Chapter 67: Chapter 68

After Chad leaves, the lawyer sits, deep in thought for a few minutes, then taking the card, picks up his phone and taps in the number of an acquaintance.

“Hello? Douglas? Yes, Lucan here. I wonder if you can help me out with something. It’s just a quick one. Do you have an Officer Corby on the force there? You do? No, that was all, thanks. I just needed to check. Are you still on for that round of golf on Saturday?”

*****

James I’m so tired. Passively, I lie in the dark, unable to sleep, haunted by the waking nightmare of something that I can’t quite remember.

Charlotte lies next to me, I think asleep, but as the door clicks open and then closes again, she stirs.

Her voice is sleepy. “Hi.”

Michael’s voice is low, “Hi, how are you? Feeling better now?”

“I’m fine. I just needed some sleep.”

“How is he?”

“Asleep too I think. He seems okay. Certainly on the mend.”

“Good.” There is rustling and then movement as he gets into the bed beside her. Then the small sounds of intimacy, sighs, murmurs, a kiss.

“I'd like to hold you for a while. Is that okay?”

“Of course it is. Michael, I wanted to say thank you and sorry.”

“Sorry? What do you have to be sorry for?”

“For.... I've been so awful, and I couldn't have coped without you. I thought I'd lost him and I ignored you.”

“Hey…. Shhhh. This is my half of the deal remember. It's part of the reason James brought me in. For when he can't be there for you.”

For when he can't be there for you….

Inside, I churn and the memory of something bubbles up….

Determinedly, I lie still, keep my eyes closed and try to give them the privacy they deserve.

*****

It’s driving me mad. Despite the painkillers, there is a constant ache. Even through the mist of drugs, my body is at some level, still aware of the pain. I'm well enough to want to be up and about, but not well enough to actually be up and about.

And I'm bored. I try to read, but the drugs fog my brain and I can't concentrate.

Charlotte brings me a pod loaded with music, podcasts and audio-books, but whatever I choose simply irritates. I’m snappy without meaning to be and I know I’m trying everyone’s patience.

Richard and Beth arrive, bearing more of Ross' endless food offerings.

“Ah, that’s great,” says Charlotte. “Do say thank you to Ross for us.” She dishes up a plate for me. “It's steak and salad Master. Your favourite. And he's made a….” She sniffs. “…. A garlic sauce to go with it.”

But I am getting no exercise, not even to walk to the bathroom because the nurse insists on one of those abominable bedpans. And I'm not hungry.

My voice is weary. “I don’t want it, Charlotte.”

Michael tucks into his. “Come on, James. You love steak, and this is a beauty. Perfectly pink inside.”

Charlotte fusses at my pillows. “Just a little, Master. I'll cut it up for you.”

“I said I'm don't fucking want it!” The words are barely out of my mouth before I would snatch them back if I could.

Her eyes gloss and Michael's face freezes over.

Richard cocks an eyebrow. “Charlotte, Michael, why don't you go get some air. It's a lovely day and you're spending too much time indoors.” Michael eyes him appraisingly then, to Charlotte, jerks his head towards the door Beth hovers. “You too, my Love. I’d like a word with James…. alone.”

Oh, crap….

Beth follows the other two out and Richard whirls on me.

“Now you….” He jabs a finger at me. “We all saw what you did for Charlotte, even if you don't remember it. You're a fucking hero. But that's no excuse now for being a shit to the people who care about you. They'll not say it, so I will.”

And he’s right of course. One hundred per cent.

“I know. I know. I was sorry as soon as I said it.”

He looms over me. “You might tell them that.”

“I will. I'm just.... Not good at inactivity…. Richard, how serious was it? Everyone says I almost died.

Really? Is that right?”

His apparent anger fades, to be replaced by a more sympathetic expression. His lips press flat as he parks a hip on the edge of the bed. “James, you did die.”

?

?

My gut tightens. “I died?”

I feel a little spaced-out, disconnected from the world.

Did I hear that right?

“Your heart stopped. CPR and de-fibrillation didn't work. The medics had to inject you with adrenaline.”

He pauses, as though about to say something else, but then seems to change tack. “Anyway, the adrenaline did jump-start your heart.” He sits up very straight, very still, regarding me calmly….

Weighing the effect of his words?

“No one told you any of this?” he asks.

“Not a word.”

“Then perhaps I shouldn't have either,” He pulls at his chin. “But since I have told you that much, I'll tell you this as well.” And now he holds my eye. “The medics asked permission to administer the adrenaline. It was Michael who gave that permission. Until you woke up and were clearly compos mentis, I'd say your best friend was going through his own personal nightmare. That you could recover consciousness but have suffered brain damage.”

That would have crucified Michael….

“He didn't tell me any of this.”

“Well he wouldn’t, would he? And neither would Charlotte. But when you're feeling tetchy, I think you might remember that both those two went through hell while you were blissfully unconscious.”

*****

“I want to apologise.”

“Accepted.” Michael's reply is immediate, his smile wide and bright.

My Jade sits beside me in the bed. She leans in to kiss my forehead and to stroke my face with cool hands. “You'll be better soon, Master.”

So close, the scent of her washes over me and I breathe her in. My cock twitches and I twist to reach her face, with mine, to kiss her beautiful lips.

Fire flares through muscle and bone, making me gasp and leaving me breathless….

...and my desire ebbs and dies....

*****