Family Secrets

Author

1.

Standing in the bitter cold among the other mourners, Eva was still in shock. Although she hadn't been in close contact with Julian Martin for quite a few years, he had been a major figure in her life. Everything happened so quickly. One minute, Julian was the nation's most prominent political figure and possibly the next president of the United States. The next minute, he was gone, shot in the head by a deranged psychopath.

As she listened to the minister's eulogy praising his life and work, she thought back to the beginning of their relationship.

They had met at one of Julian's political fundraisers when he first ran for city council, several years before he threw his hat in the Senate ring. Eva remembered how drawn she had been by his looks and charm, as well as his political idealism. Even then, he was committed to improving the lot of America's youngest citizens. As head of East Side General's neonatology unit, she found him irresistible.

From the start, their relationship was very intense. Julian was mesmerized, as was everyone who met Eva, by her almost ethereal beauty - sea-blue eyes, luxurious dark hair and athletic, but soft, body. Most of all, however, it was her dedication to her work and young daughter, Gabby, that captured Julian's heart. Ironically, it was this same dedication that ultimately tore his heart to shreds.

Hurt years before by Matt, Gabby's father, when he left her just as she was about to tell him she was pregnant, she wasn't willing to risk enduring that pain ever again. So when she felt her relationship with Julian moving towards a possible future, she quickly ended it. No matter how many times Julian tried convincing her he would never abandon her the way Matt had, she couldn't let go of her fear. But the guilt she felt for hurting Julian always remained.

Because of this, Eva was glad to read of Julian's marriage a few years earlier to Grace Hanson, a top fashion model. Rumor had it that Julian's political advisers were concerned with the effect his relationship with a model would have on his political future, but Grace's beauty and poise turned out to be a political asset. They were portrayed by the media as the royal couple - beautiful, young and ambitious, with the world at their fingertips. The public adored both of them.

Picturing the contented smile on Julian’s face in the newspaper and magazine pictures she saw of him and Grace, Eva felt a sense of peace run through her veins. Despite how untimely his death might have been, she took comfort in thinking that, with Grace, Julian found the happiness he deserved.

Jolted by the stark silence filling the air after the minister finished speaking, Eva was brought back from her reveries. She joined the other mourners as they clustered together to file past Julian’s casket. He had never lost his dream of making America a more humane country and, for many, his death was the death of a better tomorrow. Most threw flowers on his grave. Some broke down uncontrollably. No one moved on without tears clouding their eyes. First in line to pay their respects were assorted political dignitaries from around the world. Despite his relative youth and recent emergence on the political scene, Julian's record in his brief time as Senator from New York, his patrician good looks, Yale education and wealthy family background, had already earned him the respect and admiration of his Senatorial colleagues, as well as a new class of rising politicians abroad.

Behind the political contingent were his many admirers from business, the arts, the motion picture industry and the world of sports. Everyone saw something in Julian to tap their emotions and hopes for the future.

Next were those whose lives had at some point intertwined with Julian's in his rise to power. Among others was Huxley Brown, head of a major Texas oil company, who had contributed to Julian's campaign in the hopes of increasing governmental support for business, and Ashley Brown, Huxley's daughter and a burgeoning TV news personality, whose name had been linked by several gossip columnists to Julian's before his involvement with Eva.

At the end of the solemn procession was a small contingent from East Side General, where Julian ultimately lost his life. It was announced to the press as a tragic death caused by a deranged psychopath. After the shooting, the hospital did everything it could, but in the course of removing a bullet lodged in his brain, he suffered an unpredictable reaction to anesthesia, started hemorrhaging uncontrollably and went into cardiac arrest. Death followed shortly thereafter. Facing a hospital overwhelmed with grief, but needing as little publicity as possible in connection with Julian's death, East Side's administrator restricted the number of its staff who attended the funeral.

Besides Eva, among those who came were Dr. Grant Callahan, chairman of East Side's Department of Neurosurgery and the doctor who operated to remove the bullet from Julian's brain; Dr. Tim Rogers, East Side's newest addition and the anesthesiologist brought in for Julian the same fateful night; Dr. Bruce Townsend, both a friend of the Martin family and an anesthesiologist at East Side; and Dr. Elliot Meyers, chairman of East Side's Department of Anesthesiology, as well as the hospital's Chief of Staff.

