Clint had been run down by a hit and run driver and Ivan had made sinister remarks about him needing brain surgery.
“I think that’s a little premature, Ivan. We need the test results before we consider brain surgery!” said an astonished Larry.
“Sorry, Larry, just a bit of humor. While I thought you would appreciate it, I see I was wrong,” he said rather evilly. “Did I hit a raw nerve?”
“This is not a joke to us, Ivan. Clint could have very serious injuries. If you won’t help, send us someone who will. Or get us out of this God forsaken place!” Viki was impatient, and rightfully so. Ivan had make a mockery of Clint’s accident and she wouldn’t tolerate it.
“Calm down, Viki. I think Clint’s going to be fine. He has already improved since he’s been here. His color’s good, breathing is normal, no huge hematomas visible. But we’ll wait for the test results, as Larry suggests. However, I think it would be best if you wait here. If you don’t trust us, perhaps Larry would like to sit in on the tests.”
“Oh, Larry, would you, please?”
“Of course, it would be my distinct pleasure to monitor the proceedings. Who knows what could happen to him, if I don’t supervise?”
For several hours, Viki paced the hallway with a grim expression. She was determined that Clint would survive and be back to his normal self. If it took the world’s best doctors, he would have them. The best therapists, too. No doubt, Asa would want to get in on the act, get some referrals from some of his friends the world over.
Mark brought Viki a cup of coffee. “Sorry, this is kinda strong. I don’t know how old it is but it may qualify for antiquity.”
“Thanks, I need it. The stronger, the better.”
“I’m surprised you don’t need something even stronger. I know I would.”
“It’s going to be fine, Mark. It just has to be.”
“I really admire your courage, Viki. You’re a special lady.”
Viki suddenly stopped her pacing and rested her head on her arms against the cool wall. Mark went over to her and gently put his hands on her neck. At first, she jumped slightly, but when he began to softly massage her shoulders, she relaxed.
“Ooh, that feels so good. Don’t stop, please. I didn’t realize how tense I was.”
“This always made my Mom feel better. She worried a lot because my Dad was a cop. Very high risk job. She never went to bed until he came home, but sometimes she fell asleep in her chair. She always had cricks.”
“I can see why she worried. You’ve never mentioned your family before. Are you close?”
“They’re both dead, Viki. Well, the folks that raised me are dead. I was adopted. They died in a car crash when I was in college. Never could have kids, so they got me.”
“What love. It takes a special, generous love to adopt a child. I can see they did a good job. ”
“Well, I hope so.” Mark grinned a bittersweet smile. “I miss them so much.”
“Do you know anything about your birth parents?”
“Learning more all the time. Never knew much, didn’t care to when the folks were alive. I never needed to know, they were enough. It just wasn’t important.”
“That’s a real testimony to your adoptive parents. Ever wonder about your medical background, though? That could be important, you know.”
“I’m working on it.” They both ran out of words to say. The silence was awkward. Finally, Viki said, “Thanks for the back-rub.”
“No problem. Rubbing the back of a beautiful woman is a privilege.” Viki blushed. “Well, I certainly don’t feel beautiful.” She self-consciously looked down at her jeans and saw there were stains and stray blades of grass around her knees. There was blood on her blouse and she’d lost a button.
“Oh, I really look bad. I didn’t realize . . . ”
“You’re fine, just let me get this spot off your cheek.” Mark used his thumb to wipe away some dark smudges from her sweet, soft face. He felt so sorry for her. She was remarkable, though, holding up well. Mark wondered if anyone would ever care for him the way Viki obviously loved Clint. Mark didn’t think so. He would never find anyone as wonderful as Viki. He cautioned himself against getting too close to Viki. She was such a great person, she never held anything against him and was always kind to him. A real lady. But a very married lady. And old enough to be his mother, he thought. Very attractive, though, he had to admit that. He could imagine . . .
