Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center (28 page)

At 1:20
p.m.
Robert and Alex arrived at Saint Ann's Parish Church for Ron Davis' funeral.  The church was jammed with hordes of people.  Alex recognized ten
or so
staff members from CCMC as well as several board members.  She suspected much of t
he crowd were curious onlookers, most likely thrill-seekers.
  Alex also spotted Francois and
recognized several of his staff who had worked the nursing units for the past few days. She continued to survey the crowd and felt certain there were other state police as well as DEA staff about.

Alex and Robert seated themselves in the same pew with Dr. Ashley, Elizabeth, and several other CCM
C physicians and administrators
. 
Elizabeth was stunning in a black suit which set
off
her dark hair and startling green eyes.  D
r. Ashley looked impeccable
in a dark suit
.  He smiled and acknowledged
both of them as they
were seated. 

Don Montgomery was conspicuously absent.  Out of the corner of her eye, Alex noticed Jonathan Mercier seated several rows behind them.  His eyes looked like cold grey steel and were focused directly on the back of Robert's head.  Alex shivered a little after noticing his gaze, but said nothing to Robert about his presence. 

Ron’s widow, Sarah
,
was very sad but seemed to be doing well as she foll
owed the casket down the aisle
in
the knave of the church.  She had each of her small children
by a hand. T
he little boy looked
solemn;
his dark eyes enormous while his
little sister, probably about three
,
brought smiles to the mourners
'
fa
ces as she waved to them while she walked down
the church aisle. 
The funeral mass proceeded without mishap.  Alex and Robert followed the mourners out of Saint Ann's Church into the bright sunshine.  They joined the CCMC group
who were talking quietly while they waited
to speak with Ron’s widow.
 

Sarah had just approached Robert when they
were accosted by reporters.  A female reporter approached Robert Bonnet and extended her microphone to him.

  "Dr. Bonnet, how do you feel about Dr. Davis' death?
  Do you feel responsible
?  Word has it that all the accidents at CCMC
are related to you and
involved your patients.  Was Dr. Davis an unplanned event?" 

Robert was speechless, stunned as were the others
from CCMC
.
No one spoke.

  Suddenly, out of nowhere, Jonathan Mercier appeared.  "I'm a member of the board of trustees at Crescent Center Medical Center." 

Immediately the reporters focused on him.

Mercier continued
.
"I can officially say
, on the record,
that I'm concerned with Dr. Bonnet's practice, and the
‘
accidents
’ or whatever they are,
that've occurred to his patients.  I plan to have his practice investigated imme
diately by the Louisiana State B
oard of Medicine
and would suggest that those affected pursue legal actions, if not malpractice, then civil suits against Dr. Bonnet.
"

Suddenly, Sarah's gentle voice interrupted Mercier.  The reporters turned quickly.  Mrs. Davis said quietly, "Dr. Bonnet's not responsible for Ron's
death.  As a matter of fact, Robert
was Ron's mentor, and taught him many things about medicine
.  It is because of Dr. Bonnet that we moved to Louisiana and CCMC.  Dr. Bonnet was my husband
’s
valued and dear friend.
My husband's death was a tragic accident and nothing more.  Now, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like
all of you to leave so we can continue
on with the burial.  Thank you."  Sarah turned to Robert and hugged him.  She said, "Ron loved and valued you as his friend and colleague." Robert returned her hug, and Alex watched as Francois approached the press group.

Francois was livid, his face bright red
,
and he was gesturing wildly.
Alex could
swear she saw smoke
billowing from his ears.
"
You heard the lady, get out of her.  For G
od's sake
, this is a funeral.  Get outta here or I’ll arrest you for unlawful assembly.
"

Alex
watched as the press scattered and Jack murmured, “
What
a bunch of nosy bastards.”
 

She smiled brightly at Francois.  "Thanks.  Where'd Mercier go?"

"To hell, I hope."  Francois blurted and abruptly left.

Robert was quiet and withdrawn on the way to Diane Bradley's funeral.
His face was somber.
As they crossed Tulane Av
enue, on the way to St. Bart
's Church, Alex said quietly, "Don't let Mercier bother you.  He doesn't have any authority, and he's only speaking as an individual.  As soon as it's known he's
carrying a torch of destruction and out to get you,
all of his complaints will be dismissed."

