Spy, Spy Away

by Diane Henders

Turn.

  Park.

  Suddenly I was standing in Emergency with no recollection of arriving there. I approached the woman behind the desk.

  “Arnold Helmand.” My voice was a dry croak. “How is he? H-He arrived by ambulance. I… I’m his g… girlfriend.” The word trembled out, and the nurse offered me a sympathetic smile.

  “Yes, he’s being seen.”

  “C-can I…”

  “You won’t be able to see him until the doctors are finished. Just take a seat, and we’ll let you know.”

  Wait? They’d let me know? Was she fucking kidding? I clamped down on the hysterical urge to pull my gun and demand to see him.

  Christ, I was losing it.

  I gave her my name, stumbled to the nearest chair, and sat.

  After several minutes of numb immobility, my brain ground into gear again. I got up and tottered outside where I could talk on my cell phone in relative privacy. Shivering uncontrollably in the icy wind, it took me two tries to hit the single speed-dial button.

  “Kane.”

  At the sound of his strong baritone, my throat closed and only a tiny sob escaped.

  “Aydan! Where are you? What’s wrong?”

  I yanked myself under control. “I’m at the F-Foothills Hospital. Arnie…”

  I had to gulp again, and Kane snapped, “What happened? How bad?”

  “I d-don’t know. They just b-brought him in. He’s so b-beat up, John…” Tears rose again. “He d-didn’t know m-me…”

  “I’m on my way.” I heard the sounds of rapid movement in the background. “Did you call the police? What do you know so far?”

  His firm decisive voice gave me strength, and I pulled myself together with a heroic effort. “The police are talking to Miss Lacey. She was the last to see him. Apparently he went out last night, and Miss Lacey said he hinted that he might not come b-back…”

  I gulped down tears again. “But she said she heard his door around eight this morning. By the time she phoned me at noon, Hooker had been meowing for an hour, and she had tried to call Arnie on his home and cell but got no answer. I got her to open his door and he was…”

  Another hard gulp. “…s-semi-conscious. Somebody beat the hell out of him. It looked like he’d gotten home and tried to bandage himself up and then gone to b-bed…”

  Injured and alone and maybe dying…

  “Did you check his apartment?”

  I forced my voice level. “Nothing disturbed that I could see. It looks as though whatever trouble he ran into, it wasn’t at his apartment.” My composure cracked again. “It’s a h-head injury, John, a n-neglected head injury…”

  Tension vibrated in Kane’s voice, but he spoke with certainty. “Aydan, Arnie’s tougher than anybody on the planet, including my dad, and you know that’s saying a lot. He’ll pull through. I’m on the road now. I’ll talk to the police and get the latest from them…”

  I drew a shaky breath of relief, belatedly remembering his cover as an RCMP officer. No gun-waving required.

  “…you stay there, and call me if you get an update before I arrive. I’ll come as soon as I can. If you get to see him, tell him I’m coming down there to kick his sorry ass…”

  I might have imagined the waver in his voice. When he spoke again, he sounded as firm and confident as ever. “I’ll see you soon.”

  Huddled shivering in the corner of the waiting room, I stared blindly at the constant bustle. Each face was a mask of pain, worry, hope, despair. Crying children, stoic elders, a couple who held each other tightly, casting tearful glances at the door to the ER. Across from me, a wizened old man rocked rhythmically forward and back, forward and back.

  The hospital smell clogged my nose. Antiseptic and fear. I wrapped my arms tighter around myself, but the shivering wouldn’t stop.

  Unable to wait any longer, I went back to the desk to hover while the nurse spoke with another worried-looking woman. When she finished, I moved forward, feeling the same expression of fearful entreaty on my own face.

  “The doctors are still with him, dear,” she said kindly. “I promise I’ll let you know as soon as you can see him.”

  “But… he’s… still okay, isn’t he? I mean, not okay, but… is there any way to know how he’s doing?”

  “The doctor will talk with you as soon as possible. I’m sorry, I don’t know anything more.” She turned away to deal with the next supplicant, and I stumbled back to my chair in the corner.

  “Aydan?”

