officer Malloy moved to ICU?"

"Uh, yes. Thank you. Can I see him?"

"Yes, I can take you there now. He should be getting settled in."

Jim rubs the sleep out of his eyes as he follows the nurse to ICU.

As they enter the Intensive Care Unit, a cluster of small rooms revolves around a central nursing station. The lights are kept dim to enhance the sleep for critical care patients. Noise levels are kept at a minimum as well, but with the various equipment needed it still is far from quiet. The nurse leads Jim to the wider than normal door to Pete's room. "You can stay as long as you like, sir." She turns and goes to the nurse's station. She pulls up a clipboard to follow up with her assigned patients.

Jim steps slowly into the room with his anxiety level rising. It wipes away the tiredness from his mind. He finally sees Pete lying there with a web of lines from electrical, gas, and fluid support. The electronic sounds of the heart monitor and fluid pump beeping become mesmerizing. Pete is covered with a patchwork of bandages from his head, chest, stomach, and wrists. Even with the bandages in place, Jim can see the bruising surrounding each. He notices a long fine cut running from his neck to over his heart. Jim glances up and away as his gut spins inside. "I'm so sorry, Pete, that I couldn't prevent this. I can't imagine what all you and Mac had to endure." Jim suddenly is overwhelmed with exhaustion. He drops into a chair next to the bed. He scoots up close to the side and leans against the railing. He reaches thru the rails and rests his hand over Pete's left hand. "I'm not going anywhere, partner." Jim watches the slow rise and fall of Pete's chest.

In a short time, Jim drifts off to sleep in this strange position. Pete's nurse comes in to check his vitals and feels for his friend. She positions a blanket back around his shoulders as if tucking him in for the night. Pete continues to gain strength through the early morning hours. His color improves and his breathing becomes less erratic.

Pete starts to stir and his movement instigates a groan. Jim's head pops up and he looks on at the awakening of his friend. His heart rate picks up with the return to consciousness as well as the renewed pain sensations. Even with descent pain medications, Pete experiences a variety of discomfort. Before Pete's eyes open, the nurse arrives at his bedside after being alerted to the change in his heart and respiration readings. Jim stands up and starts talking to him.

"Hey there, partner. Talk to me."

"I think Officer Malloy is about to join us." The nurse states to Jim, "I'm going to page his doctor. I'll be right back."

Jim sees Pete's eyes flutter open and closed as he rolls his head side to side. "Can you hear me, Pete?"

Pete pauses and looks in the direction of his friend trying to understand the words being spoken and focus the blurry image before him. His mouth moves, but no utterance is heard. As things become clearer to him, he tries again and finally gets out, "Jim?"

"I'm here, Pete."

"It's … good … to … see you."

"Same here, partner." Jim's fears start to just melt away as he finally hears Pete's voice again even if it is still very shaky.

Jim notices Pete glancing over to where he last saw the knife handle then pipes in, "The doctor took it out and patched you up."

Pete instinctively moves his left hand to protect and cover his tender stomach and just the little shifting steals away Pete's breathe and sends an agonizing jolt up to his chest wound. Pete pinches his eyes shut and tries to steady his breathing.

Jim sees the sudden anguish on his friends face. "Pete, are you ok?"

His eyes slowly reopen and he says, "Yeah, … just remind me … not to move next time."

"Do I really need me to state the obvious?" Jim comments, trying to lighten the mood.

After Pete collects himself, he seriously asks Jim, "How's Mac?"

Without wanting to worry Pete about Mac's heart attack scare, he just tells him, "He is sleeping now. Dr. Morton has a specialist looking at his hands later this morning."

Pete licks his dry lips and swallows hard. He closes his eyes again as a wave of pain ripples through him from his shins to his head. Just then Dr. Callahan walks in with the nurse close behind him. He comes around to the far side of the bed and grabs the top of his stethoscope from his neck and pauses before putting the ends into his ears. "I'm Dr. Callahan. How are you feeling, Pete?'

"Not so great, doc."

"Let me have a listen." He puts in the earpieces and pulls the resonator from his white coat pocket and places it momentarily at various places on his chest and ends on the left side. "Try to take a deep breath, Pete."

Pete takes a few ragged breaths. After listening, the doctor gently examines the bandaged surgical sites and is pleased to see no fresh blood seeping through. "I can get you some additional pain medications to see if we can get you a little more comfortable."

"That would … be great, doc."

Callahan turns and gives some directions to the nurse standing by, then turns back to his patient. "Pete, now until the medication kicks in try to stay quiet. If I have to, I will strap your left arm to your body. Keeping it as still as possible will aid with healing and discomfort at your chest wound as well as your abdomen."

