A Murderer's Heart (16 page)
The nurse, who was crying, sobbed louder.
Anne’s face went pale; feeling her legs were going to crumple beneath her. She hung onto the edge of the desk, concentrating on her breathing.
Not again, not Frank, please no.
The same nurse continued, “He was found at home, he’d been stabbed.”
“Is he…has he?” Anne couldn’t finish the sentence.
Please don’t be dead.
“No, he’s not dead, but unconscious. We don’t know how bad the injuries are but he’s still alive.”
Anne slowly let out the breath she’d been holding.
Her face was still very pale, her eyes over-bright.
She felt like she’d walked into a nightmare; thoughts were screaming around her head.
She quickly walked across to her office knowing her legs wouldn’t hold her much longer, and then sat in her chair, breathing deeply.
The ‘phone rang.
“Doctor Blake, Inspector Meakin. I’ve been trying to call you all morning. I have some bad news.”
“I think I know what you are going to say,” she whispered unable to stop shaking. “If it’s about Frank?”
“I’m sorry, Doctor. This was so unexpected.”
“Is it true, he’s been stabbed?”
“I’m afraid so, but he’s holding on. He can’t tell us what happened because he’s unconscious though we’re hoping he’ll be able to tell us more when he wakes. The doctors at the General think he has a good chance. Whoever did this must have been in a rush and missed the vital spot – we’re sure it’s the person we’re looking for.”
Anne didn’t respond.
“Are you alright, Doctor Blake? Doctor Blake?”
Anne held the ‘phone tightly and said simply, “Yes.”
This couldn’t be happening. Everything has gone haywire. Who could be doing all these terrible things?
“Doctor Blake.”
She could hear concern in Meakin’s voice.
“Is there anyone who can stay with you? I think you should go home.”
“No, no.”
Anne had shaken from her reverie.
“No, I’ll be better at work. I want to see Frank, are they allowing any visitors?”
“Not yet. They’ve allowed only one, and that’s his friend, a Miss Amanda Stevens. She was the one who found him. It was lucky she arrived when she did. Even though the attacker had left him for dead, Miss Stevens realised he wasn’t. It was her prompt action that saved him. If she hadn’t been there, he would have bled to death.”
“You think it’s the same man, don’t you? The one who killed the others – Missus Armstrong and Alan and…”
She couldn’t complete the sentence. Her head was throbbing, her heart beating wildly in her chest.
Yes of course it was the same person.
“Yes, Doctor Blake. There seems no other explanation – I can only assume Doctor Miller must have found something to help with the case. But as yet we don’t know what it is. I don’t want you to be alone for a while, is there someone who could stay with you for a few days?”
“You do think I’m in danger, then?”
Anne could hardly believe she was having this conversation.
“Yes, I do. I’m sure you are central to this case. The more evidence I find, the more sure I am. I’m coming along to the hospital soon to search Doctor Miller’s office; there may be something to help. I wouldn’t bother trying to visit him for a while. I’m sure the hospital will let you know when there is any change – I certainly will. I would like you to be extra vigilant...I don’t want you to be alone.”
“I’m sure I’ll be okay, I can’t see how any of this has to do with me. However, if you insist, I do have a couple of friends who will stay at my place. That won’t be a problem, Inspector. But I’m sure you’re worrying over nothing.”
“Thank you, Doctor; I’m sure it’s the right thing to do at this time. My instincts tell me things are coming to a head, and I don’t want you to see the explosion.”
“Thank you for your concern, Inspector. I’m going to be here all afternoon, and then I’m doing a little shopping. I’ll spend the evening with a friend, so you don’t have to worry. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Doctor Blake. Please take care.”
Anne slowly put down the ‘phone, her mind racing then immediately picked it up again.
Sam wasn’t home, so she left a message asking him to ‘phone her at the hospital as soon as possible.
In a daze, she left her office to complete her rounds.
******
Anne had just finished speaking to a patient who she knew would need care for a long time, when she saw Barbara walking down the corridor with another patient. Saying her goodbyes, Anne walked quickly to catch her.
“Barbara,” she said; her voice quiet.
Barbara turned to look at Anne and was shocked at how she looked.
“Hold on, I’ll just settle Arthur.”
Barbara gently guided her patient back into his bed.
Anne marvelled at the care her friend gave.
After she had tucked the cover around him she said, “Now Arthur, you must rest. You’re doing ever so well. The doctor is very pleased. I’ll see you again later.”
With a last reassuring tap, Barbara left her patient to sleep.
“You’re so good with them. We’re all lucky to have you.”
Anne smiled across at her friend, smiling back Barbara said, “It’s all part of the job. I couldn’t do anything else. I love it here. That’s not why you wanted to speak though, is it? You look terrible. I think I know what it must be about.”
“You’ve heard then...about Frank?”
Anne still couldn’t believe it, even as she said the words.
“Of course, it was all everyone talked about when I arrived this morning. It’s terrible. Does anybody know what happened?”
Barbara was looking at her in her usual profound way; her grey eyes concentrating only on Anne.
“I talked to Inspector Meakin earlier. He told me he was stabbed but that it wasn’t fatal. It’s touch and go though. He could die, he’s still unconscious. I can’t believe it, who would do such a thing?”
“It could have been a jealous husband. You know what Frank’s like with the ladies.”
The two women were walking along the corridor towards the nurses’ station.
