Killing The Blood Cleaner (14 page)

The Judge looked at the screen intently and then asked, “Do you have anything to show how the accident happened?”

Major Knowles clicked on his laptop again to show a blowup of the tire tracks at the scene. “Judge, here are photos of the skid marks at the scene. I took these myself. We expect to be using a professional accident reconstruction expert to analyze the skid marks, but I have done a primary analysis and they show that this car was traveling around 90 mph. This supports the reckless driving charge.”

“What about your satellite, the ‘eye in the sky,’ that the Homeland Security Agency has so generously provided Sheriff Odum? Was it tuned into that stretch of road at the time of the accident? It would be able to give us a completely accurate reading of the speed, would it not?” the Judge interrupted in a slightly confrontational tone.

“It would, Your Honor. But there are a lot of roads, rivers, and seacoast in our territory and we weren’t looking at this highway at precisely the time of the accident,” Major Knowles smoothly continued, confident in his handling of the satellite data. “But the speed was great enough to cause this damage to the vehicle,” he said as he clicked through several photos showing Jack’s demolished car. “Also, we expect that at any trial, Trooper Doug King would testify that he witnessed Dr. Randolph driving through Lanier at a high rate of speed just prior to the accident. Such a high speed that Trooper King left his dinner to go after them. He arrived right after the crash.”

“Are there any other factors which could have contributed to this accident?” the Judge asked.

“There was a deer carcass on the road. It appeared to have been freshly killed and Dr. Randolph may have been avoiding running over the carcass. That would be in line with the location of the skid marks,” Major Knowles said, clicking to a picture of the deer on the highway which also included a view of the skid marks.

“Anything else, Major Knowles?” the Judge asked sternly.

“Yes, Judge. Dr. Randolph was driving ninety miles per hour under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Of course, if Cindy were to die we would be looking at involuntary manslaughter which carries a potential ten year sentence. We just don’t think a thirty thousand dollar bond is appropriate in this situation,” Major Knowles continued.

“Mr. Davis, I’m sure you have some comments,” the Judge said, looking over to Jack and his attorney.

“Judge, we don’t know how this accident happened, and we are just beginning our investigation. I do know that the stretch of road has for some reason just recently been repaved, so it appears that the Major’s photos are the primary evidence in the case so far. I would note that Dr. Randolph strongly denies taking any drugs and his alcohol level was very close to the legal limit. He had a DUI four years ago. He has been two years without even a speeding ticket. Also, there was a deer involved, which is something that could happen to anyone. Dr. Randolph is a well-respected doctor in Atlanta and is Board Certified in internal medicine. He has worked at the CDC and did his internship at Piedmont Hospital and residency at Grady hospital in Atlanta. It would not be right to keep him behind bars while the Court deals with this matter.”

“Did you say he is Board Certified in internal medicine?” the Judge asked, looking over at Arnold O’Berne.

“That is correct your honor. He is also a graduate of Vanderbilt medical school and worked on infectious diseases when he was at the CDC,” Davis replied, pointing proudly at Jack. Jack straightened in his chair, listening closely to these arguments concerning his future.

“Mr. Davis, does your client have any interest in community service?” the Judge asked in a kindly tone.

“Certainly, your Honor. Under the proper circumstances of course,” Davis replied smoothly as Jack looked at him with concern.

“Well, it is obvious that we have a temporary opening for a physician at G-MAX. Dr. Randolph seems to fit the profile in terms of his qualifications and experience. Is there any objection to him serving as the prison doctor until the replacement for Dr. Bridge can be found?” the Judge asked with a sweeping look at the lawyers and parties before him. “I do remember that years ago the State obtained a fine doctor for the inmates when one of Macon’s respected physicians had a problem with drugs. So there is some precedent on this.”

Arnold O’Berne stood and stated with a flourish, “Judge, counsel for the inmates has no objection. We have researched Dr. Randolph and feel that he would be more than adequate to fill Dr. Bridge’s shoes temporarily.”

After a slight prodding from Major Knowles, the District Attorney was on his feet. “Your Honor, Dr. Randolph is the cause of a serious accident involving grave injuries. He has a prior DUI. All of this reflects poorly on his judgment in general. Dr. Randolph should be an inmate in Georgia Maximum Security Prison rather than the prison doctor,” he said loudly.

“Do you have any further suggestions as to how this vacancy at G-MAX gets covered while a Board Certified doctor sits in Sheriff Odum’s jail?” the Judge asked crisply.

