They worked to stabilise the man but the blood trans-fusion seemed to have no effect.
‘Still no improvement. OK, that tells us one of two things.’ Jago’s expression was grim. ‘Either the shock isn’t caused by bleeding, or he’s bleeding faster than we can infuse the blood—my money’s on the latter. He needs urgent surgical intervention. Has someone bleeped the surgeons?’
Charlotte nodded. ‘Mr Hart is on his way.’
‘Well, he’d better be quick.’ Jago turned his attention back to the patient, who was deteriorating by the minute.
‘His blood pressure is still falling.’ Annie looked at Jago expectantly and his mouth tightened.
‘Push that blood through faster.’
At that moment the door swung open and a tall, blond man strode into the room. ‘Jago?’
Jago gave a succinct report on the man’s condition and the surgeon examined him briefly.
‘You’re right. He’s bleeding. Let’s take him straight to Theatre.’
There was a flurry of activity and the man was transferred to the operating theatre for a laparotomy which would allow the surgeons to assess any internal damage.
Katy found herself alone in Resus with Charlotte. ‘Phew, what a mess!’ She glanced around the room, taking in the discarded blood bags, needles and other equipment.
‘What happens now?’
‘We clear it up ready for the next patient,’ Charlotte said immediately, thrusting needles into the sharps bin and scooping up soiled dressings. ‘Jago’s gone to talk to the relatives with Annie. Can I ask you something?’
‘Of course.’ Katy checked the intubation tray and ran another bag of saline through a giving set.
‘How do you two know each other?’
Katy’s eyes flew to hers and she thought about denying their past acquaintance, but Charlotte’s next words made her realise the futility of that approach.
‘When you were brought in here two weeks ago, he was the one who identified you.’
‘Oh.’ Katy concentrated on the equipment she was checking, wondering what Jago had felt when he’d seen her lying on the ambulance stretcher. Had he felt any guilt at all? ‘We knew each other years ago. He used to work for my father.’
‘In the bank?’ Charlotte’s eyes widened. ‘He’s filthy rich and we’ve all been dying to know how he made his money. I suppose that answers the question.’
‘I suppose so.’
Katy moved away, hoping that was the end of it. She hated gossiping about people.
Charlotte was still looking at her in fascination. ‘Did you know him well?’
Katy shook her head and avoided eye contact. ‘Not that well.’
She’d thought that there had been gentleness under the strength but she’d been wrong.
Charlotte gave a wistful sigh. ‘He’s the hospital heart-throb.’
Katy kept her eyes fixed on the intubation tray. Of course he was. Jago Rodriguez was seriously rich, stunningly good-looking and single. A prime target for every woman on the planet.
Except her.
She’d learned her lesson the hard way eleven years ago and she wasn’t that innocent, naïve girl anymore.
Charlotte sighed. ‘Every available woman in the hospital dreams of being the one to tame him and marry him.’
Katy looked up at that, unable to hide her incredulous expression. ‘Marry him?’ Well that showed how well they knew Jago. I don’t do commitment, Katy. ‘If you know him then you’ll know he isn’t the marrying kind.’