Before There Was You, There Was You

Chapter 42

“All deception in the course of life is indeed nothing else but the lie reduced to practice, and falsehood passing from words into things.”

~ Robert South

***


 

“This is absolutely ridiculous! I brought her in for Christ sakes!” Rena’s voice echoed through the hallway. Her loud tone alerted Brian to the situation, which he assumed, was not good.

Brian quickened his steps, leaving Justin behind. He spotted her once he turned the corner of Mercy hospital’s corridor. She was standing in front of a police officer with her hands on her hips looking very much like the warrior princess. John was behind Rena, his hands rested on her shoulders.

The scowl on his face deepened when he heard the officer’s reply. “I’m sorry, Ms. Cardie, but until we find out exactly what happened, we can’t allow anyone to see her.”

Brian approached them. “What’s the problem?” He directed the question to the officer.

Rena turned around to face Brian and threw her hands up in the air. “I’m her fucking doctor and they won’t let me see her!” Rena screeched at Brian.

Justin caught up to Brian at that point. Rena’s words rung heavy in the air. Brian stiffened. He turned his attention back to the officer.

“How can you prevent a doctor from seeing their patient?” He said in a very calm voice, which alarmed Justin.

The officer gave Brian a curious look. “And you are?”

“I’m family, that’s who I am. And I’d like to know why you are preventing my sister from seeing her patient?” Brian answered.

“Brian, please, it’s very complicated,” John tried to explain.

“Complicated, my ass! They think Shane was attacked, and I’m a fucking suspect!” Rena blurted out.

Justin gasped.

Brian cursed.

John groaned.

“What is your name, sir, and may I ask where you were this evening?” the police officer questioned Brian.

Brian ignored him and turned to Rena.

“What happened?” he asked in a demanding tone.

Rena gave him a look that said, ‘not here’. He grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the police officer.

“I ask that you not leave the premises,” the policeman called out after them.

Brian shot him back a look. “We’re not going anywhere until we see Shane.”

Once he had Rena out of the policeman’s earshot he whipped her around. “What the fuck happened!” he hissed.

“What the fuck do you think happened? You should have never let her get that drunk! Jesus fucking Christ, Brian, not everyone has the tolerance you do! Drinking does NOT dull her pain, cutting does! Add booze to her method and you have one fucking dangerous situation on your hands! She passed out when you dropped her off, or so I thought. An hour later I heard her scream. She must have gotten up, still very drunk and headed straight for the medicine cabinet. Her coordination was off and she cut a major vein. I found her on the floor; she must have fallen and hit her head because there was blood oozing out of her head, and from her inner arm. I had to bring her in, she needs stitches, and maybe surgery, depending how deep she cut, plus she may have a concussion! But I can’t fucking find out because they think she may have been attacked, and guess who is the number one suspect!” Rena’s words ran together in one big long rant.

Brian knew she was very scared, and worried. He took a calming breath. “Ok, don’t freak out. First, was she conscious when you brought her in?”

“Yes, barely.”

“Do you know if she told them anything?”

“No, all I get is that the doctor is with her, and they have questions about her injuries. We won’t tell them anything other than it was an accident. I have no fucking clue what she told them. You have to understand, Shane can’t say much. She knows if she admits to cutting herself, they’ll throw her in the Psych ward. She’d do anything to prevent that. If they determine that her injuries are self-inflicted and they are life threatening it can be diagnosed as attempted suicide, and in this state that is a crime. My guess is she’s not talking, that’s why all the suspicion.” Rena folded her arms across her chest, her agitation very evident in her body movements.

“What about James or John? Why won’t they let them in?”

“Because they both came in with me, which makes them suspects as well,” she answered, her eyes glued to where Justin and John stood talking to the officer. James was at the admissions desk talking to the nurse.

“Fuck, well maybe they’ll let me in,” Brian said.

Rena laughed a bit hysterically. “Forget that, you heard the officer, now he wants to know where YOU were tonight. Consider yourself another suspect!” Rena fumed.

Brian pulled out his cell phone.

“Who are you calling?” she asked.

“Carl, Deb’s boyfriend. He’s a cop. He’ll help us get in, he can vouch for me,” Brian said, and then walked away from her to make the call. There were no cell’s allowed in the hospital.

Rena went back to where John and Justin stood, leaving Brian to make his phone call.

Justin saw her coming and went to her. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a gentle squeeze.

“It’s going to be fine, Rena, Shane’s tough,” he whispered in her ear.

Rena hugged him back and closed her eyes. “God, I hope so, I should have been more careful. I shouldn’t have left her alone!”

Justin hugged her tighter. “Shhh…Don’t go there, Re. You know better.”