“No I don’t,” the District Attorney said meekly, sitting down.

Jack was at the same time whispering to his attorney and shaking his head. Finally, he jumped to his feet despite a strong tug on his coat from Fitz Davis. “Judge, I am a Board Certified physician, no doubt. And I have worked at Grady and Piedmont hospitals in Atlanta. Sometimes inmates from the Atlanta jail would end up as my patients at Grady. But that is about all my experience with medicine for inmates. Also, I have just accepted a position in Atlanta and that is where I should be practicing,” Jack said strongly, looking at the Judge and Fitz Davis. Davis looked away and Arnold O’Berne rolled his eyes and looked up at the ornate ceiling in the Courtroom.

The Judge leaned forward and peered over the top of his spectacles at Jack as though he were an unruly schoolchild. “Doctor, here are your choices. You don’t have to be the doctor at Georgia Maximum Security Prison. You have pled not guilty. You have rights. You can stay in the Ossabaw County jail, under the supervision of Major Knowles while this case is investigated and is ready for trial. We have a pretty heavy caseload down here, but that could be as quick as six months. Then you could have a trial in front of a jury and they might let you go. On the other hand, they might convict you of driving under the influence and reckless driving. If you are convicted this Court will have to sentence you. This case involves a catastrophic wreck with serious injury. The last three similar cases which involved catastrophic wrecks with serious injury in my Court were each sentenced to two years in prison. Another possibility is that you could change your plea from not guilty to guilty. That means you would be convicted and again the Court would have to sentence you. I might add that the Defendant in one of those three similar cases that I sentenced to two years in prison also pled guilty. So, if you are convicted, it may be that you will be going to Georgia Maximum Security Prison, not as a doctor, but as an inmate. Of course, I will consider your case on the merits as it is heard. Perhaps your situation is very different. But, if you were to accept this temporary position at G-MAX it would give you and your counsel the opportunity to fully investigate this accident. With both of you focused on this there might be something that Major Knowles overlooked which could be very helpful to you. You would also be receiving whatever Dr. Bridge’s salary was at the prison. I am sure that this is already budgeted by the State and I see no reason it should not continue. Also, in the final resolution of this matter, the Court would be inclined to take favorable judicial notice of your gracious and voluntary community service to the inmates at Georgia Maximum Security Prison. I would add that this would be conditional on Cindy surviving this accident. Were she to die you would be looking at a charge of involuntary manslaughter and we would have to revisit this whole matter. These are your choices. We need to know your decision today.”

Jack’s mouth was open as the reality of the Judge’s words sunk in. “Judge, nobody has quite explained it to me like that,” Jack said quietly.

“So you will be reporting to Lester as the temporary physician for Georgia Maximum Security Prison, I assume?”

“Yes, your Honor,” Jack said, looking at his attorney.

“Motion for bond granted with conditions as noted and agreed to by Defendant. The Court is in recess,” the Judge ordered and adjudicated with a crack of his gavel.

TWENTY-ONE

Jack arrived at Georgia Maximum Security Prison at 7:35 a.m. the next day. He was driving a rented, white, compact sedan which badly needed washing, and appeared in general to have suffered some hard use in its brief life span. It had taken Jack three visits to local car rental companies to find one willing to risk renting a car to the holder of a driver’s license which consisted of his bonding document for the offenses of DUI and Reckless Driving. Even then, it had taken a seven hundred and fifty dollar deposit to work the deal. Listening to the clanking of the engine as he drove under the guard tower, Jack was not sure that the auto was actually worth seven hundred and fifty dollars. Before he could press the button on the communications box, a voice crackled out loudly from the metal speaker.

“Turn off your engine and state your business,” an authoritative voice commanded. He looked up and saw peering from the guard tower window the frowning round face of a black female officer, critically surveying him and his suspect vehicle. The metal bar in front of his auto remained firmly positioned as he turned off his engine.

“I have an appointment with Warden Hammond at eight o’clock,” he responded to the communications box while also looking up at the officer in the tower.

“You must be the new doctor that Judge Valentino sent over,” the voice said crisply.

“I am here of my own free will to serve the people of Georgia,” Jack replied, now knowing that his situation was common knowledge throughout the prison.

“I bet that’s right!” the guard replied with a slight laugh as she caused the metal bar in front of Jack’s car to lift. “Park in the lot on the left,” she continued.

