"Why?"
"How did that happen?"
"It's not possible is it?"
"Don't you think that's odd?"
Kevin touched his 'brothers' arm.. "Nick...... NICK...... just chill a moment......its not the docs fault
he's trying to help"
Doctor Reynolds smiled at Kevin silently thanking him for the respite... "Nick......... I understand your frustrations but you need to be talking to the investigating team...lemme see if I can persuade them .....they are kinda cagey....."..... he doctor reached for his mobile.. but if I can convince them it is in Heathers' best interest that you are made aware of certain things it may sway them"
Nicks eyes narrowed......picking up on the vital clues in each sentence..
The Doctor continued to speak to Nick...inbetween a conversation with someone one the other end of the phone...
His tone to whoever on the phone was authoritative and the message clearly understood
"Well tell them it's important damn it...don't let them leave!"
He snapped off the mobile...and smiled at Nick... For one thing Nick.....having you in this state is not good for Heather....she needs you calm and supportive .......not like this"
He patted Nicks shoulder the ways doctors do when they are trying to be comforting “Lemme talk to them I'll be back soon"
Dr Reynolds left the room...watched by the suspicious Nick
Kevin rounded on Nick "What the hell is the matter with you?.... the poor guy is trying to help her and all you can do is yell at him?"
Nick didn't retaliate his brain was already piecing this odd jigsaw together.. "Something is wrong here Kev I feel it"
Kev just glanced at the others to see if they were as confused as he was...
Nick paced the floor trying to explain what was going thru his mind "I mean I know.... if I think about it......and believe me I try not to ....I know that being thrown about in a mud slide ....will hurt you .....bruise you ...and yeah maybe break some bones..." His eyes met Kevins "But did you see the bruises on the top of her arms?"
Brian ran a hand thru his hair ...not liking where this was going
Nick shrugged "I'm no expert but they looked like someone had gripped her real hard"
Brian tried to deflect Nicks thoughts "Maybe that happened when they found her .......maybe they had to hold her like that to rescue her..."
Nick shook his head... "No...... you look at them you'll see what I mean...and I think that guy Simon has something to do with it"
"My god Nick.....do you realise what you are saying?..... what you are implying here?"
"Trust me Brian I'm trying not to think about that......Nicks fists clenched by his side....
"But if he is in any way responsible?!"
Kevin tried to bring some sense to this conversation... "Come on Nick........ you're not suggesting he caused the mud slide?"
Nick ignored the comment
He looked away, wondering what his mind was doing too
Was he so relieved because she was alive that his mind was just 'hyper' .......or was he so angry at having to see her so vulnerable and crushed that he needed someone to blame?
They waited patiently .......Nick wandering back and forth checking on her.
But she continued to be motionless ......the only sound that of the ventilator chugging away beside the bed and the low murmur of the nurses discussions
He wanted to ask when the ventilator would be gone
He wanted to ask a million questions.....but his mind was so muddled ....except for the one thing that was bugging him those bruises and ......Simon.
Nick ran his fingers lightly over the bruises.....the clear imprint of fingers tormenting him
He turned his head away briefly to see Kevin talking to a man in uniform...tall ..distinguished...and looking in his direction...Dr Reynolds was there too
Nick kissed Heathers cheek and raced over to the three men.....not seeing the flicker of Heather eyelids as his lips connected with her skin.
Kevin registered the impatience in Nicks eyes and hastily introduced him to the investigator.
The man in uniform shook Nicks hand and introduced himself properly "Mike Connery.... shall we go somewhere private......"
Nick waved his hand in the direction of the waiting room... "I want the others with me...."
"What others?"
"The guys .......they are my friends .....they are like brothers to me"
Mike exchanged glances with Dr Reynolds who nodded his approval
They assembled in a room a little way down the corridor ...
Nick fixed Mike with his best 'don't fuck with me' stare and stated bluntly "Did that guy...Simon attack her?"
Mike stared incredulous "Whoa ..whoa ...whoa....back up Nick......whatever gave you that idea?"
"Please don't treat me like a jerk....I've seen the bruises on her arm ...you should have covered them ....then this little plot of yours would have been safe!" Nick stood up and then sat down immediately...
Mike tried to stay in control of this meeting....he wasn't used to being challenged quite like this
"What little plot is that?"
Dr Reynolds stepped in...sensing that this was starting badly "Nick please ....."
He addressed Mike persuasively.. "Mike I really think it is better that we tell Nick all we know so far"
Dr Reynolds placed the xrays of Heathers arm on the viewing box.
The break was obvious.
He took a deep breath
"Her ribs were probably broken by the impact of the rock she landed on...it is highly likely that she was thrown onto it by the swell of the mud...."
He pointed to the fracture on the xray... "However...... this type of fracture here is usually caused by a twisting movement not by impact"
Nick stared hard at the xray...he wasn't sure he liked the sickly feeling in his guts
Brian watched Nick...the others stared at the carpet
The doctor nodded at Mike ... "Nick ......Heather was found ....with ermmmm.."
He seemed to be struggling......he felt awkward under the gaze of the five men ..
one of whom was clearly about to self destruct!
"Well we were told she had been doing 'night photography' in the valley ...but when we found her she was wearing very little...just her..." he coughed and blushed slightly... "her underwear..a t shirt and her uhm underwear"
Nick continued to stare at the xray as he spoke "Did Simon tell you she was doing 'night photography'?"
"Yes he did"
"Do you believe him?" Nick shifted his gaze from the xrays
"I'm afraid I can't..........."
"DO YOU believe him?"
Mike sighed "lets just say....we find it hard to believe a professional photographer would be out at that time of night working in the rain...in her underwear!"
Nick closed his eyes and ran a hand thru his hair "And the bruises on her arms ...what did you make of those?”
Mike glanced at Dr Reynolds ...he knew he couldn't lie to this young man "They appear to be restraint marks"
Nick rubbed his eyes
"Nick...I think.............."
"You don't need to tell me anymore Mike ...I get the picture"
Nick stood up and walked over to the xray..tracing his finger along the image of the break
"Nick there is no way of knowing anything for sure yet...we have questioned Simon and he has repeated the story he gave us at the time"
Nick whispered low but not low enough "Wait until I get hold of him"
"NO!!!! you must not do anything to jepoardise this investigation!!" Mike lowered his voice at Dr Reynolds eye contact
"Nick I understand how you feel"
Nick turned and glared at him "You do huh?"
"What I mean is .......I can understand your anger...but I can't allow you to approach this man"
"Try stop me.....I'm gonna rip his fucking head off"
"Trust me Nick you will be stopped...we want this guy as bad as you do.."
"I doubt that!"
Kevin was unable to keep quiet now.. "Nick ..please ....for Heathers sake don't go after Simon..leave it to these guys"
"Kevin you have no idea where I'm coming from..... this bastard attacked her ....I have to do this .........try to fucking understand me for once in your life!!"
The door to their room opened suddenly..it was Cora ...Heather's nurse "Nick!.... quickly...we need you"