Madeleine & the Mind (11 page)

Madeleine laughed at the woebegone expression on his face. Apparently, shopping was not something that interested the Inspector. "I'm sure I can work something out. Will you have someone follow us anyway?"

"Of course. The man could be very dangerous. He's really the only suspect we have, and we'll have to devise a way to force his hand."

"I have an idea. Everyone here is looking for Dr.Faraday's solution to the laser. I could say I found it and wait to see who comes after it."

"Hmm, let's tread carefully. For the present, watch everything you do. Never, are you to be alone with Dr. Giliteau."

"What about the others?"

"The Israeli has nothing incriminating in his past. And Dr. Hanover has been Dr. Faraday's associate for years. They came here together. Incidentally, the American Embassy didn't just throw you to the wolves. They are closely connected to the Institute and aware of everything that transpires."

"So, you're saying I landed in a bunch of techno-spies."

"Essentially, that is correct. And your life has little meaning when compared with their purposes."

"Great. What do I do now?"

"Wait and see. And guard your genius closely. I have a feeling he would not have fared so well had he not lost his mind."

"You mean they'll kill him if he regains his memory."

"Quite probably. For now, they are waiting for his discovery to come to light. You better get back."

The Inspector dropped Madeleine at the front door. When she stepped inside, Dr. Giliteau met her. He studied her intently for a moment then smiled.

"Mademoiselle Madeleine, where have you been, my dear?"

"I was outside talking to someone."

"Please, call me Franc. I wasn't aware you knew anyone in Spain."

Madeleine thought quickly. It would be better not to lie in case he checked her story. "That wasn't anyone I know. It was the police officer who found me after I'd been hit on the head. They haven't recovered any of my belongings or the thief, so I guess I'll have to go shopping after all."

"What an excellent idea. How about tomorrow? I can arrange to take you about ten."

"That would be great. I'll let you know this afternoon. Will you be in the lab later?"

"Of course. My home away from home."

Madeleine stepped into the elevator and gave him a little wave. Inwardly, she fumed. He thought he was so irresistible, and he might be nothing but a terrorist.

Madeleine stopped at the second floor to check on Steven and his fiancée. They weren't in the gym, and they weren't in the library. She waved at Dr. Hanover in the lab as she walked by then she went up to her room.

Through the door, Madeleine could hear the strident tones of Miss Reynolds berating Steven for something.

Madeleine knocked on the door. She would not have that woman upsetting Steven. He would retreat even further into his own little world, and they might never get him out.

Miss Reynolds opened the door. Her face was a mask of polite indifference. "What is it?"

"Dr. Giliteau has offered to take us shopping in Madrid tomorrow. Would you be interested?"

"I'd love to get out of here. What time will we leave?"

"About ten." Not once had Miss Reynolds wondered what would happen to Steven if they both left him. "By the way, you get more out of Dr. Faraday if you talk sweetly to him. He's really like a large child."

"Miss Price, do not tell me how to speak to my fiancé. It is none of your business."

She went to close the door, and Madeleine stuck her foot in the gap.

Even though the other woman was much taller, Madeleine pushed her way into Steven's room. "It's time for Dr. Faraday's therapy. Come along, Steven."

He stumbled to his feet, giving Madeleine one of those heart- rending smiles. She smiled back at him, but she was concerned. He was not having a good day. How much time could he spend with his horrid fiancée before he completely relapsed in a state of regression?

She took his hand and led him to the elevator. She wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around him and kiss him on the cheek. He seemed such a frail, pathetic figure.

Once inside the elevator, she didn't say anything; she was too upset. When the door opened, she stared unseeing, and Steven squeezed her hand.

"Ah, right. Let's go."

They walked through the garden, but Madeleine was too preoccupied to notice the lovely flowers. Steven stopped at a rose bush and pulled off a blossom which he handed to Madeleine.

She smiled wistfully at him. "Thank you, sweetums. I wish…well, it doesn't matter what I wish. Let's go to the maze."

They were still walking hand-in-hand. Madeleine knew she didn't need to hold onto him, but she didn't care. The slight contact made her happy.

When they arrived at the grape arbor, Madeleine sat on the bench. Steven sat beside her, watching her face. "Don't look at me like that. I can't think."

He smiled and raised their clasped hands to his lips.

She pulled her hand away. "Now Steven, be a good boy. You can't do that. Miss Reynolds wouldn't like it."

Her hand burned where he'd kissed it. How had a simple kiss caused such a sensation? She looked up at him. She loved him. He'd never said a word to her, and yet she knew she loved him. She longed for him to be whole, to understand the things in her heart, in her spirit. She wanted to know all about him.

"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."

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.