Shadows of Recovery (Everhart Family #3)

Chapter 27

Twenty-Seven

T ristan slipped on his lab coat and grabbed his first chart of the morning. Waverly County's ER had been refurbished since the attack on the hospital. As he made his way to the nurses' station, he noticed Sophie's friend Jenna was working the shift with him.

"Hey, Tristan," she greeted him. "How was Sophie's first night at the Institute?"

Tristan gave her a reassuring smile. "She's adjusting. It's going to take some time, but she's in good hands."

"I want to see her," Jenna said, concern evident in her voice.

Tristan nodded. "She'd welcome the support, but we don't want to overwhelm her. Call Chris Skylar. He can help coordinate a visit." As he looked around, he couldn't help but comment, "I can't get over the new colors and design of the ER."

Jenna glanced around as well. "Yeah, I think they want the old ER to be forgotten and this to be a new beginning. I do like the glass-enclosed rooms instead of the curtains, except for the few isolation rooms."

Tristan realized their former isolation rooms bore a resemblance to the Institute's treatment rooms. He handed Jenna the chart he was holding. "Could you see this patient? I need to make a call."

"Of course." Jenna took the chart.

Tristan hurried to his office and closed the door behind him. He opened his phone and dialed Brad Killian's number. After a few rings, Brad answered.

"Tristan, is Sophie, okay?" were the first words out of Brad's mouth.

"We transferred her to the Institute yesterday. I need to know a few things for Sophie. She's been having episodes of a fast heart rate. Yesterday, when she was being examined in one of our treatment rooms, her pulse went dangerously high. Do you have any idea what happened in the ER?"

Tristan leaned back in his chair, waiting for Brad's response. The silence on the other end of the line was deafening, amplifying the anxiety churning in his stomach.

Brad finally spoke, his voice heavy with reluctance. "I'm not supposed to provide anyone with pieces of the investigation. But, given the circumstances, you deserve to know what's happening."

Tristan's heart pounded in his chest. "Brad, please, just tell me."

Brad blew out a breath. "We are testing blood and DNA samples from multiple locations. One spot is on the floor by the pharmacy, another in the doctor's lounge, and more in the ER's isolation rooms. In those rooms, there was chlorohexidine, blood, and body fluids everywhere." He paused, sounding like he was struggling to keep his composure. "I've never worked a case where I know the victim."

Tristan’s throat tightened. "What did you find in the exam room?"

Brad's voice wavered. "There was evidence that rolled gauze was used as restraints. And, God help me, the examination instruments were used for... other things. That's why the forensics are taking so long. They're trying to piece together exactly what happened."

Tristan's world seemed to spin. He gripped the edge of his desk, his knuckles turning white. "What are you saying, Brad? What happened to Sophie in that room?"

Brad's voice cracked with emotion. "It looks like Sophie was restrained and tortured. The blood and body fluids, the way the instruments were used... it’s horrific. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain she went through."

Tears welled up in Tristan's eyes, a mix of rage and helplessness coursing through him. "Why didn't anyone see this? How could this happen in our hospital?"

"I don't know," Brad replied, his own voice breaking. "I'm so sorry, Tristan. We're doing everything we can to find out who did this and why. But it's taking time."

Tristan slammed his fist on the desk, his voice choked with emotion. "Time? Sophie doesn’t have time! She's already suffered so much. She needs justice. She needs to know she's safe. And you know damn well Damon Whitlock assaulted her.”

"I know," Brad said softly. "We're working as fast as we can. I promise you, we will prove who did this. But you need to be strong for Sophie now. She needs you more than ever."

Tristan took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "You're right. She does need me. But I also need answers. I need to know Damon Whitlock will pay."

"He will," Brad assured him. "We'll make sure of it. And, in the meantime, we'll keep Sophie safe. We'll do everything we can to help her heal."

Tristan closed his eyes. "Thank you, Brad. I appreciate everything you're doing."

"Ethan Hayes is working on it from his end. We’re also trying to keep those who know what happened to a small group," Brad said. "I'll keep you updated as soon as we have more information. Stay strong."

Tristan nodded, even though Brad couldn't see him. "I will. Take care, Brad."

"You too, Tristan. Talk soon."

As Tristan ended the call, he felt a mix of despair and determination. He would do whatever it took to help Sophie recover and find justice for what she had endured.

* * *

After the unsettling visit with Dr. Birdham, Sophie began to pace the confines of her room. Dr. Birdham left her leather portfolio. It was engraved, Kay, Thank you for everything. Love, Tristan.

Kay . Tristan’s Kay . Her throat felt like it was closing. She gagged and had to swallow down her medication again.

Sophie popped the portfolio open and made her way through the contents. Her mind started to drift further from who she was and where she was. She explored a set of patient files.

