The Devil's Triangle (A Brit in the FBI 4)

Cassandra laughed. “Maybe his heart will give out and save us the trouble.”

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

Castiglione del Lago, Italy

Mike heard Nicholas speaking low into his cell phone. She opened her eyes, pleased and relieved her vision was now clear and her brain was working just fine, thank you. Her body felt clearer, too, and stronger.

Nicholas punched off his mobile. He was by her bed in a moment, his hand out to touch her face.

“You’re awake.”

“I am. Your hand is so warm, Nicholas. I like it. Can I sit up?”

He adjusted the bed until she was upright.

“That’s better. No dizziness, no weird feelings. I’m good to go.”

“Good to go, are you? Right this minute?” His hand cupped her chin.

“No cough, no swimmy head. Maybe a bit of a flu feeling, but that’s it. Oh, all right, lower that eyebrow. So I’m not quite one hundred percent, but I’m close. Help me up and get me to the bathroom. Did you bring my go-bag?”

He nodded, helped her to her feet, stood still, letting her rest against him for a minute.

“Okay,” she said, and straightened, pulling away from him. He stuck to her side as she walked to the bathroom. When he opened the door she said, “I did it. Nope, you’re not coming in. Hand me my bag, please.”

He handed it through the door. “Call if you need me.”

She shut the door as Dr. Sienza appeared in the doorway. “She’s up?”

“She is. She walked by herself to the bathroom. No hesitation. She’s going to get dressed.”

Dr. Sienza put her hands on her hips. “You know she should stay another day at least, let me run one more CAT scan, make sure her head injury isn’t going to cause any problems.”

Mike opened the door. She’d managed to get her hair into a ponytail. She was pale but upright, now dressed in pants, her boots, a white shirt and jacket.

“Sorry, Dr. Sienza. Really, but I can’t stay. Without me, he would crash and burn and the case would go sideways. He needs me.”

“But—”

“Come, Doctor, what would you do in my place? Look at him. He simply can’t take care of himself, not without me at his side.

“I promise to take it easy. I promise not to rush into anything. I can heal just as well on a plane or in a hotel room as I can here. Give me some pain pills, whatever you think best. Nicholas has medical training. Nothing will go wrong.”

Nicholas turned to the doctor. “Is it safe?”

“At least let me do a full neurological exam now, to see if there is anything that could be a worry.”

“Fine,” Mike said, “then I’m out of here.”

“You look as pale as the sheets on your bed.” Nicholas sounded worried.

She took his hand. “Nicholas Drummond, you know I won’t slow you down.”

“Both of you, stop arguing, so I can examine Agent Caine.”

Dr. Sienza sat Mike on the bed and began her examination. She asked her a series of questions, checked her reflexes, her pupils, her pulse. When she was through, she nodded and stood up. “I must say, Agent Caine, you have recovered nicely. You’re young, you’re in very good shape physically, and this has helped you bounce back much more quickly than I expected. I’m also pleased to see that you are cogent, and the concussion doesn’t appear to have any noticeable effects.”

She paused, looked at Nicholas, then back to Mike. “To answer your question, Agent Caine, if I were in your situation, and I had to keep someone I cared about safe, I’d do exactly what you’re doing.” She lightly laid her palm against Mike’s cheek. “Stay safe, Agent Caine, and don’t let harm come to your partner.”