"Ok, doc."

Looking over to Jim standing along the other side of the bed he says, "Keep an eye on him for me. I'll be back in an hour to check on him again." With that said, Callahan heads out of the unit.

The nurse returns and gives a slow injection into the IV line. "Officer Malloy, you should be feeling some relief in a moment."

"Thanks," he says in a weak voice.

Jim is feeling helpless and wants to do something for his friend. "Pete, can I get you anything?"

"Water?" Comes out in a scratchy tone.

The nurse steps into action. She holds up her hand to Jim to sit tight. "He can't have water, but I'm sure just a few ice chips would be ok. Let me get them for you and maybe you can offer him some a little at a time."

As she buzzes out the door Jim says, "Thank you."

Pete even in his pained state, he immediately assesses Jim's fatigue. "Partner, what time is it?"

Quickly glancing down at his watch, "It's about six o'clock Saturday morning."

"Jim, you should go home and get some sleep."

"I will, I will soon enough. I want to go down and see Mac in a bit. They sedated him last night so I didn't get a chance to talk with him."

"I would like … to see him … myself."

The nurse strolls in carrying a cup of shaved ice and a spoon. She turns to Jim, "Would you like this or would you like me to give it to him?"

"I'll take it." Jim reaches out for it. After handing the cup to Jim, the nurse looks over Pete and decides the bed needs to be positioned a bit higher to help him with swallowing.

She picks up the controls and instructs Pete to tell her when he feels more comfortable. She makes the adjustment with the bed and shows Pete the call buttons if he needs her then she leaves giving the men some more private time.

Jim serves up a small spoonful of ice chips to Pete. After the first mouthful melts and gives some relief to Pete's throat, he says to Jim, "I can do it myself, Jim."

"Oh, no you don't. Remember you're not suppose to move. Doctors orders."

"Jim, I don't think I need a mother hen." Even with the closeness between the two men, Pete still struggles with not wanting to be dependent on anyone.

"Pete, come on. Can't a friend just be helpful and not get grief?"

"Sorry, Jim. I don't mean to be ungrateful." Pete reaches up with his right hand dragging along the IV line with it, and rubs at his forehead. Pete's mind makes a shift. Horrible images of the dark torturous basement he and Mac were held in appear in his head. Pete closes his eyes and the sight of Mac crying out in pain comes to mind. Pete starts to take a few rapid breaths and his hearing has tuned out everything.

Seconds later, he finally hears Jim talking loudly and almost shouting at him, "Pete. Pete, are you ok?"

He opens his eyes again, but this time they are a bit watery. "I will be." Pete pauses for a moment before continuing. "Jim, can I tell you the truth. I didn't think I would be. Honestly, I thought it was the end for both Mac and I." Pete clears his throat as he's choked up a bit from the near truth of the statement.

Jim offers another spoonful of ice chips and Pete accepts it. "Pete, do you want to talk about what happened?"

Pete kind of nods his head as he swallows the melting ice. "Well, back at the accident scene, I finished with the first tow. I thought I'd check in with Mac before going to the next vehicle needing to be removed. I heard from the captain that Mac went to request another ambulance. I approached his wagon in the dark and found him collapsed on the front seat. I went around to the passenger door to check him and then a second later I was hit in the head with something. When I came to, I was in a basement handcuffed and laying on a bed. Ned was over me cutting off my poncho then I saw Mac tied to a chair a few feet away."

Pete pauses and rubs at his right eye then he goes on. "Ned introduced himself to us and explained that we were dirt bags, and we didn't deserve to be alive. He made it pretty clear that he wanted to make us miserable for a while before we died. He proceeded to move me to a pole and recuffed me to a ring. He wanted Mac and I to see each other for our final hours. Over the next few hours he stabbed Mac in the one hand and clubbed him in the other one. He was about to cut off Mac's ring finger when I distracted him from that."

"How did you do that, Pete?"

"I asked some personal questions about his mother and he decided to take his anger out on me then."

"Can you tell me what he did?"

"He played the game of intimidation. He punched me and clubbed me in my gut, then my shins. The last thing I remember was Ned stabbing me in my chest. I blacked out after that."

"Pete, I don't know what to say."

"It's ok, Jim. I'm just glad that you found us when you did." Both of Pete's eyelids start to flutter showing signs of his weariness.

"Pete, I'm going to let you get some sleep. I'll check in with Mac before going home. I'll be back a little later."

