"Lisa Monroe's brother," I said and related the story of how he attacked Drake.
"I'm paying now, so I'll be there as soon as possible."
"Thanks again, Karen. You're a gem."
"I know," she said with a light laugh.
I ended the call, feeling relieved that I'd be able to go to the hospital myself as soon as possible and make sure Drake was truly okay.
While I waited for Karen, I spent the next fifteen minutes finishing lunch and then getting ready to go to the hospital. If Drake was going to be in overnight for observation, I wanted to bring him his pajamas and robe as well as slippers so he didn't have to wear the horrible hospital clothing. As well, I tucked his iPad into a backpack along with his toothbrush and fresh boxer briefs and socks.
"Well, Sophie," I said and watched her play on the floor with her toys, "I'll go see Daddy and make sure he's okay."
Karen arrived a few moments later, and when Sophie saw her, she smiled and held up a toy brontosaurus. Karen removed her coat and boots and went right over to Sophie, picking her up and examining the dinosaur.
It warmed me to see how much Karen seemed to enjoy Sophie and Sophie was comfortable with her, too. I could relax when leaving her with Karen.
"Thank you so much, Karen," I said as I pulled on my coat and boots. "I'd have to take Sophie with me if I didn't have you."
"Don't you worry about it," Karen said, taking Sophie over to the living room so she could play. "Go and look after your husband and don't worry about the time. I can make supper for Sophie and me. You can stay as long as you want."
"You're a Godsend," I said and went to Sophie, giving her a quick kiss. I sent Mike a text that I would be going to the hospital and asked if he could give me a ride. He responded that he was outside waiting with the car.
Then, I left the apartment and practically ran down the stairs to the street. Mike was already there with the car door open when I left the building.
"Hi, Mike," I said, so glad that I could rely on him to get me where I needed to go.
"Mrs. Morgan. Sorry to hear about Dr. Morgan. John called me. Dr. Morgan's at New York Presbyterian. We'll be there in fifteen."
"Thanks."
Then I sat back and watched the streets of Manhattan pass outside my window, relieved that Drake's concussion was minor but still on edge. I wouldn't feel truly better until I had seen Drake myself, looked in his eyes and heard him speak.
* * *
We arrived at NYP and I left the car and waited for Mike to join me. He followed me down the halls to Admitting where I asked about Drake's location. They'd put him on a neurology observation ward and so we made our way there. My stomach was in knots as I walked up to his room, wondering what I'd see. The ward had several rooms with beds facing into the central hall where the nursing station was located so the nurses could watch the patients. Drake was in the third room from the end, and was lying on the bed, the head raised slightly, his eyes closed. Beside his room, his bodyguard John stood, his arms crossed. When he saw me and Mike, he came over to us.
"How is he?" I asked, glancing at Drake.
"He's resting quietly. Jeff Monroe is a big man and he has a very powerful punch. Dr. Morgan had no chance to even prepare for it. It knocked him out immediately and he fell like a stone, hitting his head. We're lucky he wasn't hurt even more than he has been."
"Poor Drake," I said, my throat tight.
"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Morgan," John said, his voice truly sorrowful. "I let him down. I didn't see Monroe because he came out early and was standing in a group of pedestrians. I didn't know he'd threatened Dr. Morgan."
"He did?" I asked in shock. "When?"
"He said something to Dr. Morgan when he left the courtroom a few moments before the court was recessed."
"Is Jeff Monroe being charged with assault?"
"Yes," John said, nodding his head. "Police took him into custody."
I took a good look at Drake's face through the window and my heart skipped a beat. Jeff Monroe had hit him hard and his eye was blackening, the tissue around it and on his cheek bruised and red. Drake had a bandage on his head and his arms were on top of the covers. He lo
oked peaceful and I wasn't sure if I should wake him so I went back to the nursing station and waited for one of the nurses to come over to me.
"I'm Kate. Morgan, Dr. Morgan's wife. How is he?"