Momentum (37 page)

He gasped. “You were at the motel?”

“Yeah. Not that I was of much use. But I saw what happened.”

“Did you have to wear the uniform?”

“Yeah! How do you know about those?”

“Shrimp,” he said softly. “Didn’t that bring back any memories?”

“Well, I don’t know.” I recalled my flash of Kellan in that uniform, but I didn’t share it. “I did
feel
something. It’s really weird that you ask. What should I be remembering?”

“What did you feel?”

“I don’t know exactly. I felt like the uniform belonged to me, which is really silly. When I put it on, I felt kind of excited. Mostly it was a feeling that I had worn it before, but that can’t be. Can it?”

“Maybe more will come back to you in time. What did you actually see? I take it your dad didn’t let you be involved in the rescue itself?”

I rolled my eyes. “No, and I didn’t see much. David kept me hidden around a corner from the bedroom you were in. I could see flashes through a crack in the curtain, but not enough to tell what was going on. I did see who they–the Sigma-Ws–brought out with them.”

“Who?”

“Well, the first woman was big and very mad. I couldn’t tell much aside from that; it was pretty dark, and the light from the motel room was shining on them from the back as they walked out. From what you say, that was probably Madison. The next was an enormous man. Then a smaller woman, medium height, just walked out calmly.”

“Probably Dan and Sophie,” Kellan muttered.

“Then Simla and Raj came out. I could tell it was them by their shapes. Then finally, there was this man I didn’t recognize, but who felt familiar. There was something about his shape that made me think that I knew him, but I couldn’t make out anything much about him.”

“Was he really tall and well-built?”

“No, not at all. He was medium-sized, looked slightly chubby.”

“Hmm. Can’t think of anyone who fits that description.”

“Well, once they left, Dad told David and me to come inside the room. That’s when I saw you. All beat and tied up.” My voice shook as the image came flooding back.

“It’s okay, Shrimp. I’m fine, even my hotness will be restored soon.”

“It’s not funny, Kell. I thought I had lost you.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He brushed my lips again, taking me by surprise.

A
sharp knock on the door caused me to carefully wriggle out of Kellan’s arms and make a pretense of sitting up on the bed.

Nurse Grumpy walked into the room with a severe look on her face. “
What
are you doing?”

“Nothing. We were just talking.”

She glared at me as she held Kellan’s hand up so I could get off the bed. “Visiting hours are over,” she said sternly.

“Okay, I’ll go.” I turned to Kellan. “Kell, feel better. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I bent and kissed his forehead before leaving.

Gramadea was full of questions as we left the hospital. I tried to answer as best I could. By the time we got back to Alfred’s, having picked up Ella and Alexa on the way, I was shattered, not just physically but also emotionally. I lay down on the bed with images of David and Kellan flashing through my mind driving me bonkers. So I put a stop to them by focusing on my brother.

Group two had left with Dad while we were at the hospital. They were expected back by morning. Would they bring Harry with them? I could feel my eyes getting heavy, and I settled into sleep.

I was woken up by heavy footsteps marching into my room. I sat up in bed, ready to scream, when my head coiled back as someone smashed their very smelly body into my face.

“Shrimp! Sheesh, you had me worried to death!”

“Harry!” I put my arms around him and hugged him tight. “Put on the light so I can see you.”

He reached across me and pulled the cord to the bedside lamp. He looked good, much better than he smelled. “So, what happened?” he asked.

I crossed my arms resolutely. “Tell you in a minute. I want to know what happened to you first.”

He laughed. “It’s like that, is it?”

“Yeah!”

“Not much, to tell you the truth. I’ll give you the longer version in the morning. When you disappeared from the casino, I was transported to Potomal’s beach mansion in the Seychelles. I was ready to beat the living daylights out of whoever I came across, but when I arrived, Luna, one of Potomal’s daughters, was there. She’s cool, hardly someone I could take my frustrations out on. She basically told me that she’d been asked to look after me while I was a guest at her house. I told her I wasn’t a willing guest and that I wanted to go back home. She said she understood, but she had her orders to keep me there. I considered making a run for it, but the beach house was isolated with nothing but sand and water around. And I was fairly sure that although Luna was the only person I saw, there were others around who would help if I tried to escape. And I was right, as I found out when Dad arrived with the troops.”

“What happened?” I hoped Dad was okay.

“The Sigma-W stormed the place in the middle of the night. Dad pulled me off the bed and transported me back here. Imagine my surprise. Dad’s the leader! That’s just amazing and awesome at the same time.
Amazome
, as Ella would say. I’m guessing she’s asleep. I’m dying to see her.”

