9:10 A.M.
FLOOR 18
UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT BUILDING
FIRST AVENUE AND FORTY-SECOND STREET
NEW YORK CITY
The president crawled on his back even as the glass stabbed him in the torso. He came to a dead woman and found a cell phone in her hand. He dialed 911.
It rang several times, then an operator came on.
“NYPD Emergency,” came a female voice.
Dellenbaugh tried to speak but only coughed.
“Hello, this is NYPD first response, is someone there?”
“Yes,” whispered Dellenbaugh. He sounded weak and lost. “I have a piece of glass in my stomach.”
“Thank you,” said the operator. “I see you’re at the UN. We have teams of first responders either there already or on their way.”
“I need to speak to someone with medical training,” said Dellenbaugh slowly.
“Sir, I’m not sure that’s feasible,” said the operator. “However, I can send an ambulance and EMTs to your specific location. What floor are you on?”
“Eighteen,” said Dellenbaugh. “This is J. P. Dellenbaugh, the president. I need to speak to someone immediately with a medical background.”
The operator was silent for a few moments.
“Oh, sir, Mr. President, forgive me. Please hold the line. I’ll have someone in a few moments.”
Dellenbaugh lay down on his back, propping his head on the leg of the dead woman. Then a new voice came on the line.
“Mr. President, this is Alison Scott, are you there?”
“Yes.”
“I’m a trauma surgeon at Mt. Sinai. Where is the glass, Mr. President?” she said.
“My right side,” said Dellenbaugh. “Stomach.”
“How big?”
“I don’t know. A foot. It’s thick.”
“How much is inside you?” said Scott.
“A few inches.”
“That’s good. Is your nose or mouth bleeding?” said Dr. Scott.
“I don’t know,” said Dellenbaugh.
“Put your hand to your nose and your mouth,” she ordered. “Tell me if it’s bleeding.”
“No, it’s not,” he said.
“That’s good. I want you to pull that piece of glass out of your stomach,” said the doctor.
“It’s too deep,” said the president weakly.
“You need to do it,” said Scott firmly. “I’m here with you,” she added empathetically. “People are coming. I know the FBI or Secret Service will be there soon.” Then her tone got harder-edged. “But I need you to pull the glass out right now.”
Dellenbaugh was breathing heavily, trying to live through the pain, which was exacerbated by every tiny movement.
“I know you’re feeling like you’re about to die, but you’re not,” said Scott. “I need you to pull that glass out, right now. Just yank it out. This isn’t over. It’s just the beginning, but I need you, we need you, to join the fight.”
Dellenbaugh forced himself to sit up and crab to a wall near the entrance to the suite. He looked down and saw his midsection. It was a riot of blood, soaking wet. A trail of blood was on the floor. He put the cell down and wrapped both hands around the large shard of glass at its tip. Groaning in a low, deep voice, Dellenbaugh pulled for several moments, trying to get the object out, but it was too painful. He gave himself a few seconds as he caught his breath. He was sweating profusely and in agony, though he took the glass again and rocked it back and forth as blood oozed out from the seams around where it was stabbed into him. He pulled as hard as he could and felt the end of the glass slide out, making a terrible sloshing noise. He dropped it on the floor as he tried to catch his breath amid the wracking pain.
He glanced down. The wound was leaking blood.
He picked up the cell.
“Doctor?” he said, coughing.
“Are you okay?” she said.
“No,” said Dellenbaugh.
“How bad is it bleeding?” said Scott.
“Bad,” said Dellenbaugh.
“That’s okay,” said Scott. “Now take off your shirt. As much as it hurts, you need to press it against the wound. Hard.”
Dellenbaugh tried to unbutton his shirt, but he couldn’t. His fingers were numb.
“Push it hard,” said the doctor. “As deep as you can.”
“I can’t get my shirt off. I can’t feel anything,” coughed Dellenbaugh.
“What floor are you on?”
Dellenbaugh watched as the cell dropped to the floor. He stared at the open wound in his stomach until, at some point, with the doctor’s frantic shouting in the background, his eyes shut and he again fell into unconsciousness.