She sniffed and pulled away from him. “I can’t lose her Justin; I just can’t lose another person I love.”

John walked up to them. Rena saw him and rushed into his arms. Justin noticed how she clung to him as if he were her life support. John held her and talked softly to her, she seemed to calm down.

Justin was a bit surprised at Rena’s reaction to John. That relationship was obviously more involved then he or Brian realized. The last conversation they had about John was the night Brian accused her of not being up front with John about her feelings. Brian may be right about her not being up front, but he was wrong about her feelings. He thought John was more serious about the relationship then she was, Justin could see now that Rena was very serious about John. Right now, John was the glue holding her together.

The police officer came up to them. “Where is the man that was here earlier?”

“Why do you want to know?” Justin asked in a very menacing voice.

“I’m here.” Brian walked up behind Justin and put a hand on his shoulder. “Detective Horvath is out on a case right now, but as soon as he finishes up, he’s coming here. He can vouch for us,” Brian informed the police officer.

“Well then, when he gets here, and IF he vouches for you, then maybe you can see her. Until then, I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

“Mister Kinney refuses to answer any questions without his lawyer present,” Adam Slatter informed the small group. His presence was unexpected. He immediately became the focus of everyone’s attention.

“What the fuck are you doing here?!” Brian blurted out.

Adam gave him a warning look. “I’m here to see my client, Shane. She requested that I meet her here,” Adam lied, quite convincingly.

Brian eyed Slatter suspiciously, he wanted to deny his claim so badly, but he couldn’t. Slatter could get in to see Shane as her lawyer where as they couldn’t. They needed to know how she was, and what was going on. Slatter was the only person who could get that information.

Brian swallowed the bitter bile of disgust he felt at the current situation and kept silent. He had to put his feelings aside and let Slatter help them.

“When exactly did your client call you?” the officer asked.

“That information is protected under attorney/client privilege,” Adam replied.

The officer rubbed his chin and studied Adam. “How do I know you’re her lawyer?”

“Because I just told you. Didn’t you hear me? Do I need an interpreter?” He turned to Brian and sighed impatiently. “Brian, call Robert’s interpreter, I think the policeman here is hard of hearing, I could be wrong though, he might just be an idiot.” Adam taunted the officer.

Brian groaned, the man was infuriating and was going to ruin his chances of getting in to see Shane.

The officer bristled at the insult. “Perhaps I should question YOU on your whereabouts, Mister. Let me see some I.D,” the officer demanded, his face red with anger.

Brian cursed and shot Slatter an irritated look. Adam shrugged.

He pulled his wallet out and showed the officer his I.D. He then pulled out his cell and started to dial.

“Hey, no cell’s in here!” the nurse at the station yelled at him. James turned around to see what the disturbance was about.

“Sorry, this call is more important than your patient’s pacemakers,” Adam said dryly. Everyone in the group gasped at the audacity of Adam’s words.

“Hey, put that phone away!” the officer yelled at him.

“Arrest me,” Adam said a glint in his eyes and a smile playing on his lips. “I’m calling Judge Ramirez. I’m going to tell Judge Ramirez, who, as you know, has no love for your precinct after the Santiago incident, that one of the officers from there…” Adam paused to read the name off the officer’s badge, which also told him what precinct he was from, “an officer O’Malley to be exact,” Adam clarified before continuing, “is preventing a lawyer from seeing his client.” He continued to press the digits on his cell phone.

“Now, you can take this phone away from me and arrest me, and I’ll make my phone call at the station, or you can let me see my client,” Adam said then put his hand over the mouthpiece of the cell. “I suggest you make up your mind fast, the phone is ringing.”

Brian shook his head. The fucking guy had major balls.

“Alright!” the officer yelled and snatched the cell out of Adam’s hand. He quickly flipped it shut. “Down the hall to the right. The nurse will take you there. But the doctor trumps you! If he says you can’t see her, then you can’t, lawyer or not!”

“Fair enough.” Adam turned to Brian. “I’ll find out what I can. I promise.”

Brian nodded his head, he couldn’t bring himself to thank the man, but he acknowledged his help.

Adam turned to follow the nurse.

“I assume that’s Adam Slatter,” Rena said.

Brian turned to look at her. “Yeah.” He sighed. “He must have followed us here.”

“Yeah, well I don’t know if that’s a good thing, or a bad thing. He’s the reason she’s in here and he’s probably also going to be the reason why she gets out of here,” Rena surmised.

James walked over to where the group stood. “She got some stitches, she doesn’t need surgery. They think she might have a slight concussion. She’s conscious, but she’s not talking, which is why the police are questioning us,” he informed the group.

