Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: Unexpected Meeting

The following morning Conrad walked up to the desk at the precinct as Benton requested. He hoped this didn't take long.

"How may I help you Sir?" a burly gray haired Officer with a name tag Simpson asked after putting down a telephone receiver.
"I was asked to come down by Officer Benton."
"Name?"
"Conrad Hawkins."
"Well Officer Benton is out on patrol but ...," Simpson looked up from the clipboard he had consulted.
"He said his Sergeant wanted to talk to me," Conrad cut in.
"Well in that case take a seat and I'll tell the Sergeant you're here."
"Will this take long? I'm due at work shortly."
"I'll tell him you're here," Simpson pointed towards the waiting area without addressing the question.
"Thanks," Conrad offered half heartedly as he glanced at his watch.
"Took you long enough!" a familiar voice spoke.
"Mack?" the Resident turned from the desk in shock to see his childhood neighbour.
"Surprised you recognised me after all these years," Tim McKenzie moved closer and pulled the surprised man in for a hug, "I'm after putting on a few pounds!"
"Mack!" Conrad returned the hug for a moment and then pulled away.
"When Benton said he had one Conrad Hawkins in to give a Statement I figured the name was a coincidence," McKenzie spoke as he turned his friend in the direction of his office and gestured for him to follow.
"You're looking good."
"Wish I could return the compliment," McKenzie led the way into his office closing the door, "take a seat."
"A Cop?" Conrad sat down in front of the cluttered desk.
"A Doctor?"
"Guilty."
"So like I was saying," McKenzies' demeanour became serious, "at first I thought the name was just a coincidence but then Benton told me about you."
"What do you mean?"
"He told me how you didn't report the fact that you were stabbed and how you were at work even though it was obvious you were unwell."
"He has a big mouth," Conrad grumbled in disgust.
"Actually he doesn't. He just likes to keep his Sergeant happy. So, you haven't changed much."
"Only by about twenty years or so."
"Wasn't talking about age. Meant the way you hide things. Want to tell me why you hid a stab wound?"
"You married?" Conrad gestured to the wedding band the older man wore.
"Yes," McKenzie grinned broadly, "Tanya is the best woman in the world. She doesn't let me get away with anything," the older man held up a clear plastic carton of chopped fruit with a grimace, "insists I eat healthy."
"Kids?"
"Twin boys. They're eleven now."
"I'm glad things are going well for you."
"I don't see a ring so I'm assuming you're a free agent."
"Free as a bird."
"So answer the question?" the experienced man wasn't about to be distracted.
"Question?"
"Why didn't you report the stabbing?"
"No point. I didn't see the guy."
"And it never dawned on you to report it in case he attacked someone else?"
"He didn't intend to attack me. I stumbled into him. It was my fault."
"The hospital should have reported the incident in any event."
"Didn't go to Chastain," Conrad tried not to lie to his old friend.
"And you threw away the knife?"
"What's the problem Mack? My Statement gives details of the incident. It was my fault. The guy didn't mean to hurt me."
"You're sounding like you did when you turned up to school after days off looking like a ghost and refusing to talk," McKenzie spoke with sad insight.
"Don't know what you're talking about.".
"Hey I know we were kids but I remember what you went through. You need to know you're the reason I became a Cop."
"What are you talking about?"
"I couldn't stop your father locking you up."
"You were a kid."
"And so were you."
"I was older."
"Didn't matter."
"Your life was hell."
"Yeah well that's just the way it goes," Conrad dismissed with a shrug.
"Why wouldn't you ever tell your mother about what was going on Conrad? Over the years I've asked questions I never thought to ask as a child."
"Look Mack it was great seeing you but I have to get to work," the Resident stood up quickly.
"Didn't mean to upset you," McKenzie rose also and walked around the desk with a hand extended, "what are you doing tomorrow night? I'd like Tanya and the boys to meet you."
"I'm ....,"
"I promise no interrogation. What do you say?"
"Okay but I won't stay for long."
"Don't worry once you taste Tanyas' cooking you won't want to!"
"That good huh?"
"Put it this way if I didn't love her I'd have applied for an annulment."
"Looking forward to it already!" Conrad grinned as they shook hands.

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Back at Chastain thirty minutes later after speaking to Paul Kirkwood the tired man sought out his spouse and was informed she had gone to visit the small hospital chapel. Upon entering the little haven of tranquility nestled in the bustling hospital he found his quarry alone sitting on a pew.

"Mind if I join you?" the fair haired man asked softly.
"Please do," Mary patted the pew beside her and watched as he sat down, "do you believe in God Dr. Hawkins?"
"Yeah," Conrad answered without hesitation, "not in religion but God. Was raised a Catholic but after everything came out about the abuse that was covered up I did a lot of soul searching. Religion is man made. Unfortunately a lot of people out there believe that because they are intertwined one is a part of the other."
"I was raised a Catholic also," Mary explained, "but I cannot abide what the Church did to innocent children and yet I sit here seeking peace. Does that make me a hypocrite?"
"No. It just makes you someone needing a quiet place to talk to the Big Guy and this chapel is the quietest place in the hospital."
"Did you need to speak to me about something?" Mary asked after a brief silence.
"Yeah. I need to know if you want your husband to go home with you."
"I would love it but it's not what he wants."
"Actually it is."
"No dear. We've spoken about it," Mary smiled sadly as tears glistened in her eyes.
"Turns out ye are both trying to do what ye think is right for each other but he really wants to die at home and I know you want him there."
"But he said .....,"
"He said what he thought you needed to hear. When you're in this type of situation it's not always easy to see the whole picture. It's obvious ye love each other so why out do what ye both want?"
"But ...... are you sure it's what he wants?"
"I'm sure and if you talk to him and tell each tell the truth you'll find yer both on the same page."
"Dr. Hawkins," Mary placed on hand on her companions' shoulder as she rose, "thank you. Now I better go talk to that stubborn man and then I'll have to go shopping."
"Shopping?" Conrad asked as they walked to the door.
"Well if he's coming home I'm going to have to stock up on chick flicks!"
"He might just change his mind," Conrad smiled as the woman walked away, new purpose in her step.

Conrad knew the next few weeks would not be easy for the Kirkwoods but he also had seen how close knit the family was and that would sustain the surviving members into the future.

tbc