Page 51 of The Hero
She handed over two dark-blue passports that saidFürstentum Liechtensteinat the top. Under some sort of crest was the wordReisepass. In a daze, Marlowe opened one and saw her picture, one that she recognized from her American passport, which had been seized by the Thai authorities ... and the name Marlowe Evans.
The other passport had Kendric’s name and picture in it.
She looked up at the woman. “I don’t understand,” she whispered.
“Your husband is an unofficial member of the royal family, by decree.” She shrugged. “It is not technically a legal passport, and they will be confiscated before you deplane, but it was the fastest way to get you out without a lot of hassle.” She winked. “From what I understand, Thailand is looking for a Marlowe Kennedy, not Marlowe Evans. If you could please have a seat, we’ll be in the air soon.”
Marlowe sort of fell into the nearest seat. She was in shock. Cal had come through in a huge way. She wanted to cry in gratitude, but her eyes were already puffy and she didn’t feel as if she had any tears left.
Twenty minutes later—after they were in the air, and Marlowe felt as if she could breathe,trulybreathe, for the first time in a month and a half—she unsnapped her seat belt and made her way back to where Kendric was lying.
The doctor was writing in a chart, frowning as she approached.
“Will he be okay?” Marlowe asked.
The woman responded in accented English. “I believe so, yes. But it was a good thing we got there when we did. He’s very sick. The infection had spread to his organs.”
Alarm filled Marlowe. “But he’ll be all right?”
“We’ve got fluids going, and a heavy dose of antibiotics. He needs stitches to close those wounds in his back, but that can’t be done until the infection is under control. I’ve cleaned his injuries, including the wounds on his arms and hands. Knife?” she asked.
Marlowe nodded.
The doctor gave her a reassuring look. “We just have to wait for the antibiotics to do their thing. He’ll be up and around in a few days.”
“Really?” Marlowe said, hope coursing through her veins.
“Yes. He is young and strong. I am confident he will be fine.”
Marlowe’s knees almost gave out from under her, and she reached a hand out to brace herself on a nearby seat.
“Sit,” the doctor ordered. “I should look you over too.”
“No,” Marlowe said with a shake of her head. “I’m fine.”
“To be blunt, you do not look fine,” the doctor said. “You are too skinny, and your cheekbones are sunken in. You are clearly dehydrated, and you could have an infection as well.”
“I’ll be okay once I’ve had a few good meals,” Marlowe insisted. “Kendric’s the one I’m worried about.”
The doctor frowned but didn’t push. “All right. But you should drink some water. Rehydrate. Eat something.”
“I will,” Marlowe promised, not entirely sure shecouldeat anything. But now that she knew Kendric was going to be okay, she’d at least have something to drink.
Several hours later, Marlowe felt as if she was going to drop. The flight to Maine was over eighteen hours long, and they still had eleven to go. While she was exhausted, she couldn’t sleep. She was too worried aboutKendric. He hadn’t woken up, and even though the doctor said he’d be okay, Marlowe couldn’t rest until she’d spoken to him. Seen for herself that he was on the road to recovery.
She was sitting next to his stretcher when he made a whimpering noise in his throat. Marlowe immediately stood up and took his hand in hers. “Kendric?”
He didn’t respond, but began to twitch as he lay there.
“Stand back,” the doctor ordered.
But as soon as Marlowe let go of Kendric’s hand, he began to thrash on the stretcher. “Marlowe!” he yelled.
The strength and volume of his shout made both her and the doctor jerk in surprise.
“Marlowe!” he shouted again. “Where are you?Marlowe!”
“I’m here,” she said, but one of the men had taken hold of her arm, preventing her from returning to his side. “Let go of me!” she seethed, struggling to get out of his grasp.