Jack started his car and slowly drove into the parking lot and found a spot directly in front of the metal gate. As he exited his car and began to walk toward the gate he heard a loud buzz which indicated that the tower officer had unlocked the gate. He pushed the gate open, and as the gate closed behind him he heard a second buzzing which indicated that it had now been re-locked. As he walked down the sidewalk toward the entrance to the prison, he noticed that the fiftyish, white, inmate trusty had stopped his sweeping to leer at him lustily, which made Jack feel somewhat like the new girl at the strip club. The officer who was supposedly supervising his inmate stood slouched by the fence reading a newspaper. As Jack approached the door the officer gave no sign that he was in any way aware of Jack’s existence. Jack pressed the black communications button to the side of the metal door and peered through the thick glass down the long concrete corridor.

“May I help you?” the voice on the communications box boomed in a tone that did not convey helpfulness.

“I have an appointment with the Warden,” Jack said once again, trying to be polite.

“Right,” the voice said curtly as Jack heard the click of the metal door unlocking. He pushed the heavy door open and began his walk down the long corridor. As the door behind him closed he heard again the now familiar click of the door relocking. It seemed like a long walk before he arrived at the second metal door of the sally port at the end of the concrete corridor. The officer behind the second door could clearly see him through the glass. However, while looking directly at Jack, the officer picked up the telephone on his desk and dialed a number. Jack watched the officer for what seemed like quite a long time, no doubt because he was locked in a concrete and steel tunnel. When the officer again looked directly at him while hanging up the phone and picking up a file on his desk, Jack decided to press the communications button on the device at the side of the metal door.

“Officer, I need to get in to see the Warden. He is expecting me,” Jack said curtly. He could see the officer press the button on the communications device on his desk.

“Sir, I know that. We are at the end of the morning count. The entire institution is on lockdown with no movement allowed,” the officer stated flatly, showing no intention of unlocking the sally port door. However, in a few seconds, there was an announcement on the public address system which was so loud that it actually startled Jack.

“Morning count is clear. Return to normal movement,” the voice commanded. The officer then, in a very leisurely fashion, reached over and pressed the button which caused the door in front of Jack to unlock. Jack pushed through the door and entered the rotunda of the prison.

“The Warden’s office is on your right,” the officer stated slowly, barely looking up from his file. Jack walked briskly into the Warden’s outer office.

“Warden Hammond will be with you in a minute, Dr. Randolph. Please have a seat on the couch,” Darla Cooper, the Warden’s secretary instructed, the second he was within the office. Jack sat on the couch and proceeded to thumb through the small stack of year-old magazines which were scattered on the top of the coffee table in front of the couch. He selected a worn issue of an outdoor magazine and settled back on the couch. Over the course of half an hour Mrs. Cooper came and went from the Warden’s inner office, each time carrying a stack of documents. From time to time an inmate trusty would drop by to ask her if she needed any assistance.

Jack had resigned himself to a long wait when suddenly the Warden’s door opened and Warden Hammond rushed out clutching a walkie-talkie.

“Come on Doc. We got two stabbings in the courtyard. One of them is hurt bad. They are bringing them up to medical right now. Darla, call the ambulance. One of them is going to the hospital in a hurry,” the Warden almost shouted as he grabbed Jack by the arm and the two of them headed for the Medical Unit. The Warden used his radio to quickly command the opening of the two sally port doors between his office and the Medical Unit. The Warden then quickly unlocked the shiny white metal door to the Medical Unit with a large stainless steel override key instead of waiting for the usual electric lock procedure. He held the door open for Jack and they both stepped into the Medical Unit.

Jack blinked in horror at the scene before him. Floating in a pool of blood on the floor was a metal and canvas stretcher on which a large white inmate was lying with what appeared to be a small hand saw protruding from his chest. A nurse was cutting away the remains of his shirt and attempting to stop the massive bleeding. Also visible were numerous other stab wounds of a smaller nature.

Seated on a metal chair at the side of the room in his own pool of blood was a middle aged, black inmate with a large gash across his face which left his nose hanging at an angle from the cut. A blonde nurse attended him and was in the process of cleaning and bandaging his wound.

“Warden, that son of a bitch attacked me with a damn saw knife he made. He tried to cut my head off. But I stabbed him back and got it away from him. You know, I was just defending myself,” the inmate on the chair screamed at the Warden.

