"Sure, let me…."
"Dr. Erickson, what a pleasant surprise," said the red-haired, young man who approached from the far side of the arena. He was the same redhead from the airport who she now knew as Dr. Jacobs' nephew.
"Scott, how are you?" Salma asked.
"Fine; I heard a rumor that your husband had been injured. I noticed his wheelchair when you came in and wanted to make sure everything was all right." Scott seemed genuinely concerned, a complete change from his earlier behavior.
"We had a little trouble. Now that you mention it, I wanted to know if there was a medic station set up here. Ben does need a few stitches."
"Of course. My Uncle is over there now. There were some minor injuries amongst the guardsmen that needed attention. I'm not sure if we have the materials or a decent enough space for you to do stitches, but we can ask."
"That would be great. I thought your uncle would have left with the ship. Isn't he off to the next port by now?"
"No. We were scheduled to attend the conference this week, remember?"
"Oh, that's right. With everything else, I forgot all about that. Well, I'm glad you are both here," Salma said.
"Come on. I'll take you over to him," Scott offered.
"Give me a minute. Let me go and get Ben. He's over…," Salma glanced toward the door as she spoke.
"Dr. Salma," Apela interrupted.
"Why don't I go and talk with Ben while you see if the other doctor has the supplies you need?" Apela caught the fleeting look that crossed Scott's face when Salma mentioned Ben.
"Yes. Let's do that," Scott eagerly agreed. He ushered Salma across the arena to an area cordoned off by a set of nearly sheer curtains.
Apela turned and immediately went to the door and located Ben sitting off to the side, reading a recently acquired newspaper.
"Mr. Erickson? Ben?"
"Yes." Ben lowered the paper and saw Apela standing in front of him.
"Apela, from the ship; remember?"
"Yes. When you were talking with Salma, did she get a chance to explain our situation before Scott whisked her away?"
A momentary shock registered on Apela's face.
"No. I offered to come and talk to you while she checked on medical supplies. You were watching?"
"Of course; I keep a close eye on her whenever I can. Apela, could I impose on you? We are trying to keep a low profile. Your son, Max, is a great kid, but he has a rather boisterous personality. Do you think it's possible to find some way to keep him from shouting out when he sees us?"
"Sure. I can go and talk to him, but he's sleeping right now. Is there something else? Can I help you in some way?"
"As a matter of fact, you can. I would rather wait until everyone is here to discuss it. Vin and Caeli are outside. They should be along shortly. If you could go get Max and bring him here, that would be great. Let him know how important it is to keep quiet. I'll wait here for everyone else to return."
Apela left Ben reading his paper for a few minutes. When he returned, Apela carried a small, child-sized bundle wrapped in a blanket. Max poked his sleepy head out and said hello to Ben in a drowsy, but quiet, voice. Ben offered to let Max ride on his wheelchair if he promised to sit still and continue to be real quiet when Salma and Caeli arrived. Max readily agreed, and then promptly fell asleep again. Ben and Apela moved a few feet further into the corner of the arena, out of the direct sight of the main crowd, and waited patiently. They talked of the strange weather and of Apela's hotel. Ben asked one question that he was particularly hoping Apela could answer.
"How common is the name Maku among islanders?"
"Not very. In fact, I only know one person with that name. I've never met a second," Apela answered.
That was exactly what Ben wanted to hear.
Salma waited at the side of the curtain while Scott walked over and whispered in his uncle's ear. Dr. Jacobs looked up and noticed her standing there. He nodded to her with a smile on his face. Scott returned and informed her that his uncle was finishing up with a sprained wrist on the current patient and would come talk to her as soon as he was done. Salma did not mind waiting, though she was anxious to find out if the supplies she needed for Ben would be here or not. The more she thought about what Caeli said earlier, the less she liked the idea of doing the work with Scott hanging around; but it couldn't be helped. One good jolt could start Ben hemorrhaging again, and it would not take long for him to be in serious trouble after all the blood he lost earlier. With Caeli in bad shape, Salma did not want to take the chance that she might not be able to help Ben a second time.
