Madeleine & the Mind

by Felicia Mires

  "Why is it you seem perfectly normal when you're with me and so tense when you're with Miss Reynolds? Does she make you nervous? I guess you love her a lot." Her eyes filled with tears. "I wish I could help you. I'm so sorry all this happened."

  He leaned toward her, and Madeleine pulled back. "Why don't we try your exercises?"

  She put her hand on his throat. "Try to vibrate your voice box. Hum." She hummed for him and waited.

  He blinked several times, but not a sound came out of his throat.

  "Do you want to be like this forever? You've got to try."

  His eyes faded and went blank.

  "It's as if you don't want to speak again, but I won't press you. What do you want to do?"

  A mischievous twinkle passed across his eyes then he got down on the ground and looked up at the sky.

  "I wish I knew what you were thinking." She lay on the ground beside him and looked at the clouds. "I see a mermaid."

  He pointed at the sky.

  "I see a dragon with a long tail."

  He held his hand up.

  "You know if you were my Prince Charming, you'd slay the dragon and save me. I guess you've done that already. You pulled me out of the pool. Now we just have to find the dragon."

  They played the game for several minutes then Steven seemed restless.

  "What is it? Are you all right?"

  He sat up and pulled at her hand.

  She let her hand rest in his as they walked back through the maze. Did he miss his fiancée already?

  He walked to a bench out in the middle of the grounds then he reached up and pulled her mouth open.

  She laughed. "What are you doing? There's nothing in my mouth. But it is almost time for lunch."

  He shook his head and reached for her mouth again. He worked her jaw up and down several times.

  She studied his face. He was trying to communicate something, but what?

  He held his hand on her throat.

  "Oh, you want me to hum?" She hummed.

  He shook his head and opened her jaw.

  "You want me to talk."

  He nodded.

  "What do you want to know?"

  He stared at her.

  "How about I just start talking, and you let me know if I hit the right thing."

  He nodded.

  "Do you want to know…how old I am?"

  He smiled and nodded.

  "I'm twenty-seven. I live in Texas. The greatest state in the US."

  He shook his head.

  She laughed. "Hah! Then you've never been there. Where are you from? Boston, like Miss Reynolds?"

  He shook his head.

  "Should I keep guessing?"

  He pursed his lips as if considered, but shook his head.

  "Ok, you don't want to talk about you. I have a husband and two kids."

  All the color drained from his face, and he backed away.

  "I was just kidding. You're my only guy, sweetums."

  He reached for her hand.

  "I saw the Inspector today."

  He squeezed her hand and nodded.

  "Is that what you want to hear?"

  He nodded again.

  "How did you know?"

  He smiled.

  "Well, anyway, he said Dr. Hanover has been your associate for a long time, and he's ok. He said Dr.Giliteau's father is related to some terrorist group, and although Dr. Giliteau has never been associated with any violence, he's been seen with the wrong types of people…terrorists. He had pictures, too."

  Steven stared out at the grounds. He reached for Madeleine's leg and pointed at the long scratch.

  "I don't know who did that, Steven. Neither of us saw anyone. But we've got to stick together. Tomorrow, I'm going shopping with Dr. Giliteau."

  He grabbed her arm then shook his head.

  "I'm taking you with me, and I asked Miss Reynolds to go. I won't let anything happen to your fiancée. Inspector Banderas will have someone follow us all day."

  He breathed deeply then looked at the Institute, all his features intent on something.

  "I wish I knew what you were thinking."

  He almost laughed. His lips parted, and he smiled at her.

  "It's time to eat, sweetums."

  Miss Reynolds monopolized Steven for the rest of the day, leaving Madeleine with nothing to do. She wandered to the library and read for a while then she ran on the treadmill.

  Her thoughts remained with Steven. What could he do with Miss Reynolds?

  Before Madeleine returned to her room, she dropped by the lab. "Dr. Giliteau, Miss Reynolds is going with us at ten tomorrow. I'll have to take Dr. Faraday as well. I can't leave him on his own."

