Chapter 32

The Matter of an Opinion

0730 – Hereford, UK

The medical recruits made their way into the Training Center, some alone, others in pairs. Subdued chatter began to break the silence inside of the classroom. Georgie knew it was anxious chatter. Today was examination day. It would make or break their chances to wear the Special Forces Medical Unit Badge. She watched each one take their assigned seat. Small laptops emitted a soft glow on their faces. They would have one and one-half hours to complete the questions, all multiple choice and all designed to manipulate decision making skills. Georgie ticked off their names on the roster, feeling the anticipation in the room grow as the clock neared their start time.

She saw Peters standing in front of them, his mouth was moving and she knew he was giving orders to start the exam, but she did not hear him. Instead, her mind was focused on Elvis' voice and what he told her in a phone call she had received when she reached the base. She felt numb, surreal in fact. Deep down she had suspected Laura was in danger. She should never have been on the streets alone. It drove her mad wondering about the extent of a reported concussion. The broken arm, that can mend, but the brain is another matter. Healing can be unpredictable. She tried to convince Elvis to relax and accept the care recommendations, but he never trusted anyone else's opinion but hers. The subtle clicking from keystrokes infiltrated her musings. She looked up and saw Peters staring at her expectantly.

Her eyes grew wide in recognition. The timer! Fortunately, Peters had started the countdown. Although the computer program was designed to shut down in the allotted time frame, everything had to be precise. Her face infused with color and the sergeant moved in close to her.

"I got your six," he said.

Her mouth quirked into an embarrassed smile.

"I know it's tough when your head is kilometers away."

"I'm sorry," she said. "That's exactly what happened."

"They have excellent doctors at St. George. The captain has nothing to worry about," Peters said softly.

"I know. I told Elvis that." Georgie whispered back.

"Tell him again. He can be a thicko ya know."

Georgie smothered a laugh with her fingers. Elvis was more stubborn than thick, but sometimes the two blended together. Laura was being treated at one of the best hospitals in London. Georgie felt comfortable about that, until a thought occurred to her. The child would undoubtedly need to be evaluated by neurology, and Georgie knew the consultation could become quite interesting, especially for Elvis.

Xxxxxx

1000 – London, UK

The room was cheerful enough for a child, with bright paint and animal caricatures on the walls. The sun was moving in and out of clouds outside and casting shadows over the linens. Debbie was sat next to the bed holding Laura's hand. The child was asleep and that worried Debbie. Laura was a talker, always in motion. Seeing her so subdued was unnerving. Elvis was dead on his feet. How he ever managed to carry on after what he had been through amazed Debbie. No amount of persuasion was going to have him leave his daughter now. He stood at the window, hands in his pockets, staring out at nothing.

A quick knock drew Debbie's attention to the door. Elvis simply blinked expecting it to be another check by the nurse. When he heard the male voice, his ears pricked. He knew that voice. The man approached the bed, extending a hand as he formally introduced himself.

"Pleased to meet you Dr. Cole. I'm Debbie Gwain, Laura's mother."

"Mrs. Gwain," Cole said respectfully, but wondered why the child's surname was Harte, until the answer turned around from the window.

"Dr. Jamie Cole," Elvis said flatly.

Both men locked eyes.

"That is correct. Dr. Cole is Chief of Pediatric Neurology," the nurse said.

"Oh, excellent!" Debbie said. "We were told a specialist would be called in to examine Laura."

Elvis tried to conceal his surprise. He knew neurology was consulted but never fathomed that it would be Jamie.

"You're chief then?" Elvis said.

"That's right," Cole said. "Captain Harte as I recall."

Elvis blandly looked up at him. "At's right."

Debbie stepped back to look at both of them. "You know each other?"

"Yes," Elvis said.

"Been a few years hasn't it Elvis?"

"I lost track. Wha' I'm focused on right now is the health of my child," Elvis said.

Cole paused. It was obvious these two are the parents but are they a couple? His shrewd eye caught a glimpse of the gold band on Elvis' left hand. Debbie's hands were shielded at the moment.

"They tell me Laura recognized you at the scene," Cole said, moving in closer to the child.

Elvis nodded. "She was dazed, but yeah, she knew me."

The voices were jumbled but pushed her sleepiness away. Her eye lids fluttered open and Laura found an unfamiliar male face in front of her.

"Hello Laura," said the tall man in a long white lab coat. Her stricken eyes fixated on him.

"It's OK honey. This is Dr. Cole," Debbie said.

Laura tried to focus on the name badge dangling from the doctor's chest.

"He's here to examine you."

As Cole moved in closer with a comforting smile, Laura could see her father standing at the foot of the bed giving her a thumbs up.

"May we stay?" Debbie said.

"Absolutely," Cole said taking a small torch light from his pocket. "Now just relax little lady. I'm going to shine a light and I want you to look straight ahead."

Elvis folded his arms and watched, memorizing every detail of the exam. If he was expected to accept an opinion from Jamie Cole, then he wanted Georgie's opinion as well.

Xxxxxx

1130 - Hereford, UK

With the morning session completed and the practical exams scheduled to begin at precisely 1300 hours Georgie now had a chance to take a break. More than anything, she wanted some alone time. She stood outside the Training Center welcoming the breeze to pour over her. The fresh air felt good and she inhaled even deeper. Elvis had told her that a lot of testing was being done and talk of consultants. Surely there were some answers at this point. So many thoughts swirled into a tornado in her mind. Was Laura stable? Would there be long-term effects? What would Elvis do to Reginald? Is Jamie still on staff at St. George?

Xxxxxx

1230 – London, UK

Debbie saw Elvis walking down the hall when she left the restroom. She quickened her pace, and in a weak effort to be subtle, called out to him. He stopped, but did not turn around. He heard her clipped footsteps hurrying toward him.

"Elvis. We need to talk."

Now was not the time to talk. He was exhausted. He felt vulnerable and he did not need to be bombarded by a lot of questions. Debbie parked herself in front of him looking up with an expression that demanded answers. He stared down at her.

"Not now Deb."

"I beg to differ."

"Beg all ya want. Ain't happenin." With that he side-stepped past her.

"You can't run away this time!"

He spun around, quaking with restraint. "I ain't running away! I need time to process all this shit! You wouldn't understand! You don't understand! Just make sure ya keep that wank of a husband of yours so deep under a rock 'at it takes me a while to find him!"

Debbie shuddered from the decibel of his voice. He was gone before she could respond. The automatic doors whisked open and shut and he was gone and she was paralyzed to follow.