Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center (15 page)

Dr. Ashley
’s patience
was
wearing
thin
,
and he
wa
s furious with Captain Francois
.
“
Captain, what I'm trying to say is that this situation, as horrible as it is, seems more open-and-shut than the case involving Mrs. Raccine.  Don't you think it'll be easier to solve?"

"I don't know.  Hard to say.  Tracking down these slime balls is rough.  We may get lucky though.  We'll do our best.
”
  He turned to face the others
and demanded
, 
“How come
nobody saw the third
gunman?
  I think he was there, acting as look-out.  Think the staff is holding back some?"

"I doubt it."  Alex spoke firmly.  "Everyone here at CCMC wants this craziness to end."  As soon as she said this, Alex realized how stupid it sounded. 

Francois star
e
d at her, dumbfounded, “What planet are you on, Missy.  That’s the stupidest thing I have ever heard.”

Don returned and interrupted Alex.  "If we step up security, this shouldn't affect our patient admissions or staffing, as long as people know CCMC is a safe place to come for medical care.  I think we sh
ould make the very best of this
.  Elizabeth, we should portray Diane, Sheila, and Ron as medical heroes.  Start working on it.  Anybody owe you any favors at
The Times Picayune
?  Capitalize on what's happened here and use it to our benefit." 

Elizabeth was shocked.  After a few seconds she said, "
No.  I won’t.
It's a bit early to begin this type of media blitz.  Let's wait and see what else turns up.  For god's sake Don, this entire approach makes me sick.  I won't do it.  I suggest we simply use the media to reinforce that good and safe medical care is available at CCMC.  Nothing else." 

"You
will
do it," Don said
stood
up and plac
ed his face directly in hers, and gritted
his teeth
.  "You'll do it tomorrow.  We need to get away from this voodoo shit.  Understand?"

Dr. Desmonde noticed that Captain Francois was twitching in his seat.  She looked at him and said, "Jack, is there anything else you want to say?"

Francoise stared at Don.  "You know, you make me sick
.  You're an asshole.  You are supposed to run this place
.  I can't believe
you'd exploit the lives of staff
and colleagues to
meet your bottom line. 
You're despicable
and disgusting
, Montgomery."  The captain's voice was quiet.
  No one disagreed with him.

There was a long silence.  Don Montgomery and Captain Francois glared at each other. 

Finally, Alex spoke.  "Captain Francois, please understand our position.  We're grieved and horrified by what's happened here in the last two days.  I think John and Don were trying to say that the hospital
is grateful that what happened today isn’t
related to voodoo
activity or a curse against this medical center
. "

Francois abruptly interrupted her. 
"Well, M
iss
Lawyer
lady, I hate to pop your bubble, but these shootings are voodoo.  See this?"  Jack Francois withdrew two evidence bags from his briefcase and tossed them on the conference table.  Inside the first bag was a strange doll made of sticks, scraps of fabric, and pins.  The second bag contained black powder.

No one spoke and an overwhelming s
ense of fear and dread
permeated
the room.
  Dr. Ashley covered his face with his hands.

The captain continued.  "This doll's a gris, representative of something, or someone here at CCMC.  The gris was on the dead man.  The second bag of black powder is a greater concern
, a huge
concern actually
.  The powder is a combination of gun powder, ashes, and
cayenne pepper.  The voodoos call it war powder.  They use it to declare
war on people or places
or families
.  It’s
clear to me that a Voodooist has declared war on Crescent City Medical Center.  I'll keep you posted."  He looked
at
the
stunned
group
,
his face in a smirk.  "
So
… still
feeling comfortable with this crime?"  Then he turned and
abruptly
left
, slamming the door behind him
.

Don Montgomery
also
left the room abruptly and was followed by several physicians and nurses.  Only Alex, Elizabeth, John, and Monique remained.

Alex spoke first, "I hardly believe this.  It seems as if someone is working hard to hurt us.  Why?  John, is there anything coming out of the physician group that could account for this?"

"I
doubt it.  I know some of them are admitting patients elsewhere and have expressed concern, but none of them could be responsible
." 

"Monique, you think it could be the work of
an
angry patient? 
Maybe somebody pissed at us for some obscure reason? 
I'm looking for anything that could help us understand."