As she moved slowly in line, Eva saw Julian's family as they waited to greet those who had braved the bitter cold weather to pay their respects. Seeing the emptiness in their faces, Eva's heart ached. Because of all the time she had spent with Julian, his family became partly hers as well. The pain running through her veins was as much for them as for herself.

Closest to the casket, locked tightly together, were Douglas and Janice Martin, Julian's parents - looking too numb to notice the twenty degree temperature and light snow falling all around them. Knowing how devoted they had been to their oldest son and how difficult the road ahead would be, Eva hugged them both. Although losing her mother had been traumatic, she knew that if anything ever happened to Gabby, life would be totally unbearable. Julian's parents had been very fond of Eva and were extremely sorry things hadn't worked out between her and their son. Eva's embrace seemed to soften them a little. After promising to stay in touch, she moved away to let others pay their respects.

Behind Julian’s parents, almost leaning on each other, were Julian's brother and sister. Will was a criminal defense lawyer who, by all accounts, had worked endlessly in Julian's last campaign, assuring his brother's defeat of a long-time incumbent. Elizabeth was a lawyer by training, who was taking a leave of absence to care for her two young children. Next to Elizabeth was David Keating, Elizabeth's husband and the president of Caldwell, Inc., one of the nation's largest pharmaceutical companies. Along with Will, both Elizabeth and David had worked relentlessly over the years to further Julian's political rise to power. Recalling the many hours they had all spent laughing and joking together, Eva’s eyes swelled as she paid her respects.

Moving on, Eva’s attention became fixed on a solitary figure standing off to the side. Although she thought Julian’s funeral might have pulled them together, the separation between Grace and the rest of the family didn’t surprise her. According to tabloid gossip, Grace and Julian’s family had never been close, partly because it was hard for any outsider to break in, and partly because Julian's parents resented their daughter-in-law for what they perceived as her lack of interest in bearing a Martin heir. In a finely tailored black suit fitted just enough to reveal her trim figure, except for the blond hair pulled back under a black hat and short veil covering her beautifully chiseled features, Grace looked exactly as she had when her husband announced his candidacy for president of the United States. Looking at Julian’s young widow, Eva marveled at how grief in no way diminished Grace’s beauty.

Seeing how alone Grace seemed standing off by herself, Eva left the line of mourners. But as she approached Grace, her original impression of Julian’s beautiful widow from the night he was rushed to the hospital was reinforced.

When Eva had first heard on the eleven o'clock news that a shooting had occurred at a fundraiser for Julian's presidential campaign, she froze. No information was given about Julian’s condition. Only that he, along with several other people in attendance at the function, keeled over after being shot and were all being rushed to East Side. The only good news was that Grant Callahan was at the hospital that night, and Tim Rogers was being called in from a reception being given in his honor. Although Eva had never met Tim, his reputation as chief of both anesthesiology and oncology at San Francisco's prestigious University Hospital was well known. It had been a tremendous coup for East Side to have persuaded Rogers to give up his joint appointment in San Francisco to come to New York. She was glad East Side was sufficiently endowed so that Julian would get the best care medicine could provide.

Immediately upon hearing the news bulletin, Eva dashed to the hospital. On arrival, her spirits rose. Although the bullet had hit Julian in the head, the wound was not considered life threatening. The initial prognosis was for a full recovery. For the next several hours, as they waited for reports about his condition, Eva and the entire Martin family, including Grace, paced the hospital’s pale green corridors together, optimistic for a positive outcome.

Then, without warning, the evening turned into a nightmare. Inexplicably, Julian started hemorrhaging profusely and his blood stopped clotting. Eventually, his kidneys failed and he went into cardiac arrest. At first, efforts at resuscitation kept him alive. Finally, however, his heart completely gave way. No amount of medical intervention was sufficient to save him.

