“As much as I would like to dispense with the usual pleasantries, I must ask you William,” Tachibana being serious; “Do you intend to press charges against Benton over him attacking your son?”
William thought deeply for a few minutes before composing his answer;
“If said charges do not expose the towns were-population then yes,” William pauses before continuing; ”but if that is not the case, then I expect the what is it called, the were council?” William asks,” to impose a heavy sanction on Benton.”
“It’s actually the elder council,” Tachibana responds; “but were-council is also acceptable and surprisingly used more often.” Tachibana notices her grandson Doctor Tora Tachibana; “now if you’ll excuse me I need to speak with my grandson. I’ll also relay your request to the council regarding Benton.”
William sat back down next to his wife Martha in the ER waiting area. Across from him are Evan and Maggie Lawson along with their daughter Spenser. While William and Martha were waiting for Eric to be released; Evan was more concerned about his father Mike Lawson. Fortunately both families waits were short lived. The first to come out of the triage doors was Eric. While his shirt was torn; all could see his chest fully healed. You would have to look extremely close to see the scratches Benton gave him several hours ago. Both William and Martha mob him as he walks towards them.
Shortly after Eric, Mike Lawson is being wheeled out by a nurse; he is clearly annoyed.
“Enough!” Mike grouses; “I can walk!” he places his feet on the ground to put a halt on the wheelchair and he jumps up; “See?”
The nurse snorts in disgust as Evan, Maggie and Spencer approach.
“And here I thought you would try to hit on the nurse, Mike;” Maggie teases.
“He has multiple times, Maggie;” the nameless nurse responds. “He even thought a potted fern was a nurse and tried to seduce it.”
Everyone laughs at the horny old werewolf’s bit of confusion.
“I guess that electric shock finally scrambled your brains there dad,” Evan blurts unable to stop from sniggering.
“I may be old, but I’m not addled;” Mike states. “Now can we go home?”
“As long as you’re the one not driving grandpa,” Spencer still chuckling.
“Besides, we still have unfinished work;” Maggie states eyeing William Anderson lustfully.
William smiles, “I think for Eric’s sake we should all turn in.”
“I’m fine,” Eric speaks up; “Spencer and I can got back to our place while you four go back to what you were doing.”
“Ooh I like that,” Spencer answers.
“And what will I do?” Mike asks looking lovelorn and lonely.
“See if that potted fern will go out with you,” Martha sniggers.
All burst in laughter as they leave the hospital.
****
Back in Amanda Knights ICU room
Benton leaves to head back home to collect the civet coffee grounds leaving Lance and Frieda with the Tachibana’s.
“Grandson, can you leave the room so I can talk to Lance and Frieda?” Tachibana asks.
“Try to be brief grandmother,” Dr. Tora answers as he leaves.
Tachibana closes the door; “I just talked to William Anderson regarding what he wants done in regards to Benton assaulting Eric.”
“It’s not good is it,” Lance sighs.
“He stated,” Tachibana responds; “If said charges do not expose the towns were-population then yes, but if that is not the case, then I expect the, what is it called, the were council; to impose a heavy sanction on Benton.”
Frieda gasps, “Can you not get him to back down?”
“Frieda, your father attacked a minor;” Tachibana states; “You yourself witnessed this;” Tachibana pauses. “There is one thing you need to know in regards to the elder council. When it comes to protecting our families over maintaining the secret of were’s existence; maintaining our secret takes priority.”
“But there must be something that can be done,” Frieda pleads.
“There may be,” Tachibana thinks; “Did either of you notice Benton’s rapid change in mood?”
“What are you getting at,” Lances asks questioningly; “are you suggest my brother may have a mental illness?”
“I’m wondering if you brother has bi-polar disorder, Lance;” Tachibana states. “Which is why I ask again, did either of you notice Benton’s rapid change in mood?”
Both Knights are silent until Frieda speaks up; “Could that explain why he flies off the handle on a tiny issue, but shrugs off a big detail hampering his plans?”
“Perhaps,” Dr. Tora states as she once again enters Amanda's room; “But tests need to be done; tests that Benton must be willing to perform. I did ask you to be brief grandmother; I’m sorry but I did overhear a lion share of your conversation.”
“We’ll talk about that later,” Lance responds; “right now can we focus on Amanda’s health?”
“A wise course of action,” Tachibana answers; “Lance I’ll see you at the Elder council tomorrow morning, we will talk more about this then.” Tachibana leaves the ICU room just as Benton arrives with the bag of coffee both he and Amanda drank earlier in the day and quickly hands it to Dr.Tora without so much as a word.
“Café Luna,” Dr. Tora comments; “That’s where I get my Kenya blend. We’ll run tests straight away.”
Dr. Tora leaves the Knights to fret over an unconscious Amanda.