“Okay Jerome, let’s get everybody fixed up here now,” the Warden—calmly replied.

Jack took off his jacket and knelt beside the stretcher as the nurse continued to work on the inmate. “I’m Dr. Randolph, the new prison doctor. We’re going to get you to the hospital and get that saw out of you. We need to keep it in right now because if we take it out you could bleed too much. We will give you some pain medicine and some fluid to make up for the blood you’ve lost to get you to the hospital,” Jack said to his new patient who blinked and grimaced in response. Jack was surprised that the man was still conscious. The nurse returned with a vial of morphine and a saline solution transfusion bag on a rolling cart. Jack nodded as she loaded the syringe and injected the inmate with morphine, while he found a vein to connect the saline transfusion. Jack watched the inmate’s eyes follow their actions and saw his lips move slightly.

“I need some of that shit! I’m in pain too,” the black inmate yelled.

“You’re next, so be quiet,” Jack said, looking at him with a scowl. At that moment an officer with two EMTs from the ambulance arrived. They were carrying an oxygen tank and another stretcher. “Use the stretcher he is on and get him some oxygen. We just gave him morphine and take the fluid with you,” Jack instructed. The EMTs proceeded to take over and within a few seconds the inmate was on his way out of the Medical Unit with an oxygen mask over his face and a bag of fluid on his chest.

“We have a loading dock for the Medical Unit which gives quick access for the ambulance,” the Warden explained as the inmate was carried out a side door to the waiting ambulance.

Jack then walked over to the other inmate. He looked at the inmate’s face carefully. “We need to get you a pain shot and get you to the hospital for some stitches. But you will be fine,” Jack said as the nurse prepared another morphine shot.

“What about my face! He tried to cut my head off,” the inmate screamed.

“Do you want this pain shot? I think you are the winner of this fight,” Jack said firmly. The inmate took the threat of withholding the pain shot to heart and meekly held out his arm. The nurse then gave him the injection.

“Get the inmate orderlies to clean up this blood. Make sure they follow the blood spill protocol in the Court Order and use plenty of bleach,” the Warden directed the nurses. Jack turned to a sink to remove his gloves and wash his hands.

“Now might be a good time to formally introduce me to everyone,” Jack said, exhaling fully, with the situation under control. The Warden smiled and looked around the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to meet our new doctor at G-MAX, Dr. Jack Randolph. Dr. Randolph is Board Certified in internal medicine and has previously worked at the CDC and Grady Hospital in Atlanta. He will be working with us until we find a doctor to replace Dr. Bridge, which could be quite some time,” the Warden announced in a grand manner. “Dr. Randolph, I would like you to meet Thelma Griggs, our new Chief Nurse,” he said, pointing to the large black nurse now seated at the rear of the Medical Unit. “I believe you have already met Mr. Jerome Quinton, who is a valued frequent customer of the Medical Unit,” the Warden continued, pointing to the inmate who was now slumped in his chair with his mouth open and snoring heavily due to the pain shot. “And finally, we have nurse Tacy Crandall who has been with us almost a year and is a former Miss Lester,” he said, pointing to the blonde nurse standing next to the snoring inmate. “I will leave you all now. Hopefully, this is the last excitement for today. Tacy, I would appreciate if you could show the doctor around the prison and keep him out of trouble,” the Warden directed as he turned to exit the Medical Unit.

Jack looked over at the sleeping inmate and nodded politely to nurse Griggs. He looked up at Tacy Crandall with a start as her green eyes synchronized with his across the room. In the confusion he had hardly noticed her. But now, as she smiled at him, he nearly had to brace himself as he involuntarily responded to her beauty, even though she was some distance away. Jack took a deep breath, as this was a very unusual response for man who considered himself a jaded Atlanta bachelor. With some effort, he was able to apply his usual, cold rationality.

“I’m glad to meet all of you, including inmate Jerome,” Jack stammered. “This is quite an introduction to correctional medicine even for an old Grady Hospital hand. If we could get the inmate to the hospital and I could get a tour and your medical protocols to review, including this Court Order I always hear about, that would be very helpful,” he said.

“Tacy, you take him around with an officer. I will round up the Court Order book and the Protocols and get Jerome to the hospital,” Nurse Griggs directed with authority as she pressed a button on the communications box. “This is medical. We need an escort officer to take Dr. Randolph around the prison,” she instructed.

“Yes ma’am,” was the immediate response.