“How the fuck were you able to find all that out?” Brian asked.

James shrugged. “Part of my past training was interrogation. Certain forms of interrogation involve getting a person to reveal information through casual conversation. Done correctly, the person unwittingly reveals the information you’re seeking. All it took was patience and a little subtle probing and she told me everything I needed to know.”

“Can you teach me that trick?” Justin asked. Brian shot him a warning look. Justin smiled impishly.

Rena sighed in relief. “Thank God she’s alright.” She turned to John and buried her face in his chest.

Brian watched John wrap his arms around his sister and tenderly rub her back as she cried against him.

She had turned to John. Part of Brian felt hurt that his sister didn’t seek him out for comfort. Another man was taking his place he thought irrationally. He shook his head and smiled sadly. His little sister didn’t need big brother anymore. She was outgrowing him. He didn’t know how to feel about that, but he was glad that she had finally opened her heart to someone.

Rena was just as averse to relationships as he was, but somehow John managed to break through her barriers. Just like a certain blond he knew had broken through his.

“Hey, you alright?” Justin asked sensing the mood shift in Brian.

Brian reached out and pulled Justin to him, gathering him up in his arms. He hugged him tightly.

“Yeah, I’m fine. You know I hate hospitals.”

“Yeah, I know. The last time you were here I was lying in a hospital bed, my head split open.” Justin held his breath. He never told Brian that he knew he had come to the hospital every night while Justin was there fighting for his life after the bashing. He still wouldn’t know if he hadn’t accidentally found out.

Several weeks after Justin was discharged from the hospital, he started physical therapy on an out patient basis. One day after a session, he bumped into one of the nurses who cared for him while he was there. She asked him how the tall handsome brunette was doing. When Justin asked who she was talking about she told him the man who came every night to watch him sleep. She said she never got his name, but thought it was odd he never came during regular visiting hours. She said she let him stay because he looked so pathetic. Brian would NOT appreciate her description of him. It was one of those things Justin hoped that Brian would tell him on his own one day, but that never happened. But like Brian said, certain things had to change. This was one of them. No more secrets.

Brian stiffened at Justin’s words. How the fuck did he find out? He held Justin tighter as memories of watching him toss and turn every night in agony filled his head. A pained expression crossed his face. Justin felt his every emotion.

“Bri?” Justin frantically clung to him. He feared Brian would pull away from him. He silently prayed…God please let him accept this small truth between us. Please…

Brian spoke softly into Justin’s ear. “I was so afraid that if I shut my eyes, you’d leave me. I knew during the day you were fine. Your family was with you, your doctors, but at night, well, there were only the nurses who were so understaffed as it was, I was afraid that no one would notice if…” Brian couldn’t finish the thought.

Justin let his breath out. “I’m glad you were there. On some level, I probably sensed you were watching me and that’s why I didn’t leave. See, you saved me again.” Justin pulled back and smiled up into Brian’s face.

Brian leaned over and kissed him. “You got that backwards, Sunshine, it is you who saved me,” he corrected.


 

***

Adam walked into the recovery room and quietly shut the door behind him. His brief conversation with the doctor informed him that Shane was fine. She received a few stitches in her inner arm, no major veins or arteries were damaged and she had a slight concussion. The doctor also informed him that they wanted to keep her overnight for observation. Adam told the doctor that his client would make that decision, and not him. The doctor gave him a dubious look and told him he had ten minutes, then he was coming back to make his determination. Adam didn’t bother arguing with the man, he would deal with him when he returned; right now he needed to see Shane.

The room was way too bright. God he hated fluorescent lights. Shane laid on her back on the gurney, her eyes were closed. He could tell she was breathing steadily by the slight rise and fall of her chest. He slowly walked towards her.

“I told you I’m not fucking talking to anyone. So whoever you are, get the fuck out,” Shane said, her eyes still closed.

“Shane.” Her name fell from his lips in a whisper.

Shane shot up from the gurney and swung her feet over the side, she immediately regretted the sudden movement. Her stomach lurched and a sharp pain radiated through her head.

Adam rushed to her side seeing the discomfort she caused herself. She looked like she was about to throw up.

Shane instinctively put her hand on his shoulder for support and willed her stomach settle. The last thing she wanted was to literally spill her guts in front of him. Fuck! What was he doing here? Where was Rena?

“Go away. Brian will be furious,” Shane finally managed to say once her stomach calmed.

“Fuck Brian. And who the fuck is he to you anyway?” Even as he spoke, Adam cursed himself for allowing his pain and anger to escape through his harsh tone. Shane was in no condition right now to deal with his fucking petty jealousy.

