Never Hug a Mugger on Quadra Island by Sandy Frances Duncan, George Szanto Page A

long, with firm chins and narrow noses; pleasant faces. Kyra glanced at Derek. His nose was blunter and his lips fuller. No way to tell anything about his hair with his head bandaged.
    Many bodies in the room. Then another body arrived, in a nurse’s uniform.
    â€œHi Hon,” Jason said. Linda, the boys’ mother, Kyra realized.
    â€œHi.” Linda smiled at them all quickly, then looked to Derek.
    â€œThe doctor saying anything new?” asked Shane.
    â€œNothing different.”
    Jason asked, “They should do another brain scan.”
    Linda shrugged. “They’re waiting for an indication of some change.”
    â€œPeople come out of comas even after years,” said Tim. “We’ve got to keep him in touch with us. He’s got to hear family voices.”
    Noel introduced Kyra and Alana to Linda, whose smile was tight.
    Another person entered the room, a young pretty auburn-haired woman carrying a big purse. “Oh, hi, guys. I just went for coffee.”
    â€œGood to take some time away,” said Linda evenly.
    â€œYeah, I’ve been here since ten. Talking to Derek. Playing his music.” She put down her purse and pushed to the bed. “Hi Derek, I’m back.”
    â€œThis is Cindy,” Jason said. “Derek’s girlfriend.”
    Kyra noted the irritation on Tim’s face. Shane remained expressionless.
    Linda said, “People in comas don’t need to be stimulated all the time.” Her tone was mildly admonitory.
    â€œDerek likes his music,” Cindy defended.
    â€œYou checking in with the nurses’ station?” Linda’s tone was still mild but Kyra caught a fleeting sense of glee from Tim.
    â€œSure,” Cindy mumbled.
    Linda pushed by Jason and stroked Derek’s forehead. “Too many people in this room. It’s just after staff change. There’ll be rounds.”
    â€œWe’ll be in the waiting area until you’re free,” Kyra announced as she motioned Noel and Alana out. Shane came too. After a minute, so did Tim.
    â€œI’m really sorry about your brother,” Alana said to Shane.
    â€œThanks.”
    Tim slumped on the orange plastic sofa. He took off his cap, put it on backwards.
    â€œHow long’s he been in a coma?” Alana asked Shane.
    Shane sat too. “A few weeks.”
    â€œTwenty-three days.” Tim pulled the bill of his cap around again, and down so his eyes were shaded. Alana’s concern was only for Shane. Kyra, coming to stand beside Noel, said quietly, “What now?”
    â€œWe need to see where Derek was attacked.”
    â€œAnd talk to his doctor.”
    â€œAnd go to Quadra?”
    â€œWe’ll find a motel or a B&B for the night.” Kyra looked at Alana, still trying to talk to Shane. He’d crossed his legs and was flipping his foot up and down. Tim’s cap sat halfway down his face.
    Noel said. “Kyra, find out who Derek’s doctor is and when we can see him. I’ll go to the car and look up bed and breakfasts. I bet there’s a wireless leak around here.”
    Kyra crinkled one side of her mouth. “I’m your social secretary?”
    â€œPlease.” He’d learned to despise hospitals when Brendan was dying. “If you don’t mind?” He had to get out of here. Her face appeared resigned. He left.
    She sat down in a hard lumpy chair and picked up a magazine. Over it, she studied the three teens. Alana, limpid eyes still on Shane. Had she been wrong casting Alana their teen detective? Tim, under his ball cap, aware of anything in the room? Shane, all but immobile.
    Linda came in, followed by Cindy with her large purse. Linda looked tired—and though a generation younger than Noel’s parents, nearly as grey. Cindy looked what? defiant? sulky? chastised? What had Linda said to her?
    Jason arrived last. Kyra said quietly, “Noel and I would like to talk to Derek’s