by Turner, Lori
“Dad…going to the hospital is a waste of time. The boat master said that he would know if there had been a medical transport—and there hadn’t been any today.”
Zachary had a strong aversion to intense emotions, and it would always take his leveled headed manner to cool Caleb’s wheels.
“Yes—you’re right Caleb—and thank you for reminding us about that conversation. But son—my daughter is not in my home—and the hospital is the only place we haven’t checked. I know that you believe we’re wasting time retracing our tracks—or looking in illogical places…”
Zachary’s voice trailed off—and it was then that Caleb saw the weight of this situation on his parents. As the head of their family, it was their responsibility to keep order and calm—and he wasn’t helping them.
Caleb rose from his seat, then he said…
“Don’t worry mom and dad—I’ll go. If she’s there, you’ll be the first to know.”
Caleb left the kitchen but his feet stalled, retracing his steps the second he heard Noah’s voice. He stood in the entrance, filling the doorframe with his presence.
Noah spoke in a rush.
“I just got a call from the hospital’s dispatch.”
His voice wavered but he continued…
“There’d been some sort of mixup. Something about a canceled inbound transport. In all the confusion, the operator thought that the medical report had been phoned into the Samaritan hospital by accident—so they dismissed the call.”
Zachary and Aldeara turned to face their son, with hope in their eyes. Noah said…
“Word got to the hospital that a Samaritan girl was missing—and that sparked the operators attention. She searched through her recordings, and she learned that the emergency techs had called them because they believed the woman was a Samaritan—but when they rerouted the patient to Lincoln Medical Facility, the operator assumed she’d been called by mistake.”
Aldeara frowned when she said…
“But…I don’t understand. What does this have to do with Ona? Is she there—at the Samaritan Hospital?”
Caleb had stepped in the room. He didn’t give Noah time to respond. He said…
“No mom. I think what Noah is saying is that—a Samaritan woman was transported to Lincoln Medical Facility.”
“But that can’t be.” Aldeara corrected him. “That place isn’t a Samaritan hospital.”
Caleb looked at Noah when he asked…
“Did they say anything else? Did the emergency technicians give them a name?”
“So much is unclear. The operator says that she thinks the call was a mistake. But—according to her dispatch log—somebody believed that this injured woman was a Samaritan.”
The room went silent, then Caleb said…
“Don’t you get it guys?” he paused, “That unidentified girl must be Ona. It’s the only thing that explains her absence and it’s the only explanation that makes any sense.”
“Slow down son.” Zachary calmly stated… “You’re forgetting one important fact. We are Samaritans—and Non-Samaritan’s know that we only seek care at Samaritan hospitals; not doing so is a violation of our Creed.”
Caleb ignored his father. He marched into the small office, and picked up the phone. He scrolled through the city directory, then he pressed the button next to Lincoln Medical Facility, Midtown Campus.
He spoke, while he waited for the phone to be answered.
“If I’m wrong—there’s no harm done. But if I’m right…”
Zachary couldn’t imagine the consequences if his son was right—because nothing like this had ever happened.
A voice chimed on the other end of the phone when she answered.
“Midtown Lincoln Medical Facility would like to wish you a Happy New Year—this is Molly, how can I direct your call?”
There was a delay on Caleb’s end because he hadn’t fully thought this through.
“Hello—this is Molly—how may I help you.”
He stuttered when he said…
“I, I guess I’d like to be transferred to someone responsible for incoming patients.”
“Are you referring to admissions, elective surgeries, consultations, diagnostics, rehabilitation, recovery and improvement or emergencies…”
Caleb had forgotten how the hospitals that catered to the ultra rich, were all-encompassing facilities. These places weren’t your run-of-the-mill hospitals. When rich people go to see their doctors, they expect to have an à la carte of whatever they wanted done—and they wanted these procedures to be performed in the lap of luxury.
Caleb pressed forward, trying to forget his past, when he said…
“Emergencies.”