“He’s Rena’s brother.” Shane looked up, her eyes meeting his; she couldn’t stand to see the hurt, anger and disappointment there..

“Fuck!” Adam stepped away from Shane. “What happened?” he asked, changing the subject.

Shane shot him an ambiguous look. “I slipped and fell on a razor blade,” she spat at him sarcastically.

Adam was not amused. “Did a bottle of booze accidentally slip down your throat as well?” He could smell the booze on her.

“Fuck you, Slatter. Get out.”

Adam fumed. “No, fuck you, Shane. Fuck you for not calling me after what happened. Fuck you for cutting again. Fuck you for going into THAT man’s arms and not letting me explain myself. And most of all, fuck you for not believing in us.”

Though they had spent only a few short weeks with each other, Adam knew his Shane. She was a fighter, but she needed something to fight for. The fact that she resorted to cutting again told him she felt she had nothing left to fight for. Well, damn her, but she was going to fight for them!

Shane glowered at him. “Fuck me? You’re the cause of this whole fucking mess! Your client is trying to keep Brian away from his son. You have no idea how fucked we are. Brian will never forgive you. He’ll make our lives miserable, and he’ll use Rena against me! I already have one strike against me where he’s concerned; I can’t risk another. He could turn Rena against me. She’s the only family I got!” Shane put her fingers on her temples and rubbed. Her head was splitting.

Adam showed no sympathy. “Please, stop the fucking dramatics. We’re not the Capulet’s and the Montague’s for God sakes! Brian will have to understand that, first of all, I had no idea he was related to you; if I did, I would have never taken the case and, second of all, even so, it was business. It’s not like he’s a fucking saint! He’s didn’t get to where he is by playing fair, don’t kid yourself.” Adam spat his words out contemptuously.

Shane shot him a look. Adam obvious had a healthy dose of disdain for Brian. Most people did, actually, when they first met him. You had to get to know Brian to appreciate him; the problem was Brian didn’t let most people close enough to get that privilege.

“Brian will understand exactly what he wants to. You don’t know him, Adam; he’s stubborn and ruthless when it comes to protecting those he considers family. And because of my relationship with Rena, he feels responsible for me. He’s not going to let you anywhere near me.” She ruefully told him.

Adam sighed deeply. “What do you want, Shane?”

Shane lowered her eyes. “It doesn’t matter what I want, it’s best we just part now, before either of us gets hurt.”

Adam made a snorting sound. “Little late for that, miss slice ‘em dice ‘em. What’s next? Should I start looking for discounts on razor blades and antiseptics?”

Shane’s looked up at him, anger blazing in her eyes. “You have some fucking nerve!”

“Yes, well at least mine is intact, yours nearly got severed. Don’t expect sympathy, understanding, therapy or acceptance of what you did from me. You’re not on the streets anymore, you’ve been there, done that, and got past it. You have a loving family, too loving if you ask me, and you’re smarter than this! There is NO excuse for you to ever start cutting again. What you did was just plain stupid and unnecessary. You could have called me, or talked to Rena, or even your fucking precious Brian. What the fuck where you thinking, Shane?” Adam’s voice cracked with emotion on that last sentence of his tirade.

Shane turned her face away from him, ashamed. He was right. It was stupid, and if she weren’t so fucking drunk, she would have never done it. It was irresponsible and dangerous, and now she was going to pay the price. Adam hated her, Rena was disappointed in her, Brian, well Brian probably wanted to wring her neck right about now, and the fucking doctor wanted to stick her in the Psych ward. All Shane wanted at the moment was to disappear. If she ever got out of here that was exactly what she was going to do.

The fact was, she was in love with Adam. Her face twisted at that realization. Life loved to play little fucking mind games with people. The one man she could ever love in her life was the one man she could never have. Not without hurting the only other person she ever loved, Rena. Brian would never allow Shane to see Adam. He would put Rena right in the middle, and that would hurt Rena. Shane would not put her happiness above Rena’s. Because of Rena, Shane lived today. If not for her, Shane would have been dead long time ago. That was the path she was on.

Shane knew Adam would have never taken the case if he was aware of her relationship to Brian. The ironic part was she almost asked him to represent Brian! God she wished she had now, but it was too late. Fate had intervened and put her smack dab in the middle of this fucked up situation. There was no solution other than to disappear. Her heart was breaking. A single tear escaped over her lash as her mind screamed in denial.

Adam watched the myriad of emotions wash over Shane’s face. His heart broke when he saw the tear slip down her cheek. He went to her and pulled her into his arms.

