Chapter 7: Stuart's version of events
At the hospital, DI Neil Manson walked down to the ward Stuart was in. He was asleep. He had been brutally beaten and I didn't take a genius who by. He had two black eyes, a gash on his lip and a vicious bruise to his jawbone.
"Hello Stuart."
Stuart opened his eyes half way. It soon became apparent that it was as far as they were willing to go at the moment.
"Im here to ask about what happened this morning at DS Nixon's house…"
He was cut off by Stuart. "I don't want to testify!"
"Stuart, you've been beaten up by Phil Hunter, you supposedly raped Sam Nixon and we need to know what really happened."
"I said I didn't want to testify. Listen to me for god's sake." Stuart didn't care anymore. He had lost everything. He had lost Sam, his dignity and his nerve. He had hit rock bottom, raping Sam – the person he was supposed to be in love with – had been a real wake-up call. He needed help.
"We need to know Stuart."
"Fine, you want the truth; I'll give you the truth! I raped Sam and I got a bit of a smack as a consequence. Happy now?"
"A bit of a smack? That's a little less than what most people would call the beating that Hunter gave you."
"Whatever! I confessed so you can fuck off now."
"You know I am trying to help."
"Yeah, well thanks but no thanks!" Having said that he rolled back over and ignored the rest of Manson's comments.
Outside, Neil made a call to Jack Meadows.
"Guv, its Neil. He's confessed. He says he doesn't want to testify against Phil so basically it's case closed. We have to release Phil on bail. Presumably he'll want to see Sam so you may as well give him the ward number and address that she's staying at. Okay, I'll talk to you later then. Bye."