The pain medication finally kicks in which helps him to relax. "Jim, thanks for being here." With that said, Pete drifts off to sleep. Jim disappears out into the hall feeling the exhaustion returning at full force.

Reed makes his way to the elevator and down to the first floor. After getting Mac's room number, he heads back up the steps to the second floor where his room is. Walking down the hallway Jim spots Ed Wells sitting outside a room. That must be Mac's room. "Hey, Ed. How is Mac doing?"

Ed looks his way and stands up. "He seems to be doing ok. How about Pete?"

"He just woke up a few minutes ago and talked for the first time since coming out of surgery. Ed, it's so hard to see him in so much pain."

As Jim responds about Pete, Ed notices the dark rings under his eyes. "Jim, you should call it a day and go home."

"Ed, you have been on since the same shift as me and you're still here."

"Well, the lieutenant wanted somebody with Mrs. MacDonald. So Grant and I decided to stay. I'm sure Lt. Moore will have someone here to relieve us soon."

"Do you think I can go in and see Mac for just a minute?"

"I think so. Mrs. MacDonald walked down to the cafeteria a few minutes ago with Grant."

Jim pushes on the door and steps inside. The room is a single room with the head of the bed to the left. The blinds on the one window are almost closed, but a tinge of sunlight is streaming in through the slats. Some of the sunrays run across the bottom half of the bed. The morning sunrise must have been in the last hour. One empty chair with a khaki colored woman's coat draped over the back sits in the far corner behind the hospital bed. A red blinking monitor is above and just off to the side of his bed. It looks like a cardiac monitor attached by wires to his chest. Jim steps in close to see a peaceful sleeping sergeant dressed in a white hospital gown. He still has fluids and a blood pressure cuff connected to his arm. Both hands have large puffy bandages on with just the tips of his fingers showing. Hesitant to wake him, Jim turns to leave when he hears, "Where are you going?"

Jim happily pivots back around and sees Mac's almost cheery face. "Hey, Mac, it's good to see you. How are you feeling?"

"Hanging in there, Jim."

"Has the specialist seen your hands yet?"

"No, but I think it will be in the next couple of hours. So tell me how Pete is. I heard you were able to visit him."

"Yeah, I sat with him after he moved into ICU in the middle of the night. He was just talking with me a few minutes ago."

"Please, Jim, tell me is he going to pull through?"

"I think so. He's battling through some real pain, but he seems to be improving. The surgeon mentioned that he plans to move him into a regular room after twenty-four hours in ICU."

"Man, I would really like to talk with him."

"I'm sure it would do him some good to see you too. Maybe your doctor will give you the ok after seeing the surgeon."

Mac notices Jim is still in uniform and looking really ragged. "Jim, go home and get some sleep. Knowing Pete, he will be all worried about you. He doesn't need any added stress."

"Ok. I'm going, but I'll be back later today after catching a quick nap and shower."

Jim heads for the door then opens it. He almost collides with Lt. Moore marching into the room. "Uh, good morning, sir."

"Hi there, Jim. I thought you went home."

"No, not yet, sir, but I was just leaving now."

"Can you wait one minute, Jim? You might want to hear this news that I'm passing onto Mac."

"Sure thing." Jim follows Val to the near side of the bed. Mac tries to sit up more, but struggles with his heavily bandaged hands. "Here, let me help you." Jim uses the patient remote to lift up the head of the bed a bit more for him.

Val puts a supportive hand on Mac's shoulder. "Are you feeling a bit better this morning?"

"Yeah. So what's the news, lieutenant?" Mac shifts a bit trying to look like a commander and not a patient. His pale features have improved some since the early morning hours.

"Well, Ned Campbell talked with Detective Miller after finishing with processing. A short time later, while alone in a holding cell, he hung himself with his belt on a door hinge. He was confirmed dead at the police station around four am." Val pauses for a second while Mac and Jim soak in the news.

Mac softly says, "He was one sick person."

Still a bit shell shocked from the announcement Jim slowly states, "Well, I can't say I'm sorry to hear it. In some ways, it's a big relief."

"Jim, did you tell Mac about the body found?" Val asks.

"No, I didn't."

Val turns to Jim and says, "Jim, I released Wells and Grant. They are heading back to the station now. Why don't you get a ride back to the station or home if you'd like."

"Thanks, sir," and off he goes leaving the lieutenant to fill in Mac on some details.

Hours later, Jim returns to the hospital cleaned up and in off-duty clothes. He saunters up to the nurse's station after seeing Dixie McCall there on the phone. After she hangs it up, Jim asks, "Can you tell me where Pete is?"