Moving closer to Grace at the funeral, Eva remembered the hours she had spent with the Martin family the night Julian was rushed to East Side. No matter how much she had attempted to console Grace, she sensed a deep hostility in Julian’s widow. Now, clasping Grace’s hand at the funeral, she sensed an even deeper wedge between Julian’s widow and the rest of his family. Anxious to escape, she offered Grace her condolences as quickly as possible and moved back to the group of mourners.

Turning around, her face was met by familiar warm eyes smiling at her behind a cloud of tears. Other than some grey sprinkled throughout his hair and a few thin creases lining his forehead, Ted Hughes looked exactly as Eva remembered him - tall, robust and somewhat disheveled, in a way that always made her feel comfortable. As the Martin’s trusted family attorney and Julian’s campaign adviser, as well as his former college roommate and dearest friend, Ted had been a constant presence at the Martin house during the time she and Julian had been together and was the only one who knew the details of her relationship with Julian and why it had failed. Though physically and temperamentally opposites, Ted and Julian couldn't have been closer, and Eva’s heart sank lower as she saw Ted’s eyes underneath his bushy eyebrows. With Julian’s death, she knew Ted had lost his life-long soul-mate. She hadn't seen Ted in many years.

It’s good to see you, Eva, despite the occasion. Knowing he would break down if they got any closer, Ted briefly kissed Eva on the cheek and then drew back, squeezing both of her hands together.

It’s good to see you too, Ted, Eva responded, hardly able to speak. Do you think they were happy, Julian and Grace? Based on the tabloids, they were devoted to each other. But was that the truth? Were they really happy together?

Yes. To the best of my knowledge, they were. But, I must confess, after you were no longer a part of his life, Julian stopped confiding in me as much - at least about his personal life. Since we had been such a three-some, I was probably a reminder of what he had lost, so our relationship became more professional. Then he married and moved on with his life.

Well, I hope he was happy. I really do. Because if anyone deserved it, Julian certainly did. Eva paused momentarily, her eyes again drawn to Grace standing alone, off to the side. But I must tell you, Ted, something in Grace's demeanor bothers me. I can't put my finger on it, but as a physician, I've seen many people who have lost loved ones. And Grace seems different - aloof in a strange sort of way. Not like anyone I've seen. Realizing she was staring at Grace, Eva quickly turned back to face Ted. Look at me going on like this. I've always had an overactive imagination. And besides, what does it matter now anyhow?

No, Eva. I don't think it's just your imagination. I know exactly what you mean. I've never really been able to get through to Grace myself, and, from what I hear, neither has anyone in the Martin family. Believe me, as tightly knit as they are, they tried to bring her into the fold, but she wasn't willing - though I'm not sure why. And I don't imagine she'll have much to do with them now that Julian's gone. Ted looked out at all the people who had come to pay their respects. But enough of this. If you’re going back to the house, I'd love to give you a ride. We could catch up.

That would be terrific, Eva replied, pleased to have some time to reminisce with Ted. I'll just have to go tell Bruce Townsend I'm hitching a ride with you. Bruce gave me a lift to the cemetery. Can you wait here a minute?

I won't budge an inch.

Squeezing through the large crowd of mourners, Eva found Bruce huddled in conversation with David, Julian's brother-in-law, who had broken away from the receiving line.

Although she and Bruce were both physicians at East Side, she had first met Bruce through Julian. Somehow, he had become a friend of the Martins, though she couldn't at this point remember the connection, if she ever knew it. And for as long as she knew Bruce, he and David had been buddies - both car enthusiasts - despite their seeming an odd pair. David was a traditional family man, a loving husband and doting father to their young children. Although he ran an exceptionally profitable pharmaceutical company, he seemed unimpressed with his own success. One of the few people, she thought, who was confident enough about himself not to constantly be seeking approval from others.

Bruce, on the other hand, never managed to stay with any woman long enough to begin thinking of marriage or, heaven forbid - to use his words - the responsibility of a family. He told everyone that the first words out of his mouth to women he dated was that he never wanted to get married or have children. His list of women was endless. No one, including Bruce himself, took a relationship with him seriously.

Ignoring the paralyzing cold, Bruce stood there with no coat. Approaching him from the back, Eva was reminded of Matt - both tall, dark and rough. Handsome in an outdoorsy sort of way. Quite different from Julian's more traditional good looks. As she got closer to the huddle, she saw Bruce stretching his shoulders and arching his back, drawing attention to his athletic build. Deeply absorbed in conversation, the two men hardly noticed her arrival.

