Thank you again for the nice comments on the previous chapter. They encourage me to continue!
Special thanks to NightOwl22, for giving me the necessary feedback.
I hope you'll enjoy this chapter, and I'm looking forward to reading your reviews again. Find the 'Knight'! ;-)
Happy Easter to everyone!
Chapter 4 : A Knight in shining armour
It was already late at night when Harry stirred and woke up. Her position on the couch was most uncomfortable. The first thing she noticed was a terrible ache on her back and neck, then she noticed she was still fully dressed. Sitting up with difficulty, she straightened her back and massaged her neck.
It was still dark out on the street, and it took a few moments for her eyes to get used to the absence of light. They felt gritty and swollen, and she had a terrible headache. At fist she couldn't remember what had happened and why she had been asleep on the couch. She couldn't recall she had been drinking too much. Slowly, the memories began trickling back.
Had it been a nightmare, or did she really have a visit form Spikings and Chas, telling her the dreadful news about Dempsey?
Turning on the side lamp, she looked around trying to find a clue. She blinked against the sudden brightness. The clock on the mantel showed it was 2 AM. She was expected back at the museum around 8 AM, but she knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate. Instead, she'd rather go back to SI10 office, to help search for Dempsey. She realised that the professor wouldn't be pleased about it, so close to the big day of the exhibition, but she could only hope he'd understand. She wouldn't make herself very useful in the museum now, anyway. Not while her partner was missing!
There was a sudden noise at the back door. Was that what had woken her up? At first she thought it was the wind, but then she heard it again. Someone was knocking gently. Who could be at her door at this hour, and why the back door?
What if it was Dempsey? Her heart started to beat faster. She knew it was unlikely. It wasn't like him at all to knock at the back door. He'd either ring the bell or just break into the house.
Warily, she took her gun out of her purse and cautiously approached the door. Fortunately Spikings had given it back to her earlier that evening, stating that she would return within a few days anyway, and that she might need it since her partner apparently had been attacked and there was a possibility that his attackers were also looking for her. She had to promise the boss she would call him immediately if there were any signs that she was in danger too. He already had to search for one of his detectives, and he couldn't afford to lose two!
She tried to look through the window, but it was too dark to see anything. The light inside the house made her an easy target, so she turned it off and crossed the kitchen, making her way towards the source of the noise.
She stood at the door, her hand on the knob, but she didn't open it. "Who's there?"
There was no answer. She waited for a moment, but everything remained silent.
Carefully she opened the door, holding her gun in front of her. She pressed her back against the wall, peering around the door frame and scanning her backyard for movement. Unable to see anything, she stepped outside to get a better view. She cursed for not having a light in the back yard. Dempsey had warned her several times about that. He had insisted repeatedly that she should install a better lock on that door, and that she ought to 'light the hell up the backyard'. Damn! He had been right, as usual. After all, he was an expert at breaking into places! She'd always been furious with him every time he broke into her flat, but it'd never stopped him from doing it over and over again. He would just break into a mischievous grin and casually point out how 'she still hadn't proofed her door properly'.
She took cover behind one of the pillars of the small back porch, while her eyes adjusted to the darkness. It was a peaceful night. It was still quite warm outside despite the cool breeze that was coming up. She was beginning to think her mind had been playing tricks on her, when all of a sudden she saw a movement to the right, next to the old oak.
"Hold it right there!" she ordered firmly, pointing her gun in that direction. "Put your hands in the air, and step out in the open slowly!"
A silhouette materialized from behind the tree, hands half way in the air. Gun trained squarely on the person, she tried hard to recognize the man who trudged towards her. She turned on the dim light in the porch to get a better look.
He looked unkempt, his face unshaven and covered in grey dirt. His long, greasy hair draped from under his faded cap. His ragged clothes were covered with paint stains and there were holes in his worn-out shoes. Even from a distance, she could smell the stench of him -a mixture of sweat, cigarette smoke and alcohol.
He ogled her and appeared to be very nervous, his eyes darting around as if fearing someone might find him there. It seemed like he was about to run away at any moment. He looked somewhat familiar to her. Where had she seen him before? She couldn't put her finger on it.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" she asked.
But he didn't answer the question. Instead he asked her with a muffled voice "You're James' partner, aren't you?"
She hesitated to answer. She looked at him thoroughly, trying to figure out if she could trust him. Obviously he knew Dempsey. Suddenly she remembered where she had seen him before. He was one of Dempsey's informants!
She lowered her gun with caution "Yes, I am. And you are one of his informants, aren't you?"
He looked at her and nodded slowly.
"If you're looking for Dempsey, he's not here" she said. She wasn't going to spill the beans just yet. After all, she had no idea why that man had come to see her. She knew Dempsey had a good rapport with him. He always took Dan's side. That's right! Yes, now she remembered his name.
