Chapter 21 - The Accident

Lee awoke in the hospital with a very bad headache and he felt like he had been hit by a truck. As his eyes focused on his whereabouts, he remembered the accident. His hand went to his head where he found a bandage covering his forehead.

"Well look who is alive?" Francine said as he looked over at her sitting by his bed.

"How long have I been here?"

"Just a few hours. They called the agency just after the ambulance picked you up. Billy sent me over to make sure you were okay. What happened Lee?"

Lee quickly filled Francine in on the accident. "Wow, what bad timing" Francine said.

"No, I don't think it was just that. I think it was planned." Lee then told her about his talk with TP.

"Lee if the East Germans intend to kidnap you, then we have to get you some security."

"Dirk will never agree to that, you know that as well as I do."

Francine let out a big sigh. "So what do we do?"

"YOU will go back to the agency as soon as you help me get out of this hell hole. I need to go check on Amanda. Oh my God, my car! What about my car?"

"I'm sorry Lee, it got quite a bit of damage. It's in the repair shop right now. The good news is that Leatherneck says he can fix it and he already delivered a loaner for you that is waiting in the hospital parking lot."

It was Lee's turn to sigh. "Thanks Francine. Now can we get out of here?"

"I'll get a nurse to begin your discharge."

It took nearly 45 minutes to get the discharge done but Lee finally found himself free to leave and walked out to the parking lot. Francine pointed to the orange VW bug that Leatherneck had given to Lee as a loaner.

"You can't be serious. He expects me to drive THAT!"

"Well it's either that or walk."

"Could this day get any worse?" Lee asked.

"I find that it is never a good idea to invite trouble by asking that question." Francine suggested.

Lee agreed and then went to the car and squished his long legs into it. "The Keys Francine?"

Francine was having a hard time to keep from laughing at the image of Lee in this tiny car. She quickly handed him the keys and then headed to her own car where she was finally able to bust out laughing. Lee ignored her as he squealed out of the parking lot. The most important thing right now was to go check on Amanda.

TBC