Shaking Off the Dust (18 page)

As if he could read my thoughts, he reached over and squeezed my hand.

Rachel scooted her chair closer to our table. “You mentioned earlier that there were ghosts in the evidence room. The director wondered if you could name them. We can pull all their files and see if any other case might be solved.”

“I guess we could see if Tom is willing.”

Tom popped up, standing in the middle of the table. “You bellowed.”

“Well now, aren’t you the big shot,” I teased. “Standing in the middle of the table minimizes the size of your head. You should work on always doing that.” I glanced at Takeshi and his lip twitched.

“Somebody’s feeling feisty. What’s going on? You pulled me away from the director’s briefing.”

“These…” I almost said nice, but realized my mistake, “…semi-smart people want to know if you could list the ghosts hanging around in the evidence room.”

“No way can I remember that many names. I could walk through with them and someone could record as we go along. I’m not going to pop back and forth with names and stories.”

“Okay.” I looked at Rachel, then Bill. “He could walk through with me and Takeshi and get names and stuff, but he can’t remember the names and stories of that many of them.”

Jack came into the room a changed man. He smiled and nodded to Takeshi and me like we were old friends. “Thanks, Tom. We got him and they found bloodstains in his car trunk and on his steering wheel.

If we get a match on any of the victims, it’s a done deal. This guy was never even a suspect.”

“You know what’s interesting.” Tom sat on the edge of the table next me. “All these ghosts have been here a while. They’ve been watching the people and learned what information can help.”

Takeshi avoided looking at me. I didn’t understand why, I didn’t want to ask him in front of everyone.

“We need to do this before we go to Spain,” Takeshi said. “I think Tom wants to help you with your cases in the evidence room, but none of us should forget the ultimate goal for Hannah, Tom and I, which is to make it possible for him to move on. If we find answers about the plane crash or the ones involved in that plane crash, he won’t be around to interview others like himself.”

“Yes, but we’ve established that Hannah can communicate with any spirit she is touching,” Jack said enthusiastically.

“No. We haven’t established that,” I cut in. “I’ve never seen or heard anyone but Tom.”

“Hannah, Takeshi is warning you that if they know you could do that, you’ll never be free of them,” Tom cautioned. “Make them believe that you can’t see anyone but me. You don’t want to be tied to them.

These agencies find things to hold over you to force your cooperation. Don’t let them have a reason to need to do that.”

I blinked at him and turned to Takeshi, giving him a confused look.

His expression stayed impassive. “I have a personal theory that I mentioned in my report to the research group. If you read it, then you are aware that Tom was the neurosurgeon for Hannah two years ago, when she had bleeding in her brain after a car accident. During that surgery there was weather-related discharge of electricity directly into the surgical site while Tom was essentially touching her brain. She died on that table and was brought back. A similar discharge of electricity at his memorial services caused her to be able to see and hear him. I believe there is a direct psychic link between them, a spiritual connection. I doubt that she can see and hear other ghosts.”

I was surprised to hear his theory, it kind of made sense. Did he believe it or was he giving me a plausible excuse if I followed Tom’s advice and denied being able to see other spirits? Of course, we had never tested the theory, so he could be right.

I changed the subject. “Do you think they’ll bring me some clothes instead of this gown they put me in?

When did that happen?” Tom knew the answer to that. “When you first got to the emergency department you were so tired that you fought with them when they tried to wake you up. You even called the doctor an arrogant prick and if he pinched you again you’d pinch him somewhere it would hurt.” He laughed so hard his eyes were tearing.

“Did not,” I accused. “You’re totally lying.”

With frustration in his eyes, Takeshi touched my hand across the table. “Hannah it would be nice to be included in this conversation.”

“I’m sorry. But I think he’s telling a story.” I repeated what Tom said.

Takeshi laughed. “It sounds like something you might do. You were very tired, Hannah, and you would say that because you think it’s funny. I bet the doctor did find it amusing.”

“Two nurses undressed you and put the gown on you. One of them was male and he was very professional.” He was enjoying his tale of my indignities.

I repeated this out loud and jumped when Takeshi slammed his fist down.

