His musing was interrupted when a voice rose above his inner thoughts.
“I got a line in her and I’m running normal saline wide open. Her pulse is thready and the fluid doesn’t seem to be affecting her volume. Something has to give because at the rate she’s bleeding--it’s like covering several holes with one bandaid and at this rate--she’s bound to bleed out. She needs a transfusion--and I mean fast.”
The other tech said...
“Do what you can--but it doesn’t get any better on my end. I don’t like the look of this scan. She’s got multiple fractures--and based on her dipping blood pressure--I’ll bet you a million bucks, she’s got internal bleeding.”
Above their voices, Lucien heard someone say...
“Some morning--huh”
Lucien’s concentration had been broken by an officer. He wondered at what point had he joined the mayhem--and why was he bothering him.
“You’re one of the Delors--right?”
“Yes--Lucien. Lucien Delors.” He said.
“Yeah--I thought so. I recognized the logo on the chopper--and the van. Was that your pilot who made the call?”
“Yes--it didn’t appear that anyone was helping this young woman--so I instructed him to land. I hope that wasn’t a problem.”
“Oh no--no problem at all. Actually, I wanted to thank you. We--that is--we being the police force--we appreciate good citizens doing their part. But it’s funny.”
Lucien furrowed his brow. He didn’t see anything worth laughing at.
The officer said...
“She’s a Samaritan--a young woman, and you hardly ever see them out on their own. Where are the other members of her Sect? I’m just asking--but I don’t suspect it’ll matter because the detective said that the Samaritan’s hardly ever sue--and I’ve never witnessed them complaining about anything.”
“Perhaps now isn’t the time to think about lawsuits or who might be blamed. As you said--she’s here alone--and that’s highly unusual.”
“I guess you’re right.”
Lucien stood back to get a better look. In the distance he could see that one of his families solicitors had arrived, and the driver wasn’t talking. From where he stood, to him it appeared like the driver had finally calmed down.
Lucien said...
“I’ve instructed the driver of the van to cooperate.”
“Sure, sure.” The police officer said, then he continued...and Lucien wondered if the man had heard him because his comment picked up on an earlier thought.
“You know--today is a holiday. I wonder if her family knows that she’s hurt.”
His chest tightened when he said...
“I doubt it.” Lucien continued....”Maybe you should contact the Samaritan Conclave. That might be a good place to start. Maybe if you send them a picture--I’m sure they’ll be able to identify her, and contact her family.”
Lucien watched as the officer nodded, but he didn’t move to make the call. To make matters worse, his ears pricked when he heard the medical technicians arguing.
“She’s a Samaritan--and that means that we have to follow certain protocols.”
“But we’re close to Midtown General--we could have her there in less than ten minutes.”
“She’s a Samaritan Quin. Look--I know that you’re agnostic and you may not give a damn about her Sect or her Creed--but some of us do. I’m may not be a Samaritan but I am a Christian and I do respect the beliefs of others. Samaritan’s follow a strict set of rules and--this group of people are devout in their beliefs. I’m telling you--they cannot step foot in a hospital, unless it’s a Samaritan hospital. And that limits her choices because the only Samaritan Hospital in this area is located on the Samaritan barge in the harbor. It’s their rule man--and I’m not going to break it.”
The other tech protested saying,
“That place is more than thirty minutes away--plus, they aren’t equipped to deal with traumatic injuries.”
Lucien couldn’t believe what he was hearing--they were quibbling over religion, Sect Creeds, distances and beliefs. Whatever happened to discussions that involve the obvious. Topics like--life and commonsense. Clearly, this woman was in urgent need of professional medical care--and from where he stood, there was no debating this fact. He stared at the wires and tubes attached to her body, then he asked himself; would this be enough--or would all their work be in vain? Lucien looked at the police officer. He felt compelled to say....
“Look--this was a street accident, and as such, doesn’t that make you the authority in this situation? If this lady’s injuries require that she be transported to the facility best suited to meet her needs--can’t you override them? I mean--according to the law--it is her legal right to have the best and safest care. And...when she wakes up, you’ll need to talk to her--and you can’t do that if she’s dead.”
The officer scratched his head, then he said...
“Well--yes, I guess you’re right--but she is a Samaritan.”
It was clear that this was the sticky point, and the officer and one of the medical technicians weren’t willing to bend. But as far as Lucien was concerned, in this situation, her religious belief wasn’t a consideration. Since it had been his families van that took part in this accident--he felt a duty to right things--it would be the just thing to do.
The two techs were busy strapping their injured patient to the stretcher. They stood at either end, then lifted her for transport. One of the techs spoke on a headset, reporting on his patients status, while the other positioned the stretcher to the receiving in of the air-transport. If Lucien was going to intervene, he would have to do or say something now.
Lucien said...
“Officer--may I make a suggestion. Clearly--this woman needs immediate care--which includes being taken to the closest medical facility. And I don’t mean Midtown General, like the technician had suggested. She needs to be taken to Lincoln Medical Facility”
“Lincoln Medical Facility?!” the officer nearly choked when he repeated the hospital’s name. “But--that place is a private hospital--and I mean private, private. I work for the city--and I’m not even allowed to enter the lobby. Hell, at that place--I couldn’t afford a bandaid for a cut, even if my life depended on it.”
“It is a private hospital--but it’s also the best place for this young woman to be.”
Lucien didn’t want to debate prejudices and how some viewed his wealth as a form of class separation. Lincoln Medical was a private hospital that catered to the super rich. Most families owned suites, departments, and some owned entire wings.
The officer stared at him, perplexed, then he said...
“Look, I’m no doctor--but if you think Lincoln will accept her--I’ll agree with whatever is best.”
“Good” Lucien said. “...and I appreciate your help.”
The officer nodded--mainly because he couldn’t think of anything worthwhile to say.
When Lucien approached the medical chopper, he chose to talk to the wiser of the two men. The tech who’d seemed to grasp the seriousness of this situation.
“Where are you taking her?” Lucien asked
“To the Samaritan dock. From there--the Samaritan ferry will meet us, and then they’ll transport her to the hospital located on their barge.”
“But--that could take more than half an hour. I thought you said that she needs blood.”
“Yep--you heard me right.”
The tech pushed a button and the stretcher began a slow glide into the rear of the transport. Lucien touched his shoulder, causing the man’s brow to raise.