Robert's voice was forlorn.  "
I’m n
ot so sure.  These things are always damaging.  Even if the Board of Medicine finds no fault with my practice, I'll be suspect.
I’ll lose face with my patients
and colleagues.
Anyway, I don't want to talk about it now."
  He dismissed her reply with a wave of his hand.  Alex touched his hand as a gesture of comfort.

***

St. Bartholomew's Church was also filled to capacity.  Many CCMC nurses
were
present.  Dia
ne's husband
,
parents,
and young ‘tween daughter were
consumed with grief
and
were escorted down the aisle for the funeral mass. 

The priest
had been Diane’s priest all of her life
, had heard
her first confession
,
and had
officiated at her marriage.  He
knew her very well.  He
was more pers
onal than Father Henry had been
and told several amusing anecdotes about Diane, her childhood, and her family.  The service
, while personal
,
seemed sadder to Alex
,
and she felt an enormous lump in her throat the entire time. At times she wa
sn’t sure she could even breath, t
he service was so emotional, so tearful. It all seemed so unfair, so useless, and for what?  That was the question that plagued her and seemed to eat away at her insides.
 

After Diane's interment, Alex and Robert stopped for coffee at a small coffee house near Alex's house.  She listened patiently while Robert reviewed the recent events at CCMC.  Eventually, Robert looked sadly at Alex and said, "Maybe that reporter was right, who knows?  Maybe I
a
m
responsible and maybe I
should give up medicine."

"That's ridiculous, Robert.  We know you're involved because you're being singled out.  Remember, though, the emergency department incidents, when Ron and Diane died, were specifically directed at CCMC.  Ron and Diane were not your patients."

Robert’s face was grave, his eyes tearful as he responded,
"No, they were my friends.  Which is worse?"

"I don't know," Alex responded dismally.  "Want to come over for a while?"

"No, I need to go see Sarah Davis and her children.  You know I'm her son's godfather?"

"No."  Alex's voice was quiet. "Would you like me to go with you?"

Robert’s practiced medical eye searched her face.
"You look a bit pale.
You
’re
having a lot of pain?
  You are moving as though you are.
"

Alex replied bravely.  "Not that much."

"I'll drop you at home and call you later."

Al
ex checked her voice mail
as soon as she got home. 
There was o
nly one message from her grandfather
,
but there was nothing from Mitch.
  She checked her face in the mirror and groaned and then changed into her bathrobe as best she could
. T
hen
, one armed,
she
went into the kitchen where s
he made herself soup and a sandwich
.  The phone rang as she was sitting down to eat, so she went to answer it.
  It was Francois.

"How're you feeling?  You weren't looking too good at the funeral."

"Okay, Jack.  More emotionally drained than anything.
 
The funerals were just so
sad
, sad
beyond all belief.
"
She paused, then
said, her voice hesitant
,
"I still haven't heard from Mitch."

"Can't find him either.  He's not at home and I've had my men outside his place all day long.  Any ideas
where he could be
?"

"Did you check his
work
sites at Lafayette and little Arcadia?  Sometimes he spends the night up there."

"Nah, I'll have the locals check it out.  Is it unusual for you not to hear from him?"

"We talk every day.  I'd expect to hear from him now, since the Extravaganza is tomorrow night.  If he calls, I'll find out where he is.  I'm worried about him."

"Yeah.  I'd like to talk to him.  I've assigned a
unit to sit outside your house.
  Don't want your buddy to come back for you tonight."

"What?  You think he would?"
  Alex’s heart began to beat quickly.  She hadn’t thought of another visit from the ponytailed stranger.

“Don’t know, not taking any chances, though.”

Alex
ha
d
never thought she could be in danger.
The thought of the man coming back just creeped her out and scared her to death.  She was sure he would kill her this time. She could hardly breathe or speak from the fear.

