Fredrick Parker drifted off for a bit, thinking about what the mysterious man in the shadows was offering.
A way to be whole again! To stand on my own two feet once more, let alone possibly face my enemies on MY terms. But how, when all these doctors around here keep telling me I'll be crippled and wheelchair bound for the rest of my life?
That possiblity got the mobster thinking about all the things he'd do if he regained the use of his legs, when a voice asked, "Mister Parker?"
Fredrick Parker opened his eyes again to see one of the other doctors and a guard standing in front of him.
"Mister Parker? Sorry to disturb your sleep, but it's time to check your vitals and see how you're doing," said Doctor Tora Tachibana.
It wasn't lost on the arrested felon that the guard had a hand near his holstered weapon, ready to draw it at a moment's notice if necessary.
Probably more pigs, let alone Federal cops, outside too, thought Parker, realizing that even if he was fully healthy, even he wasn't crazy enough to risk those odds.
"Short of being cleared of all charges and the use of my legs restored, I'm doing well," said Parker, trying to put on a brave front.
"I'll be the judge of that," replied Tachibana, as he started examining the patient.
"Tell me something though, where's the other guy?" asked Parker.
"What other guy?" Tora asked in return.
"The one who said he could make me all better if I told him what my favorite animal was."
Fredrick Parker didn't see the silent looks of concern and shock that the guard and Doctor Tachibana briefly exchanged.
Tora turned back to face Parker, and said in a neutral tone of voice, "I'm afraid you must of been dreaming. As much as I'm sure you'd like the situation to be otherwise, medical science currently has no way to restore the use of your legs. I've already showed you the x-rays and—"
"I know all that crap. You sure you're just not going to do it because I'm a suspected felon?" Parker demanded to know.
"Mister Parker," began Doctor Tachibana slowly. "Let me make something perfectly clear to you right now. I wouldn't care less if you're the Pope or the Devil himself. If you're in this hospital and I'm assigned to you, you'll get the best medical treatment it is within my ability to provide. Period."
"But the other guy..." began Parker.
"I'm afraid you must of been dreaming. Granted, it sounds like a nice one," conceded Tachibana, "but still a dream."
"DAMN!" cursed the mobster, which briefly put the guard on a higher state of alert. "What I wouldn't give to walk again." Let alone beat, or at least escape all the charges I'm facing.
"I'm sure a lot of people in your position feel the same. But we're doing all that is within our power to do," Doctor Tachibana assured him.
The rest of the physical went as scheduled, with Parker unhappy with the results.
"You're getting better and can be transported into a Federal holding facility by the end of this week. Beyond that, I wish you well," said Doctor Tachibana, before he and the guard left the room.
BUT OUT IN THE HALLWAY, once the door to Fredrick Parker's room was fully closed...
"The nurse is due in 15 minutes to serve Parker his dinner," said Tora, while glancing at his wristwatch. "When you go in with her, discretely plant a couple of listening devices so we can make sure Parker wasn't dreaming his visitor."
"But anything we record won't be admissible in court," the guard pointed out.
"We're not recording for the Federal authorities. We're recording for the Elders' Council in case Parker wasn't dreaming. Especially if Parker's visitor is real and who I think it might be," replied Tora.
"Okay. I'll have to call someone to bring in a couple of listening devices. Can we delay serving Parker dinner until they arrive?" asked the guard, who was also a member of the Sheriff's Department.
"No problem. I'll stay out here with the other door guard just in case the patient's meal arrives before you get back with the recorders. Meanwhile, I'll alert the Elders as to my suspicions," said Tora, as he pulled out his cellphone.
TO BE CONTINUED...