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Part
39
Roy looked at Brackett as they wheeled in the crash cart. "Is it Johnny?"
"No," yelled Brackett. "But we're losing Lambert."
*****
Mike Stoker stared at Marco. "How did you know?"
Marco grinned. "I overheard you're plans. Thought you both would like a commemorative photo."
Sharon smiled. "Oh, Mike..Pictures! Smile."
Marco snapped away as Stoker stood there, a stunned look on his expression. He looked down at Sharon, who was clinging to his arm, and at little Mickey, who had started bawling as Marco's flash went off.
Oh God, thought Mike. What have I done?
*****
Joanne DeSoto stared at Harriet. "What could you possibly have against John Gage?"
"He's a walking disaster magnet. Where he goes, trouble follows and that's not something I want my Roy exposed to!" Harriet pursed her lips. "Bad enough he choose this dangerous career path! He shouldn't have to be saddled with a... a... maverick partner, too!"
Joanne sat up in the bed. "Roy isn't saddled with Johnny. They have a great partnership. Johnny watches out for Roy and vice versa. He's saved Roy's life many times!"
Harriet snorted. "He's probably the one who put him in danger in the first place."
Joanne looked evenly at Harriet. "That's not true. I'll also have you know, Harriet, that I am proud to be a fireman's wife. It is a very noble profession. And Roy is wonderful at it."
Harriet glared at Joanne. "My Roy was smart. He could have been a doctor, not just this..para..whatever. If he hadn't gotten tied down too young, he would have made something of himself."
Joanne sat up straighter. If it weren't for the IV in her arm, she'd have lept at Harriet. "Roy did make something of himself. He's the best damn paramedic in this county. And maybe he wouldn't have 'tied' himself down so young if you hadn't made his home life so unbearable!"
Harriet narrowed her eyes. "How dare you!" she bellowed.
Joanne flinched at the coldness in her mother-in-law's tone. "How dare you!" she retorted. "How could you hide the fact from Roy that he had a brother, especially when you knew that brother was Johnny!"
Harriet laughed bitterly. "Foolish girl. I didn't hide a brother from Roy. That man is not Roy's brother."
"He identified your husband as his father!" Joanne cried. "That makes them brothers."
"It would have," Harriet smirked, "if my husband had been Roy's father!"
*****
Roy paced in the waiting room, awaiting word on Johnny and Dr. Lambert. Finally, he saw Joe Early approaching him. "Doc. How's Johnny?"
Early smiled. "He's sleeping now, Roy. Luckily, he doesn't seem any worse for all the activity he's been through. Alicia has been admitted to the Psychiatric Ward."
"She should be locked in a prison!" Roy shouted, hotly. "She's a menace."
Dr. Early put a hand on Roy's shoulder. "Roy, she's very ill. I don't think she's responsible for her actions. I have a feeling that she'll be declared too ill to stand trial."
Roy shook his head in disgust. Then, he asked, "How's Dr. Lambert?"
Joe Early sighed. "He's still in the OR. But it doesn't look good."
*****
Early the next morning, Chet stood outside the diner across from the hospital, his hands behind his back. He was meeting Carol for breakfast. He scanned the crowd as they hurried by until he spotted her. She smiled as she met his eyes, rushing up to kiss him hello. He presented her with a beautiful, long-stemmed red rose that he'd been hiding.
"Oh, Chet," Carol gushed, taking the flower and breathing in its heady perfume. She kissed him again.
"I love you," Chet said. "And I was serious. I want to marry you." He fumbled in his pocket, finally pulling out a small velvet ring box. He opened the box, revealing a large sparkling diamond ring.
Tears came to Carol's eyes and her hands were shaking as Chet placed the ring on her left hand. She smiled at him. "Of course I'll marry you!"
Chet beamed. Life was good.
A short while later, Chet escorted Carol back to her apartment. They kissed at her doorway. "Are you sure I can't come in?" he asked.
Carol smiled. "If I had known, Chet, I'd have changed my plans. But I have to go see my mother today, and if you come in, I'll never get there!" She traced a finger over his moustache. "Rain check? Until tonight?"
He smiled, kissing her hand. "Until tonight. I'm going to take you to the finest restaurant in town. We're going to celebrate you making me the happiest man in the world."
Carol laughed and they kissed good-bye. She watched as Chet ran down the stairs and across the parking lot to his car. Then, she opened her front door and walked inside. As she was shutting the door, someone grabbed her from behind, spinning her around. Startled, she stared into the eyes of the intruder.
"Oh, God!" she cried. "You scared me half to death!" She fell into his arms, kissing him passionately.
Tom Dwyer grinned. "Did you miss me, baby? God, I thought he'd never leave."
"What about Dixie?" She pouted.
"Baby, you know I love only you. She's just part of the plan." He ran his hands possessively over her body as he held her in an embrace. Finally, he spotted the glint from the ring on her left hand. He stared at it, then grinned at her. "Our plan's working."
She nodded. "Asked me to be his little wife!"
"Great!" Tom crowed.
Carol frowned. "Are you sure about this plan?"
Tom nodded. "I'm telling you, he told me all about the large trust fund his rich grandfather left him. So, you marry him, baby... and then poor Chet is going to have an accident on the job."
"And all that money will be left to his loving wife!" Carol continued.
"Then, the grieving widow will leave town." Dwyer recited. "And shortly after, I'll resign from the department..."
"...And we'll live the rest of our lives happily ever after, far away from here!" Carol finished. She gave Tom a long passionate kiss. He swept her up and they headed for the bedroom.
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