Nick remembered that when he called about the TV service, they had addressed him as Ms. Sullivan. He had thought it odd, but remembered it as the name they had used for the limo service. "Nikki Sullivan" he said "I'm staying next door, in 1435". The man nodded, as if this was the answer he was expecting.
"And your friend, you say he had just gotten out of the shower?" He looked pointedly at Nick.
"Yes, he was drying off after... Wait! No, you think... no, no he was showering before getting ready for dinner, that's why he was naked!" Nick stammered out, suddenly realizing what this man must be thinking.
"It's OK miss. I just need to cover the bases. But I must warn you "“ I do need the truth. You're a guest here, and we don't care or interfere with guests' personal business, but if there was anything else going on, now's the time to say it." He offered, trying to be friendly.
"No, no, it's just that... we just got here a few minutes earlier." Nick assured him. "We were still deciding exactly what to do about dinner, and Mike wanted to shower after the long delay he had waiting for a flight. He came out with a towel over his face and didn't see me."
"Right, OK, but I'll also ask this: was there any aggression? Anything he or you did that caused some sort of violent behaviour, even playfully?"
Nick answered immediately "Oh God no, it was just an embarrassing moment that would've been fine if he hadn't hit his head."
The security official nodded, making a brief note "Right... I have to ask... if there was any violent behaviour we would have to get the police involved. Please wait here." He then stood up and headed over to the bedroom to check on Mike.
After speaking to one of the paramedics, he returned. "Looks like your friend took a bad hit... they have stopped the bleeding, but they have to bring him to the hospital for some tests to see exactly what's wrong, and he may need surgery. He's in and out of consciousness, but can't say very much. I'll let them take over from here, but we'll be in touch later. Get some rest, miss."
The paramedics were now securing Mike onto a stretcher, almost ready to take him out. Nick went over, saying "Is he really going to be OK?"
The older one answered "I can't be sure, ma'am. You did OK with what you had for the bleeding, but we're worried that there may be pressure building inside, and he has to get a proper scan to see if the doctors need to go in and fix it." They were wheeling him out as he talked.
Mike himself seemed to groggily speak up "Nikki? What? Stay with me, please..."
The other medic spoke up "We do have room in the ambulance if you want to ride along, ma'am."
Nick answered "Of course I want to come, let me get a couple of things."
The medic shook his head as they headed for the elevators "No time, ma'am, we have to go now, every second counts, here. If you're not with us when the elevator doors close, we leave you behind."
Nick froze for a second "“ everything he had was in the other room, and he still didn't know where Mike had left the correct key card. He didn't want to leave the medallion and his clothes there, but he didn't want to leave Mike's side, either.
