5-
They were on their way to the clinic when Merriman spoke again.
"I thought I should let you know that Mr. St. James has regained consciousness!"
Rita looked up quickly at Merriman. She could hardly believe her ears. Even though it had been only a few hours, to her it had seemed days.
"You mean Roddy?" Sid started, in disbelief. "What happened to him?"
Rita turned to Sid with an ominous glare. "Those rotters we just left off with happened. If not for Roddy, I might be right where he is now. It's just...terrible..." Rita trailed off, hanging her head, almost forgetting Merriman's update. She raised again to look at him. "But if he's awake, that means he's alright!"
"Actually, the doctor shouted the news to me as I was headed out with the authorities to catch up with you. I would assume so, but we'll know for certain once we've arrived. I just thought hearing it might grant you some comfort."
Rita strode over to Merriman, as easily as sea-legs in a jostling police wagon would let her, and swept him up in a hug. "Thank you again, Jonas. It seems that between you, Sid, and Roddy, I have quite a lot looking out for me." She grinned at the old mouse.
"My dear, seeing you smile once again is all the thanks I need."
As all this was going on, Sid's head swam. Roddy had become quite the adventurer! Could it really be the same posher he had flushed twice in as many days back at Kensington? He hadn't thought much of Roddy at all, particularly after he had left what was now the Feline Arms for good, but Sid knew he wasn't a bad sort, especially if he had done this much for Rita. Somehow, he found himself worried as well.
Still on either side of Sid, Rita and Jonas helped the injured rat to a wheelchair that could actually hold him. The doctor gave them an amiable grin as his orderlies came to pick him up and wheel him to a room.
"You two are certainly keeping us busy," the doctor quipped.
"No worries all! I'll be back in the high life, before ya know it..." Sid's reassuring phrases faded into the distance as the orderlies rolled him to an examination room.
"We appreciate your alacrity and kindness, doctor...," Jonas began. The doctor held up a hand. "No need, Mr. Merriman. It's our job. You all can see Mr. St. James in a few moments."
"All of us?" Rita wondered, looking around. She had tensed understandably, and despite Sid's diversion, she was in no mood for any further surprises.
"Yes. Your brother arrived a little while ago. Please excuse me." The doctor departed in the direction Sid and the orderlies had taken.
"Hey again, Rita."
Rita and Jonas turned to regard a teenage rat in a "Cruel Vermin" goth shirt with slightly-wrinkled black trousers and black sneakers. The most interesting thing he wore at the moment, however, was a somewhat snide smirk.
"Liam! Why are you here?"
"Mum and Dad got worried when you didn't check in yesterday evening. I offered to make sure you were okay. Millicent delayed you, ey?"
Jonas looked sideways as Rita as she shrugged tiredly. "You could say that..."