wrath of the Sea Queen (70 page)

"
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
protestor
s 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. 
Th
ankfully, members of th
e 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
woul
d 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 a
n 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
ha
d best be getting back.  I
wi
ll 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
wi
ll consider other options.
"

Vin star
ed
at
C
a
eli
, still holding her hand in his.  He was trying to figure out how best to begin the conversation.  Finally, he made a decision.

"
Please c
ome over here,
"
Vin said as he gently pulled C
a
eli 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
in
to
the seat with him
.

"
Alone at last,
"
C
a
eli s
miled half-heartedly
.

"
Yes,
at least
for a few minutes.
"
  Vin paused again then placed a hand lightly on her stomach. 
T
he
slight tingling sensation
, that
C
a
eli
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
ha
ve had q
uite a busy day
yourself
,
"
C
a
eli 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
i
s and I am."

"
C
a
eli,
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 C
a
eli tried to maintain her
tight
smile as she quickly wiped it away.

"
T
h
ank you, but
we both know
th
at
i
s not why we're sitting out here,
"
C
a
eli 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
C
a
eli
needed to t
ell
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
tha
t
s
he might
not
think of herself.

"
No, it's not.  I
'
m worried about you
, C
a
eli
.  You
ha
ve been sick a lot lately
.  And
not just today
; t
hough today has been
unusually
bad
. 
First
,
in New York
,
which you thought was allergies.  T
hen
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, the
re are today's
episodes
.
 
I
ha
ve
been
consider
ing
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
C
a
eli
to respond.

"
It sounds like y
ou've been keeping tabs on me." 
C
a
eli
managed a small laugh.

"Since the day we met," Vin smiled his special smile just for her.

"
But about your illness; p
lease,
C
a
eli
. 
It's time. 
Talk to me."