Shane broke down and cried. Deep, heart wrenching sobs escaped her small frame. Adam’s body shook with his emotions as he held on to her. Her pain was his. He knew what they were up against, but he didn’t care. Adam didn’t lose. He simply did not lose. The thought echoed in his head and he realized in that moment that all those years of honing his skills at winning were preparation for the real battle ahead. He had to find a way to make Shane his. This was the battle destiny had been preparing him for. He would do whatever it took, use all his skills he’s learned over the years, to win the one and only battle that would ever matter in his life. The one for love. For the first time he understood his “need” to win. That same need would drive him to be triumphant. The alternative was not an option.

Shane’s sobbing subsided a bit and she pulled away from him. Adam used the sleeve of his jacket to wipe the tears from her face. Shane smiled sadly.

“I want to get out of here.”

“I’m working on it, babe. I told them I’m your lawyer. They can’t hold you unless they have reasonable cause to believe you did this to yourself. What did you tell them?”

“Nothing. I’m not stupid. I know that doctor is itching to put me up on the Psych ward. I can’t go there, Adam,” Shane said desperately.

“Hey, do you think I’d let them do that to you? Come on, fancy face, you know me better than that.” Adam smiled at Shane and lifted her chin with his finger.

“I’m going to get you out of here, trust me. But first I have to go tell Brian you’re ok.”

Shane’s eyes widened. “Brian? You talked to Brian?” she asked, stunned.

Adam laughed. “Did you think I wouldn’t? God, Shane, you really don’t have any faith in me! I went to his loft for, Christ sakes and almost got the shit kicked out of me by his boyfriend. Then I followed him here to the hospital! Don’t you know by now I’d do anything for you?” His eyes told her what her heart needed to hear.

“Jesus, Adam, are you crazy?” she asked shocked by admission.

“The jury is still out on that one. But that’s not why I ventured into the lion’s den. I did so, and will continue to do so, because I love you, Shane.”

Shane made a face as if she just tasted something bad.

Adam laughed. “Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for!”

“Well, what do you expect? That was the sorriest declaration of love I’ve ever heard. You could have at least got down on one knee and professed undying love. You’re a fucking lawyer for Christ sakes! Acting should come naturally to you,” Shane retorted and playfully pushed him away.

Adam put his hand to his chest. “My dear, Shane, if it weren’t for the fact that I’m wearing a two thousand dollar suit that I don’t want to ruin, I’d gladly get down on my knees and confess my undying love,” he said with a little too much mirth in his voice.

Shane rolled her eyes. “If you are down on your knees, talking is he last thing you’d be doing.”

Adam laughed. “You know me too well, imp. Ok, here is the plan. First, you continue to say nothing, if they come back with more questions, tell them you have representation, and that they should talk to me. Second, I’m going to go tell your family you’re fine, then I’m going to get you out of here, ok?”

Shane nodded her head. “Adam, let them know I’m sorry.” Shane’s eyes started to well up again.

“You tell them. You’re going home tonight, Shane, I promise,” Adam said reassuringly.

The door opened and the doctor came back in. “Time’s up. I need to check on my patient.”

Adam and Shane exchanged looks. He gave her a quick kiss and turned to leave.

“When you have a minute, Doctor, I’d like to talk to you and her family,” Adam informed the doctor.

“Certainly,” the doctor said smugly. Adam turned towards the door; he gave Shane one last reassuring look before he left.

Brian spotted Adam coming down the hall first and turned to Rena. “He’s back.”

Rena was sitting on the couch in the waiting area with John. She jumped up and went to stand by Brian.

Justin went to get them coffee. James was positioned at the nurse’s station once again.

Adam stopped in front of Brian.

“She’s fine although she reeks of booze, your doing?” Fuck! What was it about Kinney that made him goad him all the time? It was like poking at a rattlesnake, and this particular rattlesnake was guarding his prize. Not smart, Slatter, not fucking smart.

Brian raised his eyebrow at him. “Should I remind you of why she’s here in the first place?” Brian shot back.

Rena made a frustrated sound. “Shut the fuck up. What did she say? How’s her arm? Is her head still bleeding? Is she lucid?” Rena fired the questions off at Adam.

Adam immediately felt contrite. This must be Rena, and it was obvious she was sick with worry over Shane.

“I’m sorry, you must be Rena. Shane is very lucid and wants to get out of here. Her arm is bandaged up. The doctor said she received a few stitches. None in her head though, and I saw no bleeding, though she does have a slight concussion. They want to keep her for observation, which concerns me. I need your help to help me get her out.”

“Of course, just tell us what to do,” Rena said.

Brian snorted. God he hated this man.

