Chapter 8 A Good Doctor? Oh, it's just a noisy, older child. That's alright...
The urgent ringing of the bells continued, and the brooding at the Brudhaven emergency room seemed never to stop.
Everyone who appears here walks in a hurry, their steps seemingly rushing towards reincarnation as they tap the floor tiles incessantly.
The ambulance driven away by Nightwing finally returned, coming to a steady stop in the open space in front of the emergency department with a 'steady' sudden stop.
“47-year-old male, GCS 6, multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen, two IV lines of fluid resuscitation…” Daniel shouted as he pushed the stretcher, “…We need an operating room!”
Allen gripped the hemostat tightly against the unconscious 'squid's' aorta, his hand probing into the squid's chest cavity, trying to keep the gang leader's heart pumping blood.
His surgical gown was stained with blood, and his goggles and mask completely obscured Dr. Osborne's handsome face.
However, the nurses and doctors in the emergency department still recognized him by his striking red hair.
The situation is critical.
Although Broodhaven's emergency department acquired a state-of-the-art, surgical-capable ambulance thanks to that Gotham tycoon, Allen could only temporarily ensure that 'Squid' wouldn't immediately meet Satan.
This stability won't last long; without immediate surgery, the 'squid' will surely die.
Allen didn't have time to pay attention to his surroundings. He only let go of the operating room when everything was ready, watching Andy Miller, dressed in surgical scrubs, the anesthesiologist, another surgeon, and a large group of nurses walk into the operating room.
Andy turned to look at Allen: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and do another pre-operative disinfection. Aren't you going to suture your open chest cavity yourself?... Oh, we can also give him a free abdominal surgery, that damn lucky guy!"
Allen stood there for three seconds, then turned and ran like a headless fly, bumping into Dick.
Dick grabbed Dr. Brainless: "Dr. Osborn, the changing room is over there!"
Alan nodded haphazardly, his mind racing with thoughts of the most critical and exciting surgery he'd ever performed since joining the ER in Brudhaven. He'd had some prior experience in Hell's Kitchen, but that was limited to treating non-life-threatening injuries and his anatomy lessons from medical school.
He had never been involved in such a sudden and extremely serious near-death experience.
He loved anatomy class and had countless fantasies of holding a beating heart or a warm liver in his hands. He also wanted to open up at least 100 heads, 100 chest cavities, and 100 abdominal cavities to experience all organ transplant surgeries and all minimally invasive surgeries.
I might be able to collect one today, but I don't know when I'll be able to complete the collection!
Dr. Osborne's lips began to curl upwards, and excitement gleamed in his eyes and brows.
He even became more talkative: "Chest cavity and abdomen, really good! I hope I can personally help him remove the bullet from his body tissue! Do you think I can secretly keep a little bit of his spleen that he removed? I need to think about it..."
Dick shattered Dr. Osborn's little dream: "...The hospital is full of surveillance cameras, and if I'm not mistaken, those bullets went through his body. I found the bullets, do you want them?"
Dr. Osborne's face fell instantly, like a cat's face.
Dick escorted Dr. Osborn with unease until he saw the doctor calm himself down, his steps lightening again, and he practically skipped into the operating room before returning to the hospital lobby.
Superhero Nightwing seriously added the task of 'checking whether the doctor is secretly taking anything he shouldn't be taking from the operating room' to Officer Grayson's to-do list.
The emergency room is still a mess. It has always been the most chaotic place in the entire hospital, even more chaotic than the medical affairs office, which is really upsetting.
Eric Hossen, clutching his cane and wearing his police uniform, sat warily in a chair in the lobby, looking at the doctors, nurses, and patients around him with a serious gaze.
Dick had never seen the other person with such a serious expression before.
"Who are you waiting for?" Nightwing walked over. "If you're looking for the culprit who injured 'Squid,' they're in the police station basement. Don't you want to have a friendly chat with them using your fists?"
Eric, who was very good at beating up criminals in basements, shook his head.
“I guess you might know something.” Dick’s eyes were fixed on Eric Hossen’s expression through the domino mask. “I can be a silent confidant and help you out with some minor troubles, don’t be shy.”
Eric lifted his eyelids and glanced at Dick.
The wrinkles around his eyes, the sallow complexion from not sleeping all night, and the hideous scars on his face made Eric look more than ten years older.
Actually, this guy is only 50 years old, and he's still in his prime, able to work for a few more years.
Dick suddenly realized that he had been too prejudiced against Eric. Although the old man seemed slick and irresponsible, he might not actually be like that.
