Chapter Nine
Jack was sitting at his desk when he heard Thomas' voice echo down the corridor, followed by a female voice that Jack knew, but couldn't put his finger on.
"If you'll just follow me," he heard Thomas say as the voices got closer.
"Come on Emily," a soft voice said and a woman in a blue uniform came into view who he recognised as Anna, one of the nurses from the hospital
Jack stood up and entered the corridor where he saw Emily Hooper standing there, head down and shivering slightly in the coolness of the Lyell
"Just take your time Emily," Anna was saying
"Hello Emily," Jack said softly and she looked up.
He noticed she was trying her hardest not to cry, as she gave him a weak smile
"Emily's come to see her father's body," Thomas said
"I can take her, Thomas," Jack said
"Are you sure?" Thomas asked
"She knows me," Jack said and Anna nodded in confirmation "You remember me, don't you Emily?"
"Nikki's friend," she said quietly and Jack nodded "I like Nikki,"
"I like Nikki too," Jack agreed
"She said it's okay to cry when I see Dad," Emily said "She said it's okay, not to be okay,"
"Nikki is very wise," Jack said "Just don't tell her that, or I'll never hear the end of it," he said and Emily let out a watery chuckle
"Are you ready Emily?" Anna asked
Looking up at Jack, she nodded.
Sure and unsure at the same time.
…
"Emily, can you come and get your meds," a voice called from the doorway and Emily made a noise, gesturing she was in the process of cleaning her teeth,
"I thought that when you're dead you look peaceful," Emily said between mouthfuls of toothpaste as she brushed her teeth in the communal sink "He looked scared. Are all dead bodies peaceful?"
"Not always," Nikki mused before noticing the horrified look on Emily's face "But from what I can establish, it would have been quick,"
"But he died alone," Emily said sadly
"It would have been quick," Nikki repeated in an attempt to comfort Emily, who had been on the brink of tears all through dinner
Emily shrugged as she rinsed her mouth and went back to her bed-space, where she pulled out a folder
"What's that?" Nikki said, her curiosity getting the better of her
"It's full of my Dad's articles," Emily said "Mum used to collect them and I sort of carried it on,"
"Can I have a look?" Nikki asked and Emily nodded, passing the folder over.
"Emily," Anna called again "Come and get your meds,"
"I've already had them," Emily replied
"Doctor Redford has prescribed some extra diazepam for you to take," Anna said
"I don't need extra meds," Emily protested
"It's okay Emily," Nikki said gently "It'll just take the edge off things,"
"Yes Doctor Alexander," Emily said, weakly trying to make a joke
Nikki had to admit. It was nice to be referred to as Doctor again.
She watched Emily follow Anna and turned her attention to the folder. It started off with small articles, a couple of paragraphs long, but as Nikki flicked though and Edward Hooper's career progressed, she started to see headline articles, front page news and Edward Hooper's name in bold print: CEO of the newspaper.
His progression had been quick. From minor news to controlling what the paper printed. She paused on the final few pages. There was a theme: front page articles talking about a scandal involving a William Brown and an unknown female.
Emily walked back in the room, looking calmer and slightly spaced out
"Who's William Brown?"Nikki asked
Emily looked at the paper cutting "Dad's rival. They were both journalists in the early days. Mum and Dad split up when I was eight. She was dating William before she died. Dad wasn't happy William took Mum away so he focused on ruining William's career as a journalist. Dad was CEO of the paper, he could print whatever the hell he wanted,"
Nikki nodded as she watched Emily yawn, as the medication took effect "I'll see you in the morning," she said as Emily stumbled to bed
"Dad always said Mum belonged to him," Emily said sleepily "I wish I belonged to someone,"