Page 66 of Stolen Salvation

“Hey.”

Bishop turned to see Watchdog walking toward him. “Watchdog, what are you doing out of your lair?”

“Couldn’t let my new trivia partner think I didn’t care or visit.” Bishop accepted his hug as he sat down next to Bishop’s chair. “How’s she doing?”

His eyes swept over Charlie. “Doc says she’s doing well, her brain is healing, and her body is doing what it’s meant to do. I just…”

“Want to see her wake up.”

“Yeah, I need to see she’s okay and find out what kind of recovery we’re facing.”

“Whatever it is, we’re all here for you, Bish.”

“They’re going to wean her off the sedation later, so we’ll see if she wakes up soon after.”

“It can take up to a week to come out of an induced coma once they wean you off the drugs.”

“Thanks, brains, is that from a book?”

“Nah, my mum had a car accident years ago and went through something similar.”

Bishop felt awful. “Man, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“It’s fine. She came through it okay.”

“And she’s fine now?” Watchdog didn’t talk about his family except to say his mum had been his biggest cheerleader growing up and supported him fully.

“Physically she is.”

Bishop didn’t push for any more information but sensed there was way more to that story.

“Anyway, I’m here because you need a shower. The nurses are complaining and your stubborn ass won’t listen to anyone. Get yourself back to the house, shower, sleep, eat, and then come back. I’m going to sit with my friend here and fill her with interesting facts for when we team up for the pub quiz.”

“I…” He didn’t get to finish before the door opened and Reaper stood there with Bás, who’d flown back to the UK the previous night.

“No arguments. Move your ass.”

He glanced at Charlie and then Bás, torn on what to do. “Fine, but any slight change you call me.”

“If she so much as moves a fingernail, I’ll be on the blower.”

“Okay. Thanks, Watchdog.”

Bás drove him back as Reaper stayed with Watchdog outside the door to the ICU like a silent guard. Carter Cavendish was still out there, and the attack on the nursery had got him in a flap.

“Any news on Project Cradle?”

Bás pursed his lips. “Yeah, some. We found a definite link between Carter and Cradle. Seems he’s been funding a lot of the UK operation. That was the main centre for the women before birth but we haven’t found the mothers post-birth or the babies. We understand from some of the doctors and nurses arrested that they’re taken straight after delivery to another location. Each stage of the process is kept separate from the next, so if something were to happen it wouldn’t compromise the rest.”

“So they’re just going to set up somewhere else and start again.”

Bás looked grim. “We’re onto them now though and we know more than we ever have.”

Bishop glanced at his watch already anxious to be back with Charlie. He sent Watchdog a text for an update.

Bishop: How is she?

Watchdog: That took longer than I expected. She’s the same only now she’s an expert on the history of the Spanish Armada.