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Chapter 28

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James' lips quivered as he tried to push back the pain and the loneliness. He took a deep shuttering breath and continued to bite his lips to hold his silence.

Mindy left Rebecca and quickly returned to her new friend. She settled in beside James pushing her nose underneath his trembling hand. Her tail thumped hard causing the bed to gently vibrate.

Mindy notice James was not paying attention to her, so she crawled closer to his face to lick his earlobe hoping he would notice her. Slowly his hand move to touch her. She eagerly licked his neck letting James know she was there for him. She would always be there.

The screaming in his mind instantly stopped when he felt something cold and wet tickle his ear. James could feel Mindy licking him. She was back. "Oh girl, I'll miss you," he whispered to her as he rubbed her. "I'll truly miss you."

Lewis watch the bonding between Mindy and James. He knew with Rebecca showing up to claim her lost dog, his friend would sadly miss his furry companion. Lewis wanted to say something to the veterinarian, but he did not know how to approach her about leaving Mindy with James until he was better. Lewis could see James clutching Mindy as if he was afraid for her to leave.

They all could hear James whispering to Mindy. Rebecca was not surprised to see the close bond between the dog and the injured man in the hospital bed. "I'm not here to take Mindy away," she explained. "I just... I just wanted to see if she was ….." Tears prevented her from saying anymore.

Sarah hugged her, "It's all right, Rebecca. Mindy's fine." She led Rebecca to the bedside chair. "Sit here next to James. James, this is Rebecca Myers. Bec, this is Sargent James Hathaway." Sarah introduced them.

"I'm sorry for being such a wreck," Rebecca dried the tears from her face. "This week has been one nightmare after another." She took a deep calming breath. "I returned last week from being out of the country. Only to hear Corporal Malcolm Christmas died in a car crash and Mindy was missing. Then Erik was…." the rest was left unsaid. "I had to come here today to see if by chance the dog I've been hearing about was Mindy." Her fingers accidentally brushed against James' hand as she petted Mindy.

James could feel her soft delicate fingers, he so much wanted to touch more of her hand. "I'm sorry about your friend," James softly spoke. "Were you two close?" He cringed as soon as the words left his lips. "Sorry, I do not mean to pry."

"You're not prying. We were getting close, but..." Rebecca was blushing. She wish she could look into this man's eyes. "What happen to you, Mr. Hathaway?"

Now James was the one blushing. He smiled wishing he could see her. Her voice was intoxicating, he could listen to her talk for hours. His hand was stroking Mindy and absently touching Rebecca.

Lewis notice the color returning to Jame's face, something he has not seen in days. He did not think Mindy was the reason for the change. Rebecca and James were bonding as much as James and Mindy.

Lewis was distracted from his thoughts when someone gently tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to see who wanted his attention, Nurse Peters and student nurse Montgomery stood in the doorway. The nurse motioned for Lewis and the others to follow her out of the room.

Everyone filed into the hall leaving Rebecca and James to quietly chat. Neither one notice the others leaving. They were both mesmerized by the other.

Nurse Faye Peters nodded toward James and Rebecca, "Who's the young lady James is infatuated with? Hello, Sarah. What brings you here?"

"That's Rebecca Myers the veterinarian, Dr. Erik Wills was dating," Sarah answered. "She just learned about Mindy being here."

"I say she's doing Mr. Hathaway a lot of good," Faye remarked. "I didn't think I would ever see a genuine smile from him. He's looking a lot better than he did this morning." Faye let the door close quietly behind her. "Give them a little bit of time alone then you can go back in to say good night."

Faye led James' friends and colleagues to a family waiting room. "Tomorrow James has a big day," she offered everyone coffee. "Dr. Moore will remove the bandages. With luck James will have his sight back. After that we plan to get him out of bed and on his feet."

"So soon?" Questioned Innocent.

"The sooner the better. He won't fall apart," she tried to ease their minds. "Despite how it might feel to him."

They sat and sipped the awful tasting coffee and chatted. Innocent's mobile rang. She excused herself and left the room to return shortly.

"That was DC Hooper, forensics found Jimmy Fitzroy's fingerprints at Glasgow's country estate and at his Oxford house," Innocent informed her officers. "The pathology report states Glasgow's neck was broken then he was strung up to look like suicide."

"Any information on where Fitzroy might be hiding?" MacGim asked.

"No, uniformed checked his mother's house and grandfather's estate," Innocent replied. "They questioned them, but nothing new."

She paused to let the information sink in. "Robbie, I'm needed at the station. Please tell James I will stop by later and good luck for tomorrow," she turned to leave, but remembered something. "Oh, PC Bell, I have assigned you to work with DI Lewis. Keep your mind and ears opened and you might learn something."

Lewis started to protest, but Innocent left before any words were uttered. He looked at Bell who was just as shocked as he was. "At least I know you have some brains," he mumbled.

MacGim chuckled, "Welcome to the club, Lad." He slapped Bell hard on the back. "As a new member of the club you get to buy the rounds tonight. You are old enough to drink?" He teased.

Bell beamed with pride, but silently was shaking in his boots. "Thank you, I'm ever so proud to work with you Inspector Lewis," he eagerly shook his new governor's hand.

The group quickly said good night leaving James and Mindy to rest. Lewis did not tell James about his new assigned partner. He hoped the partnership would be a short one.

Nurse Peters appraised James on his Monday morning schedule. He was excited hoping to have his eyesight back by noon. He so much wanted to see Rebecca with his eyes, her voice was sweet and soothing. He slept through the night without interruption, just dreaming sweet dreams.

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