Chapter 4

Tiredness was really starting to kick in when he arrived home. He hadn't eaten all day but nothing he had in appealed to him. He couldn't be bothered to order in a take-away either so he got a glass from one of the kitchen cupboards and poured himself a brandy instead.

He sat down on the couch and looked at James coat draped over the back of the armchair. He'd brought it in after finding it on the back seat of his car. He took a sip of his drink, got up and picked it up. He checked the pockets. He found an unopened packet of cigarettes, Hathaway's keys and his I-pod. He took a sniff of the coat. It smelled of Hathaway. An odd mix of nicotine and what was either aftershave or expensive soap. Lewis guessed soap. He didn't know why but it seemed to him that it was more likely that Hathaway was the sort of man that bought expensive soap.

That was what Hathaway was most of the time, a guessing game. He answered so few questions about himself (and if he did, the reply was more often than not a cryptic one that didn't really answer the question) that Lewis had stopped asking. He knew he was know different though. Hathaway rarely asked him anything either. He placed the coat back on the armchair and sat down again. He took another sip of his drink and cradled the glass in his hand.

"Why did you have to say that, James?" he said out loud "Now you've gone and made things ten times more awkward than they were already."

It startled him when the phone rang. He decided to let it ring. The ringing soon stopped and then he heard the recording of his own voice on the answer-phone.

"You've reached Robert Lewis. I'm not available at the moment. Please leave a message."

*BEEP*

"Hi Dad, it's me again." It was his daughter. He'd forgotten to call her back and she was probably worried. He considered taking the call but he didn't want to have to go through everything again right now. "Call me if you want to chat. How's your sergeant getting on? It'd be good to hear from you soon. Love you, bye."

He felt a pang of guilt about not talking to her but he washed it away by downing the contents of his glass. He'd call her tomorrow. It was Saturday tomorrow so he'd have all day to get round to it.

…...................

The news was better the next morning when Laura called. He didn't understand most of what was said but he got the gist of it. Hathaway's something rate was up and that was good. His something else rate was down and that was even better she said. The doctors were considering bringing him round on Monday if everything continued to improve.

Laura had tried to visit James and failed. His father had recognised her from when he arrived at the hospital on the night of shooting. She explained that she wasn't police, she was a doctor and she showed him her hospital I.D. Badge but he was having none of it.

"Git" Was all Lewis had to say in the matter.

"My own fault really, I shouldn't have told him I was a pathologist." she explained.

"Why on earth did you tell him that?" he asked.

"He asked how I knew James?" she replied.

"You could've made something up!"

"Sorry, I thought honesty was the best policy." she said and she heard Lewis sigh loudly with disapproval "At least we're still getting updates. You'll be able to see him when they wake him up. He's bound to ask for you."

"Still gotta passed his dad though. Last thing Jim'll need when he wakes up his dad and his boss having a slanging match in the corridor outside his room."

"You'll think of something." she said.

"Yeah, I suppose so. Anyway, I'll let you get on. I've got to give our Lyn a call. Let her know how I am."

"OK, take care of yourself Robbie, I'll call later, bye."

"Bye."

It started the second he put the phone down. It was just like working on a case. The idea was forming in his mind. Laura said he'd think of something and she was right. He picked up Hathaway's coat from the armchair and fished out the keys. Then he put on his jacket, took out his mobile phone to make a call. He knew she'd be waiting for him to ring.

"Hello Lyn, it's me. Fancy coming down here for a couple of days to keep your old dad company?" He knew she's say yes. His little plan felt right. All the little pieces would just fall into place. He was about to leave the flat when he back to pick up Hathaway's coat. "Right, I need you to do a couple of favours for me, pet."