Prologue Part III
Only once she's at the very doorstep does Liz question whether what she's about to do really is the right thing. But then her finger is on the bell button, and she presses down and hears the ring. She closes her eyes for a moment, collecting herself.
When Gene came back to the station, he looked shaken. He told her briefly what had happened. She didn't wait for him to finish his tale, already rushing out of the office.
Her first stop was at the hospital, to make sure Sam was alright. Sure enough, they had sedated him again, giving the reason of "risk of unintentional self-harm". He didn't wake up during the hour Liz spent sitting by his bed, feeling like crying and screaming and throwing up and holding him forever and ever.
Gene is sure, whatever Sam has said, or done, he did not deserve what the retired Guv, gave him in return; just for doing a simple pull over and stop manouver when he finally stopped the blue 1988 Vauxhall Cavalier on suspicion of no insurance and failing to stop when requested.
The Gene Genie noted a car with vinyl roof trim is sitting in the driveway of his house, so he sees that Ray's old Guv hasn't left the city either; possibly the Cavalier was decoyed with his even older Mk3 Cortina, with a vintage of three to ten years older from years 1973-1977. Cartwright realizes that it has been a minute since she rang the bell, and no-one has come to answer the door.
She rings again, more insistently this time.
The sight of Sam, in that hospital bed... she couldn't stand it. Sure, it's happened before, because Sam can occasionally get himself into trouble without even thinking about it once, but this, this is different. Someone formerly from his own team put him there, someone who used to work for them years ago.
But then, after just a bit of proper prodding, the case had fallen apart, just like that – just like Gene had said it would. It had all been staged. Liz had been tasked with dealing with the paperwork and admin for a different case at the time of the discovery, so Ray had been the one rushing to the scene of DCI Tyler's horrific accident.
Still no answer. Liz rings once more, several short rings and three long ones. She knows the retired Guv must be home. Leaving bloody shoe prints in his wake.
She'll never forget the sight of Sam, on that stretcher. Covered in blood, struggling to breathe. For one moment, before she saw his chest rise with a shudder, she even thought he was dead. That huge gash to the side of his head. The blanket covering him already sodden with blood on the roadside, while they did first aid and Gene summoning the paramedics by calling 999.
Someone other than Chris (who had been too startled by Ray's yelled instructions to react); Gene was phoning for an ambulance, even knowing a little about what exactly had happened, but calling them to come here quick as they can anyway, with others giving first aid at the scene.
And still, no movement in the house. Enough is enough, it's just like the thousands of raids they ran on drug dealers and users in the city.
PCSO Liz Cartwright bangs her fist against the black painted door.
"Mr. Hunt, It's PCSO Cartwright!" She's starting to think she was wrong to come here after all.
"I know you're home! Open the door, please!" One moment to catch her breath. "Sir!"
Slowly, not quite believing it wasn't locked, Liz opens the door, peering inside. The hallway is dark, empty. No sound is to be heard. However, there is a... smell. Just a faint whiff, a certain stale quality to the air, like it hasn't been stirred in a while. Liz's heart is starting to beat hard as she steps into the house, straining her ears for any indication of there being someone else apart from her.
There is no reply. However, Liz has been in the force for a while now, and she has been part of Gene's team for long enough to have learned to listen to her gut feeling. And her gut is telling her to search the house thoroughly. Don't leave without having had a look around. So Liz battles down her anxiety, closes the door behind her, and switches on the light.
