As soon as Nurse Gordon returned to duty, I told her what had occurred and ordered her to conduct a more vigorous investigation.
"Either some attendant is having a sick, jolly time here or we have another patient who is smarter than everyone working here. Nadine. One way or another. I want this brought to an end, a conclusion." I said.
She looked at me and shook her head as if I was the one having delusions. Then she went to carry out my orders.
I returned to Grace's room and found she was more awake, albeit still quite groggy from the medicine and the trauma. I asked one of our female attendants to help her wash and dress, and then I ordered some breakfast for her and had it brought to her room. where I sat with her to make sure she ate something,
"I'm sorry about what happened last night. Grace." I told her. "But I'll not rest until I find out who did that and how. I promise you." I said.
She didn't reply. She ate slowly, her eyes fixed on the floor.
"You've got to help me help you. Grace. I want you to exercise more, take walks again, get back to work in the arts and crafts room, read again, by. If you don't try, you won't get better," I said.
"I've got to leave you. Claude." she repeated, shaking her head. "I've go to go."
"That's silly. Grace. Where will you go? You don't want to return to Florida and to your little boy while you are like this, do you? How will that be for him?"
She pressed her lips together and began to tremble. I put my arm around her shoulders and held her close to me, kissing her cheek and her temple and her hair.
"I won't rest until I help you. Grace. I swear."
"You can't help me," she insisted and then added a cryptic, "I can only help you."
"You can only help me if you get better," I countered. She didn't respond. It was as though she could hear nothing but the voices within her now.
In the days and weeks to follow, her depression was deep again. She had no interest in doing anything but sleeping. I tried to lift her spirits with some moodenhancing drugs even though I knew this was only a temporary solution, and when I did get her to do something, she did it mechanically without any passion whatsoever.
One afternoon Ralston came to see me to discuss Grace's condition,
"This one is slipping through our fingers, Claude," he began. "Nurse Gordon has been giving me updates on her."
"Giving you updates?"
"Now, don't go chastising her, Claude. She claims you're taking this all too personally, that you've become too involved with this patient to be
objective."
"Who is she to make such a diagnosis of the situation. Ralston? That woman steps over the boundaries constantly here. I admit she has a lot of experience and she is very efficient and dedicated, but she is not a trained psychiatrist, and I think it's inexcusable for her to have gone to you like this. I am the lead doctor treating Grace Montgomery. and Nadine knows that. I am disappointed that you even received her. Ralston."
"I'm concerned only for you. Claude." he said.
You should be concerned only for our patient," I retorted. "I am. That's why I'm here," he fired back at me.
We were both quiet. It wasn't often that we were at each other like this. and I knew it had a great deal to do with my relationship with Grace,
"Her condition has become very severe. All I'm saving is this might not be the right place for her. You've had some terrible ups and downs with her. Claude."
"I don't see it that way. Ralston. I think I still have an opportunity to help her. Now. I want you to support me as to this business with Nadine Gordon. It's inappropriate behavior and you would not like it if the roles were reversed," I said firmly.
He nodded. "Okay," he said. "You're not wrong about that."
I called out and asked that Nurse Gordon come to my office immediately. I could see Ralston was uncomfortable, but this was a matter of protocol that I wouldn't permit to be violated.
"Nadine," I began when she entered. "Dr. Price has told me about your reports to him concerning one of my patients. This is entirely inappropriate of you and I resent it." I began.
She raised her shoulders and stiffened her spine.
"I did what I thought was appropriate," she fired back at me.