Chapter 13: The Unexpected Visitor
1140 Words
Chapter 13: The Unexpected Visitor
Two Days Later
Dr. Fiona Kennigton-Harper had gotten used to seeing Lieutenant Colonel Kieran Grey Ashford.
The realization came unexpectedly.
Checking on him had somehow become part of her routine. She knew the times he preferred his medication, when he would ask for coffee instead of tea, and the slight crease that appeared between his brows whenever he was deep in thought.
And lately, he had been recovering much faster than anticipated.
Which meant only one thing.
He would be discharged soon.
The thought settled strangely in her chest.
A weird feeling.
Unexplainable.
Sadness?
Disappointment?
She wasn't sure.
After all, he was only her patient.
Then why did the idea of him leaving feel... odd?
Sitting in her office, she sighed softly and rubbed her temple.
A knock sounded.
Before she could answer, the door opened.
"Surprise!"
Fiona's eyes widened.
"Sonya!"
She practically jumped from her chair.
"You didn't say you were coming!"
She hurried over and wrapped her best friend in a hug.
Sonya laughed.
"Ever heard of surprises?"
They pulled apart, both grinning.
"Besides," Sonya continued, "I had to hear the “tea”, and we finally concluded that assault case."
"Oh, thank goodness." Fiona exhaled. "I know how much that case stressed you."
Sonya placed the takeaway cups on the coffee table before settling onto the couch.
"I've missed you."
The confession slipped out of Fiona before she could stop it.
Sonya's expression softened.
"I've missed you too."
A best friend was exactly what Fiona needed right now.
Then Sonya's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"So..."
Fiona immediately recognized that look.
"So what?"
"So..." Sonya dragged the word out. "A Lieutenant Colonel, huh?"
Fiona nearly choked on her tea.
"Attorney Sonya Clarke, did you come all the way here to see your friend or gossip about a man?"
Sonya grinned.
"Both. Now spill."
Fiona rolled her eyes.
"Fine. His name is Kieran Grey Ashford. He's a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army."
"And?"
"He's polite."
"And?"
"Reserved."
"And?"
Fiona sighed dramatically.
"He's tall."
Sonya leaned forward.
"And?"
Fiona glared at her.
"Fine. He's handsome."
Sonya clapped once.
"There it is!"
"Oh, please."
"No, no. Continue."
"There's nothing else to tell."
Sonya looked unconvinced.
"Really? Because your texts over the past few weeks suggest otherwise."
Fiona blinked.
"I sent you updates because he's been here for over a month and hasn't had a single visitor. That's unusual."
"Mm-hmm."
"And he's mysterious."
"Mysteriously handsome."
"Sonya."
"Mysteriously attractive."
"Sonya."
"Mysteriously hot."
Fiona groaned.
"Fine! He's good-looking. Happy?"
"Very."
She couldn't stop grinning.
"This sounds like a high school crush."
"It is not."
"Then why are you blushing?"
"I am not blushing."
"You absolutely are."
Before Fiona could defend herself, another knock interrupted them.
The door opened.
Nurse Ava Bennett poked her head inside.
"Doc? Oh. Hi, Sonya."
"Hi, Ava. Been a minute."
"It has." Ava smiled before turning back to Fiona. "Room Thirty-Six asked for you."
Fiona straightened.
"Okay. I'll be right there."
Ava nodded and left.
Sonya's grin immediately returned.
"Our mystery man?"
Fiona sighed.
"You never give up, do you?"
"Nope."
A few moments later, the two women stepped into the hallway.
As they approached Room Thirty-Six, Fiona frowned.
The room was empty.
The bed had been neatly arranged.
No sign of Grey.
An attendant walked by.
"Excuse me," Fiona called.
The attendant stopped.
"Yes, Doctor?"
"The patient in Room Thirty-Six. Where is he?"
"Oh. He's in the lounge with his visitor."
Visitor?
Fiona blinked.
Visitor?
After an entire month?
Beside her, Sonya looked equally surprised.
"I thought you said nobody visited him."
"I thought so too."
Curiosity suddenly filled her.
Together, they headed toward the lounge.
They stopped at the entrance.
Grey was sitting near the window.
Across from him sat a man who appeared to be in his thirties.
The two men were speaking quietly.
Before Fiona could make out the visitor's face, the man stood.
He said something to Grey and walked away.
Then Grey looked up.
He saw them immediately.
He rose to his feet, still limping and approached them with his usual unreadable expression.
"Doctor."
"Lieutenant."
She nodded.
"This is my best friend, Sonya Clarke. She's an attorney."
Grey extended his hand politely.
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Clarke."
"The pleasure is mine, Lieutenant Colonel."
Sonya shook his hand.
Then she looked between them.
Once.
Twice.
A knowing smile appeared.
"Oh, darling, we'll catch up later."
She hugged Fiona.
Very discreetly, she whispered:
"I get it."
Fiona's eyes widened.
"Get what?"
But Sonya was already pulling away.
"Goodbye, Lieutenant."
She gave him a polite nod and sashayed toward the exit.
Fiona stared after her.
Unbelievable.
"I was told you asked for me."
"Yes."
She turned back to him.
"I need your help."
She blinked.
For a second, she thought he would explain who the visitor was.
He didn't.
"My help?"
He nodded.
"Come with me."
He started toward his room.
She followed.
The moment they entered, he closed the door and sat on the edge of his bed.
Then he looked at her.
"I believe someone is monitoring me."
Fiona frowned.
"Monitoring you?"
"Yes."
She remained silent.
His expression was serious.
No sarcasm.
No teasing.
Just complete seriousness.
"The man who visited is probably the only person from my station who knows I'm alive."
"Probably?"
"I trust him. To an extent."
That didn't sound reassuring.
"He advised me to disappear for a while."
Silence.
Finally, Fiona asked:
"And how exactly can I help?"
Grey leaned back slightly.
"I need access to my money."
She frowned.
"Okay..."
"I need to do it without being traced."
She blinked.
"I'm sorry... what?"
"I need money to settle my bills here and somewhere to stay after my discharge."
He paused.
"But I can't risk exposing my location."
She stared at him.
"You could just go to the bank."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"There are cameras. Records. Electronic trails."
He met her gaze.
"I have another account."
"What kind of account?"
"One that officially doesn't exist."
Fiona blinked again.
"That doesn't sound legal."
"It is legal."
"Then why doesn't it exist?"
"Because almost nobody knows about it."
She folded her arms.
"And where do I come into all this?"
"I need you to withdraw the money for me."
"What?"
"I'll give you everything. The account details. The PIN. Everything."
She looked horrified.
"You literally just said you're being monitored."
"I also said that account can't be connected to me unless I appear in person."
He sounded slightly agitated now.
"Fine," she said carefully. "Continue."
He exhaled.
"You withdraw the money."
"And then?"
"I pay my bills, find somewhere to stay..."
He paused.
"...and I'll finally be out of your hair."
Silence.
Something about those words unsettled her.
Out of your hair.
For reasons she couldn't explain...
She didn't like the sound of that at all.
- Writer
