Golden Lies - Barbara Freethy [74]
"He didn't know what he was saying," Paige said quickly, trying to defuse the situation.
"The hell he didn't."
"Mother, please." Paige pressed her lips against her father's cool cheek. "Daddy, try to wake up again."
"Bright," he murmured in a raspy voice.
"I'll turn off the light," Paige said, hurrying over to the light switch.
"Vicky? Is that you?" he asked, squinting as he tried to focus.
"Who did you think it was?"
"Mother," Paige warned. "He's coming out of a coma. Try to remember that."
Victoria drew in a long breath and slowly let it out as she gazed into his dazed eyes. "How do you feel, David? Do you have any pain?"
"Head hurts. Where am I?"
"You're in the hospital." She leaned over and pushed the button for the nurse while Paige took her father's hand.
"It's going to be okay, Dad. Just relax and don't try to do too much too soon."
A few moments later the nurse entered and proceeded to check David's vital signs.
"Welcome back, Mr. Hathaway," she said.
"What happened?" David murmured, continuing to blink in confusion.
"You were attacked," Victoria answered. "Don't you remember?"
David slowly shook his head, then winced at the pain the movement generated.
The doctor entered a moment later and conducted a brief examination. "You're doing well, Mr. Hathaway. I'd like to run some tests, but it looks like you're on the road to recovery. It's about time, too."
"What—what day is it?" David turned to Paige with desperation in his eyes. "Elizabeth's birthday. When is her birthday? I didn't miss it, did I?"
Page shook her head, tears filling her eyes. "Today is Friday. Her birthday is next Wednesday. You have plenty of time."
"Thank God."
"I'll be back," Victoria said, following the doctor out of the room and leaving Paige alone with her father.
"You had us worried, Daddy."
"What happened to me?"
"You were mugged in Chinatown."
"What? Why was I in Chinatown? God, I'm tired."
"Dad, before you go back to sleep, I have to ask you. Do you know what happened to the dragon?" He looked at her in confusion. "What dragon?"
"The dragon that belongs to Mrs. Delaney, the one you took out of the store when you went to Chinatown."
"Did I go to Chinatown to meet Mr. Yee for dim sum?"
"Mr. Yee? No, that was last month. I'm talking about this week."
His eyes drifted shut, and Paige realized he had fallen asleep. Why didn't he remember? Was there something wrong with his memory? She walked quickly from the room, finding her mother and the doctor in the hall. "He doesn't remember the dragon or going to Chinatown or anything that happened recently," she blurted out. "Something is wrong with his mind."
"Short-term memory loss is common in cases of trauma like this. It usually comes back," the doctor reassured her. "He just needs time. I'll check him in the morning, but I think you can both relax. He'll probably sleep for a while. His body is still recovering. But the worst is over."
"So you think his memory will return?" Paige asked.
"I'm fairly certain it will. Maybe not the actual event of the assault, but probably most of what occurred before that time."
"Thank you, Dr. Crawley," Victoria said.
"No problem. Now, both of you go home and get some rest. That's an order." He smiled and tipped his head as he walked away.
"Well, it looks like your father will make it," Victoria said with relief.
"Yes, it appears that way."
"What's wrong now, Paige?"
"I wish he could have told me what happened to him."
"He will. He needs time. You heard the doctor. Why don't you go home? The nurse will stay with your father through the night. If he wakes, she'll make sure he has whatever he needs."
"I'm wondering if we shouldn't have more than a nurse."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about a security guard. What if whoever tried to hurt Dad finds out he's awake? He might be afraid that Dad can identify him. He might come back."
Victoria's gaze narrowed suspiciously. "What else aren't you telling me?"
Paige hesitated. "There may not be any connection, but Mrs. Delaney's house was broken