Adam glanced over at Brian. “Listen, we can deal with our mutual dislike at another time, right now I need us to be on the same page. The doctor is going to come out here any minute. I need you to let me do all the talking. I spoke to him briefly and got the impression he’s determined to keep Shane, at least overnight, and the law backs him. I need to play hardball on this one, and I need your cooperation.”

Brian noted the urgency in Adam’s voice. If nothing else, the man was passionate about Shane. He also was poison. When this mess was over, Brian was determined to keep him as far away from Shane as possible. The girl had endured enough pain in her life. Slatter was bad news. Cold as a fish, and ruthless. If he ever turned on Shane it would be devastating. Slatter was just in her life for a short period and already managed to get her to fall off the wagon. Before she met him, she hadn’t cut in over six years. Brian would not let Slatter hurt her again. Shane was family and Brian always took care of family.

Justin walked up to them carrying the coffee. “How is she?” he whispered to Brian as he handed the coffee off to Rena.

“She’s fine. Slatter is going to try and get her released tonight. The doctor is coming out soon to talk to us. When he does, we’re going to let Slatter do all the talking,” Brian said so that Adam could hear him.

Justin raised his eyebrow at Brian. It wasn’t like Brian to let someone take over like this. Especially Slatter! This must be serious. Justin nodded his head in understanding.

Rena went over to James and explained the situation.

The doctor came out and directed the family and Adam to a private room so they could talk. Once inside, he called the police officer in. Though it was Adam who asked to talk to him and the family, the doctor took it upon himself to start the conversation.

“The situation here is that we have a patient who, in my and several other doctor’s professional opinions, tried to kill herself. The alcohol level in her system was borderline toxic, the injury to her left arm was self inflicted and meant to sever a major artery. We’ve concluded that if not for her inebriated state, she would have hit that artery and we would not be having this discussion. In addition, there is physical evidence all over her body confirming she suffers from parasuicide, which is in essence the compulsion to self-harm. We’ll be keeping her for observation and treatment. As you know, Counselor, the law allows us to keep her for treatment under these conditions. If you file an appeal to have her released, and the judge rules in your favor, then we’ll release her. Until then, she’ll be allowed no visitors for the first 24 hours. After that, if her condition is stable, family can visit her. Now, are there any questions?” the doctor concluded, very confident in his decision.

No one spoke except Adam. “Actually I have one. How’s that God complex working for you?”

The doctor gave Adam a condescending look. “Mr. Slatter, your unprofessional, childish behavior is not helping Shane or her family. Her family has to understand that Shane has a psychological condition that needs treatment and observation. It’s hard to accept, I understand, but it is the reality.”

Adam made a face. “Please, her family knows better than anyone how crazy she is. No one is disputing your diagnosis, but you see, they’ve always handled things privately. Keeping Shane here is not an option. It is my job to ensure she returns to her family, tonight, which, of course is exactly what I will do. Please don’t delude yourself into thinking this decision lies in your hands.”

The doctor looked at Adam as if he’d lost his mind. “Mr. Slatter, you’re uncommonly rude and not a very good lawyer if you think I don’t have the power to keep her!”

“I don’t think, I know you don’t. Now let me give you my diagnosis of the situation. You have before you a lawyer, a very good one at that, who gets paid a lot, I mean an obscene amount of money from my client’s family to keep Shane out of institutions, and you know how I do it? I find things.” Adam’s smile was Machiavellian.

“What does that mean, you find things?” the doctor asked, clearly confused. In fact, the whole family was confused, but no one made a move, or a sound.

“Things doctors and hospital board members don’t like me to find. And believe me, I always find them. You see, with enough resources, and I’m sure you can imagine how much I have available between Kinnitik’s Global and Remington Pharmaceuticals, I can find most anything that will put a hospital out of business, not to mention ruin a doctor’s career. Mrs. Peabody is well aware of this.”

Adam paused and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and laid it on the small conference table in the room. The doctor eyed him suspiciously.

“I’d hate to call her at this hour, but be assured, I will. She worked on the board of Allegheny General Hospital before she took the position of Director here. Nasty place Allegheny. I was successful in closing down that facility, and managed to ruin several doctors’ careers, having their licenses revoked and prevented them from ever practicing medicine again. Mrs. Peabody has firsthand experience of the devastation I can cause, warranted or not. In truth, there was only one legitimate case at Allegheny, but I managed to turn it into a class action suit. You see the “reality” as you so like to point out, Doctor, is that everyone has a price. Patients, doctors, nurses, staff, even police officers. I literarily bought that verdict. Contrary to popular belief, greed is the great equalizer, not death. ” Adam looked over at the cop standing next to the doctor.

