Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE: Standoff

Taking the stairwell rather than the lifts for expediency the two men arrived on the ground floor to the sight of people running and someone shouting. Looking around Conrad noted a couple who were over by the wall hugging each other, too afraid to move. This was exactly why he had brought Hills with him. He figured if people knew him they would take less persuasion to leave even if terrified. Telling the Actor what he needed did not get the response he was hoping for however.

"I'm sticking with you and call me Steve," the black haired man informed the Resident firmly.
"Look I don't have time to argue. They'll know you," Conrad pointed out as they watched a Nurse try unsuccessfully to get the couple moving, "you could save them."
"I'll talk to them," the Actor gave in but added as he walked away, "then I'm coming back to help you."
"I don't even know what I'm going to do. You stay outside Steve," the Resident hoped using his first name would help convince the man to do as he was asked.
"Back soon," Hills moved over to the couple and motioned for the Nurse to go on ahead and join the last few stragglers leaving.
"Damn," Conrad cursed quietly as he turned and began to jog towards the the shouting, hoping whatever was happening was resolved before the Actor returned.

Arriving at the Emergency Department the third year Resident found he was not the only one trying to assess the situation. Across the corridor he saw Officer Sean Benton with his weapon drawn but held down. Behind him stood Mike and Jude, both talking quietly. The Policeman had his handgun aimed towards the enraged intruder, obviously there was imminent danger. The man shouting raised the volume and Conrad chanced a quick look around the corner. What he saw, although expected given the sudden departure of so many people, was a man standing in the closest cubicle with a rifle aimed at the head of an unconscious patient. The blood running from the prone mans' temple explained his insensate state. Pulling back he tried to catch Judes' eye but could not do so. Walking back along the now deserted corridor he crossed and walked up behind the trio, noting the exasperated look cross Mikes' face at his arrival. Motioning the two men back to where they could hold a conversation without attracting the gunmans' attention he pelted the pair with quick questions and learnt that the gunman had simply walked past security, his weapon presumably unassembled to avoid detection. The man had then proceeded to the washrooms. Ten minutes later still wearing his raincoat, shielding the weapon, he had walked into the cubicle and drawn the curtains. All of this was known because Jude had viewed the CCTV foootage with one of the Security Guards. The Surgeon explained to the new arrival that they were awaiting the arrival of a SWAT team and a Negotiator. Hearing the shouting continuing Conrad looked at the two older men.

"What exactly has he said apart from cursing the patient?"
"He's been going on about his mothers' Will," Mike out in, "it sounds like they're related. Probably brothers. He wouldn't tell us anything. In fact I made the situation worse."
"Hey man you were trying to help," Jude quickly consoled then turned to the Resident, "Mike tried to talk to him. The patient was arguing with the guy. That was when the guy hit him with the rifle to stop him arguing."
"Do we know who the patient is?"
"Yes. Thanks to Mary. She picked up his Chart as she was ordered to leave the cubicle," the Surgeon referred to the new Nurse whom had only started her first week at Chastain, "luckily he was too upset to notice her taking it."
"His name is Tom Wilmington," Mike stated, "he was brought in after a hit and run. Something tells me our guy with the rifle was involved in that."
"Big coincidence if he wasn't."
"How long before the Negotiator gets here?"
"About five minutes hopefully," Jude relayed what Burton had told them, not adding that he figured that time frame was being optimistic.

The five minutes passed and soon ten minutes were gone by. The gunman had become subdued for a brief while, giving the waiting group false hope that perhaps he was reconsidering his actions. The patient moving on the gurney in the cubicle brought forth the gunmans' anger again and Jude glanced at his watch in frustration. Something needed to be done now. The Negotiator was taking too long to get there. The Surgeon shared a loaded look with Mike and was about to suggest the two approach the man when Conrad stepped out into plain view earning the irate mans' attention quickly. The Resident ignored the twin glares his friends sent him and concentrated fully on the man holding the rifle as he advanced towards the cubicle.

"What exactly do you want? If I can I'll help."
"Sure you will!" the middle aged man spoke with obvious derision as he held the weapon tighter and looked down at the moving patient who had still to open his eyes.
"What's your name?" Conrad kept walking slowly towards the end of the gurney, surprised but relieved he hadn't been stopped.
"What's yours?"
"Conrad. I work here," the fair haired man gestured to his dark scrubs unnecessarily to prove his statement.
"You look like you should be a damn patient."
"Part of being a Doctor is going without sleep," Conrad pointed out wrily as he observed the stranger up close, noting that despite gray streaked hair and white whiskers he was probably younger than he appeared and there was a strength in his dark blue eyes which spoke of authority, "you want to tell me why you came here?"
"No."
"This guy your friend, brother?"
"You ask a lot of questions."
"Part of my job," Conrad confessed and then continued, knowing his friends would be thinking of the irony as he said, "you need to talk to someone."
"You a shrink?"
"No but you could start with me."
"Why should I?" some of the strangers' bluster seemed to have dissipated.
"You can't stay here forever," Conrad stated honestly glad when he noted the man lying down was blissfully unaware of the conversation as he was unconscious again, "if I can help you I will."

In the corridor Jude and Mike turned upon hearing the quiet footfall of someone approaching. Benton looked at the newcomer momentarily before returning his grim focus to the scenario playing out in the cubicle. Mike turned around with a sigh.

"You should not be here."
"Where's Conrad?" Hills asked with a frown.
"Talking to the gunman," Jude answered, "you're the Actor."
"Steve Hills," the young man whispered and offered a hand, "ye know Conrad?"
"Why do you think I have gray hairs?" Mike demanded rhetorically.
"Knew he'd be in the thick of things ........," the young mans' words were cut off as raised voices emanated from the cubicle and the curtains were suddenly closed.

tbc