Chapter 11 - The Waiting Room War
I stood up immediately
stepping in front of the hallway that led to Megan's room.
"You have no right to be here
Linda
get out,"
I demanded
my voice echoing off the sterile walls.
A hospital security guard noticed the commotion
moving toward us with his hand on his belt.
"This is a public hospital
Jake
and I have a right to ensure my grandchild is safe,"
she replied smoothly
her public persona restored.
"Your wife is mentally unstable
and she is using you to hurt this family."
The lawyer stepped forward
presenting a new piece of paper to Detective Miller.
"We have just received an emergency stay from a Cook County judge,"
the lawyer announced triumphantly.
"All medical decisions regarding Megan Evans are to be overseen by Dr. Vance
who is present with us."
One of the suited men stepped forward
nodding coldly.
"This is ridiculous!"
I shouted
turning to Detective Miller.
"They are trying to hijack her medical care!"
Miller looked at the paperwork
his jaw clenching with anger.
"This order is from Illinois
we are in Wisconsin,"
Miller stated
trying to find a loophole.
"The interstate medical compact applies here
Detective
as you well know,"
the lawyer countered with a smirk.
"If this hospital refuses to honor the order
they will be liable for any malpractice."
The hospital security guard looked confused
looking between the police and the lawyers.
"What's going on here?"
a doctor asked
stepping out from the treatment area.
He was an older man with grey hair and a stern expression
his badge reading "Dr. Reynolds
Chief of Medicine."
"This woman is an abuser
and she's trying to take custody of my pregnant wife,"
I explained quickly
desperate for an ally.
"We have a court order granting us medical oversight
Doctor,"
the lawyer countered
handing over the documents.
Dr. Reynolds took the paperwork
reading it carefully while the room held its collective breath.
He looked up at my mother
then at Dr. Vance
and finally at me.
"This order is impressive
counselor,"
Dr. Reynolds said slowly.
"But it has one fatal flaw."
"What's that?"
the lawyer snapped.
"This hospital operates under federal trauma guidelines for suspected domestic violence,"
the doctor explained
his voice dripping with authority.
"Once a patient enters our forensic unit under suspicion of abuse
all external legal orders are suspended until the completion of the state investigation."
"Which means
your order is useless here until I say otherwise."
My mother's face turned crimson with rage
her pristine mask shattering completely.
"Do you know who I am?"
she screamed at the doctor.
"I can have your license revoked by tomorrow morning!"
"You can try
ma'am
but right now
I am removing you from my emergency room,"
Dr. Reynolds replied calmly
turning to the security guards.
"Escort these people out of the building immediately
and if they refuse
have the sheriff arrest them for trespassing."
The security guards moved forward
and my mother was forced to retreat
her heels clicking sharply against the tile floor as she was pushed out into the parking lot.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding
sinking back into the chair
May you like
realizing we had won another small battle
but the war was far from over.
