The Night Watch, page 23
‘Intel screening. It’s going to be seriously tedious. I’m not sure what I’m bringing to the party now? Plus …’ he hesitated.
‘What?’
‘Marnie scares me. I’m not contributing anything, and she’s a fucking psycho. I really want to get home, and I’m just not sure this is gonna work.’
‘Mate, not now. You disappear now and it’s bloody game over and it’d blow the whole bloody shebang. Plus, you give us the control we so badly need. It’s not long-term, we’ll be closing in a few days, I’m certain.’
Niall sighed as he walked along the road, his bags heavy in his hand. ‘I don’t have the stomach for it anymore, but I’ll stick it for a bit longer. I only agreed because it was you who asked.’
‘Good man, you know it makes sense. I reckon we can wrap this up within a week. We can’t leave her out there running unobserved. Just a few more days, yeah?’
‘Aye, okay,’ Niall said, suddenly aware he’d lost his appetite for the food he was carrying.
‘You know the score, we’re planning a full tech attack on her, and you give us an early warning system of what she’s doing and where she is. Last thing we need is her and whoever she’s operating with finding another target who’s escaped justice for murdering, raping and pillaging, or something.’
Niall took a deep breath, trying to chase away the anxiety that was nipping at him. ‘I know, I know. Just missing Jeri and the kids, I guess. Not sure if this UC game is for me. This might be my last one.’
‘You’re doing great. If she’s hitting on you, it means she likes you, and that may offer opportunities in the future.’
‘Yeah, that doesn’t relax me, there’s something bloody scary about her.’ Niall shifted his grip on the bags, the one with the bottles in was beginning to bite into his palm with the weight.
‘Aye I guess, anyway. Enjoy your takeaway,’ said Max.
‘Cheers, bud,’ and he finished the call, an uncomfortable feeling in his gut. Something Max had just said was making him worry. He stopped dead on the pavement, trying to extract it and join the dots. There was an image circling at the edges of his memory. Something he had seen.
Then it hit him like a slap in the face. Max’s words just a minute ago. Last thing we need is her and whoever she’s operating with finding another target who’s escaped justice for murdering, raping and pillaging, or something.
‘Shit,’ he exclaimed. The BBC feed yesterday. The image of the creepy-looking man on Marnie Gray’s computer, freed on appeal from a court somewhere. He quickly brought up the BBC app on his phone and scrolled until he found the story. CONVICTION OF CUMBRIAN LEON BLACK OVERTURNED ON APPEAL.
Niall stood in the pavement, rooted to the spot. That had to be it. That was their next victim.
He dialled Max, his hands shaking. ‘Shit, shit, shit,’ he said as he misdialled. He keyed in the numbers again.
‘What’s up, mate?’ said Max.
‘Max …’
Niall had only a fraction of a second to recognise what was happening. Headlights suddenly blinded him, and a large Ford mounted the kerb. Bits of gravel spat from under its wheels. Someone screamed. The vehicle thundered straight towards him at speed, its engine roaring. His heart leaped with the complete and utter terror at what was about to happen, unable to move as if his feet were stuck fast to the pavement.
‘Max …’ he yelled. At that exact moment the car struck him, the bumper shattering both of his kneecaps. He was tossed like a rag doll into the air, his head striking the windscreen, and his body continuing over the top across the roof and into mid-air. He hung there for a second before hitting the tarmac pavement in a heap. Strangely, there was no immediate pain, just a rush of colours and sounds, as the adrenaline took over. He managed to look back, feeling warm blood on his face. He tried to move, but his legs were dead. Totally inert. They may as well have been someone else’s legs. The last thing he saw before he passed out was the Ford, screeching, bumping off the pavement and back onto the road, its wheels kicking up dust as it tore away into the night.
71
‘NIALL?’ SHOUTED MAX into the phone. He listened to the tinny silence, willing his friend to say something. Niall had shouted his name, there had been a loud clatter, and then the phone went dead.
‘Niall?’ he said, louder, and more urgently. Nutmeg whined and lowered her head, moving from Max across to Katie.
‘What’s up?’ said Katie, who was curled up on the sofa in her pyjamas.
