Chapter 1

Allen

It was twelve in the mid night by the time I came home from hospital yesterday. I had two emergency cases to deal last evening. I am an orthopaedic surgeon working in St George hospital, Miami. Since then there isn't a day when I return home before nine because serving humanity and practicing medicine is my passion, my dream. It all happened when one day my uncle came home with a kid's doctor set as a gift for me during Christmas.

At exactly five in the morning, my alarm blares and I get out of the covers. I go to the washroom to do my business and walk out in track pants and white T.shirt for my morning walk. This had been my routine since the time I knew about my existence. Punctuality digested in my blood because I dreamt of becoming a doctor from the time unmemorable. Owing to the fact of that I worked very hard with my grades and became a successful medical practitioner.

"Good morning Stacy..." I enter the dining hall with news paper in my hands. One thing that I won't miss doing even if someone offers me a ticket to paradise is reading the morning daily. "Good morning Allen, here is your double shot espresso with one spoon of sugar and one spoon of cream exactly the way you like." Stacy spoke with a jubilant smile.

"Thank you Stacy, you are simply the best in making my coffee. I do not still understand why Julie hates your espresso." I try to pull my old woman's leg at the same time compliment her sipping my favourite cup of morning beverage. Stacy is my sixty year old cook and house keeper who had been working for my family since I was five. After my parents died when I was ten and my sister Julie only four, Stacy raised both of us like her own children. I love Stacy like a mother who has got a very beautiful heart. Stacy is the only person on this earth apart from my sister and Mr Richmond who calls me on my first name basis.

She waves me off with a smile stepping into motherliness once again. "Here is your breakfast. Don't leave to the hospital without eating. Otherwise I am going to chase you like a wild dog." She warns me but with softness. "Okay mummy!" I mock salute and start digging into the food.

Even at the age of sixty with wrinkles on her face Stacy looked beautiful with piercing gray eyes and her ever glowing cream coloured skin. "You weren't taking any calls since yesterday evening and so Julie called me. She will be here by next weekend after completing her internals."

Oh Shit! Julie told me last week to buy her the latest Canon EOS 200D camera. She is now in her final year doing graduation in fine arts and photography. My sister inherits the hobby of shooting pictures of animals and nature from my dad. For the interest she had, she took over the subject in her graduation and aspires to be a wild life photographer. Last week she called me at the hospital. I was in the middle of a surgery and my friend cum assistant Rosy picked up her call to inform me about the same. Getting submerged with work I completely forgot about my sister's request and now she is going to kill me for it.

Dressed in a sky blue plain shirt and black pants I walked to my car picking up the white coat in my arm and my stethoscope hanging around my neck. I park my latest baby, Rolls-Royce Cullinan in the hospital parking lot and step into the lobby. Apart from Stacy's delicious morning espresso if there is something more that I like in this world, then it is my collection of cars. I store in my garage all kinds of vehicles from sports cars to high end luxury car, SUV's and convertibles.

Soon after I reach the hospital, Rosy walks briskly towards me. Her face completely red almost running out of her breathe. "Dr, we have an emergency arrived a few minutes earlier. I looked for the identity of the person. It is case of American mafia, a security working for them in their arms and ammunition warehouse."

The crime rate in United States increases tenfold every year but ruefully none of us can stop it from happening. Doing social service and giving inspirational speeches is not my cup of tea but I will do anything in my power to save a life. My professional instincts took over. "What is the medical information of the patient?" I ask Rosy quickly striding to the ICU where the patient had been situated since the time he arrived. She hands me a clip board. "Multiple fractures on hip bone and elbow, severe concussion in the left side of the head, a bullet in the left artery of the heart." I read the patient's medical condition and instantly gave a peek at Rosy? Have you checked the pressure and pulse? What does the ECG say?" She immediately hands over me another strip of papers.

"The cardio surgeon Dr Edward and the neurologist Dr Andrea are in the OT waiting for you." I rush in putting on my blue apron along with surgical gowns, gloves, theatre boots, caps, my mask and finally the visors. After two and half hours of a successful major surgical procedure, I came out of theatre and took in patient rounds to all the orthopaedic wards in the hospital.

After I complete my consultations ready to step out to grab a bite for lunch, the receptionist came rushing to me in trembling steps. "Sir the mafia head Mr Richmond would like to meet you." A smile laces my features immediately. Mr Richmond may be terrifying stone hearted monster and underworld don to the outside world but for me he is like an Angel culminating the miseries. "Send him in immediately."

"Son, how are you?" the gray haired man with a powerful demeanour but a gentle heart that only a few know strolls to my room with a magnificent smile.