Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center (23 page)

Browning looked uncomfortable.  "This monitor's stored in the room we were in.  Each floor has its own equipment room, and the equipment is checked and tested periodically which is standard hospital policy
and standard practice
."

"So, you're telling me anybody can get to this equipment, whether they're staff, patients, or visitors.  Is that what you're saying?"

Browning hesitated, "We don't keep equipment locked up unless it's dangerous equipment, like x-rays and other radioactive stuff.  An EKG machine isn't dangerous or hazardous medical equipment."  Barton thought for a moment and added, "
Yes, a
nybody could've gotten to it and filed the adaptor off."

"When was the last time the machine was used or inspected?"  Alex said.

"Several
week
s ago
.  No service was done
,
and it worked perfectly.  You'll have to ask
the nurses when it was used last.  I don't keep a record of that." 

"I'll check with the nurses.  Anything else you can tell us?"  Captain Francois
aske
d.

"I'll be glad to contact the sales rep and get all of the technical information for you.  We may have some
additional
product information in the office.  I'll check."

"
Thanks
Browning.
You can go.  Get that info ASAP
.  And keep your mouth shut about this, understand?" 

"No problem.  I'll get you the information."  Browning left hurriedly.

"What can you tell me about him?"  Francois said to Dr. Ashley and Alex.

"Not much.  He's been here a little longer than me.  He's a good employee, conscientious, seems to know his stuff
,
"  Alex said.
"I hardly know him, seems to be a good worker, and
h
e i
s
very cooperative.  We recruited him from Pennsylvania several years ago. 
I’ve n
ever heard anything negative
about him, ever
.
He is a medical design engineer.
You don't think Barton Browning had anything to do with this?"

"I cover all bases," the captain retorted. "Anyway, you'd better have your safety team examine all equipment
ASAP
.  You don't need any more accidents or deaths here.  I'll have the crime unit investigate the monitor and dust for prints, but I'm sure they won't find anything."

Alex turned to Francois.  "You mentioned you'd talk to us, that maybe you had some information."

"I said I'd talk over coffee.  I need a ca
ffeine fix and a jelly doughnut,
”
Jack said, grinning at Alex. “
I need it bad since I stopped smoking.  Let's get coffee somewhere private
where’s there’s no big ears
."

"Back
to the cafe.  I'll call Don and have him meet us.  He should hear whatever you have to say.  That okay with you?  They have good coffee there, and it's as private as it gets around here," Alex suggested.

"Yeah, let's get Montgomery, although I've about decided
both
he and Bette Farve are useless."  Francois rolled his eyes.

Alex
was surprised to he
a
r the captain vocalize this and smiled to herself while
Dr. Ashley looked embarrassed as the group headed towa
rd the elevator
lobby
. 
When the elevator came, Dr. Robert
Bonnet
flew out of the doors and raced down the hallway toward the cardiac unit.
He didn't speak, but instead hurried to see his burned patient.  Alex doubted that Robert
even saw them.   

"Wait for me
," Alex said as she
paused outside the elevator to
call Don Montgomery.
Alex pulled her cell phone from the pocket of her lab coat
.  The men watched her as she
dialed.  Francois had his finger on the 'Door Open' button.  She said "Hello, this is Alex..."  then she paused and listened.
  The
men
knew it was bad news by the look on her face.   She
walk
ed slowly to the elevator, clearly upset.

She said sadly, tears in her eyes.  "Diane Bradley just died.  The unit called administration
,
and they just paged us.  Robert was with her.  I'm going to see him for a few minutes
,
an
d then I'll be down.  Have a doughnut for me, C
aptain
.  I find sugar comforting at times like this.”

"
Yeah, me
too. If
I c
ould, I'd spike the coffee
."  Francois' eyes lit up
,
and he grinned impishly.  He was a handsome man when he was
n’t being an asshole
.

"Captain, I can handle you much better when you're rude and impossible." Alex smiled.

"Don't you worry, miss lawyer lady." the captain smirked.  "You got precious little management around here.  God forbid I corrupt what there is."  The captain's voice resumed some of its old brusqueness and sarcasm. 

“
Than
ks.  See you shortly, John
."  Alex flashed them a brave smile as Dr.
Ashley got on the elevator as
Jack headed for the stairway.

Robert was listening to Mrs. Henderson's heart when Alex entered her room.  The patient was awake and in considerable pain. 

"Dr. Bonnet, what happened?   Why do I have these bandages?" Mrs. Henderson's voice was weak. 

Robert touched her hand.  "Something happened to your EKG machine and your hands and feet were burned."  His voice was quiet and soft.

"Will they get well?"

