The Complex - Chapter 4 - Part A

(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)

Chapter 4 - Part A


It was finally Monday and Duncan headed to the staff meeting, or daily report as the nurses called it, that was held in a conference room inside the Complex. All of the employees who lived and worked inside the Complex had separate staff meetings and then a regular monthly meeting outside in the Annex. Duncan sat impatiently listening to the night nurse drone on about the usual happenings of the Complex as it slept. He was suddenly curious, however, when the day supervisor, Jody, laid a new file on the table in front of the group.



"We have a new client as of early this morning..." she began, "...Sasha Kennawick. Some of you might know her. She was a nurse on our surgical staff."


Just maybe... thought Duncan sourly to himself, as the nurse continued.


"She was in a car accident and sustained a very serious head injury. Right now, her condition is guarded. She has very little memory, her speech is slurred and her affect is quite childlike."


Duncan's heart sank at the news. The devastation of a head injury could leave her permanently changed. "Jody..." he politely interrupted, "how did it happen? I mean... what did she hit to get such a bad injury? Also, were there any other injuries?"


Jody closed the file and looked directly at Duncan. "As for other injuries, I believe all that is reported here are minor bruises and contusions. But none of the details of the actual accident are in the file we received. Most of that is being kept confidential, I understand, until the family has been notified."


Duncan eyes grew very large. "You mean the family doesn't know yet?" he asked in astonishment. Dr. Thornton had told him it had been taken care of! Fortunately, Duncan had made a phone call of his own to the family, but he had told them the doctor would call them with details.


"I don't know who is taking care of that." Jody answered stiffly. "It's not really my department." It was apparent that she was annoyed by his questions. As silent eyes watched the exchange, she glanced at her watch to indicate that the meeting had reached it's end, and she dismissed everyone.


Duncan continued sitting at the table after everyone left the room. His mind was spinning with fragments of information that were like a jigsaw puzzle that did not fit. He had so many questions, but the answers he was receiving did not seem adequate. Slowly, he got up from the table, anger welling up inside him. He had to make sense of all this. But, for now, he was on duty and had a job to do. Taking a deep breath, he headed out the door.


Jody was waiting outside the door to join Duncan as he was leaving. "Could I talk to you for a moment?"


Duncan pushed his anger below the surface. "Sure," he replied cautiously.


"I understand you have a special assignment while you are here," she stated openly.


"Excuse me?" Duncan queried. Suddenly he remembered Sarah! In all the turmoil about Sasha, he had forgotten about seeing her today. He was not aware of Dr. Kapinski telling anyone else about his request, so Duncan felt he should be careful with his answers.


"I was talking about Sarah." Jody said tensely. "Dr. Kapinski left orders that you were to have a free hand while you were here and you were to report directly to him. In my opinion, that totally disrupts the chain of command..." she sniffed acrimoniously, "...but you and the doctor can handle this your way. Just don't be breaking ALL the Complex rules, OK?"


"OK... look, Jody. I don't want to be stepping on anybody's toes, so if there's a problem here, could you just say so?" Duncan asked outright.


Her face reddened and she answered, "Of course not! You have a special route right to the boss's ear, so I wouldn't want you to think I'm challenging his authority. I mean... well... he usually gives me a free hand at dealing with the clients here."


She was trying to say it delicately, but Duncan heard the message. He was interfering with the 'status quo' around here. First Dr. Kapinski and then he had heard from others teasing him about spending a Sunday morning with the "great Dr. Thornton". It was a small island with no place to hide and right now that was exactly what he wanted to do. But, he had his work to do and it included Sarah, so hiding was not on today's list.


Jody put a hand on Duncan's shoulder and smiled weakly. "I'm sure we'll get along just fine." With that she was off to make her rounds and left Duncan to make his. This was his first day in the Complex and it was starting out just peachy!

(to be continued...)


Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009