‘Niall?’ Max shouted, his jaw tight. There was no response, not even a dial tone.
‘Max?’ said Katie, her brow furrowed.
Max looked at his phone, dread clutching him like a vice.
‘Something’s happened to Niall,’ he said.
‘What, Niall Hastings? Jeri’s other half?’
‘Yes.’
‘Sorry, Max. I don’t understand. Where is Niall?’
‘He’s in Edinburgh, helping us on the case.’ Max hadn’t mentioned that Niall was up as he didn’t want Katie to know that he was working in Edinburgh. It would have complicated things.
‘What’s he doing up here? Is he okay?’
Max ignored her and dialled Norma.
‘No movements on the phone, Max. I assume that’s why you’re ringing me,’ was her opener.
‘Is your laptop open?’
‘Yes, what’s up?’ she said.
‘Can you check the current incident log for Edinburgh, urgently?’
‘Sure, but why?’
‘Are there any incidents in Craigentinny?’
‘Hold up.’ There was a tapping as she worked her computer.
‘Just the one. Fail to stop. Injury accident on Craigentinny Road – literally come in just now – units on the way.’
‘Shit, shit, shit. Any other details?’ Max’s stomach tightened, and his heart began to pound in his ears.
‘Errm … one second …’
‘Fucking, come on,’ shouted Max, feeling his face burn.
‘Jesus, I’m doing my best. It’s a new call and information is still coming in. Informant is a passer-by. Ford Mondeo mounted the kerb and struck a pedestrian. Serious injuries, ambulance and cops on the way.’
‘Fuck. Fuck, I heard it happen. I was on the phone to Niall when the car hit him. They’ve tried to bloody kill him.’ Max screwed his eyes shut, and pressed his free hand to his temple.
‘Max …’
‘Okay. Can you forward the details to all our accounts and call Ross and Janie and let them know? Janie’s the closest. I’m on my way. Keep me updated. I’m going to be driving on blues and twos.’ Max hung up, feeling the clouds gather in his head, a sense of deep rage mounting, his blood rushing through his ears.
‘Max, what’s happening?’ said Katie, her eyes confused.
‘I think Niall’s been hurt. I have to get there now.’
Katie covered her mouth with her hand and gasped, her eyes brimming with tears. ‘Oh my God. He was only with us the other day. Can I do anything?’
‘No. Just stay here. I’ll call you later.’
‘Max?’ she said in a faltering voice, but she knew. She could see it in her husband’s grim eyes and set jaw.
‘I’m going now,’ he said, lacing up his trainers and grabbing his jacket. He opened the door.
‘I love you,’ said Katie, but he was gone.
72
ROSS, MAX AND Janie were all standing in the silent waiting room at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, their faces blank and shell-shocked.
A senior doctor in scrubs came in and beckoned them over. They followed him into a room marked RELATIVES.
‘I’m Dr Carmichael, A and E consultant. Do we have a next of kin nearby for Mr Bruce?’
‘His name is actually Niall Hastings. His wife is in the process of being informed, but she lives in Hertfordshire,’ said Ross.
The doctor frowned. ‘I heard he was an officer, but the police who came in with him said his name was William Bruce.’
‘Long story, but I can assure you, his real name is Niall Hastings. Look, this needs to stay quiet, but he was on covert, operational duties. We need to tell you this as you’ll be needing medical records, but it’s essential that this information isn’t leaked or made public. What’s his condition?’
‘He’s in a very serious condition, and he needs emergency surgery. He has multiple lower-limb fractures, a nasty head injury, possibly a skull fracture and God knows what else. He’s going for a CT scan now, so we’ll know more after that,’ he said.
‘Will he survive?’ asked Ross, his face pale.
‘Short answer. I don’t know. He’s lost a great deal of blood, he may have internal bleeding and we still aren’t sure whether his spine is compromised. It’s very serious, and I have to stress that next of kin should be here as soon as possible.’
‘It’s in hand,’ said Ross.
‘Is he conscious?’ said Janie.
‘He’s heavily sedated, but we haven’t fully put him under yet. He’ll be going for surgery as soon as the scans are done.’
