Page 73 of The Mouse and the Maestro

Jane sighed. “I was afraid of that.”

The Colonel reached behind her for the remote, pressed a button, and spoke to the nurse’s station. “We’re going to need some smelling salts in room 308.” He set aside the remote and resumed his hold on Jane’s hand. “Tell me quick before he wakes up, do you really like him?”

“Yes,” Jane said. “I do, lots and lots.”

“Good because he’s the best computer guy we’ve got, and it would be a real shame to make him disappear.”

Jane laughed and then sniffled. “Dad, Charles.”

“I know, honey. That was a blow to all of us, but not wholly unexpected. I tried to put a stop to it when he joined that band of mercenaries all those years ago, but I was in the states, and you guys were still in Africa.” He sighed and pushed the hair outof her face, much the same as Blue had just done. “I missed so much because of this blasted job, Jane.”

“Your country needed you,” Jane said.

“So did my girls,” The Colonel replied.

“We did fine, Dad. We always understood.”

The nurses rushed in, looking at Jane askance. She pointed to Blue, still slumped in a heap on her bedcovers. They fled to his side, snapped open a plastic container of salts, and placed it under his nose. He came to immediately, staring around in bewilderment.

“Let’s get you back to your room,” one nurse said.

“Can’t you leave him here please?” Jane said, patting the bed beside her.

“No, he shouldn’t even be…” the nurse who was clearly in charge began, but The Colonel interrupted.

“Leave him here.”

The nurses deposited Blue on the bed and scurried out of the room.

“Doing okay, Blue?” The Colonel asked.

“I don’t know,” Blue said, his wary gaze traveling between Jane and her father. They ignored him and focused on each other, letting Blue’s bruised brain try to have a moment to catch up.

“I like the hair,” The Colonel said, touching Jane’s new Pixie ‘do. “It’s very you. Although the color, hmm.” He cast a half-accusing glance at Blue who shrank back against the bed as if afraid The Colonel might reach out and strike him at any moment.

“And Blue’s a blond,” Jane said. “Who knew?”

“I knew,” The Colonel replied. “Blue and I go back a ways, approximately ten tattoos and several bottles of color ago.”

“Really?” Jane asked, looking between them.

“It’s a story for a later date,” The Colonel said. “In the meantime, we have something to discuss, girly. Is it true you stole a car and drove it to the airport?”

“Yes, sir,” Jane said meekly.

“Did you hotwire it?” The Colonel asked.

Jane shook her head. “Screwdriver in the ignition.”

The Colonel sighed. “And what would have happened if you hadn’t been able to find an old enough model for that to work? Jane, I’ve been telling you for years, you have got to work on the hotwiring.”

“I know, Dad, but it’s not exactly an easy skillset to practice,” Jane said.

“I’ll get you something to practice on.”

“Am I still unconscious?” Blue asked.

“A woman needs to know how to take care of herself, don’t you agree, Blue?” The Colonel asked.

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