“Certainly.” It wasn’t until then that Elizabeth noticed that his fingers were still closed tightly around hers. She wiggled free and poured some cool water into a cup. When she’d inserted a bendable straw she held the tip to his lips so that he could drink. “Not too much,” she warned, but, of course, like all other patients he didn’t listen. She had to take the straw away before he’d stopped.
She wiped his lips with a damp cloth. “For the first few days we’ll keep the pain meds flowing for your comfort,” she said, all too aware of the silence.
He mumbled something that might have been whatever you think, Doc.
A few hours later, most of which Agent Hennessey had slept through, Elizabeth supervised his movement to the waiting ambulance. She had learned that her determination of when the patient was ready to be moved had less to do with their departure than the arrival of darkness. Made sense when she thought about it. Night provided good cover.
“I’ll be riding in the front with the driver,” Dawson explained. “The nurse will accompany you to the safe house for the night. Tomorrow his care will be solely in your hands as long as you feel additional help is no longer required.”
Elizabeth felt confident that additional medical support wouldn’t be necessary, but she couldn’t say that she looked forward to spending time alone with Hennessey. What she had done to alter his face was only the be ginning of what Director Calder expected of her.
She settled onto the gurney opposite Agent Hennessey and considered the rest of this assignment. It was her job to en sure that this man could walk, talk and display mannerisms matching those of David Maddox.
Elizabeth knew nothing of David’s work, but she did know the things he talked about when off duty…when in her bed.
“Feels like we’re moving.”
Elizabeth stared down at the man strapped to the other gurney. His mouth and eyes were all that was visible but his voice, the cocky tone that screamed of his arrogant attitude, made him easily recognizable.
“We’re on our way to the safe house,” she explained. He knew the plan, but the lingering effects of anesthesia and the newly introduced pain medication were playing havoc with his ability to concentrate.
“So I get to spend my first night with you, huh?”
A blush heated her cheeks. Though she doubted Agent Hennessey felt any real discomfort just now, she could not believe he had the audacity to flirt with her.
“In a manner of speaking,” she said calmly. The man could very well be feeling a bit loose-tongued. He might not mean to flirt.
He made a sound in his chest, a laugh perhaps. “I’ve been dying to get you all to myself ever since that night,” he mumbled.
Taken aback, Elizabeth reminded her self that he probably wouldn’t even remember any thing he said. Ignoring the remark was likely the best course.
“Sorry,” he muttered. “I didn’t mean to let that slip out.”
She’d suspected as much. Swiping her hands on her thighs she sat back, relaxed her shoulders against the empty shelves behind her. “That’s all right, Agent Hennessey,” she allowed, “most patients say more than they mean to when on heavy-duty painkillers.”
He licked his lips and groaned. The doctor in her went on immediate alert. “Are you feeling pain now, Agent Hennessey?” Surely not. He’d been dosed half an hour prior to their departure.
He inhaled a big breath. “No way, Doc, I’m flying over here.” He blinked a few times then turned his head slowly to look at her. “God, you’re gorgeous, did you know that?”
Elizabeth sat a little straighter, tugged at the collar of her blouse to occupy her hands. “You might want to get some more sleep, Hennessey, before you say something you’ll regret.”
“Too late, right?” He made another of those rumbling sounds that were likely an at tempt at chuck ling. “No big deal.” He waved a hand dismissively. “You already know how gorgeous you are.”
Maybe his hands should have been restrained. He’d been secured to en sure he didn’t roll off the gurney, but his arms had been left free.
“You should lay still, Agent—”
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” he interrupted. “Don’t move, don’t say any thing. That’s what I do best. But at least I’d never lie to you like he did. Never…” His eyes closed reluctantly as if the drugs had belatedly kicked in and he couldn’t keep them open any longer.
Elizabeth let go a breath of relief. She checked his pulse and relaxed a little more when it appeared he’d drifted back to sleep.
Lending any credence to any thing he’d said was ridiculous under the circumstances. The drugs had him confused and talking out of his head. She knew that, had seen it numerous times.
But the part about lying wouldn’t let her put his ramblings out of her mind. What did he mean by that remark?
Nothing, you fool, she scolded.
She folded her arms over her chest. Then why did it feel familiar? As if he’d said what she’d thought a dozen times over. Because she’d sensed that David had been lying to her for quite some time.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and chastised her self for going down that road. David was dead. What ever he’d said to her, lies or not, no longer mattered. He wasn’t coming back. He was gone for ever.