"Yes, I hear he got moved into a regular room less than an hour ago. I think its room three twelve. He is making good progress."

"Dix, thanks so much for all you did this morning for him and Mac."

"That's what we're here for. You are looking better yourself."

"I guess a little sleep can do that. Have you heard how long Pete might be in here?"

"Considering the injuries he has, I would guess another five to seven days if all goes really well."

"And what about Mac?"

"I hear they scheduled his surgery for tomorrow morning which means he'll be here for another couple nights at least."

"Dix, is Dr. Morton around somewhere?"

"Yes. Follow me." She leads Jim down the hall to the doctor's lounge. "I think things just quieted down enough for him to grab a cup of coffee. She directs him in before heading back to her station.

Giving her a appreciative grin he says, "Thanks, Dix." Jim walks in to the lounge and sees a small group of doctors near the counter with the coffee pot. Approaching quietly, hoping to not interrupt anything, Jim stops just a few feet away. Dr. Kelly Brackett is the first to glance over to see Jim waiting there. Doctors Morton, Early, and Callahan quickly recognize the officer out of uniform. Brackett speaks up, "What can we do for you, Jim?"

"Well, I was hoping to get Dr. Morton's permission to take Mac to visit Pete. I think it would do them both some good. They went through quite an experience together last night."

While pondering a moment Mike steps forward and scratches at his chin. "Well, I guess that would be ok, if you promise to keep Mac safely in a wheelchair. I don't want him falling and hurting those hands any worse. We have him scheduled in the morning for surgery."

"I promise. No walking around or doing anything stupid. Thanks, doc." Jim starts to dart out then quickly stops in his tracks. "Oh, Dr. Callahan, how is Pete this afternoon?"

"He seems to be getting stronger as we speak. He has improved enough to move out of ICU. I think he will make a full recovery, but both men may have some difficult emotional issues to overcome beyond their physical injuries." All of the doctors let out a unified, "uh-huh."

As Jim leaves the room, Kel looks to the others and says, "Hopefully, the bond those men share will help them get through what is yet to come."

Just a bit later, Jim wheels Mac into Pete's private room. The small single seems much less intimidating then the ICU. Pete's face is turned away from the door as they enter. As they roll up beside the bed, Jim says. "Hey there, Pete."

Jim notices that Pete's left arm is now bandaged in a bent position across his abdomen. He turns to look at Jim with tired eyes. "Hi, Jim," comes out in a soft voice. Then, Pete sees Mac in the wheelchair in a gown and robe with both hands all bandaged up. "Mac, good to see you."

"I was thinking the same thing about you." Both men just look at each other with common thoughts passing silently between them.

Mac pauses and looks down for a second. "Pete, I don't know how to thank you. If you hadn't distracted Ned when you did…" My ring finger would be gone and I would probably be dead.

"Mac, you would have done the same for me. We did what we had to. The goal was to survive. We have to thank my partner here for showing up when he did."

Mac speaks up, "Yeah, Jim, you couldn't have had better timing."

"So, Mac, how are the hands?"

"They have me scheduled in the morning for surgery. I guess the sooner they get it done the better."

Jim taps lightly at Pete's leg under the covers. "Pete, what is the doctor saying to you?"

"I guess he hopes to get me up and moving around tomorrow. I would love to get some of these lines disconnected. I feel like a lab rat with all the pokes and prods."

Jim can tell Pete is still feeling rotten with his attention not on the attractive nurses working. "Pete, we have something to tell you."

"I hope it's good news."

Mac wants to be the one and says, "It may feel that way. Ned Campbell is dead. He hung himself while in a holding cell at the station."

Pete puts his free right hand over his eyes then strokes down his face to wipe away at the fatigue and frustration. "Well, that puts an end to things. Doesn't it?"

Days have passed. Mac's surgery came and went without incident. Pete and Mac have shared some more time together talking through the terrible ordeal. Mac made it out of the hospital four days before his friend. Pete is finally released and goes home with Jim for a few days. His left arm in a sling to protect his chest and abdomen incisions with healing, Pete moves slowly still. The bandages are gone from his healing brow and both wrists. Without the ability to use a mitt, he still tries his best to toss a ball with his godson in the backyard. Seeing Pete smiling for the first time in awhile, Jim looks on and says, "Life goes on, my friend. I'll be here whenever you need me."

Thanks to everyone who were nice enough to review the story. It has been fun writing. I may do a follow-up story about the emotional recovery for Mac and Pete, but it may be a bit.