Finally, Dr. Jacobs completed his work and joined Salma and Scott. Scott excused himself and went to help out a young, dark-haired nurse tending the next patient, a blonde woman around Caeli's age. Dr. Jacobs located a bench where he and Salma could sit and talk.
"I'm sorry. We have antibiotics, bandages, and a limited supply of pain medicines. We don't have any surgical needles or thread. I'm afraid you'll have to take him to the hospital."
"That's what I was afraid you were going to say. This day couldn't get much worse," Salma did not have to feign her disappointment.
"I don't understand. Why didn't you take him to the hospital next to your hotel? It is only two buildings away," Dr. Jacobs inquired.
"The protestors and the media caused quite a ruckus. We were picked up at the dock, whisked to the hotel, and when we tried to walk outside, there were cameras everywhere. It was highly unnerving. Thankfully, members of the guard unit pulled us back inside. So we snuck out the back, hoping there might be something here that we could use."
"I am sorry. I would be happy to drive you to a hospital if you like," Dr. Jacobs offered.
"That's ok. Thank you, but we'll get there on our own. We have a car outside. What puzzles me about all this is why anyone would want to stop my work. I cannot think of a valid reason for the protests."
"That's a good question. Perhaps it is because they don't understand it. You did use the word anonymous in the paper you published. No matter your good intentions, that probably gave some conspiracy nut a suspicion on which to build. Sometimes, something that simple is all it takes," Dr. Jacobs offered a plausible explanation for the public outcry.
"Why would it matter? The donor wished to remain anonymous. I should think they would appreciate that I simply honored the patient's request for confidentiality. I think that would show my trustworthiness, not make me look suspicious."
"It is a matter of perspective. Someone else might say that you were trying to hide something about the donor, and that the public has a right to know who it was."
"Well, you do make an interesting point. I will think about it. Perhaps I should give her the credit she deserves. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. I had best be getting back. I will see you at the conference on Tuesday, Doctor. Perhaps we can have lunch and talk about this further." Salma said goodbye and walked away.
Scott came up behind Dr. Jacobs and asked if his uncle made any progress.
"I think so. She was not hesitant to discuss the topic. She is considering the idea of giving her donor credit by announcing her name. That would make this entire task much simpler for us; an excellent start. And, of course, she still plans on attending the conference despite her husband's injury. She even invited me to lunch. Let's stick with our original plan for now. If we don't get satisfactory results, we will consider other options."
Vin stared at Caeli, still holding her hand in his. He was trying to figure out how best to begin the conversation. Finally, he made a decision.
"Please come over here," Vin said as he gently pulled Caeli over to share the driver's seat. He could not talk to her at a distance, as if they were two strangers chatting about the weather. He smiled reassuringly at her once she settled into the seat with him.
"Alone at last," Caeli smiled half-heartedly.
"Yes, at least for a few minutes." Vin paused again then placed a hand lightly on her stomach. The slight t
ingling sensation, that Caeli didn't seem to notice, once more greeted his fingers.
"I know you've had a rough day. First the crash, and then the whole ordeal with using your gift. Ben was shot, and now Salma is in danger, too. Not exactly a relaxing Sunday or a great way to start a vacation," Vin began.
"For you either; traveling through such a storm to rescue us, helping me handle my new ability; and helping Ben keep Salma safe. You have had quite a busy day yourself," Caeli smiled at him and subtly moved his hand away from her stomach, holding onto it with her own.
"Salma's medicine seems to be helping you. You look like you're feeling a little better," Vin approached the subject slowly.
"Yes, it is and I am."
"Caeli, I know you, and I know you don't want me to worry about you. You've been putting your illness on the back burner so that I could deal with everything else. You put Ben and Salma before yourself, and that's admirable."
A tear slid unexpectedly down her cheek, but Caeli tried to maintain her tight smile as she quickly wiped it away.