Dick is now quite certain that the other party must have been secretly investigating something to get themselves into this mess.
Are they investigating 'squid'?
Eric had indeed given Officer Grayson a very serious warning not to get involved with the 'Squid'. But at the time, he thought Eric either didn't want to provoke the fierce and troublesome 'Squid' or had been paid protection money by the 'Squid'.
“I heard Bruce and Simon are dead,” Eric said suddenly.
Upon hearing Bruce's name, Dick's heart skipped a beat.
However, he quickly realized that Bruce was a very common name, and there were at least three Bruces in their police department.
The Bruce Eric mentioned was their colleague, Bruce Leo. A member of the BPD Special Operations Team and one of the officers responsible for transporting the 'Squid' tonight, he had already been pronounced dead on the spot by Dr. Osborn on 10th Street.
He wasn't very familiar with Officer Leo, but the fact that he was able to join the Special Operations Team was enough to show that Leo wasn't a good-for-nothing.
When a familiar name is associated with death, even if it's not someone you know, it's hard not to feel uncomfortable.
Dick was never one to describe any death lightly; he still remembered Officer Leo's wide-eyed stare and dilated pupils.
Besides... Bruce's familiar name is associated with death far too often, almost daily. Just two days ago, Alfred was complaining on the phone that Bruce had broken his thigh bone and three ribs again.
He used to have nightmares frequently until he later tried to release his emotions through meditation and vigorous exercise.
Dick was somewhat lost in thought. He now had to admit that he was worried about Bruce and missed the days when he patrolled Gotham with Bruce at night.
Perhaps he should take some time to go back and visit.
As long as Bruce doesn't find out, it's fine. Anyway... the 'Squid's' influence is also somewhat related to Gotham. The Harry Circus is also going to tour Gotham soon, so he can go and see his old friends.
This has nothing to do with Batman; it's just Nightwing's mission. He won't let Batman see him.
Okay, he just wants to go back to Gotham.
I just don't know what to do with Dr. Osborne's cereal...
A jumble of thoughts assaulted Nightwing's brain like a sandstorm. Countless ideas flashed through his mind in just one minute, each carrying immense emotional pressure that made Nightwing's head ache as if an electric drill was drilling the foundation in his brain.
There was nothing he could do; he hadn't had a proper rest in a long time.
“…I’m sorry.” Dick tried to bring his attention back to the present, looking into Eric’s eyes and saying softly, “We arrived too late.”
"Is the killer 'squid'?"
"I've compared the bullet marks, yes."
"I see."
Eric's answer made Dick even more certain that this seasoned officer was hiding something.
The strange thing about the whole thing is the 'squid' itself.
Dick initially suspected that the attacks on Eric at the hospital and the explosions at the Black Gang's hideout were intended to keep the police busy with the prison break. But if 'Squid' was successfully abducted, why would he remain hidden and be shot, his life hanging by a thread?
This indicates that the people who killed the police officer and attempted to kidnap 'Squid' were not 'Squid's' henchmen.
Someone wanted the 'squid' dead, not to save him.
But why did those people kill the guard but not the 'squid' for so long, and why did they delay until the emergency room and when he appeared?
Dick recalled the scene when he saw the 'squid'.
The squid was very nervous and scared, so much so that it attacked anyone who came near it indiscriminately.
This means he knew someone wanted to kill him, but he didn't know who that person would be.
Time difference.
Perhaps someone did initially want to rescue 'Squid' – the presence of police officers' bodies and gang members at the scene confirmed 'Squid's' plan to escape.
But just as the 'squid' was about to escape, he discovered that someone wanted to kill him.
The fact that "Squid" didn't trust him, Dr. Osborn, paramedic Daniel, or even the BPD officers suggests that his assassin might have accomplices within the BPD and the underworld, or that they possessed even more terrifying, manipulative methods. The person who wanted "Squid's" life was mysterious and powerful, so much so that even a gang leader like "Squid," who controlled a dock and several city blocks, commanded dozens of assassins, and had a large number of loyal followers, could only desperately hide behind him.
So who exactly did the 'squid' offend?
He has absolutely no leads now and can only pin his hopes on the killer he caught today and the 'squid' still in the operating room.
His gaze returned to Eric, and he thought that perhaps 'Squid' and Eric had provoked the same person. Officer Grayson hadn't had any dealings with that person, so it seemed to make sense that he hadn't been retaliated against.
Brudhaven clearly has a third, deeply entrenched force hidden deep within, one that has even infiltrated the BPD and the hospital.
