Thoughtcrimes: The Price of Honor - Chapter 3

It seemed wrong when sounds began to filter in. He tried to open his eyes, but his head was killing him. Oh yeah, getting shot in the head would do that. He tried again and found himself staring at the ceiling. His head hurt too much to move it any more, so he just lay there. He could hear the heart monitor, so he was alive. I'm alive? How did that happen?

"Yes, you're alive. You've officially been designated the luckiest person in the hospital." Freya's smiling face came into view above him.

"What . . . happened?" Even breathing hurt, so he wasn't planning on moving anything he didn't have to for a while.

"Kunzel and I saw you tackle Walters. By the time we got over there, he had the gun to your head so Kunzel got off a shot as quickly as he could. He nailed Walters, but he must have been ready to fire because as he fell, his gun discharged. Fortunately, by then the angle was enough that it just skimmed your skull and left you with a concussion and the need for about fifteen stitches."

"Thought I was dead."

Freya let out a deep breath. "At first, so did we. There . . . was a lot of blood."

Brendan swallowed hard and closed his eyes. "Sorry," he whispered. "Couldn't let him . . . get away."

He felt a hand on his good shoulder. "He didn't. We found Mai upstairs and she's fine. A few bruises and scrapes, but other than that, she's okay."

Thank goodness. Why do I hurt so bad?

"Well, not only did you get shot in the head, but when you fell you ended up turning your cracked collarbone into a broken one. You somehow avoided breaking any ribs, but the doctor said they were even more bruised than before and that you'd probably be pretty sore."

"Master of the understatement. Did we get everyone?"

Freya leaned her head back and shook it briefly at the switch in subject matter. "Uh, yes, we did. And we got the weapons and explosives as well. Everything is taken care of Brendan. You just need to relax and rest. Doctor Margay is talking about putting you in restraints to keep you here this time."

"That won't be necessary, will it Agent Dean?" Harper walked in with Agents Kunzel and Patel trailing behind him. Brendan managed to turn his head just enough to see them.

"No, sir. I don't think I'll be moving any time soon." Brendan planned on lying as still as possible. Every movement, including breathing, hurt.

Kunzel grinned at Brendan. "You still look like crap, Dean. But it's a lot better than you looked last night."

Brendan gave a small smile. "So I hear. I also hear I owe you my life."

Kunzel shrugged his shoulders. "The guy was pissing me off."

Brendan chuckled, an action that made him wince and wish he hadn't. He swallowed, taking a few shallow breaths as he concentrated on riding out the wave of stabbing pain. "Thanks."

"Don't hurt yourself, Dean. Who are we going to make fun of until you get back on your feet?" Kunzel asked, a big grin on his face.

"You'll think of something," Brendan mumbled.

Dr. Margay came through the door, stopping a moment to process the people in the room. "Agent Dean, you seem to be popular this morning. I need all you people out of here so my patient can get some rest. Some much needed rest," she emphasized.

Brendan flinched at the stern look she gave him. Harper nodded down at him. "Good job, Dean." He stared at Brendan for several seconds. "And I mean, you did a good job. Just accept it and get some rest. I don't want to see you until you have a note from your doctor saying you are clear for duty."

"Yes, sir," Brendan mumbled.

Kunzel and Patel both told Brendan to feel better before following Harper out the door. Margay watched them leave and then motioned toward the closing door. "I like that guy."

oOo

Brendan stood in the drizzling rain, the coat doing little to keep out the cold. He was standing in the cemetery, watching the man beside the open grave talk in Chinese about the life of one of the best men he'd ever known. He felt like his body weighed a ton and the world couldn't possibly look more bleak. He shivered, the cold making his shoulder and ribs ache in a way he would regret later.

The rain suddenly stopped hitting him as a presence moved in beside him. Freya held the umbrella over the two of them as they stood in the back of the crowd. What are you doing here?

"Showing my respect for a man of honor," she whispered.

How did you know where I was?

"I went to the hospital and they said you'd already left. I remembered the funeral was today, so I thought I'd join you. Besides, you need someone to look after you. Two hours out of the hospital and you're standing in the rain."

"Couldn't find my umbrella." They stood in silence, watching the ceremony in front of them. When it was over, he watched the line of people comforting Mai. She had come to see him in the hospital and told him she didn't blame him for what happened, but she'd been cool and aloof. Freya hadn't offered anything about what the girl was thinking, so he took that to mean that on some level, Mai held him responsible. That was only fair. He was.

"Let's go," he said, looking up at the dark, gray sky. The bleary weather fit his mood and seemed appropriate for saying goodbye to such a rare man.

"Don't you want to talk to Mai?"

He looked at the girl, her eyes puffy and red from crying. She made eye contact for a just a moment and then turned away. "No. I think I'm the last person she wants to see right now."

Freya looked at Mai for a second and then back to Brendan. He was hurting inside and out and so cold he was shaking. "She'll be ready one day. She just needs some time. Come on, I'll make you some soup."

They walked a few steps. "What kind of soup?"

Freya shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, what kind do you like?"

"Potato soup."

Freya frowned. "I've never made potato soup. How about chicken noodle from a can?"

"How about I take us to McCann's Bar and Grill? They actually have the best potato soup I've ever eaten and a really great steak sandwich. It'll be my thank you for supplying the umbrella."

"You're always feeding me lately."

Brendan smiled. "And you're always complaining I don't eat enough. So now you can see me eat."

Freya nodded. "Fair enough. Okay, you're on, but with one condition. After we eat, you let me take you back to your place and tuck you into bed with plenty of blankets. I know you're freezing and that can't be good for someone who's been in the hospital for almost a week."

Brendan smiled. "Are you still trying to take care of me?"

Freya sighed. "Well, obviously someone has to."

She heard a muffled, "Thanks," as she got into the car.

THE END