What are you two so engrossed in? This isn't exactly the time for internal engine or golf talk.

Bruce smiled when he saw her. Don't be so cynical, Eva. We were actually talking about Julian.

Well, I just came to tell you that Ted Hughes is giving me a lift to Grace’s house, so you can go on without me. See you there. Given Bruce's reputation with women, she was glad not to arrive at the Martin’s in his company.

Leaving them to resume their conversation, she maneuvered back through the crowd to find Ted, her black heels sinking further into the ground as she moved along the snow covered path. She and Ted then walked in silence to Ted's car, both knowing this was the last time Julian would actually be in their presence.

After driving a while, Ted spoke first. Y'know. For me, I think one of the hardest things about all of this is that I never got to say good-bye to Julian or be with him or the family during his time in the hospital. Unfortunately, I was in Europe when he died.

I know that. I missed you at the hospital, Eva said, as the sordid details of that horrific night came to the forefront of her mind.

Well, then, Ted said, hesitating briefly, since we have some time together during this ride, would you mind filling me in on what happened the night Julian was shot? Since I’ve returned, everything in the paper and on the news has to do with catching the creep who did it. But very little is said about what actually happened.

As far as I know, after the gunman fired at Julian, a security guard lunged at the gunman, he fell back and his gun fired extra shots, injuring several people besides Julian, including the security guard. Unfortunately though, with all the commotion, the guy escaped. No one seems to know who he is. As the newspapers say, they're still trying to find him.

But then what happened at the hospital? The reports said that Julian's wound wasn't life threatening.

Seeing Eva's eyes fill with tears, Ted stopped talking. I'm sorry, Eva. I can see discussing this now is too upsetting for you.

No, actually, to the contrary, talking about what happened is the only thing that seems to help me feel any better. I’ll tell you everything I know.

2.

It is with the greatest pleasure that I now turn the floor over to our guest of honor, Julian Martin, the esteemed Senator from the State of New York and, if we have anything to say about it, the next president of the United States! Congressman Alan Brooks stepped down from the platform amidst roaring applause.

This was the second fundraiser given to support Julian's candidacy - a ten thousand dollar a plate dinner at the Waldorf Astoria - and the turnout exceeded everyone’s expectations. Beautiful tablescapes filled the Basildon room, and the clamor of excitement echoed off the frescoed ceiling. Although he had announced his candidacy only a few weeks before, thousands of supporters had already been mobilized. He was proving irresistible, even to otherwise apathetic voters - a sign that the country had been waiting a long time for such a candidate.

Julian Martin, glamorous as always in his black tux, kissed his wife on the cheek, gave her his drink and approached the microphone.

Thank you. Thank you all very much. If we could bottle the feeling I sense in this room tonight and spread it throughout the country, there'd be smooth sailing ahead. The crowd roared. Despite the distinguished nature of the audience, their cheering could hardly be controlled.

As the applause continued, Julian's inner circle worked the room. They were savvy enough to know that attending a dinner wasn't evidence of total support for a candidate - especially for the rich and famous, for whom ten thousand dollars didn't necessarily mean anything. Often their presence at these dinners was more about being seen than supporting a particular candidate.

New York Senator Marshal Becker, one of Julian's old friends and staunchest supporters, latched onto Trevor Gold, president of Globe Motion Picture Industries. Ashley Brown wandered over to the table of James Stillings, the President of Credit Trust Bank in California. In the far corner of the large ballroom, Barbara Warner, a congresswoman from New Jersey, discreetly shifted place cards so she could sit next to Brad Newton, head of Strong Pharmaceuticals, a major competitor of Caldwell's, David Keating's company. The two were deeply engaged in conversation.

I hear what you're saying Barbara, but I can't support a candidate who advocates even stricter drug testing.

C'mon, Brad. At least keep an open mind. You know nothing's set in stone. I'll speak to Julian. Maybe we can work out some compromise measure.

I hope so. Because if not, I'm afraid you can count me out. I'm not going to help keep more worthwhile drugs off the market.