"Don't know, Alex.  It's possible.  Many
mentally ill patients are very bright and manipulative
and carry grudges as well
.  Of course, so are other patients
.
I'll talk to the other psychiatrists and
our
patient relations
people tomorrow, but
I
don't recall anything from our team meetings that would suggest this.
I try to stay in the loop with these kinds of things.
"  

Elizabeth asked
, "Do you think that the journalist knew voodoo was involved
with the ED shootout
?  How could he?  We just found out. Whole thing's
crazy, ludicrous
, screwed up
. 
The p
ublic seems to know more than we do
and I don’t see how that could happen
."

Alex replied, "
I know, and that bothers me. 
It looks suspicious but it's a logical assumption to make based on what happened to Mrs. Raccine.  It doesn't mean he knew anything."

Elizabeth pondered Alex's response.  "Well, I do agree it's logical, but that seems too pat
, too convenient
.  I've
got really
bad vibes about this.
It’s almost like someone here, on the inside, is giving them information.  Who would do that?
"

"We all have bad vibes but I don’t know of anyone in my area that would be a spy or mole.  It is something to consider though
," Dr. Desmonde responded as she stood to leave.   "It's late.  I'm making final rounds and heading home.  See you all tomorrow."

"I'm leaving, too.  I'll be in early to see patients.  That is if we have any left tomorrow
,
"  Dr. Ashley
said morosely as he
stood to leave.  He nodded
to Elizabeth and Alex.

Elizabeth turned to Alex. "
Do you think someone inside the hospital could be feeding information to the media?
”

Alex shrugged and answered
,
  “You know, it’s certainly possible but I don’t know how to start to search them out.  It makes me sick to think this.”

Elizabeth nodded in agreement and said, “I
meet with the press again at eight in
the morning.  Can you go
?  That way we can field questions and l
ook for
“
suspicious journalists
” and also see who is attending from the medical center
. Maybe I’m paranoid but….all of this is just too well packaged for me.”
  Elizabeth looked sheepish.

Alex was thoughtful.  "Good idea.  I'll see you at seven- thirty and we'll talk about it.  Let me call the operating room before we leave."

Alex's face was grim when she returned from making the call. Elizabeth had already compiled a list of potential questions from the press.  She handed a photocopy to Alex.  "Take this with you for reading material tonight.  Mull it over in your dreams.  Feel free to add or delete.  What about Diane?" 

Alex shook her head and said, "
It’s really bad.
They're still operating.  T
he charge nurse said it's a
nightmare up there.  Diane's vital signs are erratic, and they've had to stop
surgery twice to stabilize her.  She’s just so fragile and unstable.
  Dr. Bonnet's dead on his feet
but refuses to stop. 
It’ll probably take a couple more hours.
" 

"Think she'll make it, Al?"

"I don't know.  She's been in surgery for hours.  I know Robert's doing his best.  If she makes it through the surgery, a lot will depend on the next few days. 
Its
touch and go, I'd say.
I’m hopeful but not
optimistic,” Alex
said
sh
aking
her head.

"It's so unfair.  None of this should have happened.  I don't understand.  I think I'm going to cry."  Elizabeth reached for a tissue.

"Let's go, Liz. 
We can’t cry yet.
We've got a lot more to go through before this is over.  It's pretty clear that most of the decision-making is up to us.  Want to share a cab ride with me and Martin?"

"Sure, sounds good, but let’s get through this final press conference first.”
 

At five o'clock the next morning
,
Alex was abruptly aw
akened by someone pounding
on her door.  Grabbing her robe, she opened her door to a
disheveled and
tired-looking Robert. 

She concealed her surprise at his presence and said, "Robert, how are you
?
H
ow's Diane?"  Alex was genuinely glad to see him even though he was grey with fatigue and worry.

"She made it through the surgery, but it was rough.  We about lost her three times.  Still very unstable.  To tell you the truth, I don
't think she's going to make it.  If she does, it’
ll be a miracle," Robert sighed.
  “Her injuries were just to
o
comprehensive, too vast
and widespread
.”

Alex put her hand on his shoulder
,
and then gave his a hug to comfort him. It just seemed like the natural thing to do.

He took a long breath and continued, "
She's in the ICU
- unconscious
and on a vent
.  I can't begin to imagine her pain.  She was really shot up
, full of bullet injuries
. 
Her internal injuries and bleeding were massive.
I did a liver resection.  She also has a compound fracture of her right arm
,
and I suspect she'll have permanent nerve damage if she recovers."

Alex was searching for the best words.  "Well, you never know. 
Diane is
young and strong,
and she is motivated,
so
maybe she'll make it
.  We both know many people we write off live and do great.  How's Mrs. Raccine?"  Alex t
ouched Robert's cheek, to offer
comfort.