She was back in her residency. Kay could take a lesson in charting. She wondered if Dr. Blackwell knew how incompetent she was.

She continued her search, finding a small nylon bag. Inside was a mini office: colored pens, a stapler, a small ruler, a hole puncher, some paperclips, some binder rings and a pair of scissors.

Sophie took out the pens and, taking her time, went through each of the charts, making corrections. She didn’t want Dr. Blackwell to be upset. One chart dealt with a young man who abused opiates after a car accident. Another drank to avoid dealing with childhood trauma. She read them and made medical treatment plans.

But the next chart was hers. She read the history and physical. Her ordeal was laid out in clinical detail, each line a testament to the brutality of the assault she had endured.

Treatment Plan for Sophie Everhart

Physical Treatment:

Medical Evaluation and Treatment: Sophie will undergo a comprehensive medical reevaluation to address her physical injuries resulting from the sexual assault and beating injuries. This will include reassessment and treatment of post splenectomy; lacerations to the forearms, thighs, buttocks; and any bruising, swelling, and tears in the genital and anal regions. Fracture management to face, forearm, ribs and ankle. Reevaluation of subdural hematoma. Potential need to repeat an in-depth cardiac examination. Wound care. Pain management strategies, including analgesic medication as needed, will be implemented to alleviate discomfort. Judicious use of benzodiazepines.

Alert Dr. Deanna Roberts to perform repeat GYN examination, repeat cultures for STIs and add any necessary treatment.

Alert Dr. Jin Chao to evaluate her trachea and esophagus from compression.

Dr. Sam Harris to follow-up on other injuries except brain. Bring in cardiology prn.

Dr. James Blackwell to follow up on brain bleed.

Completed: Forensic Examination and Documentation

Antibiotic Therapy: Due to the presence of healing vaginal and anal tears, and lacerations from initial assault, as well as a persistent left-sided pneumonia secondary to post-splenectomy care, Sophie will remain on a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent worsening infection and promote healing.

Check on patient compliance. Continue based on need.

Follow-Up Care: Sophie will receive ongoing medical follow-up to monitor her physical recovery and address any complications that may arise from her injuries. This will include regular check-ups to assess healing progress and adjust treatment as necessary. Cardiac stress testing secondary to cardiac arrest suffered during original surgery. Re-check of surgical wounds.

Emotional Treatment: Refer to Blackwell Institute Psychiatrist

Trauma-Informed Therapy: Sophie will be referred to a qualified therapist specializing in trauma-focused therapy modalities.

Support Group: Sophie will have access to a support group for survivors of sexual assault, where she can connect with others who have experienced similar trauma and receive peer support. These groups provide a safe and supportive environment for sharing experiences, expressing emotions, and finding solidarity and validation.

Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Management: Sophie will undergo a psychiatric evaluation to assess for symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the assault. If indicated, she may be prescribed medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to help manage symptoms and improve her overall well-being.

Advise start on Prozac 10.0 milligrams QAM for Panic

Safety Planning: Sophie will work with her therapist to develop a safety plan to address any ongoing safety concerns and mitigate the risk of future harm. This may include identifying triggers, establishing coping strategies, and accessing resources for crisis intervention and support.

By implementing this comprehensive treatment plan, we aim to support Sophie in her physical and emotional recovery from the traumatic experience of sexual assault, empower her to regain a sense of control and agency in her life, and facilitate her journey toward healing and resilience.

It was signed by Chris Skylar and Sam Harris.

Sophie fixed her eyes on the rape kit results and the police report. A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. Her heart began to pound. Her palms were sweating. Her breaths came fast.

Short memories began to flash like a strobe light. She dug out the scissors from the pouch. As she watched out the window and saw the snow billowing from the sky, her hands trembled. Fright surged through her, and she pulled her hair into a ponytail, hacking it off in jagged chunks. The uneven strands fell around her, a symbol of her shattered self.

“No one is going to pull my hair again.” She looked down at her hair covering the floor. She tried to run, but the door was locked. Panic engulfed her.

She raised her cat sculpture over her head and slammed it into the glass again and again, finally cracking the window like a car windshield. Using her healthy foot, she kicked it repeatedly. After ripping a piece of glass free from the pane, Sophie slid down the wall to sit on the floor in the corner of the room, where she began to rock. The memories flashed in her mind, each one more horrific than the last.

Patient was admitted with multiple three-inch lacerations to her forearms, thighs and buttocks, likely from a knife or other straight blade. The note in her chart ran through her head. Then Damon’s voice echoed in her head.

Sophie’s eyes fell on the healed lacerations on her arms, reminders of her assailant’s cruelty. In a frenzy, she began to cut them open until they bled, the physical pain a desperate attempt to drown out what she was feeling. The memories were so dark and frightening, she felt like she was suffocating.