  Kane’s voice startled me out of my stupor. He bent to search my face worriedly.

  “John!” I wobbled to my feet. “You made it in an hour and a half?”

  He gave me a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Police officer. I used the lights and siren. Not strictly kosher, but…”

  He looked so tall and strong and safe it seemed like the most natural thing in the world to hide in his arms. I clung to him for a moment, drawing on his strength before pulling away.

  His big warm hands closed around my icy ones. “Any news?”

  “N-not yet.”

  He surveyed me, his brows furrowed. “You need a hot drink. Sit.” He lowered me to the chair again and wrapped his jacket around me before striding away. Several minutes later he returned bearing a cardboard cup, and I obediently sipped as instructed.

  The hot chocolate tasted like melted crayons with sugar, but I forced it down anyway. A few minutes later, Kane smoothed my hair away from my cheek. “That’s better.”

  His touch reminded me of Arnie’s torn knuckles brushing the tears from my face, and I couldn’t control the quiver that seized my lips.

  Kane’s arm closed around my shoulders. “He’ll be all right, Aydan. Think good thoughts.”

  I leaned into him and drew a deep breath to steady my voice. “Did you talk to the police? What did you find out?”

  Kane shot a glance around the room and spoke softly. “Apparently he was in an altercation early this morning. He was attacked by three men.” Kane’s lips quirked in a grim smile. “He incapacitated all three. Called the police and ambulance himself.”

  “But… why…?”

  “It’s unclear what started the fight. According to the police report he filed, the attack was unprovoked.” Kane shrugged, the thin smile still lingering on his lips. “The other three men are still hospitalized and not in any shape to talk yet.”

  He sobered. “There’s also an ambulance report that details his injuries. Mostly superficial cuts and bruises, but he had a blunt-force head wound. He declined treatment, and according to police and paramedics, he was lucid when they saw him. The paramedics warned him of the potential complications of a head injury and tried to get him to come in, but…”

  “But this is Arnie,” I finished. “He’d avoid a hospital visit unless he was on the verge of d...”

  I shut up and we sat in silence.

  Chapter 25

  Late-afternoon twilight was falling by the time the emergency room nurse called my name. I sprang to my feet and hurried to the desk, my heart thudding double-time in my chest.

  “The doctor will see you now.” The nurse pointed at a weary-looking man in scrubs emerging from the sliding doors.

  “Aydan Kelly?”

  I nodded, unable to speak. Kane’s hand found my shoulder, providing reassurance or seeking comfort, I wasn’t sure which.

  “You’re Mr. Helmand’s wife?”

  “G-girlfriend.”

  Kane’s grip tightened on my shoulder, but he said nothing.

  The doctor turned to Kane. “And you are…?”

  “Arnie’s brother,” I lied.

  The doctor gave a preoccupied nod. “Mr. Helmand is in serious condition, but stable…”

  A rush of relief blanked out his next words.

  “…admit him.” The doctor was still talking. “We can’t find any evidence of bleeding inside the brain, but swelling apparently developed after he was seen by paramedics early this morning. That seems to have stabili
zed, and in the absence of any other complications it should subside over the next several hours. If it doesn’t subside, or if it increases, we will re-evaluate.”

  “Can we see him?” I clutched Kane’s hand, barely breathing.

  I had to see him. If I could see him, he’d be okay. He had to be okay.

  “This way.” The doctor was already retreating, handing us off to a nurse.

  It seemed to take forever to get to the curtained cubicle. Outside it, the nurse offered me a professionally sympathetic smile. “He needs to stay calm and quiet. Only one visitor at a time, and only for a few minutes. A porter will be coming to take him for another scan shortly. I can take you in now.”

  Kane gave my hand a squeeze before releasing me, and I followed the nurse as she pulled the curtain aside far enough to admit us.

  I had braced myself for Arnie’s injuries, but I wasn’t prepared for the sight of him in a hospital bed. His bulky form dwarfed the narrow stretcher, but the pale gown and bandage on his head made him look frighteningly vulnerable. The dark bruises on his face contrasted shockingly against the white pillow.

  “Mr. Helmand.” His eyes opened, and the nurse gestured me forward with a smile. “Your girlfriend is here to see you.”