‘Shit.’
‘Indeed. Any news on the driver of the car?’ said Carmichael.
‘They made off. We’re searching for them now.’
‘There’s something you should know …’ Carmichael hesitated.
Ross raised his eyebrows.
‘He was hit once, front side, head on which damaged the knees, and caused his head to collide with the windscreen before he passed over the car. But I’m told that the car mounted the pavement and was driven directly at him. This is clearly an attempt to kill. I take it you’re aware.’
‘Aye. It’s being treated as such,’ said Ross through gritted teeth.
‘Okay, well take as long as you need in the relatives’ room. I have an armed officer guarding his side room. Any reason for that which you can share?’
‘Just being careful. In case whichever bastard did this to him decides to try and finish him off.’
‘Is that a genuine concern?’
‘We’re treating it as such, yes.’
‘Okay, fine. Look, I need to get back to it. Will someone be staying?’
‘Yes, for the foreseeable.’
The consultant nodded and left the room.
‘What’s happening with Jeri?’ asked Max.
‘Locals are with her now. She’s sorting childcare and then she’s being driven up here on blues and twos. She’ll be here in a few hours.’
‘Where’s Gray?’
‘Norma is doing the work, but it looks like DCI Gray is at home. Phones haven’t moved.’
‘Any activity on the burner?’ said Max.
‘None.’
‘This is down to her, you know that, right?’ It was a statement, not a question. Max’s eyes were clouded, his jaw tight and the muscles in his neck were corded with tension.
‘I don’t doubt it. On call MIT is despatching and it’s being properly dealt with. There’s one witness, but he didn’t see the driver and we’ve yet to locate the car, although I’m sure it’ll turn up,’ said Janie, looking at the messages on her phone.
‘It’s her. No doubt about it. We have to sort this out.’
‘We have no evidence, beyond motive, and even that’s pretty thin.’
‘We need to get her bugged up. Everywhere, everything, the whole lot. She shouldn’t be able to bloody fart without us knowing about it. It’s my fault that Niall is in that state.’
‘Max, don’t be bloody—’
‘No, Niall is in that state because of me.’ Max almost growled at his boss, his eyes blazing. ‘He’s my friend, he saved my life in London, and I brought him into this. His wife is my friend, I know his kids. I asked him to come, Ross. I invited him to my house for a fucking BBQ and then persuaded him to get himself killed. A few seconds before that car smashed into him, he was telling me he wanted out, but I persuaded him to stay. It’s. My. Fucking. Fault.’
‘Max …’ said Janie.
‘We’re finishing this. I’m waiting here for Jeri to turn up, so I can look her in the eye and accept responsibility for putting Niall in this position. Then we go after Marnie Gray.’ Max’s voice was as hard as tempered steel, his face rigid.
They all shared a knowing look.
‘Anything I can do in the meantime?’ said Janie.
‘We need to get feasibility studies on all the options for the tech attack. Hook up with Barney and let’s get ready for tomorrow. Her car and her home, anything. We need to think out of the box here,’ said Max.
‘On it.’ Janie moved closer to Max and reached out to grab his hand with hers. ‘You couldn’t have known. Only one person is to blame.’ She looked him straight in the eyes.
Max said nothing.
Janie nodded and left the room.
‘What are you going to do?’ asked Ross.
‘I’m staying until Jeri gets here. You go and start getting all the shit in order that we’ll need. The chief will want to know chapter and verse, so you’d best get up to speed with what’s happening at the crash scene.’
Ross’s phone pinged and he glanced at the screen.
‘Niall’s wife is on her way now. She’ll be here in a few hours. Why not go home for a bit?’
Max shook his head. ‘I’m staying here. What if he wakes up and wants to talk?’
‘You heard the doc. It’s unlikely he’ll be awake for some time.’
‘I’m going nowhere. I owe it to him and Jeri, and the doc wants someone here, I think.’
‘I know that look. You’re a stubborn bugger. Right, I’ll go, then. Try and get some rest. We’re going to be busy.’ Ross nodded and left.