Barbara smiled knowingly. I understand, Brad. Just give me some time. I'll talk to Julian. Barbara saw her political future with Julian. But she also needed the support of one of her state's major businesses. Given Julian's anti-drug company stance - even in the face of pressure from his own brother-in-law's business - she had her work cut out for her.

Brad excused himself and left the table, anxious to find David Keating - the person he believed had real influence over Julian's political platform. Caldwell may have been one of Strong's biggest competitors, but in terms of drug testing, Brad and David were allies. He was counting on David's help. Otherwise, he knew there'd be trouble.

Once the cheering subsided, Julian continued. Assuming tonight's feeling can't be bottled, we'll have to earn our support. And that is exactly what I intend to do. Earn it, with hard work and a commitment to keep this Country the greatest nation in the world! Julian's enthusiasm caused further cheers and shouting.

But as he raised his arms to quiet the crowd, a chant pierced the air from the back of the room. Death to capitalist pig Julian Martin! My family deserves to eat as well as yours! Within seconds, several shots went out from the intruder's gun, one hitting Julian who collapsed on the podium floor, blood oozing from his scalp. The others ricocheted from the ceiling.

Immediately, shouts of support turned into screams of fear. Exits became jammed with well-dressed people scrambling on top of each other to get out. Others fell quickly to the floor, praying for protection.

Rushing to him from the front table, Grace grabbed her husband's head in her arms. Call an ambulance. Please, someone, call an ambulance.

Will ran to the phones. This is Will Martin. I'm calling for my brother, Senator Julian Martin. There's been a shooting. He needs an ambulance right away. Waldorf Astoria. The Basildon room. And other people were probably shot as well. So send more than one. And hurry.

By the time Julian was wheeled into the hospital, the emergency entrance was lined with reporters hoping to get the first picture. The fluorescent lights along the corridors of the entrance illuminated the movements of the hospital staff.

Calmly unclasping Grace's hands from the stretcher, Kristin held Grace's arm and walked her to the chair by the nurse's desk. Mrs. Martin, the doctors will take over from here. Please sit with me for a few moments. I need to get some information from you. It will help the doctors care for your husband. Kristin Cummings had been an intake nurse in emergency for five years. She was used to being calm with distraught relatives and getting important information as quickly as possible.

But within seconds of starting to give Julian’s medical history to Kristin, Grace was distracted by the appearance of two physicians.

Mrs. Martin? I'm Dr. Chris Sullivan, chief neurosurgical resident. This is Dr. Rick Conners, chief anesthesiology resident. As you know, your husband sustained a gun-shot wound to his head. But fortunately his vital signs appear stable, so things don't look too bad. We're in the process of doing tests right now, so we'll know more shortly. But I believe the Senator should be fine.

Grace’s whole body seemed to breathe for the first time since she arrived at the hospital. Will the two of you be operating?

Not alone, Mrs. Martin, if that's what you're concerned about, Chris responded. Dr. Grant Callahan, East Side's head of Neurosurgery, will be operating. I'll be assisting him. As a matter of fact, I've got to join Dr. Callahan right now. He’s with your husband. So if you'll excuse me, I've got to go.

When Chris left, Rick continued. And Dr. Tim Rogers, one of the hospital's best, will be your husband's anesthesiologist. I'll be assisting him. Try not to worry, Mrs. Martin. Your husband's in excellent hands. Rick then led Grace to the upholstered chairs in the corner of the hospital hall.

As he completed taking a history, his name was paged. I'm afraid I've got to go, Mrs. Martin. Quite a few people were hurt in the shooting and unfortunately the others - especially one of your husband's assistants, I believe his name is Jesse Friedlander - aren't in as good shape as your husband is. The Senator will be operated on as soon as Dr. Rogers arrives, which should be in a few minutes.

Grace nodded, and Rick ran off to answer his page.

Where on earth is he? Did you tell Rogers it was an emergency and Senator Martin was the patient? I thought you said he'd be here in ten minutes. Rick Conners was as confident of his skills as any chief resident could be, but he didn't relish possibly making a mistake with the next president of the United States.

