The bumps that signaled the arrival at the ER entrance were a welcome relief to Nash. He followed as the medics pulled the stretcher from the ambulance, punched in the code to the ER, and rushed Harvey inside. The medics were directed to the trauma room, and a nurse stuck out an arm to block Nash from entering. Glaring at her and flashing his badge, Nash fully expected to be let in.
"I'm sorry. You can't go in, no matter who you are. There are two other officers standing down that hall. I assume they're here for this patient aswell. Why don't you go join them?"
Seeing the defiance on the petite woman's face, Nash swallowed his protest and went to join Evan and Joe as they waited just down the hall. All three stood and watched the people going in and out of the trauma room, wondering what was going on with Harvey.
"Get x-ray in here for a spinal and chest. David, go ahead and set up to intubate. Let me get this tube in first. Inspector?" The tall, gray-haired doctor made a fist and pressed his knuckles against Harvey's sternum. Rubbing hard, he finally got a groggy response. "Inspector Leek? I'm Dr.Michaels. I need to insert a chest tube so your lung can re-inflate, allowing you to breath easier. It's going to be extremely painful, but I need you to try to be as still as possible. Do you understand?"
Struggling for every breath, Harvey hadn't understood the doctor's garbled words. He felt that the doctor was asking a question and he'd agree to anything, if they would just do something to help him breath. Unable to draw enough air to speak, he gave a quick nod.
Harvey felt something cold and wet being rubbed on his side and chest. Someone lifted his left armover his head and pinned it to the bed, while another weight pressed down on his other arm. Straps that had been removed from his legs were tightened. When he felt the surgical knife pierce his skin, the pain exploded in a blinding light.
Nash felt his heart drop to his stomach when Harvey's strangled scream echoed down the hall.
He took a tentative step toward the trauma room, but stopped when he felt a hand on his arm.
Joe, his expression a mix of fear and sympathy, shook his head. "Nash, I really don't think you want to be in there. And, I don't think Harvey would want you to see whatever it is they're doing, either."
Hesitating, several emotions warring for dominance, Nash looked back at the trauma room. Another pain-filled yell made Nash cringe and shut his eyes. He knew Joe was right. Slumping against the wall, he turned to his partner in anguish. "Joe, how in the hell am I ever going to make this up to Harvey? How could he ever forgive me for this?"
COMING SOON... |