Max sat on one of the chairs and closed his eyes, his thoughts raging like a tumultuous sea. Dark clouds began to form in his mind, and he took a breath. In, hold for five and slowly release. In, hold for five and slowly release. He sat like that for a full five minutes before his eyes snapped open. He left the relatives’ room and went through into the resus ward. Dr Carmichael nodded at him. ‘Everything okay, officer?’
‘Any news? His wife is on the way and I’d like to be able to update her. She’s going to be going out of her mind with worry.’
Carmichael sighed. He looked shattered. ‘He’s just back from a CT scan. He has multiple leg fractures, a fractured skull, and a small bleed on the brain, which we’re worried about. Some internal bleeding that we need to stop urgently. The emergency surgical team are just getting theatre ready. He’s a mess, but we have the best people on it.’
‘Can I see him? Just for a minute.’
‘He’s deeply sedated.’
‘Aye, I know, but I want to tell his wife that I’ve told him she’s on her way.’
‘It’s highly irregular.’
‘Please. He’s my friend. His wife’s my friend,’ said Max, his voice low.
‘Five minutes. I’ll tell the charge nurse,’ he said with a sympathetic sigh. He turned and pulled back the curtain, then disappeared out of sight into the cubicle.
Two minutes later, he emerged again, nodding towards the interior. ‘Five minutes, okay?’ he said.
Max nodded and followed the doctor inside, his heart racing at the dread of what he was about to see. Images of Dippy flashed in his mind in vivid colour but he forced them away. A nurse nodded at Max as he entered. He was a huge tattooed man with a rough face but kind eyes.
‘I’ll leave you to it, but five minutes only, okay?’ said the doctor who nodded and left.
Niall lay on his back, his neck in a brace, tubes and wires attached to every part of him. A thick dressing obscured the right side of his face. He was covered with a thin sheet that had been elevated above his limbs by an unseen cage. There was the regular beep of the monitoring equipment and a screen flashed and blinked as machines measured his vitals. An oxygen mask covered his mouth and nose, hissing quietly.
‘How stable is he?’ asked Max.
‘Blood pressure is low, heart is strong and oxygen sats fluctuating, but bearing in mind what happened, it’s a miracle he’s still with us,’ said the charge nurse.
‘Can I talk to him?’ said Max.
‘Aye, be my guest. He’s looked at us a couple of times and squeezed my hand once. He’s a fighter, this one.’
Max went to the bedside of his friend and took hold of his hand, being careful to avoid the oxygen meter that was attached to his finger. His hand was cold and dry, his skin pale, and there was a smear of blood on his exposed cheek. He breathed steadily and raggedly.
‘Niall, pal. It’s me. Max Craigie.’ There was no response. Not even a flicker from the one eye that wasn’t covered.
‘Jeri’s on her way and the kids are being taken care of. I’ll be waiting here for her and I’ll look after her, I promise.’
Nothing. Just the same rasping, regular breaths. The monitor beeped frantically, and the charge nurse silenced it with a jab of his finger.
‘It’s fine,’ he whispered at Max’s concerned expression.
‘Niall, you fight this, pal. We’re gonna find who did this, I promise you that. We’ll find them, but you keep fighting. Jeri and the kids need you …’ Max’s voice cracked as he looked at the broken form of his friend. Tears began to well in Max’s eyes and one spilled, carving a path down his cheek. He breathed deeply, trying to regain his composure.
‘You fight this. You get better.’ Max’s voice cracked again and the tears spilled onto both cheeks.
Niall’s eye fluttered, and the lid parted a fraction. The deep blue of his iris shone. The pupil like a pinprick thanks to the opiates he’d been given.
It sparkled, a brief parting in the clouds. Niall’s hand tightened in Max’s, an almost imperceptible increase in pressure.
The oxygen mask moved, and the corner of his mouth twitched with the merest suggestion of a smile.
‘That’s enough now,’ said the charge nurse.
Max nodded and let go of Niall’s hand.
‘See you soon. Keep fighting.’
Niall breathed evenly, his eye fully closed, his face relaxed, any trace of consciousness now gone.
‘Thanks,’ said Max to the charge nurse and left the cubicle, everything now clear and focused.
