Chapter 11

The first thing Lee noticed as they entered Amanda's room was how bright the room was in comparison to the dim lights of William's room.

As if Dr. Lore was reading Lee's mind, he spoke, "We're beginning to lighten your wife's medications. As the day progresses, we're going to continue to use the lights in the room as a natural cue for her. She's not in the same type of coma as your son, and research has shown this method to be effective."

He wheeled Lee as close to Amanda's bed as the chair allowed. Lee gingerly rose to his feet and scanned his wife's face. She had a few scratches along her cheek and jawline but was otherwise untouched. Compared to William, her face had more color and as Lee lifted her hand in his, her fingers were warm to the touch. He lifted his chin to meet Dr. Lore's gaze.

"Her circulation is much better than we expected. She came through surgery with flying colors. I expect your wife to make a full recovery, with few side effects. I'd like to go check in with Mrs. Farnsworth, so I'll leave you. If you need anything, just press her call button. The nurses have been alerted you will be here." Dr. Lore left the room, leaving Lee alone.

Lee lowered Amanda's hand onto the bed and gently caressed her cheek. "Sweetheart," he breathed huskily. "William's doing better. The neurologist said he's doing all the things he's supposed to be doing. She promises he's going to be okay, but you know me… I need to see it for myself. And Dr. Lore said you're a fighter, but we both know that. You've always been the strong one."

Amanda's heart monitor beeped a monotonous response.

"I don't know if Billy was able to get ahold of Dotty and the boys yet, but I know he was trying. He said as soon as the weather let up, he was sending a chopper to get them. Jamie's gonna love that. Remember that time we took them up on the chopper ride around the bay? The look on his face when it dipped down close to the water's surface… I couldn't tell if he liked it or if he wanted to throw up but then we ascended and he asked to do it again. Who knows… maybe he'll get his pilot's license after all."

As he talked, Lee gently brushed her hair off her face and smoothed the corner of the sheet covering her.

"Oh, Amanda… I don't know what to do. I didn't even have time to tell you all about Barta and Krejci before everything happened. Billy has an APB out for them, but they're just crafty enough to get around that. We've dealt with them before, remember? I mean, not together but we've had our share of run-ins with them. I don't know how they paired up but if what Emily told me about Barta's plan to assassinate the President… between the two of them… they might be able to pull it off."

Lee paused long enough to exhale loudly before he continued.

"I just wish Emily told me as soon as she saw them… we could have prevented all of this. You wouldn't be in this bed. William wouldn't be… well… we'd be home, together, getting ready to pick him up from school. I swear, Amanda, I'm done. I'll never trust Emily after this. And if William… the unthinkable… happens… Well… Emily better stay in England and she better hide well because I'll find her… I'll find her and make her pay."

The muscle in Lee's cheek began to twitch as his anger took over. He cleared his throat several times.

"Keep fighting, Amanda. I need you. You're the other half of me. Without you, I'm incomplete. And Dotty and the boys… they all need you, too."

Lee's voice cracked as his chest tightened emotionally. He lifted her hand to his chest and lightly fingered her wedding rings.

"Remember when we got married for Dotty and the boys? That was just before we found out you were pregnant. I swear Dotty knew before we did just by the way she was dropping all those hints. And Philip… I thought he was going to be unhappy about moving, but as soon as he saw the house, he was so excited. I still say it was the girls next door sunbathing that sold it for him, but we both know he'll deny it."

His lips curved into a weak smile as a tear slipped down his cheek.

"Do you remember the first time William scooted himself across the living room? When Jamie was watching him so you could take a shower? He'd never seen a little one scoot across the floor on his butt before. He just watched him, mesmerized, until William fell and bumped his head on the step. He felt so bad about that egg, he appointed himself William's personal slave for the rest of the week."

Lee continued to talk to Amanda until Dr. Lore returned. His voice was scratchy, his throat raw from fighting back his tears. His arm was beginning to throb.

"Mr. Stetson, I think you need a break… something to eat maybe," Dr. Lore suggested.

"Yeah… and as much as I hate to ask… some more pain meds maybe," Lee admitted.

Dr. Lore helped Lee into the wheelchair. "Let's get you back to your room then and I'll have the kitchen send something up. Anything in particular?"

"How about steak and a baked potato?" Lee joked. He cast one last look at Amanda before Dr. Lore turned and wheeled him into the hallway.

"I was talking to her cardiologist and the surgeon. By tomorrow morning, she'll be weaned completely off the meds keeping her sedated. Then, it's all up to her."

Lee exhaled slowly. "And what do you think? Do you think it'll take that long or will she come out of it pretty fast?"

Dr. Lore guided Lee into the elevator and waited until the doors closed before he replied. "Based on her previous experiences… I don't see this taking a long time… but… and this is a big but… we don't know the full extent of damage to her brain… if there is any."

"What do you mean damage to her brain?" Lee narrowed his eyes as he scoured his memory for another conversation about Amanda.

"Like I said before… there are always risks when you sedate someone like this. I just want you to be prepared either way." Dr. Lore stepped to the side and faced Lee. "I've been a doctor for a long time and I know from experience, nothing is a sure bet. Just remember that, please."

Lee nodded slowly. "I appreciate the honesty, Doc."

"Oh, Mr. Melrose asked me to let you know… he finally got through to your mother-in-law. They'll be on the first flight back to DC."

Lee's eyes widened as a thought flashed through his mind. "Do you know what he told them?"

"I believe he told them the truth… you and your family were in a serious car accident on your way back from the airport."

"That's Billy… give them just enough of the truth. It's not the first time he's done that, but I'm going to do my best to make sure it's the last time. I'm getting too old for this, I think."

The elevator dinged just before the doors slid open. Dr. Lore pushed Lee to his room and helped him back onto the bed. "The accident you were involved in will make anyone question different parts of their life. You must be a good agent, though. The guys guarding you and your family have nothing but good things to say about all of you. They look up to you and from the sounds of things, you have quite the reputation. Think about that before you make any decisions. Now, let me order that meal for you and get some pain meds as well."

"Thanks, Doc," Lee muttered as he relaxed against the pillows, his mind whirling.