Patriot Games - vastav

Ryan hadn't noticed that the rack from which his arm hung was actually circular.
As the head of the bed came up, his arm dropped to a more comfortable angle. The
doctor looked over his glasses at Ryan's fingers.
"Would you wiggle them, please?" Ryan did so. "Good, that's very good. I didn't
think there'd be any nerve damage. Doctor Ryan, I am going to prescribe something
mild, just enough to keep the edge off it. I will require that you take the medications
which I prescribe." Scott's head came around to face Ryan directly. "I've never yet
got a patient addicted to narcotics, and I do not propose to start with you. Don't be
pigheaded: pain, discomfort will retard your recovery – unless, that is, you want to
remain in hospital for several months?"
"Message received, Sir Charles."
"Right." The surgeon smiled. "If you should feel the need for something stronger,
I shall be here all day. Just ring nurse Miss Kittiwake here." The girl beamed in
anticipation.
"How about something to eat?"
"You think you can keep something down?"
If not, Kittiwake will probably love to help me throw up. "Doc, in the last thirtysix
hours I've had a continental breakfast and a light lunch."
"Very well. We'll try some soft foods." He made another notation on the chart and
flashed a look to Kittiwake: Keep an eye on him. She nodded.
"Your charming wife told me that you are quite obstinate. We'll see about that.
Still and all you are doing rather nicely. You can thank your physical condition for
that – and my outstanding surgical skill, of course." Scott chuckled to himself.
"After breakfast an orderly will help you freshen up for your more, ah, official
visitors. Oh, don't expect to see your family soon. They were quite exhausted last
night. I gave your wife something to help her sleep; I hope she took it. Your darling
little daughter was all done in." Scott gave Ryan a serious look. "I was not
misleading you earlier. Discomfort will slow your recovery. Do what I tell you and
we'll have you out of that bed in a week, and discharged in two – perhaps. But you
must do exactly as I say."
"Understood, sir. And thanks. Cathy said you did a good job on the arm."
Scott tried to shrug it off. The smile showed only a little. "One must take proper
care of one's guests. I'll be back late this afternoon to see how you are progressing."
He left, mumbling instructions to the nurse.
The police arrived in force at 8:30. By this time Ryan had been able to eat his
hospital breakfast and wash up. Breakfast had been a huge disappointment, with
Wilson collapsing in laughter at Ryan's comment on its appearance – but Kittiwake
had been so downcast from this that Ryan had felt constrained to eat all of it, even