Trying to remember

Chapter five - Biblomania

Try as she might, she could not get Antonio's words out of her head. It was like a sharp bolt of lightening shooting through her. She had plenty of time to meditate on the possiblities. At her calculations she could speak five languages, one less than Antonio it seemed which put two thoughts into her mind. The first being that if Antonio could speak more languages than her then it should not be at all surprising to anyone in fact it could be quite common. Afterall, he was simply working in a hospital cafe. He obviously didn't feel over-qualified just because he spoke six languages. She would be more reassured with this thought if she knew anyone else that could speak multiple languages, but other than Ximena and Antonio she had only heard people speaking English. Well at least, she thought that is all they spoke.  On the other hand, if Antonio spoke six languages and it was unusual for someone to do so, then could he in fact be a spy? Meaning that his last comment in Russian wasn't actually a joke at all but rather a genuine question. If this was the case, then she was glad that she had played dumb with the last two questions he presented.  She was already a 'Jane Doe',  she didn't want people now thinking that she could be a spy. There were untold dangers with such speculation.

As it was, Ximena did indeed call by at the end of her shift. She felt relieved to see her, feeling she could talk to her freely. Ximena seemed to come out of her shell, she talked about her family and her country - her face coming alive, eyes shining when she recalled memories safely packed away in her mind. Iris told her about her afternoon with Dr Steel's 'tests'. Ximena didn't appear shocked at all.

"Your memory will come back gradually I think. You are a talented woman Iris," she had told her. "There will be many surprises ahead for you. You are much more capable than you believe."

It was true, she was learning things about herself every day. She was growing a relationship  with herself. Most things she was pleased to find out, but some things irritated her. For instance the ability to recognise how tall someone was, and their build. Estimating a weight as though recording details to give to an investigator. They would ususally ask their build, height, facial features. She mentally kept a note of everyone that had come into her hospital room. With this recognition, she recalled once again Antonio's words and felt a knot in her stomach.

Iris noticed two figures approach the doorway. Ah, Dr Steel must have notified  the investigators already. She felt her invisable guard rise up. It wasn't that she despised the Police officers, but she knew that the main dective did not believe that she couldn't remember. He had looked her over with a critical eye, and she realised that he reguarded her as decietful. She was polite enough and tried not to give him any other reason to fault her. Ximena followed Iris' gaze and quickly rose as they entered the room.

"Sorry to interrupt Miss,  but we wondered if we might have a word?" This was the second officer speaking, whilst Dective Collins looked over the two women with that ciritical gaze. He was anaylising the scene. Perhaps he knew who Ximena was, but she doubted it. She was not sure if he had heard them both talking as they approached her door. 

Ximena leant forward and gently kissed Iris on the cheek. "See you tomorrow." she whispered in her ear. Smiling at Iris, she walked past both men with a nod of respect toward them. Noting their superiority Iris thought. 

"Of course." Iris replied as she saw Ximena leave the room. The second officer watched the cleaner leave, but Dective Collins kept his eyes on Iris. Without invitation they both moved closer to her bed.

"We have been informed of some progress?" Dective Collins said, although his  voice motioned it towards more of a question. Iris thought this strange that he used that vague term. He obviously wasn't talking about her physical progress, but she kept the conversation away from her new found abilities until he brought it up at least.