Francis didn't react right away to Abendroth's passive request for something to drink. His mind was too busy working, trying to figure out the kid's motive for totally avoiding the subject of what occurred Monday night.
If he didn't remember what happened he could have said so, and he could have even said he didn't feel much like talking about it. Either would have been acceptable and excusable, given the circumstances, but instead he chose to bypass the subject altogether. It was the most suspicious route, but Francis knew the behavior didn't prove much. If anything, it proved the kid was probably disturbed by what he'd seen – whatever he'd seen.
The scientists were queuing up their theories, wondering if maybe it all had something to do with powers, if Abendroth even had any, but the bodies of Henrich and Mischa Abendroth hadn't given way to any conclusive answers yet about anything, much less what had attacked them. Francis didn't have anything to work with, and besides, it wasn't his job to get the kid to talk.
"I'll tell someone to get you a drink."
The straps were a different story. Francis felt for the kid, he really did, considering he'd probably be going nuts if he were the one strapped down to a hospital bed. Abendroth couldn't even scratch his ass if he needed to, and Francis was tempted to release him even though his word that he wouldn't do anything meant next to nothing. However, if he did free the kid's wrists, he could be undermining the authority of someone he didn't want to be undermining, and so it was pretty much impossible for him to consider the request.
"Sorry, that's not my decision to make." Francis didn't sound sorry, but he was a little. It had to suck being in the position Abendroth was in.
"Your doctor will want to know you're awake," he added, and took a step backward with every intention of leaving.