"The same.
No different.
Don't know about her, either.
She should be alert by now.
"  He paused and continued on a brighter note.  "Think I'll apply for a job as
golf
pro at the Club.  Couldn't be more stressful than
the medical center
these last few days."

Alex
smiled and
nodded.
“A golf pro, huh.  I think you may be better suited as a chef!” 
Hard to believe it's only been three days since this started.
  It seems like an eternity.
  Come
in
to the kitchen, I'll make some coffee.  Grab the paper on your way in," Alex added,
as she
nodd
ed towards the newspaper in her courtyard
.

Robert and Alex drank decaf in
Alex's kitchen while she told Robert about
Captain Francois' findings.  Robert hadn't heard any of it
,
and his face showed his dismay.  When Alex told him the suspicion of voodoo, Robert shook his head.

"There's more here than meets the eye.  Has to be.  There's got to be some sort of plot against us.  I'll have to admit, Alex, this voodoo stuff can be very nasty." 

“No doubt about this.  It is nasty.”
Alex
said as she
watched
the emotions cross Robert's face.  Finally, a look of realization appeared, followed by a dread.  Robert stood to leave.  "Got to go.  Just remembered something important."

"What's wrong?  You look as if you know something.  Does something make sense to you?"

"No, nothing, at least nothing I can prove.  I'll let you know."  Robert checked his watch.  "I have a 7:00 a.m. case."  Robert stood, looking at Alex.

Alex's voice implored him.  "If you know something, tell
me. 
  Two heads'll be better than one." 

Robert shook his head. 
"It's probably nothing,
no sense adding fuel to the fire.  It’s
just a few loose ends I need to follow-up.  I'll talk with you tonight after I've checked some things out."

"Is this related at all to the things we discussed last night?" 

"Maybe,
well…
no not really.  I really must go." 

Alex walked over to Robert's side of the table and noticed the morning edition of
The Times Picayune
that had fallen off his lap as he had stood to go.  Her eyes were riveted to the headline.  For the first time in the four years Alex had lived in New Orleans, the newspaper headline was four lines deep:
"
Voodoo War on CCMC, Shoot-Out K
ills Three, First Lady Unconscious, CEO Claims Conspiracy:"

The text under the headlines contained graphic, detailed descriptions of the events of the previous
day, so detailed Alex and Robert couldn’t believe
the accuracy.  Alex was beginning to agree with Liz that something was rotten and
wondered how journalists were able to acquire such factual information. 
She decided to hold
Don accountable.  He was the only administrator unstable enough to have leaked information. 
At some point, Don must've told the reporter someone was conspiring against the hospital.
Besides, she liked blaming Don.

"This is really strange.  Elizabeth didn't tell any of this at the press conference yesterday.  She didn't know it.  We didn't know most of it until after nine last night.  How do these people get their information?" 

Robert replied wryly, "The article reeks with
d
isclaimers
of ‘an
unofficial source' or 'an eyewitness report'.  Seems they have a pretty good investigative reporter
with an inside track to somebody
.  Don must've talked with them at some point.  Think he told them?"

"He’s my choice
,
but
I wouldn't think so.  Of co
urse, Don's not predictable these
days.  Regardless, it's going to
give
Don and John a heart attack, so don't venture t
oo far from CCMC.  What's today’s date anyway?
 
This w
eek's been a year
long!
"  

"It's February 22, 2012
. 
Things
are going to pick up
and get better. They have
to.
Keep your chin up.
I need you to keep me running.  Besides, the way I hear it, you're practically running the hospital." 

Alex smiled and said, "Thanks,
that's not entirely accurate but it does feel like that.
  We're all trying to pull together."

"From what I've seen of Montgomery, he's been virtually useless.
”

“No argument from me there.”

“
I've gotta go.  Talk with you tonight." 

Alex had another cup of coffee after Robert left and re-read the news
accounts.  She was pretty sure there
was a leak in the upper ranks of the hospital.   Alex shrugged her shoulders, cleaned up the kitchen, and headed for the shower.

Her phone was ringing as she emerged f
rom the shower.  It
was Don’s
secretary, telling her to hurry in for a seven-thirty meeting.  Latetia assured her no more trouble had occurred.  After she hung u
p the phone
,
Alex called for a cab.  By the time she'd finished dressing, Martin was waiting for her at the curb
. H
is straight dark hair
was
held in place by some sort of oily substance
.
Although Martin referred to him
self
as a Cajun coonass, Alex had often wondered if he had a bit of
Native
American Indian in him a
s well.  His oddly colored eyes were
often noted among New Orleans Cajuns.