"
Yes, but it will take time.
I'll give you some more pain medicine so you can rest.  Your heart's doing well, but rest is important.  Try to get some sleep."  He stood beside her
and continued
to talk softly, offering comfort.
Alex noticed his hand on her arm.
  She had always liked that about Robert when they were married.  He was very touchy feely,

Blanche Henderson looked up and noticed Alex.

"Don't I know you?" Mrs. Henderson said weakly.

"I'm Alex, and I'm a colleague of Dr
.
Bonnet's."

"Yes, of course."  Mrs. Henderson's eyes brightened with recognition.  "
I remember now.
We worked together last year on the Charity Benefit for the Children's Center.  I can't quite remember
who you are or why
you
are
here."

Alex replied softly.  "I remember working with you.  Rest so that you can get better.  We'll take good care of you." 

Ale
x
remembered the energy and enthusiasm Mrs. Henderson had expended on the benefit that raised several million dollars for the children's oncology center at CCMC.  Her own little boy had died from childhood leuke
mia several years ago, and ever
since then, Mrs. Henderson had worked tirelessly to raise money for research.  She'd also started support groups for families with similar situations. 

"Thanks for stopping by.  Come back and see me, Alex.  We'll plan our next Charity Ball."  Mrs. Henderson
smiled weakly and
closed her eyes.

"I will.  I promise."  Alex took Robert's hand and led him out of the room.

Alex walked in
to
the private dining room at the Cajun Cafe.  Don, Dr. Ashley, Elizabeth and Captain Francois
were sipping coffee and
sitting around the table
.  Francois asked Don to
get him a copy of Barton Brown
ing's personnel file, but Don objected
,
protesting an
"inquisition".  The meeting wasn't going well, but after an exchange of hostile words, Don agreed to supply the file.

"Captain Francois, you mentioned a report for us, based on your investiga
tions.  What
do
you know?"  Dr.
Ashley's voice was calm
,
but his body language suggested otherwise
.

The captai
n cleared his throat.  "I
t's safe to say there's a conspiracy against CCMC.  My theory, but I can't yet prove it, is there's a group of powerful
and evil
people who want to
injure and destroy
you, in fact,
put you out of business.  They
are working hard to do it.  They'
re hiring thugs and killers and cloaking it in threats and black magic to further alienate people, making them too scared to come here for medical care.  The Voodoos are simple instruments to do the
dirty work."

Don Montgomery's animosity toward Jack Francois was intense
, palpable
. 
“
Bingo, Francois
, no shit
.  Go to the head of the class.  Is this all you have for us?  You're
such
an idiot Francois, I knew this three days ago.  Why don't you get your son-of-a-bitching ass out there and find out
who’s
responsible?"  Don'
s face was distorted and ugly.
A brief silence followed Don's outburst and Captain Francois
,
while angry,
quietly responded.

"Listen, Montgomery.  I'm not going to resort to your level, but once and for all, I'm on your side.  I'm trying to find out who's behind this.  We'
re working closely
on this.  Now, my advice to you is to shut up and give me the information I need.  A little cooperation from you could go a long way
.
"  

The captain turned
and addressed the entire group
,
his eyes moving from
one to another of those seated
at the table.
"I need to know
ASAP
if the medical center has been approached by any corporation wanting a merger or take
-
over.
Who are your pissed off patients?  Who has an axe to grind at
CCM
C
?
I also want to know what kind of litigation there is against the medical center
,
and who the plaintiffs are.  I'm particularly interested in knowing who has it out for Dr. Bonnet." Francois was eyeing each person as he spoke.
“In fact, I want to know all of your dirty linen.”

Don sneered at the captain.
"There's no one trying to 'buy' CCMC.  We're not for sale.  We were approached several months ago by a Catholic hospita
l
chain, which
wanted to merge with us.  Our board voted
unanimously
to stay independent.
”
Don’s face was re
d
with anger
and his response was riddled with sarcasm.
"

 
After a moment, h
e continued,
“
We were, up until this week, in excellent financial shape, completely solvent and our board had no desire to change our direction.  I hardly think a
group of nuns are out to get us,
” he said sarcastically, as he glared
at Francois.
 
“
Of course, not knowing what Obamacare will do to us, or any hospitals for that matter,
we
have put away some
money in
discretionary funds.
  Try again, Francois, your theory stinks, just like your police work." 

Francois glared at the CEO.  "You know, your brain ain't no bigger than your nose.  You're a
stupid
dumb ass
and a dumb mother fucker
!
I can't believe you actually
think you
run this hospital
!
"

  Fearing the worst
and sensing this could easily get out of control
, Alex interrupted the captain. "Do you think there's a separate plot against Dr. Bonnet?" You seem particularly interested in
any actions against him."