  He scowled, but what could he say?

  "We might not get very far with Dr. Faraday along. Are you sure he's up to an outing?"

  "I don't really know. He couldn't even dress himself this morning, and I had to feed him. Perhaps we could take a wheelchair."

  "Even that would make things difficult. It is very hilly in Madrid."

  Madeleine thought for a moment. "I'll call the embassy and have them send over a motorized wheelchair. See you in the morning."

  She didn't wait for further argument.

  Steven remained behind locked doors the rest of the day. Perhaps Miss Reynolds didn't appreciate the presence of Madeleine.

  Steven's fiancée also arranged to get a room down the hall. For that, Madeleine was grateful. She didn't want to share.

  The next morning, she ate breakfast alone, and at nine o' clock, the phone rang.

  It was the front desk. "Miss Price. A wheelchair arrived for Dr. Faraday. Do you wish it sent up?"

  "No, thank you. We'll be down shortly. Would you please inform Dr. Giliteau?"

  "Yes, Ma'am. There's also a packet for you."

  "I'll get that when I come down."

  Money from the Embassy. She'd found it useful to know they had a stake in the Institute. She had informed them she needed some personal items immediately...or else.

  One more quick call, and she could leave. "Inspector? Everything's ready. How about you?"

  "All is arranged. You have no worries."

  "Gracias."

  Madeleine knocked loudly on the dividing door. She should make sure Steven was ready to go.

  The door opened, and Miss Reynolds stood before her in a bright red pantsuit that looked like it came off the model's runway.

  A guy in a wheelchair, a nurse, and the best-dressed woman in Madrid. They would certainly attract their share of attention.

  Madeleine wished she was the best-dressed, but her hand-me- down scrubs offered nothing to brag about.

  Steven stared out the window, but he turned when she spoke to him.

  "Dr. Faraday, are you ready to leave? Your wheelchair is downstairs."

  Miss Reynolds gasped. "I will not walk around all day pushing a wheelchair."

  "You won't have to, Miss Reynolds. It's a motorized chair, and I'll keep him with me. I would appreciate it, however, if we could all stay together. There are some rather dangerous personalities about."

  "I can take care of myself."

  "I was mugged about a week ago and left lying in an alley. I woke up in a hospital."

  Miss Reynolds raised an elegant shoulder with disdain. "What kind of country are you working in, Steven? First you…and now Miss Price. Well, I doubt the places I want to visit are frequented by that type of riffraff."

  "Nonetheless, if we could stay together, I'd appreciate it." Madeleine had a sudden thought. "I'd feel safer with you around. You would probably recognize danger, whereas I…"

  "All right, but don't slow me down."

  "We'll do our best."

  Miss Reynolds took Steven's arm and led him to the elevator. Madeleine followed behind.

  When they reached the desk, she stopped to pick up her package. The desk clerk had a message for her. "Dr. Giliteau said he'd return momentarily. He's putting the wheelchair in the back of the car."<
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  Steven eyed Madeleine as she opened the end of the envelope and looked inside. The Embassy had been generous. She found enough money inside to replace her entire wardrobe. Which she had no intention of doing. She still had to earn enough to buy a return flight.

  Madeleine closed the envelope then looked around helplessly. She had no purse, no pockets, and no way to hide her money.

  Steven reached out and took it. He smiled and placed the envelope in his wallet.

  "Thank you, Dr. Faraday. One of my first purchases will be a new purse."

  A sleek black car pulled up to the entrance, and they walked outside.

  Madeleine found it amusing to watch Miss Reynolds in action. She didn't want Madeleine sitting beside Steven, but neither did she think it her place to be stuck in the back with him. She finally sat in the front with Dr. Giliteau.

  Driving through Madrid provided a refreshing change, even though a possible terrorist chauffeured them about. It seemed as if she'd been cooped up in the Institute for months instead of weeks.

  "Dr. Giliteau, when is the last time you and the other scientists were out and about?"