“Tom,” he said. “You may not stare at Hannah being undressed. There was no reason for you to have watched that.”

“He’s right.” I gestured at the FBI contingent. “You’re excused right now.”

Rachel gave a tight smile, but they stepped out.

“I was making sure nothing inappropriate happened to you,” Tom said.

I repeated that too.

Takeshi gave a look of disdain in Tom’s general direction. “I expect you to protect her, not stalk her. To that end, she will make me a promise not to be in the position of needing to be undressed by anyone else except me or her.”

“Funny he didn’t protect me from that strip search when we first arrived here.”

“Yes, but I was prepared to protect you,” Tom divulged.

“Are you telling me you watched that too?” I was furious. “You are a…peeping Tom and I am so disappointed in you. Consider yourself on probation as far as I’m concerned.”

“Hannah, he wants you. He can’t have you, so he’s enjoying what little he can. I don’t approve, but I understand,” Takeshi said.

“Well, Shimodo, I’m so glad you understand, but your opinion doesn’t reflect my feelings on being goggled in demeaning situations. To me it’s tawdry and an insult. He doesn’t care about me, except for what I can do to help him. I’m not some pert twenty-year-old who shows her tits and wants that kind of attention. I’m older and plumper and can’t even imagine the spectacle of what I looked like. God, I’m sick of both of you right now.”

Takeshi reached his hand out to mine, but I pulled away. “Don’t!”

“He didn’t do anything wrong,” Tom muttered. “He’s already mad at me.”

“Are you mad at Tom? He seems to think you are?”

“He knows how I feel about you. He crossed some boundaries that normally would put a rift in our relationship. Yes, I am angry with him, but Hannah, I think you are beautiful. I believe he does too.”

“You are both full of crap. I don’t want to discuss this. If it becomes an issue again, Tom, I’ll put you far away from me and never talk to you. Do you understand? Even if I suspect you’ve abused my trust in you. This makes me sad and you know how prone I am to crying.”

“Okay, I get it. Move on, I’ve been chastised enough,” he said bitterly.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. I felt violated and caged. “What are they waiting for?” I got up and paced.

“Come sit with me,” Takeshi coaxed.

“I’m tired of this room, Shimodo. I’m sick of being in all these small rooms.”

“I am too. Come sit with me and keep me company. I missed you.”

“I want to, but I’m still mad and, as a male, you are going to get the edge of it. I don’t want to be mean to you. So let me pace and fume.”

“I can take it. Having you mad and listening to that scathing tongue of yours is good company after the last two days.”

I grinned. “Now I know why I threw myself at you. You are such a charming devil.”

“I must have missed the throwing yourself at me part. I thought I dragged you to my bed.” He smiled at me.

I went to the table and kissed his cheek. He was like Prozac in a gorgeous container. He pulled me into his lap and I let him.

There was a brief knock, before the door opened. A doctor and the same nurse came into the room. He appeared to be in his fifties, with wire-frame glasses and brown hair. He turned giving me a look that said I should remember him.

“Miss Campbell, I see you are feeling much more the thing. We’ve all learned not to pinch you to get your attention,” he said in a friendly voice.

“Why don’t I remember that?” I frowned.

“You were exhausted. I’ve been informed that you’ll be taking a trip to Spain. You’re electrolytes are still off. Until we get them improved, you will be observed for a couple of days.”

He turned to Takeshi. “Dr. Shimodo, it’s an honor to meet you. I’ve followed your work for many years. I know you will take excellent care of Miss Campbell.”

Takeshi nodded.

“I’ll be back tomorrow morning to reassess your condition and decide when you can be up and around.

For the time being rest, no stressors.”

I shook my head at that. “Yeah right! Did you notice the FBI hanging around?”

Rachel, Bill and Jack came back into the room. They weren’t even trying to hide their disappointment.

“We will take Dr. Shimodo with us to a hotel until you are ready to be released,” Rachel announced.

Upset, I reached out to Takeshi.

“I need to stay with her,” he insisted. “You can see she’ll be more stressed if I am not here. Don’t do this. Keep us together or you’ll make things worse.”