There was concern all over Martin’s
darkly complexioned
face as he held the door open for Alex.
"Looking good, Alex.  I'd suspected you'd be worn right down to a crocodile skeleton by now. 
Th
ese
days
been bad for you?" 

Alex laughed as his description.  "You're so refreshing.  You're the only person in three days who hasn't wanted something, so it means a lot.
  Yes, it’s been hard lately.
"

"I guess
it’s
pretty bad there at the hospital.  My first load, they told me that they was leaving town two days early 'cause of the voodoo.  They're from Texas and said they was scared.  They visited that voodoo museum down in the Quarter and got their pants scared off.  Museum folk told 'em
the worst was yet
to come.  I took them to the airport first thing this morning."  Said they
couldn’t
wait to get
outta here."

"The museum told them more was coming?   What else did they say?"

"That's about it.  They just ranted and raved that this city wasn't Christian
, was a heathen’ hell hole
. 
Said they
couldn’t
spend money in such a heathen place.  Sorry I didn't ask them any questions.  They gave me double my money just to get 'em out quick.
They ain’t the only ones
. A
irport was jammed, lotsa people leavin’ and we are booked for the day with airport trips
" 

"That's okay.  Where's the voodoo museum?  
Do you think
they really
know anything?"

"Doubt it.  Mostly sells souvenirs, power,
Gris
and things like that.  I guess they're more in it for the money-making than real voodoo people.  I take lot of folks ther
e, tourists.
  Most like it, though it's sort of spooky.  Want to go sometime?"

"Where is it, the museum?"

"
There’s several in the city but the most common one is d
own in the Quarter on Rue Domaine.  It ain't too far."

"Think they'd know anything about what's going on at CCMC?
”

"Don't know, though you never can tell.
I'll take you if you want, but I’m not too sure it’ll be good for you.  Nasty stuff to mix with.
"

"Not now.  I've got a big meeting.  Lots going on."

"We be pulling in the hospital five minutes.  Sit tight."  Martin accelerated and the big white cab pulled recklessly in and out of traffic.

Alex gave Martin a big tip.  She continued to think about the voodoo museum as she walked to her office.

She had just enough time to lay down her purse and listen to her voice mail before making her way to administration.  The most important calls were from Mitch, who'd left four messages.  He'd apparently been calling
since late yesterday afternoon
and left his last message several minutes before.  Alex wondered why he hadn't phoned her at home last night, but made a mental note to call him
the
first chance she got.

When Alex entere
d the board r
oom
,
she was startled to see Governor Raccine and Andre Renou sitting at the conference table.  Don, Robert, John, and Elizabeth were also there.  Her stomach knotted as she anticipated the worse.  Robert had obviously postponed his surgery.  She was afraid something terrible had happened to Grace Raccine and immediately looked
toward Robert who appeared as uncertain as she and the others.
Don was busy sucking up to the governor but Raccine could look less interested.  He appeared worn-down, but intense.

Don opened the meeting by saying,
"Governor Raccine has asked that we meet this morning to discuss what's happened in the past few days. 
I believe you know everyone here. 
Governor Raccine, the floor's yours."

Alex was amazed at how charm
ing Don could be. 
He was a regular Jekyll and Hyde. 
She knew he could be a silver-tongued devil and was
awed by his ability to turn on his charm.  She was also pleased that he was behaving.  Well, she thought to herself, if he doesn't behave himself in front of the Governor, I guess he won't behave himself in front of anyone.  Don's not a complete idiot.  He knows we need state money to stay in business.

Governor Raccine
, admittedly Creole,
was a
curly headed
,
white haired, seasoned politician who had the square-faced good looks of many elected officials.  Her grandfather had mentioned to her several times that beneath that polish and veneer was the strength, steel, and tenacity of a cobra ready to strike for what he wanted.

Alex smiled at the g
overnor
as he began to speak
quietly, "I'm here for several reasons.  First of all, I want to thank you for the care you've
given
Grace.  The
expertise of the nurses and Dr. Bonnet has
been much appreciated
,
but that has been marred by t
he situation several nights
ago
.  It
was unpredictable and tragic, but I'm sure that my wife will recover in good time with the continued support of Dr. Bonnet and our family."