Dan responded "I know. I need to talk to you, it's urgent!" He looked around again, making sure no one could hear him. She wondered if he felt threatened by her. She knew how reserved he could be, as he always wanted to talk with no one other than Dempsey. He was a loner and lived on the streets but, as far as she knew, he never actually left his comfort zone. And now, to her big surprise he was there, speaking with her, miles away from his familiar environment. Whatever it was he needed to say seemed important.
She hesitated about inviting him in. The idea seemed completely unappealing, but she thought he would be more at ease in her house. He seemed harmless, so putting away her reservations, she motioned him into the kitchen. "Do you want something to eat or drink?"
He shook his head. She thought he probably craved something stronger than tea.
"It's about James" he whispered barely audible.
Harry's eyes opened wide, she was fully alert now. Her heart started beating faster. Finally a lead! "Dempsey? Do you know something about him? Do you know where he is?"
Suddenly Dan was quite restless again. He stepped to the door and looked outside "Sshhht, not so loud!" he whispered with panic in his eyes.
"All right, all right, calm down", she tried to reassure him, gesturing with both hands for him to sit on a chair. She needed for him to relax so he could tell her everything he knew about Dempsey's whereabouts.
Careful he sat down on the edge of one of the kitchen chairs.
In a soft voice Harry tried again "Your name is Dan, isn't it? I'm sorry if I scared you. But I really need to know everything. Where is Dempsey?" She tried to keep her excitement in check not to scare him off.
Dan didn't respond immediately. So she pleaded more forcefully "I'm really worried about him. If you know something, please tell me!"
Dan nodded and whispered "I know where he is."
Harry looked at him incredulously, signs of relief visible on her face. "Where is he? Is he alright? Did he send you here?"
Dan sighed and looked down, shaking his head slowly. "Actually he didn't want me to come here, but I knew no one else who could help him."
Harry was confused. Why didn't Dempsey come to see her himself, and why does he need help? "Dan, you have to tell me what happened, and where he is!" She was almost losing her mind, but she knew she had to remain calm. She didn't want to scare him away. It was her only option to get any information about her partner.
"How do I know for sure if I can trust you? I don't trust anyone from the police!" Dan responded, watching her through narrowed eyes.
"Dempsey is also a detective and you trust him, don't you?"
"Yes, but he's different. He understands about life and about people, probably because he's been through a lot himself." Dan replied pensively.
"Has he ever told you about his past?" Harry asked surprised. Dempsey had never told her anything about his past, he'd always avoided the subject carefully.
Dan chuckled. "He's not exactly a man of many words, is he? You know, people say a lot of things, sometimes way too much. But it's what they don't say, that really matters. Look into their eyes, and they will tell you more than words will ever do. You can see in his eyes that James has been through a lot in his life, maybe too much than is good for him…" he said mysteriously.
Harry stared at him, speechless. The dark tone in his voice made her anxious, but she was struck by the content of his words. She had never expected this from a man like Dan, and he seemed to know more about her partner than she did. She knew he was eccentric and some sort of an artist, who preferred to live on the streets. But obviously, there was more to this man than the eye could see. Perhaps that's why he and Dempsey got on well.
Dan stood up and took a deep breath. "Alright, I have no choice but to trust you as James needs help and fast! I'll take you to him. He told me he's in great danger, so we must be very careful and make sure we're not being followed!"
Harry hurried to put on her shoes and her coat. Then she took her purse and fished out her car keys. They looked around to see if the coast was clear and, after making sure the street was deserted, they rushed to her car.
Dan told her where to go and she drove fast, constantly looking in her rear-view mirror to check whether they were being followed. He guided her from one street to another, until they came to an area she wasn't familiar with. She knew the neighbourhood by reputation and realised it wasn't the safest area in London. There were many squats, where tramps and addicts were living. She noticed the streets were covered with garbage, and a person seemed to be sleeping on a sole bench. She didn't feel at ease and if it wasn't for Dan, she would never have driven in that area at this time of night. She hoped they would drive past it quickly, but to her horror Dan instructed her to park her car in a deserted alley, telling her they would go on foot from there.
Suddenly, it struck to her that she hadn't told anyone where she was going and in with who. And she didn't really know Dan. Could she trust him? What if this was a trap? Her heart started beating faster and she spied around if she could find a quick way out of there. Behind Dan's back, she cautiously opened her purse and reached for her gun. Maybe it wouldn't be sufficient, but at least it made her feel safer.
It was only a short walk when they approached an old dilapidated building. The windows were boarded up with wood boards. The worn-out door hung crooked from its broken hinges. Dan quickly glanced around before he opened the door by lifting it to one side with great effort. Harry's nostrils were immediately assaulted by a musty and smoky smell from inside the building. She hesitated for a brief moment, but then followed Dan into the dampness of the chilly house. As she stepped inside, every muscle in her body was tensed up, and she held her gun tighter, while she was scanning the room for any movements or signs of danger.
Was Dempsey really in there? Or was it an ambush? The thought made her shiver. The place was dimly lit, as there clearly was no electricity. She nearly stumbled over some bricks which lay on the ground. In the faint light she could distinguish some paintings or graffiti on the walls. They looked rather strange but not bad at all, she thought.