“Wait a minute here! You can’t threaten me like that!” the doctor fumed. He turned to the officer. “Are you going to stand there and let this man threaten me? You heard him! He just admitted to obstruction of justice! You’re a witness!” He demanded a similar reaction from the officer.

O’Malley eyed Slatter. One of Slatter’s talents was reading people. O’Malley caved at the mention of Judge Ramirez. Any cop with principals wouldn’t have. They would have stood their ground. O’Malley saw money in front of him, possibly a lot. He was taking a chance, but it was a calculated one. He sent O’Malley a look that told the officer he would be taken care of.

Everyone held their breath. Brian watched the scene play out before him, impressed with Slatter’s skill. He too had a talent for summing people up, and he would bet with Slatter on this one. O’Malley saw an opportunity to score big. Brian could see it in his eyes.

Officer O’Malley shrugged his shoulders. “What threat? The man’s a lawyer, he’s just laying out his strategy. I’m a cop, I don’t understand all that lawyer mumbo-jumbo.. It all sounded too legal for me. I’m just here to make sure there wasn’t a crime committed tonight. If you say the woman did it to herself, then my job here is done.”

The doctor’s face turned white and his mouth dropped open as anger distorted his features. He turned on Adam. “You can’t get away with this!”

Adam shrugged. “I already have, Doctor. Shane will be released tonight, with or without your consent. Now, do I need to call Mrs. Peabody?”

Brian noticed a pattern here. Slatter used his cell phone as a weapon. He shuddered to think of the numbers he had in that little metal object.

“Call her,” the doctor replied stubbornly.

The man truly did have a God complex, Adam thought. He was playing this one down to the wire. Adam smiled and picked up his cell. After a few seconds of scrolling down his contact list he found the one he was looking for. He dialed.

“Marilyn! It’s Adam, I’m so sorry to bother you this late at night, but it seems I have a problem here at your hospital and I was hoping you could help me out.”

Every ear in the room was honed in on Adam’s conversation.

“Well, it could be, Marilyn, that’s up to you. One of your doctors is refusing to release my client. He erroneously diagnosed her as being suicidal. I can assure you that is not the case. Her family is anxious to take her home tonight. A situation like this needs your personal touch my dear.” Adam spoke in a pleasant voice.

A few minutes passed while Adam held the phone to his ear, listening to whatever Mrs. Peabody was saying on the other end. Adam rolled his eyes in frustration.

“Marilyn, you know me better than that. And I’d like to remind you that I do have a father,” he said when he finally spoke again.

Brian had to hold back his laugh. Slatter had the personality of a rattlesnake. He imagined not many people liked him. He couldn’t for the life of him see what Shane saw in the man. By all accounts, he was exactly the type of man she’d normally stay clear of. He didn’t hide who he was, at least not in front of her family, so he doubted he was anything other than himself with Shane. He could not fathom the appeal.

“This is not nasty,” Adam continued. “Nasty would be getting the building department inspector in here to give your facility a thorough examination; you know how they love these old buildings. Nasty would be opening up old wrongful death suits and retrying them, pro bono. Nasty is that trip to Thailand your son likes to make every year. All I’m asking for is the release of one of my clients. I don’t consider that nasty, actually, I’d consider it a favor. One day you might need my “nasty” services, Marilyn.” Adam’s voice turned seductive on the last sentence.

Everyone in the room was mesmerized by the conversation. The doctor looked agitated and worried. Brian found himself begrudgingly respecting Adam’s inventive tactics.

Adam pulled the phone away from his ear at Marilyn’s response. After a few minutes he brought the phone back to his ear. He nodded his head from time to time, obviously getting an earful from the now infamous Mrs. Peabody.

“Of course. Understood. Ok already!” Adam sighed into the phone. “I’ll put him on now. And, Marilyn, thanks.” Adam handed the phone to the doctor. “Mrs. Peabody would like to speak to you.”

The doctor glared at Adam and took the phone. “Yes, Mrs. Peabody?” he said then waited to speak again. “But, Mrs. Peabody, the young woman…” His words were obviously cut off by the woman on the other end of the phone.

“I understand perfectly. I’d like it on the record that I object to this ruling, and will be bringing it up to the board,” the doctor challenged. “Very well. Goodbye.” The doctor closed the cell and threw it on the table. His demeanor turned threatening. “You filthy bastard! You better pray you never come through this hospital while I’m on duty!” He leaned over the table as he snarled his threat.

“I just love when doctors take their “hypocrites” oath so seriously,” Adam taunted.

“That’s Hippocratic,” the doctor replied.

