“If she loves you, then it only makes sense.”It was the nurse, Elsa, who offered the explanation.“She’ll want to know that you are okay.”
“The last time she saw you, your heart had stopped beating and you were being hurried here.”Kaspar shook her head.
“It seems I still have a lot to remember.”Resting my head in my hand, my eyes fell temporarily closed.I hadn’t appreciated how close I’d come to death.Nobody had mentioned I’d needed CPR to bring me back.
“Yet it is good that some of it is returning, no?”Kaspar’s terser tone interrupted my monologue, but I couldn’t tell if she was speaking to me or the doctor.
“Ja, es ist vielversprechend.”The doctor nodded to confirm the recall was a promising sign.“Perhaps spending some time with Miss Craness will help inspire more recollection, Mr.Harper.”
“Perhaps,” Kaspar concurred.“How do you feel about that, Mr.Harper?”
“I would like to see her.”The words fell from me unthinkingly.“Whoever she is, she feels important.”
And if I’d told them that I loved her, then I could only assume she was significant, although I still couldn’t reconcile the cocksure version of me I remembered with the Adam Harper that Kaspar had met.The two men sounded miles apart.
“Then with your permission, Doctor, I shall bring Miss Craness in,” Kaspar replied.“I will need to be present, though, Mr.Harper.You are both still in the Swiss state’s custody for the time being.”
My brows knitted.“Has she been arrested, too?”
“No.”Kaspar hesitated, apparently searching for the right words.“Miss Craness has been offered refugee status here, but she’s in our care until these matters are resolved.”
“I don’t mind if you stay.”I shrugged.“I have nothing to hide.”
“Should I be here, too?”Elsa sounded concerned.“We don’t want Mr.Harper’s blood pressure elevated again.”
“A short visit should be fine.”The doctor’s tone was dismissive.“Officer Kaspar can alert us if you’re required, Elsa.”
“Okay.”
Elsa nodded, but her body straightened, and I didn’t need to be a body language expert to see how unhappy she was with the verdict.It seemed the petite nurse had got used to having me to herself and wasn’t thrilled with the idea of Miss Craness’ presence.I might have smirked at the outcome had recent events not been so bewildering.
“I shall consult with our neurologist and ask him to see you later today,” the doctor went on.“Until then, my prescription for you, Mr.Harper, is rest, rehydration, and a concerted effort to recall as much as you can.”
“Danke, Doctor.”I forced a smile at her.Her bedside manner would have made Armitage blush, but I knew, ultimately, she was just doing her job.A man in my position knew how that went.“I appreciate you giving me the results so promptly.”
“You are welcome.It is not every day we have an international celebrity on our wards, Commander General.”
I turned to meet her wry tone.That had been the first time any of the medics had referred to me by my title.
“Oh, yes,” she continued, evidently reading my surprised expression.“We know who you are, Mr.Harper.But it is our job to provide you with the same high-quality care that any other patient would receive.”
“You don’t approve of Britain’s recent progress, then?”I met the doctor’s skeptical eyes.“Your tone says not.”
“It is not my place to judge.”The doctor gestured to her colleague.“Come now, Elsa.Let us give Mr.Harper some space.”
