Page 85 of Savage Justice

“It was this morning,” I whisper, though our row at the foot of the tower stairs seems a lifetime ago now.

“I’ve no idea why I said it. I guess I’m just a twat. A stupid twat.”

“You hurt me, but—”

“I know. Can you forgive me and let me have another chance?”

“I—” He winces and clutches the dressing on his side.

“I need to get the nurse.”

“If you agree to let me have another chance, I’ll let you call as many nurses as you like.”

“I told you, I love you.”

“Does that mean I’m forgiven?”

“I think it must do. When I thought—” I knuckle back a sob. “You could have died.”

“I didn’t.” He grimaces in pain. “Christ, what did he stick me with?”

His face is ashen when I press the call button, and moments later, two nurses bustle in. The next few minutes are a flurry of activity as they check all the screens and dials and administer pain relief. I’m glad of the respite, my opportunity to regroup.

“Blood pressure’s coming back up,” one of the nurses remarks. “Looks like you won’t be cluttering up our operating theatre again after all.”

“Always glad to help,” he mutters, already drifting back off to sleep.

He wakes up again an hour later, and I’m ready for him this time. So is Staff Nurse Judy Thomson.

“Now then, Mr Hanssen, how are we feeling?”

“Like shit,” is his growled response.

“Excellent. We’ve rigged up a self-administered pain relief drip.” She shoves a keypad with a button on it into his hand. “Just press when you want a shot. The dose is measured and timed, you can’t overdo it.”

“No? Pity.” He settles back against the pillows and scans the room.

I step forward. “I’m here.”

He smiles again. “I hoped…”

“I shall be outside if you need me. Don’t be overdoing things now,” Staff Nurse Judy admonishes.

I wait until the door closes behind her, then cut to the chase. “I’m sorry, too. I said things I didn’t mean.”

“What things?” He looks genuinely puzzled.

“About Lucy, that she was nothing to do with you.”

“Oh, that. I should never have asked. It was just…”

“Her father was Marlowe’s brother,” I blurt. “Tristram.”

He doesn’t answer at first. Then, “I saw the resemblance, jumped to conclusions.”

“I never had, until you pointed it out. It’s obvious, I suppose.”

“Does she know?”

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