Larry came from behind some doors and joined Viki and Mark.
“Good news. Nothing is broken. No dangerous bruises or hematomas. However, we can’t rule out a concussion. He has regained and lost consciousness twice, but right now, he’s out.”
“But that’s not good, Larry.”
“It’s not bad, really, all the signs are good. In fact, the body’s best defense is sleep. Right now, he’s comfortable and should be coming around soon. We will wake him every 2 hours or so, anyway, to check his progress and make sure there’s no swelling in the brain.”
“May I see him?”
“I think that’s a good idea, Viki. Talk to him, assure him, say everything to encourage him. Don’t talk doom and gloom in front of him. We’re not sure just how much unconscious people comprehend. What you say could make the difference.”
“Larry, how long will he be this way?” asked Mark.
“We’ll be sitting around the clock, we should know something in 24 hours. Which means, because of the shortage of staff here, we, literally, will be sitting with him.”
“You know I’ll be right by his side.”
“Me, too,” offered Mark.
“But you have to be the escort for the doctors and others that are coming tomorrow. I can’t leave Clint with Ivan.”
“I understand, Larry, but I can help as long as I can before I go meet them.”
“Thanks, we can use you. They’re moving him to a room now, where we can all be more comfortable.”
Viki was at Clint’s bedside, stroking his forehead, moving his hair. He was so still. As still as he’d been on the grass. But his face wasn’t scrunched up, like before. She supposed that Larry had given him something for the pain. She hoped so, because she couldn’t stand for him to be in pain. Larry had found an empty room and decided to get himself some sleep. That way, he could take over for Viki later. She probably wouldn’t let him, but he’d try. He was bone tired from all the activity going on and the tension of Clint’s condition. Clint was a very good friend. They had been friends since Clint had come to town. Larry had been around from the beginning of Viki and Clint’s romance. He had seen the love and devotion that those two had for one another. Sure, they’d had major storms, but they always got back together. They were made for each other and everybody knew that. He tossed and turned on the small hospital bed to get comfortable. But he had forgotten how uncomfortable they were. And then Karen kept running through his brain, too. Where was she? Were they ever going to be together? He finally fell asleep, hoping he wouldn’t have to face any demons, at least not tonight.
Ivan was busy telling his associates about the plans to bring the American surgeons and doctors to see them. He assured them all that their problems would be fixed. He was hopeful that their lives would be changed forever. It was truly their destiny. They deserved to be whole and cured and free. He would make it happen. He and his wonderful American friends. The time would come soon, very soon. ‘Get ready, he said, wonderful things are about to happen. Joy will replace sadness. Legs that can’t walk, will run. Eyes that can’t see, will read. Nothing is impossible, now.’
Mark, however, was up to something entirely different. He was working on his journal. He wrote every night. He put down all the questions he had and the answers he wanted. He wrote down facts and figures. He had it all planned, too. Ivan wasn’t the only one with plans. Mark was getting too close to what he wanted. His life would never be the same, either. Could he go through with it? Did he have the courage to pursue this dream? The dream he’d had for 15 years? It would be so simple to just walk away. But he couldn’t. He would see his plan through. And he hoped Viki would be proud of him. He knew she would see him in a new light.
Eighteen hours later, Mark and Larry finally talked Viki into getting some sleep. She tried to rest in one the rooms next to Clint’s so she could hear him, if he called. He hadn’t called so far. But she knew he would. He was hanging on for her, her and the children. Larry said he was doing fine and she hoped he was right. It was hard to believe, though. His big, strong body, lying in the sterile hospital bed. There was an extra nurse now on duty and she could take over, so Mark was going to the airport to meet the entourage. Nobody had seen Ivan, but then nobody had really missed him, anyway. Larry had decided to get some rest, too. He was pretty sure that Clint was out of danger. He wouldn’t be able to leave him, if he didn’t think so.