"Thank you, but we both know that is not why we're sitting out here," Caeli responded, knowing where this conversation was headed. She wasn't sure if she was ready for this yet, but she needed to give Vin the answers he sought. The time for keeping her secret had passed and Caeli needed to tell him. She wanted to tell him. She had already tried several times to talk to him. Vin always had a way of helping her see matters from a perspective that she might not think of herself.
"No, it's not. I'm worried about you, Caeli. You have been sick a lot lately. And not just today; though today has been unusually bad. First, in New York, which you thought was allergies. Then again at the airport. Don't look so surprised. Ben told me about it when you got back. He knew the minute you came out of the airport restroom that it was more than bad airline food. He was concerned. Plus, you were sick before you left the house this morning, and I know it was not from bad fish; and Salma said you were sick on the plane, too. Of course, there are today's episodes. I have been considering a lot of possibilities. Honestly, Honey, I'm not sure what to make of it." Vin placed the tips of his fingers on her stomach to emphasize his words and the tingling sensation returned. He waited for Caeli to respond.
"It sounds like you've been keeping tabs on me." Caeli managed a small laugh.
"Since the day we met," Vin smiled his special smile just for her.
"But about your illness; please, Caeli. It's time. Talk to me."
"You're right. I have been sick, and each of those explanations seemed valid at the time," Caeli confirmed softly without offering additional details.
"Whatever this is, it is getting worse. Your skin is still hot beneath my fingers. It is still running through your system despite Salma's medicine. That much is obvious. Salma says it's probably from prolonged exposure or maybe a virus; but I think it's more than that. You have been struggling with this for weeks, though not as noticeably until today. I have also seen you holding your side in pain several times. You have a strange, white circle on your stomach that wasn't there this morning. Maybe you do have the flu and maybe you are injured; maybe both. I don't know, and that's the problem. I have watched you get worse by the hour. Caeli, I know you're hurting, even now. I can feel it through our link. I need you to tell me everything that I don't already know about your condition." Vin laid out all of his concerns for her, adding the last detail as verification of his knowledge.
"You can feel my pain?"
"Yes, when I focus on our link I can. And it is killing me not to be able to help you."
"I suppose that shouldn't surprise me. I felt your anguish when I eavesdropped on your conversation with Ben and Salma on the ship. It seems like ever since the three of us were exposed to the Book of Elements our natural abilities have grown considerably."
"I agree, but you are drifting off the subject."
"Sorry. I don't mean to worry you, Vin. That's the last thing I want to do."
"I know. So tell me what's going on with you. What did you mean earlier when I asked you if everything was ok and you said no? And when I asked you if you were hurt, you said not anymore. Honey, help me understand. Were you hurt during the crash? Is your gift causing you pain? Is there something else going on that I should know?"
"Yes, on all accounts. That white circle on my stomach is the result of an injury from the crash. I think it is all right now, but Salma is going to check it just to be safe."
"What caused it?"
"That's not important right now. I'll tell you about it later. To answer your other question, yes. My gift is doing something to me, but I haven't figured out what yet. I would like to sit down and talk it out with you because it is bothering me; but, this is not the place for that conversation either."
"Ok. So, if you don't want to discuss either of those topics right now, then what else is there?"
"That's the question I want to answer. There is something concerning me that I need to tell you."
"Please, tell me."
"Remember when I said that I did not feel right? Well, I'm scared of the effect this illness is having on more than just my body."
"Go on." Vin prompted gently when she paused overlong.
"I have been trying to find the best way to break the news. I did not plan on saying it like this, and I am not entirely certain. Vin, I think I…"
Before she could explain further, there was a startling knock on the window of the driver's door. Caeli, her back to the door, nearly jumped out of the seat at the unexpected sound. Vin looked over to see a smiling man holding an umbrella in the pouring rain. He was dressed in a bright yellow shirt and tan pants. He held up his wallet beneath a flashlight so that Vin could see his ID. On one side was the man's driver's license. That photo matched the picture on the photo ID issued by the car rental agency where Vin rented the van. He had made arrangements to have the van picked up at the arena a half an hour after he rented it.
