From the Edge
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Paul Blaisdell led his wife to the cafeteria. He bought them each a cup of coffee and then led them both to a booth where they might have a little more privacy.
"Paul, what's this all about?" Annie questioned.
"Twice within five minutes Peter's pain medication had been changed"
"Are you sure?"
'I may not know what the numbers mean, but I know when they've been changed and not only that, they were doubled, twice."
"Paul, I'm not questioning what you think you saw, but perhaps the doctors felt that Peter needed more medication. He was in a great deal of pain."
"Annie, I know Peter was in pain, but you don't keep doubling medication; especially morphine."
"How do you know the medication they are giving Peter is morphine?"
"That's what's written on the IV bag."
With Paul's last statement, both grew silent. They each sipped their coffee, not daring to voice what each was thinking. Finally, Annie spoke up.
"Paul, I just don't know what to think. Doctor Randell has taken good care of Peter so far. He was after all, the physician who did the surgery. I don't want to believe that he may be harming our son. If he had wanted to, don't you think he would have during the surgery?"
"I'm not so sure. We only met him this once. We don't know Doctor Randell. We should have had our family Doctor working on Peter."
"Paul, what are you saying? That we should have waited? Our son had been shot, not once but twice. He lost a great deal of blood. He could have died while we waited for Doctor Sabourin. I'm surprised at you. For once stop thinking like a cop and start thinking like a father. I will not have you thinking ill of Peter's doctor or put my son into danger because you think the Doctor's trying to harm Peter."
"Annie, I . . ."
"That's enough, Paul Blaisdell," Annie said with deep anger. At that moment, she rose from the table and took out her white cane from her purse. "I will find my own way back to our son." She turned and left Paul Blaisdell sitting alone with his cold cup of coffee and suspicions.
At that same moment, Frank Strenlich came into the cafeteria.
"Captain, an ancient looking fellow in Peter's room told me where I could find you."
"What is it, Frank?" Blaisdell questioned half heartily.
"We found the other shooter. He went on another rampage, this time in a grocery store off of Heritage. The SWAT team has been called in."
"I'll come with you. At least I'll get a warmer reception where we're going."
"Don't you think you should tell Annie?" Frank interjected.
"I'll leave a message at the nurses station."
"Is everything all right between you two?"
"I hope so, Frank. We better get going."
*****
Annie tried to compose herself before she re-entered her son's hospital room. How could her husband think such a thing when all Doctor Randell was trying to do was help their son. To allow Peter to remain in any pain was cruel. And yet, deep down she could not help wonder why Peter was in any pain in the first place, why he should continue to cry out and why each time that medication was given to him, it never seemed to be enough.
'Oh, Annie, you must stop this,' she said to herself. 'You're getting as suspicious as Paul.'
"Mrs. Blaisdell . . ."
"Oh!" Annie nearly jumped out of her skin with fright.
"I am sorry. I did not mean to startle you. It is an old habit of an old man."
"That's all right."
"We need to talk. It is about Peter."
"What about Peter?" Fears of Peter's condition turning for the worst formed in her mind.
"It is not what you think, but your son is in danger just the same."
"What kind of danger?"
"His body has grown addicted to the medication that they are giving him. He continues to cry out as if there is pain when there is little pain present."
"How do you know . . ."
Rather than answer her question, the old man stated, "You must take him from this place before it is too late. If you do not, he will die."
End of Part 6
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2001.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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