LAMONT TOOK A deep breath. He leaned in over Margo’s body. The last time he saw her face, she had looked so scared. Now she looked serene, like she did when she was sleeping. He brushed her hair with the back of his fingers. Lamont felt tears brimming in his eyes and a tightness in his throat. He shook it off. He looked at Fletcher.
“Let’s get started,” he said. “Bring her back.”
“That’s not possible,” said Fletcher.
“What do you mean?” said Lamont. “You brought me back! Do what you did for me!”
“I’m sorry,” said Fletcher. “I was told that the lady was dead. The contract stated ‘care in perpetuity.’ I’ve never been in this room. I never even knew her name.”
Maddy stepped forward. She pointed to the tubes and electrical wires.
“So why are the infusion lines still running? And the power?”
“I don’t know,” said Fletcher. “Look. I’ve never seen her before. She’s been in here since before I was born. I only know what I was told—there’s a lady back there. She’s deceased. Just leave her.”
“I don’t believe it!” said Lamont. “Look at her! She can’t be…”
Apart from the stains on the bow of her dress and some makeup smears, Margo looked like she was resting after a night at the ballet.
Maddy looked at Fletcher.
“Get everything ready,” she said. Lamont looked defeated and destroyed. Maddy could see how much he loved this woman. How much he needed her. How much he wanted her to be alive.
Fletcher was back with his controller and two bags of saline solution. He looked anxious. Beads of sweat were popping on his forehead.
“I’m telling you,” he said. “This won’t work.”
Maddy tugged at Lamont, trying to nudge him out of the tiny room.
“Lamont,” she said. “Wait outside. You don’t want to see this.”
Lamont didn’t move. He looked at Fletcher.
“Do it,” he said calmly.
Fletcher connected the controller to the table base, and then hung the bags of saline at the head of the table. He connected a syringe above the IV tube running into Margo’s ankle.
Maddy pulled Lamont by the elbow.
“Stay back,” she said. “He’s going to give her a jolt.”
Lamont moved back, but only a step. His eyes were locked on Margo’s face. Fletcher looked at Maddy. Maddy nodded. Fletcher cranked the control dial.
Margo’s body arched off the table and settled again. Lamont flinched, but didn’t move. Fletcher set down his controller and pressed the plunger on the syringe.
“Saline going in,” he said.
He waited a few seconds and then cranked the controller dial again. Margo’s body vibrated on the table from head to toe. Fletcher cut the power and waited.
Nothing.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Like I told you, she’s not really here anymore.”
Lamont slumped back against the wall and slid to the floor. He covered his head with his hands and began to sob. Maddy knelt beside him, her hand on his shoulder. Fletcher unplugged the controller.
Maddy could feel Lamont’s body heaving. Slowly, he regained his breath. He pressed back against the wall and struggled to his feet. He walked the few steps to the side of the table. He rested his palms over Margo’s bare shoulders and lowered his face toward hers. Gently, very gently, he kissed her cheek.
Maddy took a deep breath. She felt a heaviness in her chest. Then she noticed something. Margo’s left toe. It was twitching.
“Lamont!” Maddy shouted. “Do exactly what I tell you! Right now!”
Lamont looked up, stunned and confused.
“Do what?” he asked numbly.
“Breathe into her mouth!”
“What?” he said. “What are you talking about?”
Maddy brushed past Fletcher and moved to the head of the table. She reached over and gently pressed Margo’s cheeks until her lips parted.
“Don’t touch her!” said Lamont.
“Do it!” said Maddy. “Put your lips over hers, hold her nose, and push some air into her lungs!”
Lamont hesitated. Then he leaned forward. He gently pinched her nostrils. His closed his lips over Margo’s lips. He exhaled slowly.
Margo’s chest rose and fell. But that was just mechanics, not a sign of life.
“Again!” said Maddy. “Faster! More air!”
Lamont tipped Margo’s chin up for a better angle. He pressed in and gave her two more quick, forceful breaths. He pulled back, waiting. Suddenly, Margo’s eyes popped open. She blinked.
“Lamont!” she said with a scratchy voice.
“Margo!” Lamont said softly. He leaned in close to her, laughing and crying at the same time.
Fletcher dropped the controller. This was finally too much for him. He stepped around the perimeter of the room and backed out.
“Everything’s okay,” said Lamont. He hovered over Margo, gently stroking her hair. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll explain everything.”
Lamont squeezed Margo’s left hand, feeling the warmth return to her fingers. Her head was still resting on the foam support. She didn’t have enough strength to lift it yet.
“Khan poisoned us,” said Lamont. “At the restaurant. But I managed to get us here, to the lab. Fletcher was ready. The process worked. We’re alive. It’s unbelievable! We’re both alive.”
“How long since…?” Margo asked.
“A long time,” said Lamont softly. “A very long time.”
“I don’t remember anything,” she said.
“You will,” said Lamont. “Trust me. Things come back. Sometimes in pieces. But they come back.”
Slowly, Margo lifted her head. Lamont put his arm under her shoulders to support her. She looked slowly around the room and saw Maddy standing against the wall across from the table. Margo squinted, trying to bring her into focus.
“Who’s that?” she asked.
Lamont waved Maddy closer. She took a couple tentative steps toward the table and leaned her head forward.
“Margo,” said Lamont, “this is Maddy. She’s a friend.”
Maddy moved another step closer and gave a small wave.
“Maddy,” said Lamont. “Meet Margo Lane.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” said Maddy. “How do you feel? Can I get you anything?”
Margo gave her head a small shake as the color began to seep back into her cheeks. She sat up a bit and took a deep breath.
“How about a cocktail?”