Previously in Love and War
(3 Days Later – PJ, Ben and Jo's House)
PJ got home expecting Jo and Ben to both be home but was surprised that the house was empty. He went into his bedroom to change his clothes and saw Jo lying in an uncomfortable looking position on the bed. He watched her for a minute, thinking how had things gone so wrong when he realised she wasn't breathing. He rang for an ambulance and started giving her mouth-to-mouth trying to restart her breathing.
(Hospital – Still That Night)
When they took Jo off to the emergency room he went to ring Tom.
'Tom, it's PJ.'
"Hey PJ, what's up?"
'I'm at the hospital. I got home and Jo was unconscious.'
"It's she alright? Have they stabilized her?"
'I don't know. We only just got here.'
"I'll be right there."
'OK. Thanks. Bye.'
Tom arrived at the hospital to find PJ pacing back and force across the waiting room.
'PJ, did something happen between you and Ben?'
'Why?'
'I found this when I went to leave. It'd been slipped under my door.'
"Tom, I hope you accept this as my formal resignation. Events have occurred that have forced me to leave Mt. Thomas immediately. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Sincerely, Ben Stewart."
'Resigned. Woah.'
'PJ, if something happened. Now would be a good time to tell me.'
'Mr Hasham?' A doctor came through a doorway.
'What's going on? Is she alright?'
'I'm afraid I have bad news.'
'Is she alive?'
'Yes. And overtime she will heal. I'm afraid her injuries are actually more emotional than physical.'
'What do you mean? What happened to her.'
'Mr Hasham, Miss Parrish was raped.' PJ gasped.
'No. That's Impossible. Ben was home with her the whole…' he paused as if a light bulb had gone off. 'The whole time.'
'PJ. What the hell are you on about?'
'Something did happen. I walked in on Jo and Ben kissing. Her arms were on his shoulders. She told me she was trying to push him away. I wouldn't believe her.'
'You think Ben raped her?'
'You tell me. I don't know what to think anymore.'
'This is Ben Stewart we are talking about. He's was supposed to be your best mate.'
'Yeah. And he wasn't supposed to kiss my girlfriend.'
'Can we see her, doctor?'
'Let me talk to her. Ask her if she is up for visitors.'
'Okay.'
The doctor returned ten minutes later.
'I'm sorry. She doesn't want to see anyone.'
'Please. Have you told her who's here? She'll want to see me.'
'Mr Hasham, I'm sorry.'
'Can, you give her a message for me?' Tom said, an idea forming.
'Sure.'
'Tell her. Tom's here. And can I please talk to her.'
'I'll pass the message on. But there's no guarantee it will work.'
'Just try.'
'Okay.'
She returned 15 minutes later.
'OK. 10 Minutes.'
'Thank you.'
'Tom, tell her I'm sorry. And that I love her.'
'Sure.'
'Jo, do you know who it was?'
'Ofcourse I do. I'm not stupid.'
'Will it mean anything if I told you Ben's resigned?'
'What?' she read the letter and threw it back to Tom.
'So he thinks he can just run away and take everything with him. I don't think so. It was him. All right. Ben Stewart. He raped me. I know you think I've lost it. But it was him. Bastard.'
'I thought PJ had truly lost his marbles when he said he thought it was Ben. He said that it was impossible Ben was home with you the whole time. He just put two and two together.'
'Is he out there? In the waiting room.'
'Yes. He told me to tell you he was sorry. And that he loved you. We won't let him get away with it, Jo. I promise you.'
'Don't make promises you can't keep Tom. He already has. Does everybody know?'
'No, only me and PJ.'
'Tell them tomorrow. And ask Suzie, if she has time. Could she come and see me.'
'Sure.'
'Tell PJ, I don't want to see him yet.'
'Jo,'
'I just need sometime to get my head around things. Maybe tomorrow.'
'All right. You take care.' He leant over and kissed her on the forehead and left the room.'
'Well?' he met PJ in the waiting room.
Tom shook his head and then PJ sighed.
'She said maybe tomorrow.'
PJ nodded.
'Go home. You're not doing any good here. Come back tomorrow. You know if you want us to try and find him to lay charges we need you to give us a statement. What you found when you got home.'
'Yup. I'll come in tomorrow morning and do it.'
'Good.'
(Next Morning – Station)
Tom walked in the front door and towards his office, but stopped when Jonesy spoke.
'Boss, where's Jo, PJ and Ben? Do you know?'
'We need to talk.'
'Is something wrong?' Suzie asked, a worried expression clouding her face.
'Last night I got a call from PJ. He'd found Jo unconscious when he'd got home. I went to go to the hospital. And I found a note that had been slipped under my door. It was a letter of resignation. From Ben.'
'Ben's resigned. Why?'
'Let me finish. Then you'll understand. The doctor told me and PJ, Jo had been raped.'
Suzie gasped as she went pale.
'Oh my god. Is she going to be alright?'
'She will be fine. She just needs some time. I thought PJ had truly lost his marbles when he told me whom he suspected. However Jo confirmed it.' He paused, and Jonesy's eyes widened as he figured things out.
'Ben raped her? Ben Stewart? No. There must be some kind of mistake. He wouldn't do that. The three them have been close friends for years.
Suzie's face went an even paler shade of white.
'Are you sure Boss?'
'Jo did confirm it.'
'So what's going to happen? If we've lost Ben and for a while, Jo.'
'I'm not one hundred percent sure yet.' Tom disappeared into his office leaving Suzie and Jonesy alone with their thoughts to take everything in.
'Hey, you OK?' Jonesy asked her, her face was just starting to regain its colour.
'Not really. I can't believe it. I mean, Ben. Him and PJ have been mates for over 6 years. And Jo. Even him and Jo have been friends for ages. What would've possessed him to do it Jonesy? What must have been going through his head?'
'I have no idea Suze. I really don't.'
They looked up and the sound of the front door and watched as PJ walked in and straight into Tom's office.
'Poor PJ. It must be horrible.'
'I can't even begin to imagine,'
Will PJ and Jo get back together?
What will the new cop be like?
Find out next time… in love and war