  “Hi, Arnie.” My voice quivered and I bit my lip, stepping forward to take his hand.

  Confusion knotted his brow and he stared up at me. “I ain’t got a girlfriend.” His eyes widened and he pulled his hand from my grasp. “I can’t have a girlfriend, it ain’t safe. I can’t ever have a girlfriend!”

  “No, it’s okay, Arnie,” I soothed, but he struggled higher in the bed as if trying to escape.

  “No, you’re Aydan! Ya promised no commitments. Didn’t ya? Ya didn’t… we didn’t… I ain’t got that movie! Shit, my movies ain’t workin’…”

  “Arnie, no, it’s okay!” I shot a worried glance at the nurse, who had withdrawn but was eyeing his distress through the opening in the curtain as if considering kicking me out. I leaned closer to whisper, “I’m not your girlfriend, I never want commitment, I just lied to the doctors so they’d let me see you.”

  “Oh, Jesus, darlin’.” He went limp, his eyes dropping shut. “Jesus fuckin’ Christ, ya scared the shit outta me.”

  “I’m sorry.” I stroked his arm. “I didn’t think you’d be lucid enough to realize what was happening. When I found you, you thought I was your mom.”

  His eyes flew open again, fear flickering in their depths. “I ain’t got that movie…”

  “The porter is here. You’ll need to go now.” The nurse’s voice startled me.

  “No, I need her…” Arnie’s hand closed around mine.

  “She’ll be back later. You need to stay calm, and she needs to go now.”

  It wasn’t a suggestion. The nurse moved forward as if to physically disengage our hands.

  “No!” Arnie’s free hand clenched into a fist, and the nurse shot me a look.

  I leaned over to brush a kiss across Arnie’s lips before scattering kisses over the uninjured parts of his face. His grip relaxed, and I eased my hand free to stroke his cheek. “I’ll be back. You just have to go for another test, and you need to rest.” I silenced his protest with another kiss. “Promise you’ll behave until I get back.”

  “Wait!” His hand captured mine again. “Hooker…”

  “He’s fine. He’s at Miss Lacey’s.”

  “Oh…” He relaxed, his hand falling open. “Thanks, darlin’,” he mumbled as his eyes drifted closed.

  When I emerged, Kane stood at parade rest, his hands locked behind him as if to prevent himself from fighting his way into the cubicle. Strain vibrated in every line of his body, and my heart squeezed. I had been so absorbed in my own fear, so sure of his calm strength, I’d forgotten he was suffering, too.

  “How is he?” he demanded.

  We stepped aside to make way for the porter, and I gathered my composure.

  “He’s…” I hesitated, and Kane’s jaw clenched. “He’s better,” I reassured him hurriedly. “He’s still not making perfect sense, but he knew me this time, and he remembered Hooker.”

  When the nurse came out again, Kane stepped forward, his broad shoulders seeming to fill the hallway. “May I see him?”

  The nurse looked up. And up.

  “I’m sorry, sir,” she said after a moment. “He’s being taken for a procedure now. And he needs to remain calm and quiet.” The look she gave me wasn’t exactly accusing, but guilt suffused me anyway. “It’s a lengthy procedure, so it will be a couple of hours,” she added.

  Kane nodded and turned to go, but the pain in his eyes pierced my heart. I laid a hand on his arm and turned to give the nurse a pleading look. “We don’t want to disturb him and I know he has to go, but could you please just tell him that his brother is here? He’d want to know.”

  Kane turned back, and the nurse’s face softened at the sight of the mute entreaty in his face. “I’ll tell him. Come and stand where he can see you.”

  She returned to Arnie’s bedside, and Kane and I positioned ourselves outside the curtain. Kane’s hand tightened on mine as the nurse bent to speak softly.

  “Mr. Helmand, your brother is here.”

  Arnie’s eyes flew open to glower at the nurse, his fists clenching. “That fuckin’ asshole! What the hell’s he doin’ here?”

  Kane’s grip closed convulsively. The nurse shot us a scowl and turned to make calming gestures at Arnie, who was struggling to sit up, rasping threats and obscenities.