“If find that hard to believe. Anyway, he’s been seeing Amanda for quite a while now. I was surprised to see her again at my picnic – I wasn’t sure if he’d bring her. I think their relationship is blooming, despite his reputation. It was Amanda that discovered the body. It was her quick action that saved his life. I hope he makes it, I’ve always liked him.”
Anne looked sad as she spoke.
“Too much of a ladies’ man for me,” Barbara stated.
“Maybe, but he didn’t deserve this. Listen Barbara, do you fancy coming to stay for a few days? I could do with some company and it’ll give us chance to catch up. You could go home and pick up a few things after work – I’ll meet you at my place after I’ve gathered some supplies. Do you remember the food at the picnic? Most of that was from Genelli’s – it’s wonderful. What do you say, fancy it?”
“That sounds great, but what about Jenny, won’t she be put out? I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.”
“My God, I’ve forgotten to tell you. I haven’t had a chance; I was going to tell you at break when we usually meet for coffee. Jenny and David have gone away for a while.”
Anne proceeded to tell Barbara all that had transpired at the cinema.
“Meakin thinks it could be linked to the stalker idea. She needed to get away. Have some time with her family. David’s negotiating with his firm to change his travel arrangements. It looks like he’s going to have a desk job – that way they can be together more.”
“She must have been terrified to have lost the girls; I know how much she dotes on them. Is she okay?”
“She seems to be coping, although she’s always been paranoid about the girls, she’s quite strong in many ways. She’ll get through – with our help too. And anyway, it wouldn’t bother her if you came to stay.”
“Well, thank goodness for that – I’m glad it all turned out well. And yes, I’d like to get out of the city for a while. I’m due a few days leave that I have to take before October – you know the rules. Yes, that’d be great! I’ll see you at your place, then. I’d better skip break this afternoon – we’ve been chatting too long.”
Barbara smiled, and then on impulse gave Anne a hug.
“Everything will be fine. We’re going to have some fun. You look like you need it. Listen, I have to go, see you later.”
Anne watched her friend dash down the corridor to attend her patients then turned to see to her own.
Yes, it would be good to have some fun.
Poor Frank, poor...oh, she couldn’t think about it anymore!
With determination she walked towards her afternoon’s work.
******
Sam returned her call.
Anne told him about Frank and that Barbara was coming to stay for a few days.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come round?” he asked.
“I’ll be fine with Barbara. I need a few days off – I’ve cancelled tomorrow’s appointments and by Monday I’ll be feeling much better. I want to see Frank when the hospital say it’s okay for visitors – he still hasn’t woken. His doctor told me it could go either way, though he’s more optimistic now. Look, if you insist, why don’t you come over on Saturday? I’m sure Barbara won’t mind. But I want to give her some of my time, and besides, we women like to have fun without men for a change.”
“Well, if you’re sure. I’ll see you both on Saturday. Take care, Anne. I have a nasty feeling about all this.”
“That’s what Meakin said when I spoke to him earlier. But I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. Anyway, I’ll have Barbara with me and you’re coming at the weekend. Save your worries for Frank. ‘Bye now, I must finish my work, I’m behind as it is. There’s no point in you going into the office in the morning – take some time off yourself, you work too hard as well.”
“I’m only trying to keep up with you. I’ll see you Saturday, ‘Bye,” he finished on a lighter tone, though couldn’t shake off the feeling of foreboding.
“’Bye, Sam.”
Smiling she put down the ‘phone, but the knot inside her was bigger than ever.
{21}
As Anne left the hospital, she felt drained.
Somehow she had dragged herself through the rest of the day.
She’d tried to focus on her patients – in fact it was only their needs that had forced her attention away from the appalling revelations of the last few days.
She’d done as much paperwork as essential, but left the rest until next week – there was nothing urgent and she wanted to get away early. With Barbara coming, she wanted to make things ready for her visit.
After she’d parked, she walked into Genelli’s – its familiar smells were at once comforting.
Father Genelli was serving.
“Ah, Anne, how are the bambini? It gave me such concern to find them wandering alone.”
Anne smiled at his kind face; her voice was quiet as she answered.
“They’re fine – back with their mother, safe and sound. I don’t even think they noticed anything was wrong. We still don’t know what happened exactly. Thank you so much for finding them. Jenny was extremely distraught. It was lucky you were still open.”
“Oh, sure, sure – I know how we would feel if one of our children had gone missing. It was all such a surprise. I always keep open late when the weather is good – you never know who will come along – it’s a good job I did, eh? They are beautiful little girls – just like their mother. I am just glad they are okay.
“What about you, Anne, do you not want babies of your own?”
He smiled; he always said the same thing. She must get married, have lots of babies.
Without waiting for an answer he said, “You look very tired, you work too hard, are you alright?"
No wanting to go into details Anne assured him she was just tired and actually she was taking a little time off.
“I have tomorrow and the whole weekend to recuperate. I’m having a friend to stay and Sam is coming over on Saturday.”
“Ah, Sam, a very handsome man, yes?”
Anne laughed but didn’t tell him why.
“Oh, yes very handsome. Now, Father Genelli, I need some more food – a range of everything you have to offer. I’ll let you decide - something wonderful for the whole weekend.”
Anne wandered around the shop, soaking up the superb atmosphere. This was what she needed – the healthy ambience of Genelli’s wares and close family life.
She picked up a few items as she walked around, and took them to the counter.
Putting everything into boxes, Genelli told her that he would wait until she had brought her car around – there was too much to carry.