“I’ll transfer your call—and thank you for choosing Lincoln Medical Facility,—please hold.”
While he waited, soothing music piped through the phone, but Caleb didn’t feel soothed. His sister was missing, and something nagged at him because his gut told him that the unknown woman was Ona. Along the side of him he noticed a shadow. It was Noah. By the look of him, Caleb was certain that his brother had come to the same conclusion. If she were there, he didn’t know what this would mean—but whatever the conclusion was; Caleb knew, that it wouldn’t be good.
**********
Chapter 7
11:52 PM
New Year’s Day at Lincoln Medical Facility
“So…the surgery went well?”
Lucien repeated the surgeons words, hoping that he’d rightly understood her. Hours had passed, and he still had not phoned his family. When he’d learned that the young woman was in recovery, he’d sent Caesar to his home to retrieve a fresh set of clothes. In truth, Lucien couldn’t bring himself to leave the building. He wouldn’t risk being out of the room, for fear of missing one of the staff coming to give him the latest report.
Dr. Monica Stone smiled when she said…
“Mr. Delors, you were right to bring her here. There was extensive internal damage, and I’m quite sure that the Samaritan Hospital would not have been equipped to address her problems.”
“So…everything went well.” Lucien repeated.
“Yes…everything went well.”
Lucien looked at the bags filled with IV fluids, then his eyes fell on her double casted legs. One of her arms was wrapped in a half cast, and her head was bandaged, covering most of her raven black hair. He watched the rise and fall of her chest, when he said…
“She’s still asleep. Was their brain damage…or is she sleeping off the anesthesia”
Dr. Stone said…
“It’s a little bit of both. I’m not going to sugarcoat this. She had some ugly injuries. Practically every speciality has had their hands inside of her. Thoracic, orthopedics, vascular, neurosurgery. Long story short…this little lady is lucky to be alive.”
“But…” Lucien felt like he’d just been sideswiped and the carpet had been pulled out from beneath his feet. Considering what he’d just heard, her prognosis didn’t sound like everything had gone well. Dr. Stone noticed his expression, then she said…
“Mr. Delors…her outlook is a good one. I just want you to understand that from this point forward, this young lady has a long uphill battle. But she had a number of things on her side—and for now, I think we should count our blessings and be glad that she’s still alive.”
Dr. Stone eyed him when she said…
“Now…as for you…according to the nurses, you haven’t left this building from the moment she arrive.”
Lucien nervously laughed when he said…
“I didn’t want to chance leaving, and possibly missing a report. I thought that, perhaps the best thing to do would be to remain here until I could see her with my own eyes.”
Lucien directed his gaze on the mystery woman, then he said…
“I don’t even know her name.” he paused, turning his attention back on the doctor. “Have the police provided any information?”
“I’m sorry…but I really don�
��t know. I’ve been tied up in surgery all day and…well…identification and names…that just isn’t one of my concerns. But…I can send the nurse down here, if you’d like. I’m sure by now, someone has to know something concrete about her.”
“Samaritan…” Lucien mindlessly said the word.
“What did you say…?”
He looked at the doctor then he said…
“She’s a Samaritan. Or at least…that’s what the medical technicians had said. I told the police officer on the scene to take a picture of her, and to send it to the Samaritan Conclave for identification purposes.”
Dr. Stone stared at him quizzically because his concern seemed unbalanced—given that her patient was a stranger to him. On the other hand…she’d always heard nice things about Lucien Delors.
“Well…let’s hope that the police officer took your advice.”
“Yes.” was all that Lucien had to add to the conversation. He walked to the center of the room, then he turned, facing the bed. He loss himself in the possibilities that lie ahead for this nameless woman.
Dr. Stone said…
“I’ll be in my office for an hour or two before I leave for the night. If you need anything, please, feel free to stop by.”
