Barbara couldn't understand how she came to be lying on the damp ground and why the once stern faced man now looked more like concerned face man as he hovered above her.

"Are you all right?" He asked as he helped her to her feet.

"Yeah." Barbara made an excuse. "Sorry, I haven't eaten today. Got a bit dizzy."

"Starvation diets never work." He chastised her. "They'll mess with your blood sugar and you can see what happens."

Barbara held her tongue. She didn't want to explain the real reason behind why she'd fainted.

The investigator left her and went over to his truck. He opened the door and reached in to grab something off the seat. "Here," he tossed her a bag of crisps. "Eat these and you'll feel better."

'Thanks." Barbara was appreciative but she needed more information. "Do you know what hospital he was taken too?"

"The only one equipped for treating severe burns is the Hospital School in Plymouth."

Severe burns, she didn't need to hear that. "How far is it from here?"

"Bout an hours drive south of here."

She headed for her car.

"Hey!" He called after her. "He might not be there anymore, if he's still alive that is. They may have sent him on to London by now. Extensive third degree burns require long term specialized care. Can't get that in Plymouth."

Barbara didn't know if her heart could take any more. She needed answers, now! She left the man to his work and enclosed herself in the protection her car. She pulled out her mobile and dialed up the hospital.

"This is DS Havers with the Metropolitan Police. I'm calling to inquire after the burn patient brought in from Cornwall, last name Lynley."

"Yes, I know you can't give out patient information over the phone, I'm just calling to inquire if he is still there or if he's been transferred to London."

"Yes…ok…I see. Than you for your time."

She snapped he phone shut at threw it down into the passenger floorboard. It was not what she wanted to hear.

"The patient is not yet stable enough to travel."

The next hour seemed like an eternity in what was the longest drive of Barbara Havers life.