She’s not gurgling, but I still open her mouth to make sure she’s not drowning in her own vomit. It’s clear.
I don’t know if the girl put her on her side or she just fell that way, but it’s the best position for her to be in. I’ve seen this more times than I care to remember. Most of those ODs were already dead by the time I got to the scene.
I get my cell out to call an ambulance. I can’t just throw her in the backseat and drive. I can get her to MedStar in less than ten minutes if I take her, but still, I can’t have her in the backseat alone and I can’t trust this girl enough to help. If she dies back there, it’s on me.
I call 911 and advise the dispatcher that I have the teenage girl, Miriam Gregory, who has the recent Amber Alert out on her.
“She’s unconscious. Possible OD,” I say.
The dispatcher tries to keep me on the phone, but after I give the address, I say the girl needs attention and disconnect.
I put my hand on Miriam’s shoulder and nudge her again a few times.
“Help’s on the way,” I whisper. “You’ll be okay, Miriam. You’ll be okay. You’ll be okay.”
Seventy-nine
The police got here before I can follow the ambulance.
I walk up the ramp to the hospital, I find another two officers standing by the lobby entrance.
After the officers take my information, I have them notify Davidson to respond. I also give them Miriam’s parents’ info, because she’s in their hands now. They should be the ones to call the parents. Fact is, I’m not feeling up to making the call myself.
I enter and talk to the receptionist at the counter. He advises me that the doctors are with her now and they’ll have information soon.
I go and find a seat near the window, next to a fake plant.
It doesn’t take long for Davidson to show up. He’s with Hawkins and Hernandez. When he’s done talking to one of the officers, they walk over. He shakes my hand and takes a seat beside me.
“How the hell did you find her?”
“Pounding the pavement, knocking on doors; one lead led to another.”
“What’s with the girl she was staying with?” Davidson asks.
“All I know is that’s where Miriam was staying, nothing else.”
“Good job,” Hawkins says.
“Goes without saying, Frankie,” Davidson adds.
I even get a smile from Hernandez.
Hawkins returns to the officers. I’m assuming to get more information from them.
“We need to head back, see how she’s doing, and talk to the doctors,” Davidson says.
“Let me know as soon as you can,” I say.
“Of course,” he says, and they walk back and through the double doors.
Detective Caine walks in about an hour later with Miriam’s mom and dad. Caine sees me and stops, but the mom and the dad are led back to the ICU by one of the other officers.
Caine approaches me.
“Davidson called me to let me know. I picked up the parents.”
“Hopefully she’ll be all right,” I say.
“I’m hopin’ that too. Mind if I sit and wait with you?”
“I’m tired, so don’t expect much.”
“I’d like to say that I read you wrong, and I apologize.”
“Cops should never apologize.”
“It’s okay if it’s to another cop.” He smiles.
That’s a nice compliment, but I don’t tell him. We sit quietly and wait together.
Officials start showing up, one after another. Even the chief and then, a few minutes after him, Wightman. Caine and I are sitting off to the side beside a few other people who are waiting around for their loved ones, so they don’t notice me. I’m thankful for that.
I’m starting to fade fast. Davidson and his two cohorts return. They brief the white shirts. A lot of eyes have probably been on Davidson for this one, including those of the chief himself. I never liked working under those conditions. The politics of the job can wear you down faster than the actual work. I’m grateful to not be a part of that anymore. Caine looks at me and offers his hand. I accept.
“I should probably see what’s going on,” he says, and after a hearty handshake he joins the team.
Miriam’s parents come out of the back. The chiefs, along with Wightman, walk up to greet them. They shake hands like good politicians should, and I take it that means she’ll be fine.
Davidson returns to me and confirms it.
“They’re going to admit her, but she should pull through,” he advises.
“Damn good to hear. Now, is there any way I can sneak outta here without those fucks seeing me?”
“They’ve already seen you, but they’re busy taking all the credit so I don’t see why not.”
“They got their job to do.”
“We know better, though, and we’re the ones who matter, right?”
“Whatever it takes to keep them off my ass. That’s all I care about.”
“Well, you certainly accomplished that.”
“I meant to ask, do you know about the search warrant they executed this morning?”
“Yeah, we were there.”
“Did someone get shot? I hope not an officer.”
“No, just the one they called Little Monster. He thought he could make a last stand in the backyard.”