CHAPTER 14

Jackson paced the floor; they had exchanged a waiting room at Police HQ for a waiting room at the hospital, he knew Aaron was close by, was safe, they had told them that much, but not being able to see for himself, to speak to him, to hold him, made each minute an eternity.

"Can you not keep still?" growled Cain menacingly. "We're all worried, but we're not all wearing the carpet out."

"Here," said Chas, fumbling in her handbag. "What about getting us all some coffee; I saw a tea bar as we came in."

"Coffee!" spat Cain. "Do you not think we've had enough coffee?"

"Oh ignore him, love," said Chas soothingly. "Here." She handed him a £10 note.

"I'll come with you," said Robbie, standing up from his seat next to Simonand moving towards the door behind Jackson.

The room they were in was close to the Accident and Emergency department, even with the door closed they had been able to hear the passing of quick feet outside, the trundle of trolleys across the floor. Now, as Jackson opened the door, they heard the sound of raised voices, urgent voices, calling one to another. Stepping out a little he saw a trolley being pushed into the department surrounded by paramedics in their distinctive green uniforms, by hospital staff in blue scrubs preparing to take over the care of the patient, by policemen trailing the trolley, clearly concerned about the new patient.

"Shit!" breathed Robbie, bumping into Jackson as he stopped suddenly in front of him. "What the hell has happened?"

"I don't know," replied Jackson, struggling to step back into the room.

"Out of the way," said Cain, pushing forward, "let me see." Jackson and Robbie moved, letting the older man look out into the busy corridor. "He's a copper," declared Cain, "they've got a copper hurt. I wonder if this is anything to do with Aaron?"

"What d'you mean?" asked Chas, her voice shrill. "They said he was safe, didn't they? He couldn't be involved."

"Yes, they said he was safe," said Finn, next to Chas, he put his hand reassuringly on her arm. "He's safe and I'm sure they'll let us see him soon."

Nodding, breathing deeply to calm herself, Chas sat again.

Everyone had forgotten about coffee, no one cared, their thoughts preoccupied, worried; waiting was becoming something of a trial.

Yet still they all jumped when the door opened a few minutes later. Constable Pascoe came into the room, closely followed by another officer.

"This is Sergeant Pengelly," he said. "He's been with Aaron since they found him this morning."

"How is he?" demanded Chas, jumping up.

"This is Miss Dingle, Aaron's mother," said Constable Pascoe, quickly introducing everyone to the Sergeant.

"So what can you tell us?" asked Cain. "When can we see him?"

"Soon, Mr Dingle, soon," said the sergeant calmly. "He's been examined by the doctors, now he's having a shower. He's still to have an x-ray and I need to clarify a few points on his statement as a matter of urgency. Once that's done, he'll be able to leave with you."

"Why so urgent?" demanded Cain, his tone suspicious. "Can he not go to a station tomorrow for this clarification?"

Sergeant Pengelly paused, glanced around at the faces looking expectantly at him.

"Normally, yes," he said. "But the lad who was brought in with Aaron died a short while ago. We are not sure yet who he is, or how he came to be with Aaron, but died of injuries received when he was raped yesterday."

Everyone spoke at once; a cacophony of noise, of disbelief, of protest.

"Never! My son would never do that!" screeched Chas, her distressed voice loudest.

"No, No!" said Sergeant Pengelly quickly. "There is absolutely no suggestion that Aaron was involved except as a victim."

"Victim?" questioned Finn quickly as everyone fell silent as fast as they had all spoken.

"There seems to have been some..." Sergeant Pengelly paused, choosing his words, "some sexual interference; the perpetrator being one of the men involved in the kidnapping. But this is now a murder enquiry, so I need to be absolutely clear about events as soon as possible."

"Okay," said Cain slowly. "So what's going on out here?" He nodded towards the door leading to the main A&E department.

Sergeant Pengelly sighed. "One of our officers has been shot, oh not seriously," he added quickly, "he's not in any danger. But he was part of the undercover team at the ransom drop trying to apprehend whoever came for the money. Unfortunately they were spotted and the two men got away. But these men are dangerous and we do need to catch them."

"Of course," said Finn when he saw that neither Cain nor Chas were going to speak. "Thank you for talking to us, sergeant.

Sergeant Pengelly nodded in acknowledgement. "One more thing," he said. "Do you have any of Aaron's clothes with you? The ones he was wearing had to go to forensics."

Sergeant Pengelly watched the rumble of negative replies run through them all.

"But we could go and get some," said Simon quickly.

"I'm sure he'd appreciate that," smiled the sergeant. "Now if you'll excuse me..."

"Sergeant?" said Finn quickly as the police officer turned to leave.

"Reverend Nicholson?" the tone of his voice directed Finn to continue.

"Is there a hospital chapel?"

"Yes; Constable Pascoe, perhaps you could show Reverend Nicholson the way?" said the sergeant.

They were all quiet for a few moments after the policemen and Finn had left; the sergeant's words preying on all their minds.

"Shall we just go then?" said Simon a little hesitantly. "Unless any of you want to," he added, looking towards Jackson, to Chas and Cain.

"No, no you're fine love," said Chas. "Thank you." Following her lead, Cain and Jackson both shook their heads.

Simon and Robbie stood, headed for the door. Greg made to follow them. "You guys okay if I come too," he asked.

"Yeah, of course," said Robbie, holding the door open for him.

Silence filled the room after Robbie, Simon and Greg had left, each of them occupied with their own thoughts.

Jackson looked at his watch; he wondered how long it would all take, for Aaron to finish giving his statement, to be finished with the police. How long until he could hold him in his arms again; he pushed the traitorous thought from his mind that Aaron might not welcome his touch, his embrace. Memories leaked back into his consciousness, their bodies bruised, the vivid evidence of another unpleasant encounter. He was desperate to see Aaron; he was terrified to see Aaron.