“Alex, are you still there”

“Jack, what do you think the chances are he would come
back?
”

"I don't know.  He might be involved with Mitch.  The fact he went after you last night, assuming it's the same man, makes me think he's after you now.  If we can't find Mitch, he probably can't either, and maybe he thinks he can get from you whatever he wanted from Mitch. 
Am I making sense?"

Alex was silent for several moments, thinking.  "Unfortunately, yes. Think the ponytail man was using Mitch to get information about CCMC?"

"
Maybe, p
ossibly.  I think the ponytail's involved with what's happening at CCMC and we know Mercier's after Robert.
The dumbass made that pretty clear today.  What an asshole.
Been trying to connect the two, but I can't.  I don't know who the ponytail is, at least not yet
… what I do know if that he is a strong son of a bitch.
"

"What about the short fat man with the cigar?  Know how he fits in?" 

"Got an idea it's
Frederico
Petrelli, a gang boss from Chicago.  Runs the gambli
ng operation here.  I'm not positive
though.
It’s just my theory.
"

"You sound pretty certain.  This is getting more complex."
Alex’s felt her senses were dulled and doubted her brain was
as quick as usual
. 
 

Francois hesitated for a moment and then responded.  "Well, I got some
other
theories.  Need to find Mitch though to test 'em out, that is, if Mitch's to be found."

"Do you think Mitch's okay?"  Her chest felt heavy with fear.

"I think he's running.  If he's smart, he's running.  You sit tight and stay safe.  My man's outside." 

"I
promise.  I'll talk to you later.  Keep in touch
.  Let me know if you hear from Mitch."

“OK.  Ciao.”

Alex
ate her supper
while she thought
about
her conversation with
Francois.  She began t
o worry incessantly about Mitch and wondered
for the first time if he was dead.  It seemed strange no one could find him.  She kept trying to figure out the relationship between Mitch, Ponytail, the fat man, and Robert
until she thought she would scream
,
but nothing came
.  Alex knew there was
a connection,
but
she
needed the missing pieces.  She cleaned up the kitchen and looked
at the clock.  It was 8:00
p.m.
in New Orleans, 7:00 in Virginia.
  She decided to phone her grandparents.  Her grandmother answered.

Alex almost cried when she heard her grandmother's voice.  It seemed so long since she had talked to her, although she routinely called her once a week. 

"Grand it's so good to hear your voice.  Seems like forever since I talked to you.  How're you feeling?"
Alex’s
voice was choked up.

"I'm fine, Alex. 
But you certainly aren’t.
You sound down.
”

Alex couldn’t reply as she blinked
back her tears.  She knew her grandmother would be upset if she knew how badly Alex felt.

“
We've been keeping up with the New Orleans news.  Sounds like the medical center's having a bad run of it. 
Have the p
olice tracked down who's responsible?"

"No.  They've some theories, but to tell you the truth, everything here's pretty chaotic.  This voodoo business is unbelievable.  Can you imagine using some religion to cloak a bunch of crimes?"

"Pretty smart, if you ask me.  Of course, it'd only work in New Orleans.  Somebody really wants to ruin CCMC."  Just hearing Kathryn Lee's sympathetic voice brought tears to Alex's eyes.

"It's been terrible.  Today Robert and I attended the funerals of two of the people shot in the emergency room. I've wanted to cry so hard all day."

Kathryn Lee listened quiet
ly and allowed
her granddaughter
to
vent
her emotions
, then she said gently, "I'm sure you did.  Maybe you should.  Why not come home for a few days?"

"I'm going to, soon.
As soon as
things settle down here.  I'm coming for at least a week.  How are the horses?"

"Beautiful, great, healthy
.  Did you say you went to the funeral with Robert?"  Grand was a sharp as ever.

"Yeah, he's had a rough time.  You know Grace Raccine's his patient?"  Alex began.

"How's Grace?" 

"About the same.  She's still not responding, but what happened was so traumatic, it may take her a few weeks to come out"

"How's her cancer?"

"Don't know for sure, but they can't start any chemo or radiation until she's al
ert.  It'd be too hard to monitor her
."

"I'm sure the G
overnor's beside himself."

"He is, but seems to be handling it well.  You know he moved her from CCMC to East Jefferson, don't you?"

