Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Sorting A Bully

Devon had spent the last two days trying to pry information out of Jude but the other man proved evasive and finally he had told the concerned Resident that Conrad would not appreciate his life being pried into. Things did not improve when Devon found out that Nic was in fact going to be gone for three weeks. She had phoned him when Conrad did not return her calls. A distant relative had passed away and although the Nurse Practitioner was not close to her she had been asked to attend by her family and could not refuse. He had assured her that Conrad was fine just busy and he would ask him to ring her. He had debated telling her about everything that was happening with their mutual friend but knew she would rush back if he did so. Hoping he had made the right decision Devon made sure his mentor had made the call.

For Conrad the next few days proved hectic and it was late in the evening before he had a chance to call down to the maintenance section to speak to Pedro and Alonzo.

"Hey Conrad," the younger Rodriguez greeted enthusiastically, "you're looking better than the last time we saw you."
"Alonzo I have told you to call Dr. Hawkins by his proper title," Pedro mildly scolded his son for the umpteenthe time as he gave their visitor the once over, "you do look better. We visited but you were resting."
"Ye shouldn't have," Conrad shifted awkwardly not wanting to discuss his health and eagerly changed the topic, "has Sessions done anything else since the elevator incident?"
"No. We try to stay off his radar," Alonzo scowled as he put away some brushes and buckets, "not that he makes it easy!"
"You should not have got involved the other day Dr. Hawkins," Pedro spoke quietly as he poured white spirits into a glass jar containing paintbrushes, "that man is dangerous. I can see it in his eyes."
"I'm not going to stand by and let him treat anyone like dirt. Besides if ye did anything he could fire ye. He can't fire me."
"True but you should not make an enemy of him. We will manage no matter what happens."
"I'm sure ye will but I came down to tell ye I'm going to make sure he leaves here. For good."
"Really?" Alonzo beamed wiping his hands on a cloth.
"Dr. Hawkins you do not need to do anything. It may incur his wrath," Pedro quickly cautioned.
"But .....," Alonzo looked over at his father.
"Don't worry," Conrad spoke confidently, "I'm not going to let him know who's after him."
"What exactly are you going to do?" Alonzo demanded curiously as he walked over and shut the steel door to ensure complete privacy.
"Well a friend of mine is a Private Investigator. At the moment he's digging for any dirt on Sessions."
"You're going to blackmail him?" Pedros' tone betrayed his lack of approval.
"Well blackmail may seem to be the only way to get rid of him. I'd never actually use any information I obtain but he won't know that. In fact I said blackmail may seem the only option. I'm not going to blackmail him if I can avoid it," Conrad assured the middle aged man with a grin, "I'm just going to give him a few hints that should send him on his way."
"When will your friend get back to you?" Alonzo asked eagerly.
"Tomorrow. I'll keep ye posted. All ye have to do is work like ye normally do."
"Please be careful Dr. Hawkins," Pedro warched the young Doctor head for the door.
"I will. Talk soon."

Eric and Danny were waiting outside Conrads' apartment block the following night when he arrived home. Although initially wary he was happy his two friends had again decided to extend their stay in Atlanta for another month or so. When questioned they had cited the change in plans as being made for business reasons. He did not fully accept the explanation but did not pursue the issue.

"Well tell us about this mission you have for us?" Eric instructed once they were seated at the kitchen counter sipping beers.
"I've given ye the background. This guy represents everything that's wrong with the U.S. He's a bully and Trump and his ilk have given him a blank cheque to do as he pleases."
"It sickens me that we fought for people like that," Danny took a gulp of beer, "you said he has a mistress."
"Yeah. Jessica Lawrence. This guy is a coward as well as a bully. I figure he won't want to stick around if he thinks he might get beaten up."
"How do you know he's a coward," Eric checked.
"He's bigger than me in height and weight but every time I've confronted him he's backed down."
"Hell Conrad we're bigger than you and we wouldn't go up against you," Danny stated seriously.
"Well what do ye think?" Conrad ignored the implied compliment just like they expected him to.
"You mean we can't actually touch him?"
"No. I need this to be clean."
"What about Lawrence? How are you going to get her to co-operate?"
"Well if we play things right she won't know anything other than Sessions is out of her life. The good thing is they have a regular routine and every Tuesday they meet up in a park in the afternoon to walk her dog. Sessions walks the dog for about half an hour while she just sits on a bench reading."
"Your PI got that information in a couple of days?" Danny frowned.
"No. He knew who to talk to. There are regular dog walkers in the park. They told him about the weekly meetings."
"Why would he meet her in a public place? Isn't that risky?"
"Well he lives on the other side of town and I got Jim to check his wifes' schedule. Turns out Tuesday afternoons she volunteers at a nursing home."
"He's still taking a chance," Eric peeled the label from his bottle.
"Like most bullies he's arrogant."
"Where is the park?" Danny asked as he took out his mobile ready to type in the address for the following day.
"South Bend Park, it's on Compton Drive. I want ye to get another rental," Conrad took out his wallet and handed over several notes.
"Put that away," Eric directed pushing the money back, "this is a small thing we are doing so let us pay for the car."
"But ...,"
"You don't want to insult us," Danny pointed out resolutely and the notes were reluctantly put back.

"So what exactly are we going to do?" Eric got back on track.
"Well once Sessions heads off Eric you sit down on the bench beside Lawrence and strike up a conversation, about the weather or something. Don't sit too close but be near enough for Sessions to think ye know each other. Now Sessions always takes the same route. Once he's out of sight Eric you catch up with Sessions and tell him you know he's seeing your girlfriend."
"And?"
"Tell him he has two choices. One is to leave Atlanta by the end of the week and not to speak to Jessica again. The second is that he stays, contacts Jessica again and you visit his wife."
"When you called yesterday you said you weren't going to blackmail him," Danny reminded.
"I know and I don't like it but Jim couldn't find anything else, not at short notice anyway."
"I can play a jealous boyfriend very well," Eric grinned broadly.
"So what am I doing while Eric is doing his act?"
"Need you to make sure Lawrence doesn't decide to follow. Like I said she usually sits and reads but it's best to be prepared."
"Agreed," Danny nodded, "and I can be the charming guy easily without having to act."
"Your modesty is amazing," Eric shook his head in disgust.
"Ye sure about this guys? I'm afraid if I try anything myself he'll know I'm doing it for Pedro and his son."
"Hey this will be fun," Danny insisted, besides all work and no play is getting boring."
"Thanks. I owe ye."
"No you don't. We owe you more than we could ever repay," Eric objected, "now where are those photos you mentioned when you phoned. Hate to chat up the wrong woman."
"And guys ye have to look different just in case Sessions saw ye here with me."
"You've thought of everything."
"Hope so "

tbc