  He shrugged. "I don't recall. Dr. Faraday was removed to a hospital at the time of his accident, but other than that…who knows?"

  Miss Reynolds monopolized the conversation from that point, asking Dr. Giliteau about life in France, reiterating her fascination with Paris haute couture, and generally making it impossible for Madeleine to join the conversation.

  From time to time, she patted Steven on the hand, but mostly they both stared out the window.

  Not surprisingly, Madeleine wasn't in the least interested by the type of establishment Miss Reynolds wanted to visit. They drove through an elite area of town, stopping at shops that reminded Madeleine of Beverly Hills. By lunchtime, she hadn't even managed to get a purse.

  "Dr. Giliteau, would it be possible to visit the market where they sell Spanish tooled leather?"

  "Of course, but it would be difficult to take Dr. Faraday along."

  Madeleine glanced at Steven. He'd sat quietly in the wheelchair all day. Even now, as they waited for their food at a curbside café, he stared into space with not a spark of recognition in his eyes.

  "I'll take him with me. He can walk a short distance."

  The food arrived, but Madeleine was concerned about Steven. He barely touched the plate.

  She picked up his bottle of water and held it to his mouth. "Drink something for me."

  He obediently took a few sips.

  Dr. Giliteau watched the scene with amusement. "Must you tell him everything to do?"

  Miss Reynolds laughed. "She babies him constantly. And he can't possibly understand what she says. Look at him."

  He stared intently at Steven.

  Madeleine had the desire to take Steven and hide from those penetrating eyes, but she played it down. "That's not really true. He understands a few things. He has good days and bad days."

  It was better if Dr. Giliteau thought Steven completely inept. Steven would live longer.

  After lunch, they drove to the marketplace where they found an assortment of wares displayed in the close-knit stalls. Madeleine wrapped her arm through Steven's. "Don't you dare run off and leave me."

  Miss Reynolds complained incessantly about the noise, the heat, and the dirt, but she followed along, regardless.

  One of the items stolen from Madeleine was a brightly colored peasant dress. She returned to the stall where she'd made her first selection. The little old lady recognized her and smiled beatifically at Madeleine and Steven, obviously thinking Madeleine had acquired a beau.

  Madeleine shook her head. "It's not what you think. He's a patient of mine."

  But the elderly lady spoke little English, just enough to barter her goods.

  Madeleine held out two dresses, one an emerald green with lovely embroidery on the neck and sleeves, and another, a deep russet color.

  Steven took out his wallet and handed both of the dresses to the elderly woman.

  Madeleine tried to reach past him. "No, Steven. I can't. I have to earn the money for my flight home."

  He shook his head and handed Madeleine her envelope. Then he paid for the two dresses himself.

  "Thank you."

  He took her money from her and put it back in his wallet.

  Thankfully, Miss Reynolds kept Dr. Giliteau occupied at a table of silk scarves. Madeleine didn't think it wise for him to see Steven capable of a financial transaction.

  She took Steven's arm and led him to the aisle of leather goods, looking for a large tote-bag and a smaller purse. She wandered from stall to stall, searching for just the right thing.

  Miss Reynolds came up behind her. "Why are you wasting time here? Let's go to the mall."

  "Miss Reynolds, I appreciate the fact that you agreed to accompany me today, but it is my shopping expedition because I have lost everything I owned. I can purchase something from a mall in the US. I want something that will evoke a memory as I may never come to Spain again."

  "There is a souvenir shop at the corner."

  "Then perhaps you should wait there." Madeleine turned her back, pulling Steven along. "Honestly, I don't know what you see in that woman."

  Steven picked up a soft, brown leather bag and held it out to her. It had a braided strap with an embossed flap that closed over the top of the purse.

  Madeleine studied it with interest. Soft, with plenty of room inside. Even a small compartment on the outside to hold sunglasses or a cell phone.

  She smiled at Steven. "I'll take it, and every time I look at it, I'll think of you."

  He smiled and patted the bag containing her dresses.

