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Running Out of Time
Something was definitely wrong. John's skin color was almost grey, and he seemed to have trouble breathing. "John, are you okay? Can I get you something?" Anna asked as she unbuttoned his shirt collar.
John didn't answer immediately, instead closing his eyes and grimacing as if in pain. After a moment he looked up at Mark and the others as they crowded around. "Afraid I'm going to spoil your party, Mark." He paused, holding his left arm against his side. "Could you call an ambulance? I think it's a heart attack. Ask the dispatcher to contact Dr. Ben Jaffe. He knows my medical history."
Mark turned to Cathy, who already had the phone in her hand. "Use 999 instead of 911 Cathy, it's a British phone system," he told her.
"Yes, sir," she answered. A moment later she began giving details to the person on the line. "They're on the way. What was the doctor's name again?"
"Dr. Jaffe," Mark told her, "ask the dispatcher to contact him. Ask them to tell the doctor it's John Leeds." He turned back to John and Anna. "Anna, let's get his feet up on the couch, but keep his head up. Kurt? Can you give me a hand? Hang in there John, help is on the way." With Kurt's help he got John into a more comfortable position.
Luisa stood behind Cathy, trying to stay out of the way. When Kurt called out her name she came forward. "I want you to go to the front door and watch for the ambulance. Flag them down as soon as you see them so they won't have to check addresses."
"Yes, sir," Luisa answered. Cathy was still talking to the dispatcher on the phone but touched Luisa's arm as she went by.
"There'll be an ambulance and paramedics, two vehicles. That's what the dispatcher is telling me."
It didn't take long for the emergency team to arrive. Luisa called out when she saw them. Cathy hung up the phone and went to the door to move a side table so they could get their equipment through the entrance hallway.
The paramedics worked quickly, one attaching sensors to John's chest to check his heartbeat while the other started an intravenous drip. The ambulance crew followed behind, bringing in a gurney.
"He needs to be transported immediately," the first paramedic told them. "I'll ride with him to the Island's clinic. His doctor has been notified."
As they started to wheel John out he grabbed Mark's arm. "Mark, could you do something for me?" His voice was nearly inaudible. Mark leaned over so John could whisper in his ear.
"Sir? We don't have time," the paramedic began.
Mark stood up and patted John's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll see to it. You try to relax. We'll meet you at the hospital."
Anna started to follow. "I have to go with him…"
Mark grabbed her arm to stop her. "Anna! Listen to me. We'll take you to the clinic right now, but you can't ride with John. The paramedic needs room in case he has to work. You'd get in his way. You don't want to endanger John's life, do you?"
"No, I don't…."
"Kurt, can you take Anna to the clinic? There's something John asked me to do. It'll only take a few minutes, then I can meet you at the emergency room."
"Of course. Anna? Please come with me." Kurt turned to Luisa, standing behind him. "Stay with her," he ordered in a low voice.
Mark pulled Cathy aside. "I want you to go with Anna. Don't let her out of your sight until I get there, understand?"
"I understand. Mark, what about their house?" Cathy kept turning her head to watch Kurt and Luisa as they took Anna out to their car.
"I'll take care of all that, don't worry. John asked me to do something. It's important, has to be done right now. You just stay with her. I won't be more than five minutes behind you."
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