I got to the hospital at ten to six, having fought my way through the tangled and frustrating rush-hour traffic. Tina was in the private room they’d set aside for her, propped up in a half-sitting position. Her leg was heavily bandaged, but otherwise she looked healthy enough considering her ordeal of only a few hours before. Her eyes were shut, but they opened when I came in and she smiled, struggling to get herself more comfortable. I was carrying chocolates and a bunch of flowers I’d picked up on the way, and I put them on the chair before moving in to kiss her softly on the cheek.
‘Jesus, you gave me a scare today,’ I said, trying hard not to get too emotional in her presence as once again the sense of relief flooded through me.
‘It’s all right, John,’ she whispered in my ear. ‘I’m OK.’
I let go and sat down on one of the other chairs, bringing it closer to the bed. I wanted to lecture her about her recklessness that morning, but resisted the urge, knowing that it wasn’t what she wanted to hear. Instead, I told her how good her detective work had been. ‘You’re the toast of the squad at the moment. I think you’re going to end up getting used to champagne.’
She smiled, and it was one of the nicest sights I’d seen in a long time. Tina Boyd was a survivor, that was for sure, but only just.
‘So, what’s the latest news?’ she asked with a yawn.
‘Something you’ll want to hear. We’re bringing in Stegs.’ I briefly explained his relationship with Trevor Murk.
The smile grew wider. ‘I knew, John. What did I tell you? I knew the trail would lead back to him. I think you’re going to have to rename me Philip Marlowe.’
‘There’s more.’ I then told her about the gun lead and how it had involved Vokes.
‘So there’s a possibility both of them were involved?’ Tina shook her head. ‘I can’t see it myself. Vokerman just wasn’t the type.’
‘It’s still very strange, though. And coincidental. And I’ve never been a one for coincidences. It’s going to be very interesting to hear what Stegs has to say.’
‘I’d be more interested in kicking him very hard in the nuts. The bastard almost got me killed.’
‘He’ll get more than a kick in the nuts if he is responsible for everything that’s happened. We’ll make sure he goes down for the rest of his days, I promise you that.’ I shook my head. ‘Christ, what a day. I was scared out of my wits when Murk had the gun against your head. How the hell were you feeling?’
‘Scared,’ she said, thinking about her words. ‘But also, I don’t know, exhilarated. I can’t work out whether this morning was the best few hours of my life or the worst. It just feels strange, like a dream. Even my leg doesn’t hurt that much. I just feel very, very tired.’
‘Did they say how long you’re going to be kept in?’
‘Another three or four days so they can check for infections. I can go back to work in about a month if all goes well.’
‘You’re not going to leave, then?’
She sighed and gave my hand a squeeze. ‘Not just yet, no. Why? Do you want me to now?’
‘I want you to do what you think is right,’ I lied. ‘Same as I always have.’
There was silence between us for a few moments. She yawned again, and turned her head away, her eyes starting to close. I took that as a cue to make a move, and I was just about to say my goodbyes when she asked me if I’d meant what I’d said earlier.
‘About what?’ I felt my heart leaping like it does the first time you ask someone out and they say yes.
‘You know exactly what.’ She turned her head so she was facing me again, a coy expression on her face.
I grinned. ‘Yeah. I did.’
‘I think we should maybe take that holiday, don’t you?’
‘Too right. Safari followed by the Seychelles?’
‘I think we deserve it.’ She yawned again, a longer one this time. ‘Let me know what happens with Stegs, won’t you? Straight away.’
I told her I would, but she’d already shut her eyes.
I sat there for a while watching her sleep, thinking that I’d experienced some serious highs and lows that day.
And it wasn’t even finished yet.
Outside, in the car park, it was a mild evening. Darkness had just about fallen, and the sky glowed the unhealthy pink of the city at night. The time was twenty to seven, which meant I’d been in the hospital a lot longer than I’d thought. I switched on my mobile and saw that I had a message. It was from DCI Woodham: Stegs Jenner had arrived home; I was to proceed to his address immediately and to wait out of sight of the house if the rest of the team hadn’t yet arrived. The message was recorded at 6.38, so I’d only just missed him. I pressed 5 for recall and phoned him back.