  She laughed. "I'll think of you when I wear those, too."

  She paid for the purse. He tried, but she wouldn't let him. "No, people will think I took advantage of the simple-minded professor. I'll pay for my own things, but I appreciate the thought."

  She finally found a large satchel to hold everything she'd purchased. With a flourish, she packed it all inside and smiled up at Steven.

  Dr. Giliteau and Miss Reynolds had wandered off again, so she looked around for them.

  Her loud gasp made Steven's arm tighten around her protectively. She pointed.

  "That's the man that hit me and stole my things!"

  Steven ran before she had a chance to stop him, but the other man had already sighted Madeleine and made a run for it. Madeleine screamed then she ran after both of them.

  Steven caught the thief on the outskirts of the market. He leaped over a table of sunglasses, coming down on the man's feet. The thief's face landed in the dust.

  Steven jumped up then swung the man around, narrowly missing a kick in the face. He brought his fist against the thief's stomach, and the man doubled over.

  Madeleine caught up with them as the thief came up to swing at Steven.

  She glanced around frantically until a severe-looking man with a dark mustache gripped the arm of the thief.

  He rattled off something in very rapid Spanish and held up a gun. The thief lay prostrate.

  "Policia," said the mustached man to Madeleine.

  The police! Was this the man following her? She'd completely forgotten to watch for him.

  In stilted English, he asked for an explanation of the disturbance.

  Madeleine explained slowly. "This man attacked me and stole my purse. Inspector Banderas is looking for him." She took out the inspector's card and showed it to the policeman.

  He nodded his head. "Come with me."

  Now, what would they do? Another gentleman strode over to the policeman. He carried on a discreet conversation with the officer then disappeared in the crowd.

  The policeman pulled the suspect to his feet. "You may go, Senorita. The Inspector will likely contact you later."

  She pulled at Steven. "Let's go before he changes his mind."

  They got a few yards away, and she stopped to look at him.

  "Are you all
right? You might have been killed. What made you do such a thing?" She shook her head. "You really are my dragon slayer."

  Her nervous chatter covered deep concern. For one moment, Steven had come out of his cocoon and reacted with all his senses. Except speech. He'd never spoken.

  He gave her a lop-sided smile, and she reached up and touched his cheek. "I think you're wonderful."

  Dr. Giliteau and Miss Reynolds stalked up. "Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you."

  Steven leaned at an alarming angle, and Madeleine put her shoulder underneath him. She squeezed his arm, so he'd know not to get upset by her next statement. "He got lost. I just found him. I…I was paying for my purse, and I turned around…and he was gone."

  Dr. Giliteau threw his hands in the air. "Look at him. He can barely walk. It is time we returned to more civilized shopping, Miss Price. Dr. Faraday will have to remain in his chair."

  "I think you're right. I'm ready."

  With ponderous movements, they made their way to the car. Steven's slow progress irritated the other two, but Madeleine let him move along at his own pace.

  When they reached the car, she got out a water bottle and made him drink. Miss Reynolds sat in the front seat and huffed her displeasure at another delay, and they achieved the short ride to the mall in silence.

  When they arrived, Dr. Giliteau pulled the wheelchair out of the back then left with Miss Reynolds.

  "I'll meet you at the center fountain in one hour," she called back.

  "No, Miss Reynolds, we should all stay together."

  "I'm not waiting for that wretched wheelchair. You brought him; you take care of him."

  They walked into the mall, and Madeleine gave Steven a worried look. "Serve her right, if she did get kidnapped." She shook her head. "I didn't mean it. Lord, please keep her safe."

  Madeleine found what she wanted at the first department store. They didn't have all the cosmetics she used, but she was happy with the selection she did find. "Now, I can look like a real person."

  Steven smiled.

  "What?"

  He shook his head, and they left the store.

  "Is there somewhere you want to go? We've plenty of time."

  He nodded his head and used the controls on the wheelchair to lead the way. He stopped at a jewelry store.