When Sam and Donna got back to the infirmary, Lady Triplet was still out. Sam, Donna, Sir Richard and Richard met in Sam’s office. “What’s the news? What’s wrong with Mum?”
“Bottom line, she took an overdose of vepramil,” Sam responded. “That slowed her heart rate, and almost bottomed-out her blood pressure. That’s probably why she passed out. Another five minutes and your mother would have been gone, Sir Richard.”
“Can we use the EHG?”
“No,” Donna spoke up. “I’ve already tested for that possibility. If we gave her the EHG, there’s a 95 percent chance it would kill her.”
Sir Richard inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “What can we do?”
“We’ve got her on IV fluids, and medication to help bring her blood pressure up. That’s about all we can do until the vepramil works its way out of her system.”
“What exactly is vepramil?”
Sam glanced at Donna. “It’s not a drug I would be quick to prescribe, Sir Richard. Without knowing your mother’s medical history, I couldn’t tell you exactly why her doctor had put her on it. Do you know who her doctor is?”
Sir Richard frowned. “No, Sam. Ricky, do you?”
Richard shook his head. “Sorry. Grandma doesn’t talk about her health.”
Donna groaned. “Who would know, Sir Richard?”
“Vera or Jack might,” Richard responded. “But… on the other hand, if she’d told them not to tell….”
Donna yawned. “I just don’t understand why your mother is, so secretive about her medical condition, especially to her family.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Donna and I have talked, and we think a pacemaker is her best option,” Sam responded.
“But that didn’t work for Alan.”
“No, but your mother’s condition has been brought on by age. Alan’s heart was weakened as a child,” Donna added.
Sam sighed. “There’s no reason why a pacemaker wouldn’t work for your mother.”
“The only other thing we could do is put her on a different medication and see how she responds. Keep in mind, Lady Triplet is already taking one of the drugs used to treat her condition, and it didn’t agree with her.”
“How long will it be, before you can fit her with a pacemaker?”
“I don’t want to do anything until the vepramil is out of her system.”
“How long will that take?”
“I’ll put her on a slow atropine drip, to counter the vepramil. It should start to wear off anywhere from twelve to sixteen hours, but she still needs to be monitored for the next seventy-two hours. By then, if everything goes well, we should be able to fit her with a pacemaker.”
“So, Mum is going to be bedridden for the next three days?”
“I’m afraid so. Unfortunately, that means she won’t be able to attend Richard and Donna’s wedding – assuming they go ahead with it as planned.” Sam glanced at Donna, when she yawned, again. “I’ll sleep in one of the extra beds and keep an eye on her tonight. Sheila and Joyce can take over tomorrow, when they get here.”
Donna frowned. “Who’s Sheila?”
Richard grinned slightly and cleared his throat. “Dr. Sheila McGowan PhD. She’s a neurologist. She’s – ah – she’s one of my formers, and Timothy McGowan’s little sister.”
Sam chuckled. “A very young and pretty, neurologist, I might add.”
“I don’t remember seeing her at the Centre.”
“That’s because she’s new, petal. At least to Triplet International.”
“Oh – I see,” Donna sighed and stood. “OK. Well – anyway. You’ll let me know if something goes wrong, right?”
Sam smiled. “Of course, sweetheart.”
Richard stood. “See you in the morning, Dad. I assume you’re staying here tonight?”
“Yes. I’ll be in my quarters.”
“Goodnight, Sam,” Richard said and led Donna out into the corridor.
“Call me if there’s any change,” Sir Richard said and left. “Go on to our quarters. There’s something I need to do.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No. Go on and get ready for bed. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Don’t hurt your arm,” she warned.
Richard softly chuckled and kissed her forehead. “I won’t.”
“You’d better not. If you do, I’ll spank your handsome ass.” Donna grinned and walked away.
------------
Richard waited until Donna was inside their quarters. He rang Jeff Wein’s door panel. Wein showed up in his robe and slippers. “Had you gone to bed?”
“No, but I was on my way,” Wein responded. “I suppose you want your gifts?”
“Yes. I’d like to give them to her tonight.”
“Come in. I’ll get them for you. I heard about your accident. How bad is your shoulder?”
“It’s not too bad – sore as hell though. According to Sam, I just stretched things. I’ll be fine, in a couple of weeks. You’re coming to the castle tomorrow to set up your equipment – right?”
“Yes. Everything is already charged, packed and ready to go.”
“You’re sure this is going to work?”
Wein grinned. “Why wouldn’t it work?”
