Nano

CHAPTER 34

She knows she’s asleep, but she feels awake at the same time. She feels as though she is looking at the world from the bottom of a swimming pool, and she can breathe, but she can’t move. Sounds are oddly muffled. Some familiar faces come to her, as if people are swimming down to meet with her as she lies down here, looking up. She knows they’re familiar, and they’re friendly, so she is content to see them.

Someone else has come to see her. She needs to get away, but she’s held back, as if the fluid in which she is suspended is more viscous than water. Looking down at her arms she can see she’s constrained by straps, like seat belts, and suddenly she’s moving forward quickly, then tumbling down, falling and falling through the bottom of the world. Somehow, she knows that if only she could open her eyes, she’d be okay. But it’s so hard to do, so hard….

—

“Pia?”

Pia sensed she was in the hospital, and felt more conscious of her surroundings than she had in a long time. There was discomfort, even pain. She tried to move but she couldn’t, at least not her arms. She knew time had passed, but where had she been? Someone was with her in her room. She was aware that people had been coming to see her, and had been comforted by their familiar voices. George. George had been one of them. And her new friend Paul. Pia’s head throbbed, and she knew she was drugged, and there was a dull ache in several parts of her body. But still, she should be able to recognize this new visitor. Then she realized she had yet to open her eyes, so she did.

“Pia? Are you awake? They said you were more awake now than you have been.”

She did feel more awake, the man was right. But who was he? She studied his face.

“Pia. Maybe I should leave you to sleep.”

Suddenly, Pia knew who it was.

“Pia, it’s me, Zach. I wanted to see you before I left. I have to go on a trip, but I will be back.” Berman studied Pia’s face and glanced down at the curves of her body beneath the white bedsheet. She was as alluring as he had remembered, maybe even more so despite the sterile hospital environment. He wanted her. He wanted to own her, to tame her, to control her. She had teased him mercilessly, and it had worked: he was beguiled, enthralled, even bewitched, and he loved it. Screw Whitney and Mariel and their petty jealousies. Berman was going to make it happen. The fact that Pia had survived was an omen he was committed to exploit.

Pia was going to try to speak, but before she could form words, she became dimly aware that another person had entered her room. This time she recognized the voice at once.

“Excuse me, may I ask who you are?” said Paul Caldwell, firmly. “This patient has restricted visiting status.”

“I know,” said Berman, facing Paul and taking measure of the man. He recognized who he was from his name badge and having seen the name in the police report of the accident. “Dr. Caldwell, I am Zachary Berman, president and CEO of Nano. Dr. Grazdani is a highly valued employee, and I wanted to be sure to pay a visit before I have to leave the country on a business trip. My assistant spoke directly with the hospital president, who cleared my quick visit to check on her status. I was assured it was not a problem.”

“Visitors except immediate family are inappropriate, no matter what Mr. Noakes might have said. Did you clear your visit with Gloria Jason, head of nursing? That would have been more appropriate.”

“I believe it was only cleared with Dr. Noakes.”

“It’s Mr. Noakes. He is not a doctor and frankly not involved in patient care.”

“Well, I apologize for the intrusion. I will be leaving right away. May I just inquire how she is doing? Obviously I care.” Berman affected what he thought was a concerned expression.

“You could have found that out with a phone call,” Paul said curtly. “But to answer your question, she’s coming along.” Paul was purposely taciturn. He had taken an instant dislike to Berman. From what Pia had said and from his own questions as to Nano’s possible complicity in the accident as well as his immediate observations, Paul thought he recognized Zachary Berman for what he was: a power-intoxicated male predator, and Paul had met a few in real life.

“May I also inquire how you are?” asked Berman, maintaining his concerned expression. “I understand you were in the same accident as my employee.”

“Yes, I was,” said Paul. He wasn’t surprised Berman would know that he had been. It had been in the papers and even on the evening news. “In comparison to Dr. Grazdani, I am fine.” Paul held up the forefinger and middle finger on his left hand palm toward himself. The fingers were bound together with white adhesive tape. “This is the extent of my injuries.”

Berman looked at the fingers. Was the doctor giving him the middle finger, knowing the digits were attached? Berman allowed himself to smile. In spite of the situation, he liked the guy. He had an attitude that Berman could appreciate. “I’m glad there were no other consequences,” added Berman.

“Other than this,” said Paul indicating Pia with a nod of his head.

“Perhaps her driving skills are not what they should be, or maybe she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. When she’s better, we’re looking forward to having her back at Nano, where she belongs.”

“We’ll see,” said Paul. This man was truly reprehensible, he thought.

“If there’s anything I can do, please let me know,” said Berman, looking back at Pia. He smiled to himself, knowing what he’d like to do.

“There is one thing,” said Paul. “You can stop sending the flower arrangements. It’s a bit much. Too funereal. And particularly the lilies are stinking up the place.”

Berman smiled again. This guy was a trip, but he held his tongue. Instead he just nodded and left.

Paul looked back at Pia, who surprised him by staring at him with heavy-lidded eyes.

“Well, hello, stranger. What a nice surprise. How do you feel?”

“Paul! Where am I?” Her voice was hoarse. She tried to cough but it was feeble.

“You’re in the Memorial. You’ve been here a week.”

“A week?” Pia managed with consternation. “What happened?”

“There was an accident. A car accident.”

“I’m starting to remember. We were looking for the white van.”

“We were,” Paul agreed. “But I don’t think you should be worrying about it now. There will be time. How do you feel in general?”

“I hurt. I feel groggy and like I’ve been run over by a garbage truck.”

“I can imagine. I’m sorry. Listen, we kept you in a drug-induced coma for a few days because we were a little worried about you. Among other things, you had a bad concussion. But you’re going to be fine. You’ll feel progressively less groggy as the drugs wear off.”

“My head hurts.”

“I’m not surprised. You probably hurt elsewhere, too. We’ll have a self-administered narcotic piggybacked into your intravenous line as soon as I let your hospitalist know you are awake. But don’t worry about it now, just rest.” He stepped up alongside the bed and lifted the call button attached by a safety pin to Pia’s pillow. He showed it to her. “If you need pain medication before the do-it-yourself is in place, just push the button.”

“Why are my arms tied up?” Pia had tried to raise her arms but couldn’t.

“They are just wrist restraints,” Paul said as he undid Velcro straps. “We didn’t want you pulling out your IV.”

“Tell me! Was that Zachary Berman who was just here?”

“It was.”

“What was he doing here?”

“Beats me!”

“Was George here while I’ve been out of it or was I dreaming? I seem to remember his voice.”

“You’re right. He is here in Boulder. At the moment I made him go get something to eat. He’s going to be very pleased you are awake.”

“Why on earth did Berman come here? That makes me feel… I’m not sure how it makes me feel. But it’s not good.” Pia’s speech was getting clearer, and Paul could tell from its timbre that she was getting agitated.

“Try to stay calm! Don’t worry about anything for now. If you’d like, I’ll tell the powers that be that you don’t want any visitors except George and me. You should just concentrate on feeling better. Berman will not be allowed back in, trust me!”

“Thank you, Paul. I appreciate it.”