Under a gigantic chimney stood a barrel where a lively fire burned inside. It provided some light and heat to the humid place. There was no furniture, except for a table and two cracked chairs next to an old car seat. Dan actually lived in this place? On the floor there were some empty bottles, and on top of the table there was another bottle wrapped up in paper. There was no bed, only a big hammock in the middle of the place.
There seemed to be someone lying in the hammock. When Harry got closer, her hands flew to her mouth. It was Dempsey! She instantly forgot about any potential danger, and focussed on her partner.
He didn't look good at all. He wasn't moving and appeared very fragile. His wet hair stuck to his forehead. She wasn't even sure he was breathing. Blood seeped through a bandage on his forehead. His shirt was also covered in blood, and she couldn't suppress a sharp gasp "Oh my God, Dempsey!" She touched his forehead. It was burning!
Aghast, she looked at Dan for further explanation "What on earth has happened to him?"
Dan was standing by her side fidgeting with the hem of his dirty shirt as he glanced at her "I don't know exactly. I just found him lying under a bridge early this morning. There was blood all over his shirt and for a moment I thought he was dead. But then I saw he was still breathing. It took me a while to wake him up. I wanted to call an ambulance, but he refused. He mumbled something about a shooting and two American hit men. He didn't even let me get help!"
Dan shook his head, getting emotional by the memory. He took the bottle from the table, and took a big gulp.
Harry encouraged him to continue "What did you do then?"
Dan took another gulp, and wiped his mouth clean on his sleeve.
"I couldn't leave him on the street, but he was too heavy... So I went to get a friend, and together we carried him to this place. My friend used to be a doctor, some time ago. But he'd started drinking after some misfortune and ended up living on the street. He's a good man, though, and he's helped me before. Doc –that's how we call him over here- removed the bullets out of James' shoulder and arm and managed to stop the bleeding. He told me to keep him warm, so I lit the fire. He wouldn't stop shivering."
Dan paused to take yet another gulp. His hands werd trembling when he continued. "Doc didn't have any sedatives or antibiotics to treat the wounds. No license, no access, you know… We put some antiseptic on the wounds and gave him a few painkillers we got from the drugstore. I had some money stashed for booze, but I figured I could spare some to help James. It was very painful…,he cried out in agony and then passed out from the pain. After that, Doc told me to keep a close eye on him and we could only wait and hope that he would recover…."
Harry looked at him in horror. She could only imagine how painful it must have been for Dempsey.
Dan sighed and took another gulp, offering her the bottle as well but she waved it away.
"But this afternoon his condition got worse. His fever went up and eventually he lost consciousness. James was dead set not to get you involved in this, but I just didn't know what else to do under the circumstances…"
Harry kept listening to the older man, placing her hand on Dempsey's forehead again. He certainly had a high fever!
She tried to wake him, but he didn't move. She realised she couldn't wait any longer. She had to take the risk and take him to hospital straight away. His life depended on it. After all, there were too many hospitals in London for the hit men to observe them all. She knew a small private hospital where he could be well protected by SI10.
She told Dan her decision to drive him to hospital immediately! He hesitated at first, but the blond detective was very determined. And glancing at his friend, he realised the poor man's condition was deteriorating so fast that they couldn't afford to waste any more time. Besides, James was unconscious so he wouldn't be able to object anyway.
When Harry went to get her car, she first made a brief telephone call to Spikings to arrange protection for Dempsey. Together with Dan she carried him to her car and laid him on the backseat. Although he was in really bad shape, she felt relieved to have found him alive!
She kept glancing at him through her rear-view mirror as she drove, weaving through the light traffic. She didn't know exactly how serious his condition was, but it certainly didn't look good. She had a punching feeling in her stomach, fearing she would lose him after all! She managed to put her feelings aside and focussed on driving the car as fast as she could.
"Damn it Dempsey, why didn't you just ask for help sooner? You stubborn fool! You'd rather have yourself killed than to ask for help!"
She cursed him, but immediately regretted her anger when she saw him in the mirror again. She certainly wasn't used to see him like this. He was always so strong and confident, and feared by many criminals. Sometimes he could intimidate them just by looking at them. It occurred to her that she always felt safe when he was around. No matter how dangerous the situation would be, she could always rely on him to get them both in safety again. And he was always there to protect her. She used to take it for granted. Now she could only hope that she would be able to save him this time.
"Hang on. We're almost there!" She talked to him in case he could hear her, just to reassure him. Or was it rather to reassure herself?
The entire ride he was lying motionless on the backseat of the car, without even responding to her. His breathing was shallow, making her fear he wouldn't even make it to hospital. Only now and then, when there was a bump on the road, he moaned weakly. She tried to avoid the big bumps but was too anxious to slow down. She needed to get him to hospital as soon as possible! Every minute could make the difference between life and death!
(TBC)