Richard chuckled. “It’s just that most of your out-of-the-ordinary experiments seem to backfire on you – especially your food projects.”
“I make one tiny mistake, and you’re never going to let me live it down, are you?”
“Jeff, you’re first attempt at a chicken nugget was more like unflavoured gum. Your second attempt was like chewing on a rubber.”
Wein handed Richard a small box. “Synthesising condensed food is not easy, Richard.” He motioned to the box. “Look inside and see if that’s what you wanted.”
Richard eased his arm out of the sling, took off the lid and smiled. “Just perfect, Jeff. Thanks. We need to leave early tomorrow morning. Donna wants to make sure the chapel is decorated to her specifications.”
“What time?”
“Right after breakfast – no later than nine.”
“I’ll be ready.”
“See you then,” Richard said and stepped back out into the corridor.
------------
Donna took a quick shower, put on her bed clothes and went back into the bedroom. Richard was sitting on the side of the bed, watching her as she approached him. “Do you want to take a shower or a bath?” she asked as she started removing his sling.
Richard grinned and played with a piece of her hair. “Are you offering to take one with me?”
Donna arched an eyebrow and softly smiled. “No, but I’ll help you.”
Richard caught her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist. “Under the circumstances, what do you suggest?”
She laid the sling on the foot of the bed. “The bath would be more soothing, but it’s really late. I don’t mind staying up with you if you want to take one.”
“I’ll just take a quick shower.”
“Do you need me to help?”
Richard smiled. “No, pet. I can manage, but I wouldn’t turn you down.”
“Then I guess I’ll see you in the morning,” she said, coming to her feet.
Richard frowned and took her hand. “You’re not sleeping with me?”
“I’m afraid I’ll hurt your shoulder, Richard.”
Richard stood, snaked his free arm around her waist and pulled her close. “My arm and I will be just fine. I’d rather risk a little pain than have you wake up with scary nightmares.” He tilted her chin up and kissed her. “I will trade sides of the bed with you, though.” Richard softly kissed her, again and grabbed his robe. “Promise you’ll stay?”
“How could I resist your blue eyes,” she said and gingerly kissed his forehead. “How’s your head?”
“A little achy.”
“Why don’t you take one of the pain pills Sam gave you?”
“If it’s still hurting when I get out of the shower, I will. The hot water should do it good. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Donna yawned. “I’ll try to stay awake.”
“Please do. I’ll try to hurry,” he said and went for his shower.
------------
Sam lay on his back on one of the extra beds, close to Lady Triplet’s room. He took out his cell phone and called up an image of Donna sitting on the back of Richard’s Appaloosas. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. His phone rang and gave him a start. He read the name, frowned and groaned. “What are you doing up so late?”
“Well, hello to you, too!”
“What do you want, Joyce?”
“I haven’t seen you in a couple of days. How are you?”
“I’m fine,” he responded tersely. “Have you got everything packed for tomorrow? I have to leave, and I’ll need you to keep an eye on a patient while I’m gone.”
“Sam, what happened between us? Before Donna came along, we used to actually talk to each other. What went wrong, I thought we were friends?
Sam tightened his jaw. “Leave Donna out of this!” he snapped.
“How are things between you and Donna?”
“We’re fine, Joyce! Was there a reason you called?”
“Sam, why are you being so antagonistic?”
“Oh – I don’t know. Maybe because you tried to frame me. Who gave you the fucking perfume, Joyce?”
“What – the Euphoria?”
“Don’t play coy, with me Joyce.”
“Richard gave it to me. I already told you that.”
“It’s not the same as the one he bought for Donna. I had it analysed. The perfume you were wearing the other night, when you and Jasmine just happened to drop by, was chemically different from the one on market. Did you three plan that? Was that a way to get back at me because I stopped fucking you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sam. The perfume I wore was the same one Richard had given me.”
“Don’t fucking lie to me Joyce. The perfume you were wearing was different from Ruth’s, and Jasmine’s. I was able to resist Ruth’s. I knew she was wearing it. That’s why I kept my distance. As long as I did that it was bearable. When you got next to me…” he growled. “Let’s just not go there. Whoever gave you that perfume was trying to entrap me, and it worked. Did they make you take photographs, too?”
“Sam, can we talk about this tomorrow? I don’t want to do it over the phone.”
“Why? So you can lie to me some more? Let me warn you of this, and I’m only going to do it one time. If I even suspect that you brought any of that shit in the complex, you’re gone. No second chances - do you understand me?” Sam ended the call.