Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163

CHAPTER TWENTY- ONE: Hiding An Injury

Two days later Conrad was back at work. His friend had suggested he take a couple of days off but he preferred being in work. Less time to dwell on Andy and the past. He was after assessing a young woman in Emergency when another patient was rushed in. Before he could get to the patient Devon took charge. Waiting for the Paramedics to give their rundown on the new admittance Conrad caught Tom O'Donnells' eye and nodded to the entrance. The older man winked without skipping a beat and a few minutes later the two men stood outside in the ambulance bay.

"Doc wasn't expecting to see you up and about so soon."
"I'm grand," Conrad shrugged, "listen Tom I'm sorry if you caught any grief over me the other night. I didn't mean to get you in trouble."
"Now firstly I am well able to deal with trouble. And secondly you were lucky we hadn't informed Chastain who we were bringing in. If we had we would have had to bring you here."
"So just how much trouble did ye get in?" the Resident looked at the ground as he spoke.
"My boss is a good guy. I explained that when the patient woke up he insisted on going to Centennial Park."
"He accepted that without hassle?" Conrad showed his disbelief.
"Well I might have mentioned the patient was a friend," O'Donnell grinned, "sure it's not good business to have a medical team on standby only to find out a patient has gone to another facility but I explained there were extenuating circumstances."
"I really am sorry."
"Well we won't talk about this anymore. It's sorted," the veteran Paramedic looked down at the younger man assessingly, "now tell me how you're really doing."
"I'm fine."
"As fine as you can be walking around with thirty staples in you!" O'Donnell scoffed.
"Hey keep your voice down! Pete shouldn't have told you that." Conrad warned softly as Devon approached the ambulance bay looking for his mentor.
"You just look after yourself," O'Donnell slapped the other man on the back and headed around the side of the ambulance.

"Conrad. Was wondering where you disappeared to," the first year Resident walked over, "you have time for a coffee?"
"Guess so," Conrad glanced at his watch, "have ten minutes to spare anyway. What do you want to talk about?"
"Just thought we could catch up," Devon spoke as they strolled towards the cafeteria.
"You spoken to the Kirkwoods today?"
"Yeah. They're still in shock but that's to be expected. Going straight from diagnosis to palliative care is a lot to take in."
"Mrs. Kirkwood is lucky she has her family around her." Conrad put in as they qued for coffees and found a window table in the quiet room.
"Definitely," Devon nodded, "they seem close. That will help."
"So any word from Nic?"
"Me? Thought she'd contact you," Devon was surprised by the query.
"Lost my phone the other night," Conrad admitted having only made the discovery when Pete had informed him over breakfast that the phone was missing as well as his wallet. He had been so glad to be discharged he hadn't even noticed the two items were missing.
"How?"
"Doesn't matter," Conrad looked up as Sean Benton approached in uniform.
"Dr. Hawkins may I have a moment of your time?" the Officer enquired after nodding to both men.
"This official?" Devon interrupted.
"I need to talk to Dr. Hawkins in private," Benton ignored the question.
"Sure," Conrad stood up looking over at his friend, "catch you later. You mind walking with me?"
"No problem," Benton took out his pen and notebook as they walked out into the corridor.

"Your phone and wallet were found in the possession of one Lucas Wilson. What's strange is you didn't report them missing."
"I have to go to Radiology," Conrad pressed the elevator button, "didn't get around to it yet. Can I collect them?"
"I assume you cancelled your cards."
"Of course," Conrad insisted, that was the first thing he did, "thanks for telling me."
"There is something else we need to discuss," Benton stated as the elevator arrived opening its' doors to reveal an empty chamber.
"What?" the Resident stepped into the enclosed space in relief, glad he had a means of getting away.
"Your stabbing," Benton made a face and stepped into the elevator just as the doors started to slide closed.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Conrad cursed internally.
"So if I was to do this you wouldn't have a problem?" the Officer suddenly shot out a hand, palm open, as if to make contact with the other mans' stomach.
"Damn," Conrad backed away to avoid contact but the sudden retreat cost him as sweat broke out on his forehead, "what did you do that for?!"
"You wouldn't tell me the truth," Benton shook his head ruefully, "why didn't you report it?"
"Didn't need to," Conrad winced as he straightened up then something dawned on him, "how did ye find out?"
"Wilson handed himself in."
"He did?"
"Turns out he wasn't actually trying to stab you. He forgot the knife was in his pocket and took it out but apparently he didn't see you and accidentally collided with you."
"I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going," Conrad conceded, "so it was an accident. No need for the police to get involved.
"Doc he still stabbed you. You need to come down to the precinct and give a Statement."
"Can you do it here?"
"Need you to identify Wilson."
"It was dark and I didn't see him,"Conrad spoke honestly as the elevator chimed, "besides I'm not bringing a complaint. It was an accident. You said that yourself "
"He still stole your cell and wallet."
"Thought you said he didn't mean to stab me. He still stole from me?"
"Guess his reflexes kicked in. He's a petty thief."
"But he turned himself in."
"Yes. Now Doc care to tell me where the knife is?"
"Threw it away," Conrad lied quickly, no way was he getting Pete in trouble.
"So who treated you?"
"I took care of it," Conrad replied as they walked towards Radiology, "is there anything else?"
"Doc why are you protecting Wilson?"
"I'm not," Conrad was glad he could be honest.
"Okay Doc," Benton stopped writing and shook his head, "you still need to make a Statement."
"Can't it wait until tomorrow?"
"Guess it will have to. You have something else to look after," Benton pointed to the other mans' abdomen where a small moist patch had appeared on the scrub top.
"Damn!"
"Talk to you tomorrow. Just get to the station before ten or Sarge will kill me," Benton instructed as he handed over his card.
"Thanks."

Conrad quickly made his way to a supply room and grabbed a dressing and some sterile wipes. Lifting up the two tops he had on he was relieved to note only a small amount of blood had seeped from the wound and he quickly cleaned the area before applying the fresh dressing. Grabbing a fresh scrub top he quickly changed and promptly returned to Radiology after binning the bloody items.

The following morning the third year Resident dutifully made a Statement and reiterated he had no intention of bringing a complaint. Benton had not been too happy that he had not had a change of mind but accepted his decision. Arriving at Chastain via cab to avoid pulling stitches a familiar voice shouted to him and he turned to find Nic walking from the car park.

"Hey thought you weren't back for another while," Conrad greeted his one time girlfriend, "how was it?"
"Good apart from the funeral of course. It was nice to catch up with my cousins. You've been ignoring my calls. What's up?" Nic asked as she got closer.
"Sorry lost my phone the other day. Only got it sorted this morning," he patted the returned item in his jacket pocket.
"You look awful."
"Now there's a greeting Hallmark missed," Conrad smiled, "I'm just tired."
"Sure."

Nic knew now why Devon had been so concerned about their friend. Since her departure it was obvious Conrad had lost weight and while she knew he was being honest about being tired she also knew there was something else wrong and herself and Devon were going to help in any way they could. Whether or not Conrad liked it.

tbc