“So that’s good, right? No cast and no surgery,” I say to Drew, taking his good hand and squeezing it.
The doctor comes back and sits on a rolling stool, scooting it over in front of Drew. He takes his injured hand and examines it carefully, turning it over and looking at both sides. “Tell me if you can feel this.” the doctor says as he takes a paperclip and untwists it, poking it onto the end of each finger.
“Yes, I can feel that.”
“It’ll hurt, but I need to see if you can flex your fingers.”
Drew hisses, but is able to move each finger.
“Good, no nerve or tendon injuries then.” Flipping his glasses up onto his head, the doctor reaches into his pocket and straps a black splint onto Drew’s hand, restraining the two smallest fingers as Drew winces in pain.
“There, that oughta do it. Ice it several times a day, wear this for a week, longer if it’s still painful, but no more than two weeks. You’ll need to move your hand as soon as you can to keep the muscle tone up.” He spins his chair around and pulls a prescription pad from the desk, scribbles furiously on it then tears off the top sheet and hands it to me. “Pain medication. Codeine and paracetamol, you call it Tylenol with Codeine in the US. Three days’ worth, though you probably won’t need that many, then switch to plain paracetamol or ibuprofen.” He makes a note in a manila file and shuts it, turning back to face Drew. “No more punching solid objects, yes?”
Drew frowns, then agrees. “Right.” He stands up to shake the doctor’s hand, gripping it firmly in his right hand. “Guess it’s a good thing that I’m left-handed so I can properly thank you,” he says, allowing a small smile on his face.
Dr. Bradford shakes Drew’s hand and slaps his shoulder. “Good thing indeed.” He turns and removes the two x-rays from the lightboard and hands them to me. “Better to just take them with you so they don’t end up on the telly,” he jokes. “I trust the staff unequivocally, but you never know.”
“Thanks doctor.” I shake his hand and place the x-rays in my bag.
“Well, ring me if you need anything while you’re still in town. If you’re here in two weeks, feel free to stop by and I’ll look at your hand to be sure everything’s healing properly. Just not on Tuesday or Thursday mornings,” he says. “Surgery days for me I’m afraid. Just see Becca on your way out and she’ll get you done in a jif.” He picks up the chart and leaves the room.
“Well that was quick,” I say to Drew as we head out to the checkout desk.
Becca seems to know exactly who is coming to see her because her cheeks are flushed with excitement and her eyes are filled with what I can only describe as awe. I whisper to Steve to go out to the car with Drew and that I’ll finish up here with Evan. They leave and Becca’s expression falls as she watches Drew go.
“I know. Disappointing, isn’t it?” I say sarcastically. Normally, I wouldn’t be rude, but I can’t give a shit right now. Becca is very unhappy with me, scowling as she finishes the paperwork. I pay the bill with my business card, sign the slip, and head out the door.
Back at the hotel, I give Drew a couple of painkillers and after a short debate he relents and takes them. He must be hurting because he hates taking any medicine stronger than ibuprofen.
I pull out my phone and listen to the message that Rhys left while we were at the clinic.
Jesus, Sydney. I can’t fucking believe this. Sorry, didn’t mean to swear. Okay, shit. Oops, well, anyway. Jane told me to write up a press release for Drew and to run it by you, let me know as soon as you can if I should change anything. Here it is,
Due to the serious legal aspects of an ongoing investigation regarding illegal listening devices in several different hotel rooms in multiple countries, Andrew Forrester and Sydney Tannen can only say how saddened they are to find that their privacy has been violated in such an egregious fashion.
They would like to thank all of their fans and friends for their support and well wishes and will be cooperating with law enforcement to unravel this conspiracy. Due to the legalities, no further comments can be made in reference to this case by any of the parties involved. All questions should be directed to the proper authorities at the Sacramento office of the FBI, where the lead investigators are located.
Okay, is that good for you Sydney? I hope it’s alright that I put in a word for you too. Anyway, uh, call me.
Wow, Rhys is freaking out. He’s usually such a smooth talker; I’m not used to hearing him flustered. This has got everyone all tied up in knots. Not wanting to spend an hour on the phone, I decide to text him back that the statement he came up with is fine and he can release it as is. He texts me back almost immediately.