Kathryn replied, "News covered that pretty well.  Did it cause any hard feelings between him and Robert?"

"No, Robert was completely understanding.  Things at CCMC are pretty bad, Grand.  It
seems like a conspiracy against us and
the physicians
are j
umping ship as fast as they can and taking their patients
with them.  Meanwhile, other
patie
nts are afraid to come for care because of the Voodoo.  Can you belie
ve we are cursed or hexed or
whatever it
is?
”
 

Grand was pensive as she thought
for a moment and said, “
Yes
, I believe it because it is happening.  I guess we should never discount people’s culture and heritage, you know?”

“Yeah, I know.
I guess I can't blame them.  Finances are plummeting and Don Montgomery's afraid we'll go out of business."

"That's exactly what whoever's behind this want to happen.  Clear as a bell to me.  What about this woman who was burned by her EKG machine.  How'd that happen?"

Alex was stunned.  "Was that on the news?"

"CNN at six this evening, along with the clip of their reporter hassling Robert at the funeral.  You think Robert's involved with these accidents?"  Her voice was fraught with concern.
Grand had always had a special place for Robert and had been very sad when he and Alex had divorced.  She had often said they were the perfect couple, a match made in heaven.

"I don't, yet there are
too many coincidences for me to remain comfortable.  Both of the patients are Robert's.  Plus, Ron Davis and Diane
Bradley were good friends.
Robert's the
godfather of
Ron Davis’
seven
year old son.
  He feels responsible for the children now and he's
down,
depressed
and sad
about everything."

Kathryn Lee didn't speak for a few moments,
and then
said, "
Knowing Robert, he will take his godfather responsibilities very seriously.
Do you thi
nk there's a plot against
him?
  Is someone using him to put CCMC out of business?"

"I don't understand it all, but I do think there's a plot or at least a connection. 
But who wou
ld use Voodoo to sabotage a huge medical center?
”

“I would say someone who is pretty smart and had planned well.  Probably have some inside help somewhere,” Grand responded.

“
Yep, you are probably right. 
Just hope it's solved quickly.  Do you remember the man whose pregnant wife di
ed in Virginia a few years
ago?
She was Robert's patient, and her car skidded and wrecked on Afton Mountain?"

"I vaguely remember it.  She died during surgery, didn't she?
  I remember that Robert was devastated.
"

"Yes.  Her husband, Jonathan Mercier, is the man you saw on the news tonight making
threats against Robert.  Still blames Robert for her death.  He could be out to ruin him."

"So you think Mercier is part of this conspiracy against Robert and CCMC?"

"I can't prove it, but I think so.  The police don't have enough information to question him yet."

"Why's Mercier in Louisiana, for heaven's sakes?"

"I don’t really know.  He is wealthy, a venture capitalist o
r
something
.  He was doing business in Virginia when his wife was killed.  To top it all off, he's on the CCMC board of trustees."  Alex's voice broke in exasperation.

"The plot thickens, as they say.  You okay, Alex?  You're safe, aren't you?"  Alex could hear suspicion in her grandmother's voice.

"I'm fine, just in emotional overdrive after this week, and today.  But, I'll be fine.  How's my mother doing?"  Alex could barely talk over the lump in her throat.

"She's the same.  No change.  Sure you're not keeping something from me?"  Her grandmother's instinct seemed to be working overtime.

"I'm really okay.  Is
Granddad
there?  He left me a message."

"I'm right here, darling.  Been listening in so I have a few
er
questions for you.  Hang up, Kathryn, so I can hear
Alex
better."

"You old goat
, Alex teased
.
"
 
"
How dare
you listen to my
conversations?
”
 

As Kathryn Lee hung up the phone, she said, "
Take care, Alex, a
nd come home soon.  We
miss you.  Besides, now I'm worried about you." 

"
I’ll be fine. 
I love you, too, Grand.  Take care of yourself.  See you soon."

After Kathryn Lee hung up, her grandfather exploded.  "Alexandra, what in hell's going on there?  Something sounds rotten.
This
shit is getting worse and worse,
"
her grandfather demanded, his voice gruff and demanding.