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Chapter Three:
The next time Reid woke up, he was extremely thirsty. He looked around and saw Rossi reading a book. It was about the history of Bodera.
"Hey, son," he said softly. "You're looking better."
"Can I get some water?" he asked.
Rossi got up and paged the nurse.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"Foggy," Reid said. "It felt like I have been drowning and I haven't been able resurface. Am I on- "
"Narcotics, yes," he said. "It was the only way your heart would survive the surgery."
"I see," he said with a sigh.
Before Rossi could say anything else, a nurse came in. She smiled.
"It's good to see you awake Dr. Reid," she said.
"Can he have some water?" Rossi asked.
"Sure, just drink slowly," she said and brought over a cup with a straw.
Reid took small sips. It made him feel better.
"The doctor will be in shortly to explain your condition," she said left.
"Rossi this is going to sound odd, but did the queen visit me early in the morning?"
He smiled. "Nothing gets past you kid. The secret service was nearly in hysterics when they found her missing from her room."
"That was nice of her," he said. "How is she doing?"
"Shaken up, with cuts and bruises, but she is expected to make a full recovery. She's really worried about you though."
"I'll be fine," he said.
Rossi chuckled.
"Spoken like someone who has survived multiple gunshot wounds, not an average agent."
Reid didn't know what to say. The doctor appeared.
"Dr. Reid, I'm Dr. Delman. How are you?"
"Tired," he said. "When can I be weaned off the narcotics?"
"We'll start the process later today and see how you manage. Your prognosis is good. Only two ribs broken and a fractured collar bone. There some muscle tearing from where the bullet bounced around and nicked your left lung. I expect you to make a full recovery in four to six weeks and you should be out of the hospital in two days."
"Thank you, Dr. Delman," he said.
Delman looked to Rossi.
"Try not to excite him, he isn't out of the woods completely," he said.
"I won't," Rossi said.
They watched the doctor leave.
"So," Rossi said. "Do you think you could identify the queen's abductors?"
Reid closed his eyes. "It was dark, I could only see outlines."
"Did they say anything?"
"No."
He thought of the driver getting out with the gun aimed at him. It was a headshot.
"Reid!"
He realized his pulse was racing.
"The driver, I don't think he was experienced at shooting guns. Because he flinched when he had the drop on me."
"That's good kid," he said. "Now relax."
"Tell me what you know about her abduction."
"Kid you saved her life, let us worry about investigating the 'why' part."
"Rossi," he said seriously. "I need to know for my own safety. People have gone after me before."
"I know but we're putting more safeguards in place. You're going to be fine."
Reid looked at Rossi hard. It wasn't that he didn't trust him, it was just he didn't like what he didn't know.
"I don't like being in the dark," he said.
"Alright," he said with a sigh. "You'll be debriefed later anyway so it will come out eventually."
"Why was she abducted?" Reid asked.
"She abducted to plead for the release of a Leopold Tomsk and Joseph Colone."
Reid didn't say anything at first. It didn't make sense.
"I can see the wheels in that head of yours turning," Rossi said. "What is bothering you?"
"Tomsk and Colone, were terrorists for hire who specialized in remote bombing," Reid said. "It was by chance they were caught hiding in Bodera."
"So why hire amateurs to abduct the queen?" Rossi said.
"There is something bigger at play," Reid said. "I can think of fourteen entities who'd want those men freed."
J.J.'s head appeared.
"Hey," she said. "Are you up for another visitor?"
"Anytime," he said with a smile.
"My turn to get some coffee," Rossi said and left.
J.J. disappeared and none other than the Queen appeared. She was dressed in a finely tailored beige suit.
"Agent Reid," she said imperiously. "Or do you prefer Dr. Reid?"
"Dr. Reid," he said. "Your Highness."
"I want to come and formally thank you for saving my life," she said. "When the dust has settled on this whole sordid affair, I would like for you to visit Bodera as my honored guest."
"I would like that too," he said.
Then she lowered her back leg and formed a curtsy.
Reid knew this was a high honor. Boderians only bowed to heroes of war, clergy, and anyone in the family with a higher royal title.
"Rise," he said in Bernian.
She smiled as she rose.
"Your knowledge of my country is quite beautiful," she said. "I look forward to your visit."
"I do too," he said.
"Get well and live long, hero," she said and left.
J.J. came in smiling.
"I think she might like you," she said.
"I saved her life," he said. "Of course, she likes me."
J.J. laughed.
Reid smiled and realized he felt tired again. He wished he could think more about Tomsk and Colone, but his energy was wavering.
J.J. touched his arm.
"I think that's enough for this morning," she said.
"But Tomsk and Colone," he murmured as he eyelids drooped.
"Can wait," she said. "Let us take on the case."
He thought about the queen's touch as he drifted off. It was so soft and special. He wanted to feel it again.
…
Simmons was his afternoon company as he ate a small late lunch. He was on a broth diet for now.
"Let's see what the president has to say," he said turning on the TV.
The president was interrupting the soap operas.
"Good day my fellow friends and citizens. I have news on the whereabouts of the Queen Erdaya of Bodera. She was rescued last last last-"
The screen glitched and a new image appeared. At first Reid thought he was hallucinating, until he saw Simmons reacting to it.
"What is that?" he asked.
It was Tobias Hankel, he was hovering over Reid.
"Turn it off," he ordered, closing his eyes
"Reid," Simmons said. "What is that?"
"TURN IT OFF!" he screamed.
He could hear himself choking, dying, as Simmons scrambled around for the remote.
"It won't turn off!" he shouted. "The remote is dead."
He kept his eyes firmly shut. There was still audio and he heard a message in Bernian:
"The survivors live in shadow of the King."
He was not safe.