CHAPTER 10

The shrill ringing of the telephone startled Harry awake as he automatically put it to his ear.

"Yes?"

"Dad. It's Graham."

Harry sat bolt upright in bed disturbing Ruth beside him. "Oh son, are you allright?"

Graham's voice was shaking and it sounded like he was crying. "No. Yes. Dad, I'm at the police station. Can you come and get me?"

Gripping Ruth's hand as she sat beside him waiting for information, Harry replied, "I'll be right there."

Harry immediately dialed Lucas. "Lucas get over to my house and bring Bram with you."

Ruth gently stroked his face bringing his attention back to her. Sighing he drew her close. "Graham's in jail. I need to go down and find out what's going on." Kissing him lightly on the cheek, Ruth assented. He continued, "I've called Lucas. I'm going to take him down with me and leave Bram here to watch over you and Anna. Okay?"

"Of course. I'll get up and make some tea."

Once Lucas and Bram arrived, Harry explained the situation, trying to keep the discussion objective. Bram was ordered to remain in the house and Ian and Robert were left outside, having replaced the 'incompetent' (in Harry's opinion) Joseph and the hospitalized Frank who had been located by Louis, drugged and gaffer-taped in a port-a-potty at the park.

Arriving at the police station, Harry greeted the desk sergeant and asked to see Graham Pearce. Lucas stayed behind to discuss the case, using his identification and authority to meet with the investigating detective.

Harry was ushered into a cell which housed his very miserable looking son. Graham was dirty and unkempt. He was visibly shaking as he paced the confines of the tiny room.

Entering the cell, Harry stopped Graham's pacing with an embrace. "Graham, what happened?" He drew him over to the bunk where they sat side by side.

"I'm sorry, Dad." His voice caught as he spoke. "They injected me, they shot me up. I've been clean for two years now and they started it all over again." He began to weep, rocking his body. Harry, taken aback by the sight of his adult son in this condition, shook himself and wrapped his arms around him. Graham sighed and leaned into his father's embrace.

"They grabbed me when I went to get milk. The security guy, Frank, I think his name is, he went with me but we were jumped outside the store before we even got in. They took Frank in one car and me in the other. There were four of them with me, I don't know how many with him. They beat me, gagged me and tied my arms behind my back then they dumped me in the trunk and the next thing I knew there was a needle in my veins." He started to cry again.

"How do you know it was heroin?" Harry asked.

"Trust me, Dad, I know." Graham straightened, stood and began to pace. "They placed me at the scene of a crime. When I woke up, the police were smashing down the doors and I was lying in the middle of a jewelery store with my pockets stuffed with loot." He shook his head and came to stand in front of his father, looking him in the eyes. "I swear to you that I didn't have anything to do with the robbery. I wanted to become a police officer, to make something good come from my life. Now they'll never let me in. Drugs and theft!"

Harry stood and gripped Graham's shoulder tightly. "We'll sort that out later. Listen to me. Did they take anything from you?"

Graham ducked his head, still weeping, "They took my mobile, Dad. It has Catherine's information and Mom's as well. Dad, I'm so sorry. I've made such a mess of things."

Taking him firmly by the shoulders, Harry gave him one shake. "Graham. This is not your fault. We can deal with this – together. Right?" He watched and waited for Graham's response.

Sniffing once, Graham took hold of himself. "Right!"