“Is this Mrs. Leo?” The nurse’s voice interrupted Dick’s thoughts. “Please come this way.”
Dick's heart clenched again, because he knew that Officer Leo's wife would soon hear the horrific truth of Leo's death from the nurses and police. Worse still, the murderer who killed her husband was wasting taxpayers' money on treatment in the operating room.
As a key witness, 'Squid' must first stay alive.
I don't know how much time has passed; maybe a quarter of an hour, maybe an hour.
The operating room lights were still on, and faint sobs could be heard from the well-insulated meeting room.
Through the glass window, Dick saw Mrs. Leo, who had been maintaining her composure, clutching her husband's clothes and wailing uncontrollably, nearly fainting.
“He said he'd take me to my favorite restaurant tonight… I… our first wedding anniversary is coming up soon, how could this happen? No…”
The passing doctors and nurses fell silent, some secretly turning their heads away to wipe away tears from the corners of their eyes.
That promise of a candlelight dinner will probably never be fulfilled.
Daniel slumped into his chair, staring at the blood on his hands that belonged to the murderer, and slapped himself hard.
Staff from 'Gift of Hope,' responsible for organ donation, walked in from the door carrying an organ preservation box. According to Officer Leo's will, his organs will be donated to save patients who still have hope.
Dick silently closed his eyes and prayed.
May the place of Tert's death bring Officer Leo eternal happiness and peace.
**
On the other hand, Allen's surgery did not go very smoothly.
Dr. Miller still had one arm in a sling, but as Allen's mentor, he had to be present today.
The surgery was performed by Allen and another surgeon.
"You reacted pretty quickly, Allen." Andy stood behind Allen. "You knew to perform open-chest surgery, but did you even consider REBOA (balloon aortic occlusion)?"
“Unopened balloon catheters are too expensive,” Allen said coldly. “Unless Ms. Goodman agrees to let me pick one out of the trash for him.”
“…Don’t say things like that in the operating room next time. Oh, the open-chest technique was good, here… well, it’s alright overall.” Andy stroked his chin and gave a sarcastic review. “The banana peel training method seems to be very effective, let’s switch to dolls next week! I heard Nightwing is a new superhero, how about sewing one up?… You don’t need to be so careful, Allen, this guy’s scars aren’t that bad. When you’re stitching him up later, could you sew that spiral tattoo on his chest into a middle finger shape? Please, Dr. Osborn, you’re a highly skilled surgeon!”
Dr. Osborn's forehead veins bulged as he tried to shut the chatterbox up.
"Be gentle when you turn over his internal organs, like you're caressing a delicate flower... By the way, why does that tattoo look so familiar?"
Allen, unable to contain himself any longer, snapped, "Would it kill you to shut up?"
Under Dr. Osborn's stern gaze, Andy Miller immediately zipped up his mouth before realizing what he'd said: "Hey, you dare order your teacher around?!"
Under Dr. Osborn's increasingly terrifying gaze, Teacher Andy's aura suddenly weakened: "I'll listen to you, you're the boss."
“He deserves it,” a nurse muttered. “Two policemen are dead, and countless others have died because of his drugs and guns. Why didn’t he just die on the operating table…”
“…You three.” Another surgeon finally couldn’t help but sigh. “I suggest you say these things to your boyfriends or girlfriends, instead of complaining to the doctor.”
“Oh, compassionate doctor.” Andy shrugged and winked at the nurse. “But Boss Osborne is cooler, isn’t he?”
The cold-blooded Dr. Osborn held the 'squid's' liver, his voice tinged with resentment, "...His heart and spleen are really not very good-looking, I'm very disappointed. Hopefully, next time an assassin comes after his head, I might be rotating into neurosurgery by then."
Andy Miller nodded solemnly. "I wish you all the best, Dr. Osborn. So now it's up to you. If he survives, I'll treat you to drinks tonight—how about the Lakeside Bar?"
"Don't favor one over the other, Andy," the surgeon opposite Allen said with a smile. "Count me in."
The surgery was still ongoing, but the doctors no longer had the leisure to chat.
The bleeding point inside the 'squid' was quickly found, and Allen discovered it was the portal vein above the liver.
The bullet pierced the 'squid's' portal vein and even its hepatic artery.
This means that once they remove the hemostat from the aorta, the squid will immediately die from excessive blood loss. However, if they continue to cut off the blood supply to the entire liver, the squid will lose its liver and will still die.
“We can’t let him die here from blood loss right now,” Allen said, looking at the other two doctors. “I’ve never imagined a corpse being wheeled out of the operating room.”
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