I let him pull me into his arms. “He needs to sleep, and I will fret if he’s not here.” When had I become this clinging female? I hated myself, but I was terrified that once he was out of my sight I’d never see him again.

Bill glanced from me to Takeshi. “That’s not a big bed. I’ll have them bring in a cot for the professor.”

I was so relieved I started crying.

Takeshi started tapping on my wrist.

“You are always trying to get me in bed. Why put me to sleep?”

“You body is fragile, it has to work hard to keep up with your will. We both need to rest now. I won’t unless I know you are sleeping next to me.”

I woke up to the doctor standing over me.

Takeshi was dressed and sat at the table, drinking from a bottle of water. “How long was I asleep?”

“Twelve hours,” the doctor answered. “I hope that Dr. Shimodo would be kind enough to show me his pressure-point technique. Every time you started to wake, he put you right back to sleep.”

I glared at Takeshi.

“You needed the rest. Your body has been punished a lot the last week. I informed the director you may travel tomorrow.” The doctor ignored my irritated expression.

“Will she be allowed to take her own medications?” Takeshi asked.

“I will write an order to continue her home medications. I believe this last episode was a direct result of the stressors placed on her since entering our…care, not a result of the meds not being appropriate to keep her heart rate controlled. That has been addressed in detail with those agents whose care you will remain under. I understand that you also discussed this with them, Dr. Shimodo.” There was laughter in his eyes.

Takeshi nodded, but his face showed he was still angry over what had occurred.

“It is remarkable, Miss Campbell, that you are ready to rush off on this excursion. Don’t push too hard, your body hasn’t had time to recover. The burn on your hand is healing well. I recommend lots of rest, fluids and de-stressing behaviors.”

I gave him a baleful stare. “You don’t believe for a moment it will not be stressful. None of this is my dream vacation.”

The doctor shrugged. “I want you rechecked in four days, wherever you are.”

“Four days? Aren’t we going to Madrid?”

“I will contact an American physician who is often used by the embassy. Keep in mind that we didn’t feed you properly and mistakenly gave you coffee. That will not happen again. We all need you healthy. I like to be thorough.” He left the room and the nurse set about taking out my IV. While she did that, I noticed our luggage.

I went to my suitcase, wondering when it had arrived, and prayed they’d remembered to put my toothbrush into it. I started to pick it up, but Takeshi took it from me and set it on top of the bed. I used my mean stare on him.

“Who the hell do you think you are, Shimodo, putting me to sleep whenever it suits you. You are on my shitlist. Maybe you should shower first so I don’t have to see you for a while.”

I got distracted by the contents of my suitcase. Most of it was my stuff, but a bag of travel-sized cosmetic items was included with several toothbrushes, shampoos and deodorant. “Hey, did they put this in your bag too?” It was hard to remember I was mad at him.

“I already showered, and, yes, my suitcase also contains toiletries.”

He started to walk towards me, but I threw up my hands. “No, I’m still mad at you and entirely too gross right now, all scummy and sticky. I need a shower and I don’t want any more delays.” I scooted past him and into the bathroom.

An inordinate amount of my time was spent getting the goo from the EKG patches off my chest. There were round indentations where they had been. I scrubbed twice and shampooed several extra times, trying to get off the layer of scum that seemed to have formed. The towel barely reached around me. The bathroom was small and filled with steam when I finished.

I poked my head out the door. “Did you cover the camera?”

Takeshi came to the door. “Yes.” He wrapped himself around me and his sweater rubbed against my bare skin, making me squirm. The kiss he pressed on my lips demanded my complete surrender. The towel fell as he checked me over with warm eyes, touching the red spots where the patches had left their marks. He kissed each one, then gathered me in a nearly smothering embrace. After a very long time, his arms loosened and he peered into my face. I don’t know what he found there, but I saw a wild fear in him and knew it was because of me.

I’d set out the clothes I was going to wear—jeans, a long tee shirt and a zip-up sweatshirt over that. I made haste to get dressed as quick as I could. There was a knock on the door. With no preamble, it opened. Did the FBI ever wait for a reply before barging in?