Madeleine & the Mind Read Free Page A

guard shack nestled beside tall wrought iron gates. The driver announced her name, and the gate opened.
    Madeleine leaned forward to peer around the broad Marine, but tall hedges blocked any view save the long winding drive.
    After passing what seemed an eternity of perfectly-shaped hedges and a never-ending lawn, they reached an imposing colonial edifice, red brick and white pillars.
    In large gold letters on a black sign, Madeleine read, 'The Institute of Resource and Technology.'
    "Do tell," she muttered. "At least it's not a loony bin."
    Her Marine hopped out to open her door and stand at attention.
    Madeleine climbed out and walked toward the large double doors then looked back at him.
    She caught a glimpse of his back-side as he marched back to the driver's side. So much for Semper Fi.
    Madeleine raised the heavy brass knocker on the front door.
    A voice boomed at her from a speaker on the side of the wall, and she jumped.
    "Excuse me, Miss. Would you look at the camera over your head, please?"
    Madeleine obliged.
    "Now…what is your name and purpose at the Institute? Have you an appointment?"
    This was ridiculous. Did they want her or not?
    She rose to her full five and a half feet and glared at the camera. "Of course, I'm Madeleine Price from the American Embassy. I believe you required a speech therapist."
    A click sounded as the door opened automatically. She walked through.
    It took several seconds for her eyes to adjust to the change in light. A wide lobby lay before her, clean and austere, sterile even. White and chrome gleamed from the chairs and a sofa along the window. Never in all her days had she seen a sofa so white. How in the world did they keep it that way? Maybe no one ever sat on it.
    Madeleine pulled at her last reserves of courage and strode to the reception desk, her sandaled heels clicking on the tiled floor. "Madeleine Price."
    The receptionist beamed and ran slender fingers through her long black hair. "Good morning, Miss Price. Dr. Hanover will be with you shortly, if you'd like to take a seat."
    Madeleine retreated to the white couch and stared. It certainly did appear as if no one had ever used it. Well, she was going to sit on it.
    She plopped down like she owned the place and picked up a magazine. It was in French. She dropped it and picked up another. German.
    At last, she found an English tabloid and began to read. The President of the United States urged Americans to take care overseas. They were primary targets for terrorists and other unsavory characters.
    "You're a little late." Madeleine told his picture. She still had the bump on her head to prove it.
    "I beg your pardon."
    Madeleine dropped the magazine. "Oh, sorry. I didn't hear you come up." She stood and held out her hand. She felt as if she'd been doing it all day. "Madeleine Price."
    At first glance, the man appeared elderly, due in part to his long, white clinical jacket and the thick beard covering the lower half of his face.
    Madeleine peered at him. His unlined complexion and lack of gray hair told a different story.
    "I'm Dr. Hanover," said the red-bristled caterpillar covering his upper lip. "Pleased to meet you. Would you come this way?"
    Madeleine followed him down the long hallway to an elevator. He punched a button, and the elevator lurched upward. Dr. Hanover stood stiffly against the paneled wall, staring ahead.
    "So…Dr. Hanover. Has the patient fully recovered from concussion? Have you done a Cat-Scan? Do you have any idea why he hasn't spoken?"
    The doctor remained curiously quiet.
    Madeleine pressed on. "How long ago was his accident? And what, specifically, happened to him?"
    He gave her a blank look. "I'm sorry, Miss Price, but I'm not a physician. I'm a scientist. I really couldn't say what goes on his mind. He just stares into space. We've tried everything, or rather, the other therapists did."
    Madeleine felt her stomach churn. "Other therapists? How many have there been? Couldn't they help him? How long