She waited a moment, giving Lucien time to process what she’d just said. Lucien remained quiet while he stared at the Samaritan woman. He pressed his hand in his coat pocket, sensing the feel of fabric that formed the band. He had to know what the band meant and what was its connection to this woman. Hours ago, he’d been honest with himself. He couldn’t pretend that he wasn’t attracted to this woman; even though the idea was tasteless and beneath him. No matter the reason, there was something about this woman that he couldn’t dismiss. He looked at the chair that held his luggage. Caesar had fill the bag with a fresh set of clothes, and Lucien still had not taken the time to change out of his white attire. He closed his eyes, and a myriad of thoughts overtook him. He didn’t have to look to see that Dr. Stone had left the room, leaving him to contemplate; exactly what? He just didn’t know. Lucien couldn’t place words or meaning to express his dilemma. He only knew that he couldn’t move. He wanted to remain here by this unknown woman’s side.
He was alone. No—he thought to himself. He wasn’t alone. She was here with him. Lucien crossed the room until he was standing along the side of her bed. He placed one hand at the base on the bandage that covered the lower half of her head. His finger glided a path, tracing the edge of the cloth bandaged, then he dipped lower; tempting his finger with the feel of her flesh. Heavenly. This was his thought. He wanted to remain there—and he would have, but paradise deflated when a voice rose above his joy.
“Take your hand off my sister!”
Lucien unnaturally jerked, pulling his hand away until it angled at his side. His attention was drawn to the doorway. He fixed his eyes on a man, and behind him he could see one of the nurses. Her expression held an apologetic sentiment. But this man—his face was the definition of vexation.
Lucien took two steps, distancing himself from the bed. He was prepared to comply, then his brain was overtaken by a protectiveness that he didn’t rightly understand.
Refrained, and respective in nature, he responded…
“I’m sorry…but who are you sir…”
Caleb stepped over the threshold, exerting his familial authority. He’d come, because his parents and his brother couldn’t and for the first time since being adopted, he didn’t mind not being born into the Sect.
Caleb locked eyes with Lucien when he said…
“I’m her brother and my name is Caleb Zelle. I understand that you’re responsible for my sister being in a Non-Samaritan Hospital.”
Lucien didn’t hear any gratitude in his voice, so he thought it best not to further irritate this man, because he didn’t seem to be looking for truth. He wanted to apologize but first, he needed to orient himself.
Lucien angled his head when he said…
“I’m sorry…but you have me at a disadvantage…”
He held out his hand, as he closed the distance, while saying…
“I’m Lucien Delors…and you are….” He left his sentence hanging, while his hand remained extended in greeting. He could see by his clothes that this man belonged to the Samaritan Sect…but as far as he knew, they couldn’t enter a Non-Samaritan hospital; yet, here he was.
Caleb locked eyes with Lucien, while trying to recall Samaritan codes, and manners, when dealing with Non-Samaritan’s. He bit his tongue—suppressing years of anger and animosity. This man was to blame for the defilement of his sister.
On the inside, Caleb was a spitting boiling pot—but on the outside, he appeared as cool as a block of ice. He would be polite but he would not bow down to this man. Caleb did not accept Lucien’s handshake.
As calmly as he could, Caleb spoke using an even-tempered tone.
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me when I entered. You seemed to be preoccupied, touching my unconscious sister.” he couldn’t let that pass, and he wanted him to know that he’d witnessed his offense. His expression was flat when he said…
“My name is Caleb Zelle—” His head rocked in the direction of the hospital bed. “and that is my sister. Ona Zelle.”
“Ona…”
Lucien said her name, and the sound was like molasses rolling off his tongue. He wanted to say her name again, but Caleb hushed him with his disapproval.
“According to the nurses…you are responsible for my sister being here.” Caleb’s chest expanded defensively when he added…
“Do you know what you’ve done by insisting that she be brought here?”
