Page 16 of Savage Protector

“Zee?” Ethan enquires. “What’s going on?”

“I think we just witnessed an honour killing. Or should I say, an attempt at one.”

“Honour killing? You mean some sort of family row that got out of hand?” Jack asks.

“Does that still happen?” Ethan wonders. “I mean, I know there used to be incidents…”

“It’s rare. These days, I think,” I explain. “But, yes, in some of the more traditional families.”

“If you’re saying what I think, then surely that’s illegal,” is Frankie’s rather naive contribution.

No one bothers to answer.

“It would have been perfect if we hadn’t intervened,” I continue. “The girl, Leila, would have disappeared, fish food at the bottom of the ocean. In fact, I expect that’s exactly what they think happened. If anyone asked, the family would say she was abroad, probably, and mysteriously decided not to return to the UK.”

“Well, if you’re right, that rather screws up my plan to return her to the bosom of her family as soon as she’s well enough to leave.” Ethan rakes his fingers through his hair.

“So, whatwillwe do with her, then?” Jack asks. “She can’t stay here.”

The boss turns to me. “Zee, you seem to have some sort of insight into all this. You talk to her, see what you can find out, and is there anywhere shecouldgo and be safe?”

I nod. “Okay, boss. I’ll go down to the clinic now, see if she’s fit to talk.”

“Yes,she can talk, as far as I can make out. Not that she seems inclined to.” Megan casts a puzzled glance in the direction of the treatment room door. “She’s conscious and apparently understands everything I say to her, but she hasn’t uttered a word yet.”

“And there’s no medical reason why not?” I ask.

“Nope, not that I can see. Well, not physical anyway. I assume shock, the effect of extreme trauma. It may improve with time. Oh, and she has a mild concussion. Did she sustain a blow to the head?”

“No, I don’t think… Fuck, yes. Her uncle backhanded her, then slapped her again a bit later. There was some sort of argument.”

“Poor kid. But that might explain it. And the contusions to her cheek.”

“Can I go in?”

“Of course, but be gentle. Don’t push her for answers. If I’m right, she’s very fragile right now.”

I open the door and slip into the room. Leila, if that truly is her name, is lying on the hospital-style bed, her eyes closed. She’s wearing a shapeless surgical gown, and I can already make out the swelling to her jaw and the start of a bruise.

“Leila?” I begin, pulling up a seat to position myself close to the bed. “Leila? Is that your name?”

Her eyes fly open. She regards me with suspicion, and alarm, and starts to shrink away.

“It’s okay, you’re safe here,” I reassure her. “We saw what happened, out there on the boat.”

She shakes her head.

“We caught it all on video. We saw your uncle, and your father. And the other one, Mehrban, was it? Is he your cousin?”

Her expression is one of sheer desperation. She continues to shake her head and clutches the thin blanket to her chin. She’s obviously terrified.

I reach for her but allow my hand to drop onto the coverlet when she flinches from me. “I promise, I’m not here to hurt you, and we won’t allow anyone else to hurt you either. Youaresafe now.”

Her mouth works, opens, shouts as though she is trying to speak but no sound comes out.

“It’s okay. No hurry, take your time,” I assure her. “I know you’ve had a nasty scare, but it’s over now.”

Megan enters behind me. “Any joy?”

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