“You’ve lost a lot of blood,” the doctor said.“I’d like to keep you in overnight and reassess in the morning depending on how your injury is healing.”He smiled.“But when you get out, buy a Lotto ticket.The spear glanced off your rib, and only just nicked your lungs.Hardly challenged me at all.”
Oliver frowned at him as a nurse walked in.The doctor showed her Oliver’s file and then left.
The nurse waited until he was gone and then said, “Don’t mind him.He’s ex-military and has seen far worse injuries than yours.You’re lucky he was here.He’s due to go on holidays next week.”She checked the monitors.“I’ll get those pain meds for you.”
Finally alone, Oliver took stock of the situation.His head was an uncomfortable combination of throbbing pain and light-headedness, and his chest ached, but the bandage wrapped around it was comforting.His students were safely back at the house and there was no reason Stonefish should go after them.
And then there was Dot.
He needed to see her, confirm she was all right.But she had a whole mess to clean up.He couldn’t expect her to drop everything for him.
Should he discharge himself?
He wouldn’t get far without a vehicle, and the only place to go was the house, where his students would want details.
He ran a hand through his hair.He didn’t have the energy to deal with it, but he needed to call them.Although they were all adults, they were still his responsibility.He called Suzyn.
“Oliver, are you all right?I’ve got you on speaker.”
“I’m fine, but they want to keep me in overnight.”
“What happened?”Rajesh asked.
“Someone thought we’d found treasure and kidnapped me to find out where it was.”
“What about Andrew?”Tom asked.
Shit.They didn’t know.“I have sad news.”He paused, giving them time to prepare themselves.“Andrew died.”
Suzyn gasped and her voice wavered.“How?”
“He was shot.I’ve contacted his family.I still need to contact the university and museum, so please keep this quiet.”
“Why was he shot?”Tom asked.
“I’m not sure.Things are a bit hazy.”
“Why?”Rajesh asked.
Oliver sighed.“I was shot through the chest with a spear gun.I’m fine, but I lost a lot of blood and was a little out of it when Andrew was shot.They’re keeping me in hospital overnight for observation.”
“Do you need anything?”Suzyn said.
“Yeah.Stay at the house tonight.I think they’ve caught everyone, and you shouldn’t be a target, but I don’t want you in town.”Maybe he should ask Sam or Sherlock to stay with them to protect them.
“OK.We’ll visit you tomorrow,” Tom said.
One call down, one to go.Oliver braced himself and called the museum.His boss was horrified, and wanted all the details, which Oliver dutifully told him, but eventually promised to call the university to tell them.
He hung up as the nurse returned with his pain meds.“Thank you.”
He swallowed them and closed his eyes for a moment.
And drifted to sleep.
***
Dot hung up the video call with Perth.Almost three hours of interrogation about what had happened and what was going on in Retribution Bay.Rodney had left after an hour when Oliver had messaged to tell her he was awake.Rodney hadn’t been required to repeat himself about what had happened.
