door to pick up the morning's paper, then sat down to read it, after making up the sofa bed. It was about seven-thirty. "Maybe I'll find something about me in here!" Mike said, barely glancing over the front page.
In about five minutes there was a knock on his door. Mike tensed. he tossed the paper onto the sofa and leapt up. He had never had a visitor at that time of the morning!
"Oh, no!" he gasped aloud, putting a hand up to his head. Then, he realized he'd never combed his hair! What if the visitor was Jeanie? Then again, what if it was the police? He waited to hear the knock again, then went over slowly to answer it. To his surprise, Dr. Cooper stood in the hallway, his expression one of worriment and fatigue. When he saw Mike, a hint of a smile crept across his lips.
"May I come in, son?" he asked, staring at the boy. He'd never seem Mike looking so dejected.
"S-sure, Doc!"
After Mike closed the door behind Cooper they both walked toward the sofa, but neither sat down. The doctor glanced around for a moment, and seemed pleased with the condition of his apartment. This was great, since it was his first visit there.
"I'm sorry I didn't come to work today," Mike clumsily apologized when their eyes met again, "I don't have a phone, so I couldn't call."
"That's perfectly all right, son. I've got some news for you. You don't have to worry any more. You didn't kill anyone last night!" Cooper announced.
"OH!" the boy's eyes grew as big as saucers.
"They did an autopsy last night on the dead biker, and discovered he was killed by a bullet from the same gun they confiscated from the man who tried to shoot you! You're safe...and, no one recognized you."
"Oh, Doc!" Mike breathed, "Thank you so much for coming to tell me that. Hmmmm. The bullet must've hit that guy after it passed through me! They were all around me, and there was only one shot fired. Well, before I forget my manners, would you like some coffee or something?"
"No, thanks. Got to get back to the lab. Are you all right, son?"
"Yeah, now that I've got your news! I'm still not feeling too good, though. So tired!"
"Don't worry about it. Take the rest of the day off. You deserve it. I'm very proud of you! You fought a small war last night!" He picked up the newspaper and showed Mike the front page. "I wish you could do something about this!"
Mike read over the headlines. "King of Shandu And Brother Split In Dispute Over Modernization Plans For Home Country. Preparations For War Evident."
Dr. Cooper pointed to the picture of King Ali Siad, and his rebelling brother, Abu.