  A wave of comprehension broke over me. “Arnie, no, it’s John, not James,” I called.

  His gaze snapped to Kane beside me. “Cap! Thank Christ! I’m pinned down, Cap! Lost my weapon…” His hands skimmed the sheets as if searching for the missing firearm.

  Kane took a single step forward, his posture stiffening into military authority. “Helmand!”

  “Yessir!”

  “The area’s secure. Rest. Cooperate. That’s an order.”

  “Yessir.” The tension smoothed from Arnie’s face as he sagged back on the pillow.

  The nurse shot us an eloquent glare, and we retreated.

  “Wait…” Arnie’s voice was weaker, his eyelids beginning to droop. “Cap… Watch my back…”

  Kane leaned into the cubicle, his voice as firm as a warrior’s armclasp. “Always do.”

  A smile ghosted across Arnie’s lips and his eyes closed.

  The nurse hovered a moment as if to be sure he would stay calm before striding out to herd us away. “You said you were his brother.” This time the accusation was plain.

  “He’s the only brother I have left.” Kane spoke quietly, watching as the porter wheeled Arnie away.

  “They’ve been friends since they were six,” I added. “Grew up in the same home. Served together in the army. They really are brothers in every way that counts.”

  Her face softened. “All right. After his scan he’ll be transferred up to a ward, so it will be at least two hours before you can see him again. Go and get a coffee or something.”

  Kane spoke without looking at her, still watching the receding stretcher. “Can we wait where he can see us?” The doors closed behind the porter and his precious cargo, and Kane returned his attention to the nurse. “I promised to watch his back.”

  Compassion filled her eyes, and she laid a gentle hand on each of our arms. “The less stimulation he has just now, the better. The best thing you can do for yourselves, and for him, is to leave the hospital. Take a break. Rest, eat. You’ll be called if there’s any change in his condition. You can visit him on the ward in a couple of hours.”

  Kane’s hand found mine again, and he took one more look in the direction the porter had vanished before nodding. “All right. Thank you.”

  “But, John…” I began.

  “She’s right,” he said gently, and towed me away.

  In the lobby, I halted. “I need to call Miss Lacey and let her know what’s happening. She’ll be worried si
ck.”

  Kane nodded and leaned a shoulder against the wall, extracting his own cell phone while I punched the number into mine.

  “Hello?” Miss Lacey answered on the first ring, her voice a thin quaver.

  “Hi, Miss Lacey, it’s Aydan.”

  “Yes? How is Arnold?”

  I imagined her fragile blue-veined hands trembling on the phone, and put as much reassurance into my voice as possible. “He’s better.”

  “Oh, thank heaven!”

  “He’s still a little confused, but he knew John and me…” I hesitated. “Sorry, do you know John Kane?”

  “I have never met him, but he is one of Arnold’s emergency contacts. I left a message on his cellular phone but he has not returned my call.”

  “Oh. Thanks, he already knows, and he’s here with me. Arnie knew us both, and he asked after Hooker, so that’s a big improvement. And they say he’s stable. They just kicked us out for a couple of hours because he was going for a test and then they were going to transfer him to a ward.”

  “What precisely did the doctors say?” Her usual crisp tones had returned, and I relaxed. Thank God for tough little old ladies. I told her as much as I knew and hung up with a promise to keep her informed.

  Kane had already completed his calls, and when I stowed my phone back in my waist pouch, he gave me a questioning look. “I know an excellent northern Italian restaurant not far from here. I just called, and they have a reservation available. Are you interested?”

  I blew out a sigh of relief. “That sounds fabulous. I was planning to eat some horrible fast-food crap because I couldn’t face making any decisions tonight.”

  He smiled. “This will be much, much better. Come on. I’ll drive.”

  In the parking garage, I sank into his passenger seat with a sigh and laid my head back, closing my eyes. Either the restaurant was very close, or I fell asleep. Cessation of movement made me drag myself upright. Kane slid out of the driver’s seat and strode around to open my door, his brow furrowed with concern.

  “Are you all right?” He offered his hand, and for once in my life I gratefully accepted, propping myself against his strength.