"I'm sorry, Caeli. They are here to pick up the van. I wanted to make sure that we were not delayed having to wait for them. Give me a minute. Let me send him away…"
"No, Vin. You are right. Salma needs us to get moving." Caeli wiped away the tears welling in her eyes and tried to give him another reassuring smile.
"Yes, we do need to get Salma moving, but that is not my main concern. Your health is. I want to know more about your injury. I want to hear what you have to say. You know that whatever is bothering you, if something is wrong, I'm here for you. You don't have to be worried about telling me anything."
"I know that, Vin, and you're not the problem at all. I am not worried about telling you, but what I am trying to say, though simple enough, overlaps with the issue of my gift. And that part is too complicated to rush through. I really need to discuss this with you; but I think it will have to wait a while longer." Caeli leaned over and kissed him briefly.
Vin was forced to accept that this was all the information he was going to get until they could sit down for a lengthier, uninterrupted talk. Caeli definitely had something on her mind. That, and whatever injury she had incurred during the crash, only served to heighten Vin's concern. All he had gained with this talk was confirmation that Caeli was hurt and something else was wrong with her. What was so complicated? What was so bad that it brought tears to her eyes just to think about it? Vin hated not being able to spend the time right then to hear her out.
"Do you think you will be ok for another hour?" Vin asked as he waved to the man standing in the rain.
"I think so. The pain is not too bad right now, and I'm not feeling nauseous at the moment." Caeli wiped her eyes one last time. She was frustrated that they continued to tear up. She could not understand why they kept doing that. It annoyed her that she was unable to prevent it.
"Ok, we will postpone this talk, but only until we get to Apela's hotel. I want Salma to examine you again as soon as we get settled, and then we will continue this," Vin insisted and made Caeli promise before they climbed out of the v
an. He sent her inside to wait, refusing to let her help unload the luggage.
"Sir, can I help you with that?"
"Yes. If you would help me get these inside, I would greatly appreciate it." Vin and the car rental employee carried the bags to a place inside and to the left of the door where Caeli leaned heavily against the wall, waiting in silence.
Once inside, Vin located Ben and Salma. They also saw Apela and a sleeping Max. They were all about fifteen feet beyond where Caeli stood. Vin subtly moved their luggage into the shadows near the wall before he and Caeli went to join the rest of the group. After all the greetings, Caeli asked for the favor.
"Apela, we were wondering if that offer might still be open. We would very much like to come and stay at your hotel for the week."
"Of course, we would pay you, and there would be one other important matter. Nobody can know that we are there. You told Caeli that your hotel will be closed for the week. That is exactly what we need," Vin added.
"We think Salma may be in danger," Ben picked up the thread of the request.
"For her safety, we need to find a secluded location, her stay there unknown, and not open to the public."
The four waited patiently, looking at Apela with hope filled eyes, waiting for an answer.
"I would be honored to have you stay as my guests. I understand your predicament and will do whatever I can to help. First, we must see about getting you out of here. My sister has a car out front. She was going to drive Max and I home after her shift. She's an ER nurse on loan from the hospital. I can ask to borrow her car and take us all home, but then she will have to come by to get the car later," Apela planned out loud.
"Is there a bus or shuttle or perhaps a medical transport?" Ben asked.
"No, nothing like that going to my place tonight," Apela replied. They were thinking about it when a member of the National Guard unit walked up.
"Excuse me, Sirs. Mr. Harding? Mr. Erickson?" Both Vin and Ben turned their heads to see one of the men they originally flew down with standing a few, polite steps away. He was a young, fair skinned man in his early twenties, a few inches shorter than Vin. His blonde hair was cropped close to his head in typical military fashion.
Wrath of the Sea Queen Page 22