While everyone was occupied, Clint began to stir. He blinked and opened his beautiful eyes, but boy, did he have a headache! He began to rub his forehead and wondered where he was. He didn’t dare lift his head off the pillow or look to the left or right too quickly. The room would stop spinning any time now, won’t it? he thought. Was he in a hospital? Wasn’t a very grand one, if he was. And it was really warm here, too. Where was Viki?
Wasn’t she here? He spied a cord out of the corner of his eye. A call light cord! Maybe he could reach it and call for help. Mustering all his strength, he lifted his left arm over his body and snagged the cord on the bed rail. There was a red tip on the end and he pushed it. He thought scores of people would come running. But they didn’t. He waited and waited and then he rang again.
“Well, it seems our star patient has regained consciousness. How are we feeling today, Mr. Buchanan?”
“How do you think? I’m busted up, aren’t I?”
“Yes, I think that’s an adequate description. You are entitled to feel really horrible, but we hope you won’t much longer.” The nurse leaned over and patted his shoulder and for the first time, he got a good look at her.
His eyes got big and he flinched at her touch. How did she get here? Who was she really? Was she here to kill him?
The nurse saw Clint’s reaction and immediately withdrew her hand. Not wanting to alarm him, she began to try to reassure him of his safety.
“Where did you come from? How did you get here? Who are you?” demanded Clint.
“I am a nurse here at the Macao Valley Hospital.”
“No, you know we’ve met before. Who are you?”
“I’m Mrs. Ivan Kipling. Monique Kipling.”
“Mrs. Ivan Kipling? So you’re the one that Ivan’s married to. We wondered. What are you doing here?”
“I work here, Mr. Buchanan. I am a nurse. That’s how Ivan and I met. We were on a mission of mercy and found each other.”
“You helped him kidnap Karen, didn’t you?”
“It’s not what you think, Mr. Buchanan. Karen is safe.”
“But you staged that little scene at the hotel so we wouldn’t find her!”
“Yes, I did. You were getting much too close. We couldn’t let you get together so soon, it would have ruined the plan.”
“How can you help him? He’s a monster.”
“You may think you know him, but you don’t. That’s all I can say. You and your friends are crucial to helping so many people. And it’s a plan that’s already in motion. It cannot be stopped.”
“What happened to me? Why am I here?”
“You were run down by an unknown driver. You were given the best medical treatment in this part of the world. You’re lucky to be alive, but you’re going to be fine.”
“I remember now. Did your husband run me down?”
“Of course, not. How preposterous! Ivan is a saint! He would never do such a thing.”
“Lady, you are either delusional or as sick as he is. Come to think of it, maybe you’re both, because Ivan’s no saint.”
“Mr. Buchanan, I have been insulted by many, some as important as you, others not. Regardless, I will stand by Ivan.”
“Would you just get my wife for me, before I get sicker? I’m sure she’s anxious to see me.”
“Actually, she was here all night. She just left to get some rest, are you sure you want her disturbed?”
‘No, I guess not. I am a little sleepy. Maybe later.” The confrontation with Monique had left him drained and it didn’t take much for him to fall asleep again.
“Monique, how is our friend?”
“Oh, Ivan, he’s fine. We just had a conversation, he seems to be medically sound. Pupils are ok and pulse is strong.”
“Did he recognize you?”
“Absolutely. He put up quite a fight, verbally, anyway. He has some strong feelings about you. Ivan, are you sure this is how you want to go about this plan?”
“It will work, Monique, trust me. Everything’s working out just I predicted. It’s all falling into place. I can hardly wait to see all their faces. Won’t it be delicious?”
“Sometimes, Ivan, you are so predictable! I know you’re not what you want people to think.”
“Mystery, dear, it’s what really makes the world go ’round.”
“And here I thought it was love.”
“Why you love me is the real mystery. You’re much too good for me and you deserve much better!”
“Finally, something I can truly agree with.”
To be continued . . .ย
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