Don jumped from his
seat and went to Alex’s chair and wagged
his finger in her face,
and
shout
ed
.
"Shut up, Alex.  I forbid you to talk to this idiot about
this medical center’s business
, Bonnet or anything else.  I want someone from the NOPD who's
competent and knows what they
are doing.  I'm calling the police commissioner right now.  The hell with
you, you son of a bitch
.  Get out of my hospital
,
NOW!
"  As Montgomery got up to leave, Francois spoke quietly.

"The C
ommissioner and the governor are tight, very t
ight. I doubt the Commissioner would
go out on a limb for you, especially since he knows the governor's planning to close this place.  I'm the best thing you've got going, so you better sit yourself down and listen."

Don didn't move.  Francois addressed Alex and Dr. Ashley.  "What's the scoop on Bonnet?"   Who wants him out of practice?"

Dr. Ashley immediately began, "Dr. Bonnet's an excellent surgeon
,
and his practice is impeccable.  I see no reason why someone would sabotage him."

Don glared at Dr. Ashley,
and then
turned his rage on him.  "You damn doctors are st
uck so far up each other's asses
, it's sickening.  The way you cover for each other is criminal
!
"

Hoping to diffuse the situation with a little light humor,
Alex intervened again
.
"Captain Francois, g
uess you can tell that administration and medicine don't necessarily agree all the time. Recent pressure's been too much.  I can speak to Dr. Bonnet's practice and the current legal situations."

Don interrupted rudely.  "Who're you to talk about Bonnet's practice?"  He glowered at
her.  "You're his ex-wife,
you are the scorned, pi
ssed off,
discarded ex-wife
bitch
who still wants to get in his pants.  Bonnet could kill your mother on the table and you wouldn't say a word against him.  That's the reason we're in this situation to begin with.  I told you to control Bonnet, and you ignored my directives.  You're fired, Destephano.  I'm sick of you, your placating crap and your inability to per
form.  Get the hell out of here
and don't come back."  Don glared at her, his face suffused with anger.

Alex spoke, quietly, but firmly.  "You can't fire me
, Don
.  It's a board action and must come from the board of trustees.  At this point, I'm not leaving.  Get the picture?
”  Alex knew she was being rude
,
but it didn’t seem to matter.  She continued in the same vein, “
As a matter of fact, I'm going to assist Captain Francois with his investigation and give him
the info he needs on Dr. Bonnet,
"
she said. 

J
ust at the moment, Robert
Bonnet
entered the Cajun C
afe.
Don Montgomery stoo
d up, scowled at the group,
stalked aroun
d the table
and gave
threatening looks to all his colleagues who were seated.
Apparently, Robert's presence was more than he could handle.

Francois said quietly, "Montgomery, you're interfering in an official police inve
stigation.  Keep that in mind.
It wouldn't take two seconds for me to arrest you.  I'd do it now but it would hurt the hospital even more." 
Captain Francois’ voice was quiet
,
but his meaning was clear.

Don shot a hateful look at the Captain and left,
and slammed the door behind him so loudly it caused
the glass in the windows to rattle
.

Robert sat down
,
looked
around and gave everyone a lop-sided grin.
"What's going on, Don's not looking too happy."  Robert's voice was light as he attempted to smooth the situation.

Alex looked sheepish
but smiled
. "To suggest Don's having a bad day would be an understatement.  Captain Francois wants to know about any potential legal situations that concern both you and CCMC
,
and I was getting ready to tell him about our conversation earlier th
is week. 
Do you have a
ny problems with that
?"  Alex
gave Robert a hard look.

"No, no, of course not
.
I trust you on this.  It's pretty clear that someone's trying to destroy my practice
and my reputation
.  I think there's a conspiracy against me
,” Robert
said
glanc
ing
around at the others
. 
“
Tell him everything you need to."  Robert looked resigned.

Captain Francois
nodded and
said, "Shoot, you got my attention."

Alex
began
,
her voice formal.  "Presently Dr. Bonnet has three complaints against him, filed in less than six months.  One has resulted in a malpractice action.   He operated on a
pati
ent with cancer who developed
post
-operative septicemia and
died.  The patient's family is
suing
Dr.
Bonnet
claiming wrongful death, suggesting that the surgery was inappropriate an
d caused his death.  John
Marigny's firm is handling that claim.  Another complaint concerned  what the patient perceives to be an unfavorable outcome of plastic surgery."  Alex paused while Francois rolled his eyes.  She continued, "The third complaint is internal.  Several staff
members
have complained that Dr. Bonnet is 'erratic, unpredictable, and unsafe' in the operating room."