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Nick pulls up at a traffic light. Suddenly the windscreen explodes in front of him. He dives in to the passenger seat as another blow hits. He covers his head, glass is pouring down on him. There is a cacophony of sound as more windows are hit and he feels the body of the car thumping, he figures 3 people. It is over as quickly as it began. He lies still for a moment until he's reassured that they are gone.
"Are you alright dear?"
Nick carefully shakes the glass off his hands and body as he brings himself to a sitting position. There is a crowd of people surrounding the car, he figures the middle-aged woman at the front is the one who asked the question.
"Yes I think so."
Nick climbs out of the car and checks himself over. There are little scratches on his hands, which are dripping a little blood otherwise he seems fine. His car, on the other hand is a total mess. All the windows are gone and there are numerous dents in its bodywork.
"Did anyone see anything.?"
A man answers from behind him.
"There was three of them, they had hoods over their faces, they ran down that alleyway, we gave chase but they disappeared. Has anyone called the cops?"
Someone else speaks out:
"They are on their way."
The middle-aged woman takes charge of Nick, leads him in to a nearby shoe shop, sits him down and taking out some tissues, dabs at the cuts on his hands.
"Thank you but that's alright, I can deal with it myself."
"Sure you are honey, your hands are shaking like a leaf. Just sit there and let me clean you up."
Nick looks at his hands and sure enough they are trembling. The woman looks at a nearby sales assistant.
"Get this man a coffee, lots of sugar. What's your name honey?"
Nick is feeling uncomfortable with the attention but his feet seems to have failed him.
"Nick"
The woman smiles at him:
"Hi Nick, my name is Nora."
Two street cops enter the shop and walk up to Nick and Nora.
"Are you the owner of the car outside?"
Nick nods.
"Can you tell us what happened?"
The woman answers before Nick can get a word out.
"This young man pulled up at the stop light when three men, with hoods on came out of the alley and started hitting his car with baseball bats. They smashed it all up and then ran back into the alley.
"And you are?"
"My name is Nora I was right by the car when it happened. They pushed pass me to get to the car. This young man wasn't doing anything, just sitting at the light."
"My partner here will get your statement while I talk to...?
"Nick, his name is Nick."
She looks up to Nick, giving back his hand.
"The bleeding seems to have stopped, you should be alright, they don't need stitches, but you should have them checked out for glass shards. "
Nick shrugs
"I am a nurse honey I know what I am talking about"
She turns to the assistant who has brought the coffee and takes it out of her hands, giving it to Nick.
"Here drink this it will make you feel better."
Nick gives her a grateful nod as she's taken aside by one of the cops. The other one faces Nick.
"Paramedics are on their way, I would like them to have a look at you. What is your full name."
"Nick Fallin."
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"As Nora said, I pulled up at the light when suddenly the windscreen shattered in front of me. I was surprised but when it was hit the second time I threw myself across the passenger seat and covered my head. I didn't see anything, I was busy protecting myself. I could hear the glass breaking and falling and the body of the car being hit. It sounded like there were 3 bats in use. I didn't sit up again until I was certain they were gone."
"Any ideas who they were, it looks like this isn't the first time you have had trouble."
The cop points to the bruise on Nick face.
"I was attacked a couple of days ago by some unknown assailants."
"Okay , just stay there for a while I will be back."
Nick watches him leave, speaking in to his radio. Nick takes his phone out and calls Belden and then his father.
While he is on the phone to his Dad the cop returns with a paramedic in tow.
"I have to go dad."
"Bartelli here will look you over."
Nick tells her that he is fine and shows her the small cuts on his hands. She takes a look and takes out some wipes, she dabs at the cuts.
" They seem clean but I would like you to go to the hospital to make sure that there are no smalls slivers of glass in there."
Nick is about to protest.
"It for your own good sir, it will get nasty if any are left in."
She leads Nick to the waiting ambulance.
It is two hours before Nick's discharged from the hospital, his cuts have been cleaned and xrayed. No glass was found and small plasters were applied. His Dad is waiting to drive him home.
"Are you okay Son?"
"Yes I'm fine, just a few little cuts."
Nick hold up his hands. His dad voices the question that has been turning over and over in Nick's head.
"What on earth is going on Nick, first the beating and now this!"
"I wish I knew Dad."
Nick spies the cop who had talked to him earlier approaching.
"Mr. Fallin, we need you to come down to the station to give us your statement."
"Can't it wait until later, my son has been through enough today."
"And you are?"
"Burton Fallin."
"I'm sorry it can't wait and it won't take long. He can come with us."
Nick turns to his dad."
"I appreciate you coming down dad but I may as well get this over with."
"Are you sure?"
Nick nods.
"Call me when you're done and I will give you a ride home."
Nick's been sitting in the interview room for half an hour. He's getting impatient and gets up and bangs on the door. There is no response. 10 mins later the door opens and Nick finds he isn't surprised to see Detective Grainger walk through. He nods at Nick who sits back in his chair and folds his arms. Grainger sits down opposite, putting down the file in his hand.
"So Fallin why don't you tell me what this is all about before you end up dead."