Cool it, please, Dr. Conners. Of course I told him it was an emergency and Senator Martin was the patient. I also told him there were several other shooting victims and, with everyone at Stevens’ reception, you were the only anesthesiologist in the hospital. Carolyn Rivers had been head of the emergency room nurses for fifteen years. She knew how to perform her job backwards and forwards. As a matter of fact, you'd better get yourself over to operating room 7 - stat! Jesse Friedlander needs you real bad. You’ll be paged when Dr. Rogers and others arrive, which should be any minute.

Rushing to the operating room, Rick smiled to himself. He had met Rogers at a department tea the day he arrived at the hospital. Except for Grant Callahan and Elliot Meyers, no one, including Rick, seemed to take a great liking to the wonder doctor from San Francisco.

Several moments after Rick disappeared, Kristin returned to take over for Carolyn. Leaving, Carolyn called back to her replacement. Kristin, Dr. Rogers and others are due here any minute. Tell Rogers and Conners the Senator’s in operating room 4. The Senator’s chart's on the desk. Any other anesthesiologists should be spread out - first to 3.

3.

Socializing was not easy for Eva - especially tonight. Memories of the high spirited dinners she and Julian shared with his family, as well as guilt for ending their relationship, flooded her mind. Everything seemed overwhelming, even entering Julian's and Grace’s house. She had to settle her racing heartbeat before stepping through the threshold.

Regardless of her feelings, however, she felt obliged to go back to the house, and she also hoped to possibly meet Tim Rogers. Though Tim administered Julian’s anesthesia the night of the shooting, Eva hadn’t yet met him. Besides hearing more about what happened to Julian, she hoped to convince Tim to review the medical records of her best friend's mother. Beth had breast cancer and was given a very short time to live. Maybe, she prayed, Tim could offer Beth some hope.

Speaking to colleagues and friends, Eva’s mind was totally distracted by thoughts of the past, and she found herself unable to respond coherently to the most routine inquiries about Gabby, let alone her work or research. But as she drifted around the crowded living room, her thoughts were diverted by someone trying to get her attention.

You must be here to add some interest to this otherwise solemn group of physicians and politicos, since you can't possibly be one of them. Too pretty.

Turning around, Eva faced a tall, strikingly attractive man - probably in his mid-forties - with short dark wavy hair and a slightly bronze complexion. Not the usual look of a physician cooped up most of the time in a hospital. Quickly taking two glasses of white wine from a passing waitress, he failed to catch the indignant expression on Eva's face.

Let me introduce myself. Tim Rogers - best known in this crowd for being one of the attendings the night Senator Martin was rushed in. Eva's mind immediately flashed to the personality that almost drove her away from medicine - brash, arrogant and self-impressed - and, in this instance, seemingly indifferent to the purpose of the occasion.

Eva Miller, a neonatologist at East Side, and a good friend of Julian Martin's. Eva started to move further into the crowd of mourners.

Trying to correct his obvious blunder, Tim quickly followed. First impressions aside, Dr. Miller, I'm really charming, a great conversationalist and usually more perceptive. Smiling, Tim still hoped to diffuse his mistake. Would you like a glass of wine?

Astounded at his continuing audacity, Eva declined. No, thank you. I don't drink. That way I can stay somber and fit in with my colleagues.

Eva began looking for Elliot Meyers to vent her fury at East Side's hiring someone like Tim. Elliot had been a substitute father to Eva since her internship days, when he found her crying in the supply room at two a.m. during her surgery rotation. Gabby had been running a fever, and she felt like a neglectful mother leaving her with a sitter. She was also exhausted from being on duty for over 36 hours. On top of everything, she didn't enjoy her work. In Elliot's calm and soft spoken manner, he sat her down and forced her to think about what she really wanted. And it was mainly because of her talk with Elliot that she ultimately decided to go into neonatology. Unlike her own father, who years before had tried to get her either to have an abortion or give Gabby up for adoption, Elliot was always convincing her to follow her instincts. Neonatology and having Gabby were the two best decisions she had made in her life. In her heart, Elliot had provided her the courage for both.

Before she saw him, however, Elliot came up from behind. "I'm glad to have found you, Eva. This is