“Is it? Hmm…. In either case we’d like Shane signed out. Now.” Adam was done playing with the man. Shane must be freaking out wondering what was taking them so long.

The doctor stormed out of the room. The police officer followed him.

“Well, that was pleasant.” Adam said and picked his cell up from the table. “I hope he didn’t break it,” Adam sighed as he examined the phone.

They all started piling out of the small room.

Rena held Adam back. “Thank you,” she said. “We haven’t been formally introduced, I’m Rena Cardie.” Rena extended her hand.

Adam smiled at the woman. He liked her. Shane adored her, and unlike her brother, she didn’t automatically judge him. He went to shake her hand.

Brian reached over and pulled Rena back. “You’ve done your job, Slatter, you can go now,” he said pushing Rena behind him.

Adam was about to respond when a shrill voice interrupted his thoughts. They all ran out to see what the commotion was.

Emmett stood at the nurse’s station screeching for answers. He was wearing what looked like pajama pants, and a bathrobe. Fluffy bunny slippers covered his feet.

Brian groaned.

James cursed.

Justin laughed.

James went over to calm his lover. “Emmett!” His tone was ominous; he did not like the scene Emmett was making. Emmett turned around at James’ voice, tears of relief filled his eyes.

“Oh my God, James! I was so scared! You left a message saying you were at the hospital! What happened, are you alright?” Emmett ran to him and started checking him for injuries.

“Stop this nonsense now!” James demanded, taking hold of Emmett’s hands. “I told you I was taking Shane to the hospital!”

Emmett huffed and pulled his hands from James’ and put them on his hips in a familiar move. “Well for fuck sakes, I could barely hear the message anyway. Fucking bad cell phone connection! I thought something had happened to you!” Emmett glared at James.

“Hey, Emmett, cute outfit.” Brian walked up to them, Justin at his side. They were both laughing. Brian noticed Emmett was wearing the Rolex James bought him. God, did the man sleep with it!?

Emmett stuck his tongue out at Brian. Brian made a face back.

Rena went to sign papers for Shane’s release.

John had been talking to the police officer. “Hey, Brian, can you come here for a second,” John called over to him.

“James, take sleeping beauty here home before they put HIM in the Psych ward,” Brian teased then turned to join John. “What’s the problem?”

John gave Brian a worried look. “The officer wants fifty thousand dollars!” he whispered.

Brian looked around for Slatter. He was nowhere in sight. He turned to O’Malley. “Twenty-five. Non-negotiable. Remember, there were five other people in that room that can dispute you. I suggest you take it.”

John pulled Brian back a bit so the officer couldn’t hear him. “I would have given him the fifty, that’s not the problem, he wants cash and he wants it now! I don’t have that much cash on hand.”

Brian frowned and approached the officer again. “We can give you a check tonight, but if you want cash you’ll have to wait until morning.”

“Thirty, cash,” O’Malley responded. “And I want it now, I won’t wait until morning.”

Brian turned to Robert. “I can get about ten grand together tonight, I won’t be able to get the rest until morning.

John shook his head. “I’ll have to drive up to the lab, that will take me about an hour there and back.”

Brian frowned in thought. “Wait a minute, I got an idea.” He walked over to where James and Emmett were still arguing. “Hey, Honeycutt, I need something from you.”

Emmett scowled at him. “What do you want? And don’t call me Honeycutt,” Emmett huffed.

“I need your watch.”

Emmett’s mouth dropped opened. “You CAN’T BE FUCKING SERIOUS!” he screeched.

James shot Emmett a look.

“Em, I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important. I promise to replace it.”

James reached over and took the watch off of Emmett’s wrist. Emmett pouted and stomped his foot. Daggers flew out of his eyes and into Brian’s chest. Brian cringed.

James leaned over and whispered in Emmett’s ear. “I’ll replace it, with a bigger and shinier one.” He kissed Emmett’s cheek.

Emmett put his hand to his spot James had kissed and looked at him, shocked. James NEVER kissed him in public! He took the watch out of James’ hand and threw it at Brian. He then threw himself into James arms.

James grunted but relented and held his lover.

Brian shook his head. He returned to the police officer with the Rolex. “Will this do?”

O’Malley took the watch from Brian and examined it. He had confiscated enough stolen watches to know the real thing when he saw it. He whistled low. The face was jewel encrusted. The diamonds alone were worth over twenty grand.

“Yeah, it will do.” He pocketed the watch. “Nice doing business with you boys.” He winked at them and sauntered away.

John and Brian looked at each other.

“All’s well that ends well I guess,” John remarked.

“Yeah, well I have a feeling we’re nowhere near the end,” Brian said. He went to collect his small family.

It was time they all went home.

 

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