“Yes, and Cleopatra’s in her room, so I’m guessing it wouldn’t be a good idea to storm into it.” I smiled.

“Cleopatra?”

I laughed. “Yup, a guard dog, sweet as can be once you’ve done your boggly-woggly with her; until then, I’d stay away.”

“Boggly-woggly?”

I giggled. “I’ll show you in the morning.”

“Okay, now tell me what happened to you,” Harry said firmly, making himself comfortable on the bed.

I told the same story I had told Kellan, leaving out the embarrassing parts—like me making a run for it and that kiss… the one with David… and then the ones with Kellan at the hospital.

“Dad did tell me that Kellan was in the hospital,” he said when I finished. “I’m glad to hear that he’s feeling a bit better. I hope he can transport back with us tomorrow. I can’t wait to see Mom.”

“Me, too. I wish she would wake up.”

“Me, too,” he agreed solemnly. Then he got up and kissed me good night. I eased myself back to sleep.

When I got up the next morning and left my room, it was right into a busy basement. I had never seen it so full of people. I had a quick peek into Ella’s room–empty–before I headed to the kitchen. That was where everyone was assembled. I was late, as usual. The whole family was there, apart from Mom. It didn’t seem right.

“We’re heading back home after breakfast,” Dad said brightly, as I sat down next to Ella.

“Awesome! Any news about Mom?”

“Yes!” Ella said excitedly, her mouth full of strawberries. “The doctor told Dad she’s doing better!”

“How much better?” I looked over at Dad, throwing him a look; I didn’t want him to say anything that would dash Ella’s hopes.

“I’m not sure, but apparently Alfred’s doctors made a big difference.” Dad looked genuinely pleased.

“Can we go visit her before we go home?”

“That’s the plan, for you, me, Harry, and Ella,” Dad confirmed.

“And Tallulah,” Ella quickly added.

I turned to David. “What about you?”

“I’m going home to see Dad.”

“When will you come back to Mountain View? I mean to
our
Mountain View?”

“I’ll come for a visit in a couple of days.”

I nodded. “What about Kellan? Is he well enough to travel?”

“Yes. He’s got the all-clear. We’re going to admit him into the hospital at home overnight, though, just to be on the safe side. Larry’s been discharged, but he’s at the hospital waiting for Kellan.”

“What about Cleopatra?” Ella glanced over at the huge dog who was munching down on bacon with Tallulah by her side.

“Honey, we can’t take her. She belongs to Alfred. This is her home.”

“I know, but I think Tallulah will be sad.” Ella looked woeful.

“You’ll have to make sure to smother her with love and attention,” Gramadea said.

“I will. Do you think Cleo can visit sometime, like for a playdate?”

“Maybe, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Right, is everyone ready?” Dad looked around the table. We all nodded. “Dad, Mom, what are you going to do?”

“We’re heading back to HQ to wait for you. You have some business to take care of,” Granddad said. “Then Mom and I are off to Japan for a while.”

“Sounds great! Okay, kids. Come with me.”

After we said our goodbyes, we walked to the conference room where three Sigma-Ws–one each for me, Harry, and Ella–waited for us. Dad obviously didn’t need help anymore. Dad picked up Tallulah. The three Sigma-Ws positioned themselves and put their hands on our shoulders. And then we were off.

I decided that I would go over and see Kellan right after I had seen Mom. I wondered what Dad’s unfinished business was. It probably had something to do with Raj. He had all those people in custody. What was he going to do with them? I might never find out. I guessed Dad would have a lot of Sigma-W business to deal with in the future, and it would take him away from us. I hoped it wouldn’t be too much. I liked my life in Mountain View too much to offer to move to the Sigma-W HQ, wherever that was.

I landed on the hard, uncarpeted floor of Mom’s hospital bedroom, and opened my eyes. Everyone else was by her bedside, already blocking my view of her. I rushed over to get a look. As I peered over Dad’s shoulder, I got the shock of my life.

“Arizona!”

Mom was sitting up in bed looking like her usual self. Ella was cuddled up under the blanket with her, with Tallulah lying in her lap.

“Mom! You’re awake! When?”

“I’m not really sure, a couple of hours ago. I feel quite muddled. The doctors explained that I was in an accident and was in a coma.”

“So did you just wake up, or did the doctors help you?”

“I gather that I had a lot of help,” she said gratefully, looking around at the nurse.