Lucien spoke up saying…
“She’d been badly injured so I did what had to be done. She needed the best surgeons…so I told them to bring her here.”
“To a Non-Samaritan facility where her parents, her brother and none of the Samaritan’s from her Sect can come to visit her.”
Lucien stared at him when he said…
“But…you just said that you’re her brother…and you’re here.”
In the past, Caleb had always hated explaining his connection to the Samaritan’s…but in this instance, he didn’t feel his usual shame. He gave this rich bastard a little education on the world as he knew it.
“That’s right—I am a Samaritan and I am her brother…her adopted brother.” He paused for affect, giving Lucien time to digest what he’d just said. Caleb continued.
“I am not a Samaritan by birth; and as such…I am free to ignore the Creed. I’ve always respected my family and our beliefs—but because of you and your one sightedness, I was left with no other choice. I’m here—even though my adopted parents begged me not to come.” It pained him to say this, because the memory still stung.
“I ignored my parent’s pleas…because someone had to come to this Non-Samaritan hospital to check on my sister.”
Caleb stood still, diverting his eyes away from Lucien. He looked at his sister and he could still hear his father’s voice, reciting the Samaritan Creed. Samaritan’s live alongside others, but their worlds were separate. For years, he’d adopted these beliefs, but deep down, he’d always doubted if he could live the rest of his life, secluded, yet not totally set apart from the rest of the world. He didn’t know if he’d be strong enough to withstand this lifelong test.
Caleb stared at this man. The nurses had told him that his sister was recovering in the Delors family wing. He looked at his white on white clothes, and that was all he needed to see. Caleb had not been away from this life long enough to forget about the New Year’s Day White Ball. Anybody, who was anybody attended—and he was in the presence of one of the host. Caleb glared at him when he said…
“My parents are talking to the doctors at the Samaritan Hospital as we speak…and before this day is over, we plan to have my sister transferred there—where she should have been taken in the first place.”
“But…you can’t.” Lucien protested. He didn’t take
time to weigh the consequences when he continued…
“Your sister is fresh out of surgery and her condition is still in the fragile stages. Look…” his eyebrows rose, while he gestured at the nurse…
“If you don’t believe me…I’ll send the nurse to get the doctor.”
Lucien was prepared to say whatever needed to be said on Ona’s behalf. His body hummed with the knowledge of her name. He’d prepared himself to say more when they were joined by Dr. Stone and another doctor he’d not been introduced to yet.
“Mr. Zelle…my name is Dr. Stone, and this is my associate…Dr. Norma. We took part in a series of surgeries that were performed to save your sisters life and currently, we’ve taken the lead and are managing her care.”
Dr. Norma frowned, and he spoke with a Dutch accent.
“Sir…we just concluded a detailed and frank telephone conference with the medical team at the Samaritan Hospital. After our conversation, it was decided that Miss Zelle’s condition is to fragile to attempt a transfer…and at this time, considering her medical interest; it would be best if she remains here…until further notice.”
Caleb’s face was a wave of emotions. He wanted to say something that would resolve this. He wanted to lift his sister in his arms, taking her away from these snobbish people.
Dr. Norma was new to the country and he wasn’t familiar with this particular group of Christians. He didn’t understand their religious stipulations. His ignorance was amplified when he made a point that he thought would solve the problem.
“Sir…this is a private hospital…but your sister is here, as a guest of the Delors family. Our doors are open to you and if your family would like to come and visit her…Lincoln Medical will do everything possible to make Ona Zelle’s stay with us a positive one.”
Caleb’s face expressed his disapproval. He stared at the doctor, then at Lucien. He’d been silent after he learned that all attempts to transfer Ona had failed. But this bit of news didn’t gall him as much as this doctor’s ignorance. But before he could respond, Lucien disarmed the ticking time-bomb.
“Dr. Norma…perhaps we can set up a camera with a satellite feed. In this way, Ona’s Samaritan doctors can see her progress with their own eyes.”
