CHAPTER 18

Kane was totally confused.He was scared.He felt weak and tired, his head was thumping , he felt sick and still the policeman kept asking him the same questions over and over again.

He had been at the boatyard when the cops arrived.He had just come off the phone , trying to ring Scott for the umpteenth time , but he was unable to get through.Scott's mobile was switched off.He heard the car draw to stop and saw Inspector Carter and a female police seargant get out of the car.He knew he had done nothing wrong but old habits die hard and the police made him feel nervous.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"We would like you to accompany us to the station to assist us with our enquiries, Mr. Phillips." Replied Inspector Carter.

"Why?I haven't done anything.What's this all about?" asked Kane.He was worried, he'd had enough experience of "assisting the police with their enquiries" when he was younger and constantly in trouble with his brother, not to mention the thing with Dani.

"If you haven't done anything wrong ,you'll have nothing to worry about ,will you?We require your assistance and it will be far better for you in the long run if you cooperate."

Kane knew he had no choice and climbed into the back of the police car.They drove in stony silence, Kane could feel his heart pounding , his palms were sweaty , he felt an urge to run away , but knew it was no use.

He was made to wait in an interview room for what seemed like an eternity .It had been explained that he was not being charged , yet, and that he could ask for a lawyer at any time , but still no one told him what this was all about.

Eventually Inspector Carter and the female officer came in and sat down opposite him.Inspector Carter switched on the tape machine and the interview began.

"Were you at the boatyard between four o'clock and four-thirty  p.m?" asked the inspector.

"Yes." Replied Kane.He had always been taught by his father and brother to say as little to the cops as possible.Less chance of having your words twisted in court or dropping yourself or someone else in it.

"Did anyone come into the boatshed at that time?"asked the Inspector.

Kane felt momentarily relieved ,maybe Kit had done something and this was about her , not him.

"Yes" he replied, "Kit Hunter."

"Describe what happened when Ms. Hunter came into the boatshed."

"Umm.She was acting kind of weird."

"How do you mean 'weird'?"

"Umm.I dunno. Saying weird stuff , like she was coming on to me, you know."

   "No,Kane, I don't know.You'll have to tell me.Exactly what did Ms. Hunter do and say."

Kane was nervous and embarrassed. "She told me I was hot and she tried to kiss me."

"And what did you do ,Kane."

"I told her to rack off.I've got a girlfriend , a life ,and I told her to get out.That's when she freaked out."

Over and over again he had to answer the same questions.His answers never varied , his version of what happened never wavered.The police were sometimes hostile , sometimes friendly , but he always described what happened exactly the same.

No he never touched her.Yes they could take phorensic evidence.No he never ripped her clothes,on and on , for what seemed like hours they kept him there.They occasionally told him he was not actually under arrest , but that he would make things worse if he left.

His head was pounding , he felt dizzy , he needed to get out of here, needed some air.He went to stand up the room started spinning,lights flashed before his eyes , then darkness.

"Great that's all we need , him collapsing during the interview, we'll have to get the duty doctor in.Dr. Saunders isn't it?Stick him in the recovery position until the doc gets here."

"Kane,Kane can you hear me?"Kane could make out Flynn's voice.It seemed a long way away.

Flynn knelt on the floor next to Kane, he was concerned.He knew Kane had not yet fully recovered from his ordeal and was still very weak.

"I think he's coming round." Flynn sounded relieved.

Kane felt awful , he tried to sit up but Flynn restrained him. "Easy Kane , you've got to rest for a while."

"No Flynn.I've got to see Kirsty.Got to tell her I didn't do anything.I never hurt Kit , you've got to believe me!"

"I know Kane. The police received a phone call while you were out of it.They know you were set upBut you need to go to the hospital now to get a thorough check-up."

"No man!!" Kane insisted "I need to see Kirsty!!"He was getting so worked up and agitated that Flynn agreed to take him to Irene's.It finally began to sink in.They believed him.Someone had cleared his name.But who?Had Kit decided to tell the truth?

A police constable drove them to Irene's house.When Kirsty saw Kane she ran into his arms.

"I didn't do anything to her.You've gotta believe me Kirsty" Kane said.

"Ofcourse I believe you.I never for one moment doubted you."Kirsty replied.

Kane sank down on the settee and closed his eyes.He felt so tired , so weak and yet so happy.Kirsty had never doubted him!!

Kirsty sat down next to him, she looked concerned. "Baby are you OK. You look ill."

"I'm ok now I'm with you" he replied.Shadow nudged his leg. "Oh!And you Shadow , ofcourse."

Flynn interrupted, "I did advise him to go to the hospital, but he insisted on coming here.He collapsed at the police station.He's going to need plenty of rest and looking after,but I guess you guys can handle that."

"So what's going on?" Irene asked.

"I am not at liberty to disclose that information , but the whole matter should be resolved within the hour.We are undertaking a covert operation and they will contact me with the outcome shortly.In the mean time we would ask for your cooperation in not contacting anyone about these developments , otherwise it puts the operation at risk" said the officer.

Just then the police officer's walkie-talkie crackled into life and he left the room to talk into it privately.

The others were left wondering.what had happened?What was the covert operation?Had it been successful?Who had cleared Kane's name?