Hathaway went back to the station to see what could be done about tracking down David Harvey. Lewis's daughter, Lynn, had arrived at the Radcliffe and she telephoned James when Lewis was finally wheeled into the post-anesthesia care unit, but the hospital policy allowed only family members to visit.

He was sitting staring into space when his mobile rang. Hobson calling. He switched it on. "Hi, Laura."

"Hathaway, what the hell is happening? I'm here in my lab and was just informed by one of the ballistics guys that they're working on a nine-millimeter bullet removed from a certain 'DI Robert Lewis' this afternoon." There was a touch of hysteria in her voice.

"Yeah, sorry, Laura. Lewis was shot this morning. Right in front of his flat."

"Oh my God, is he okay?"

"I wouldn't say so, but I guess they're pretty certain he'll live. The bullet pierced his lung and hit his spine. They won't let me see him yet."

"I'll see what I can do to get you in." She rang off just as DI Knox appeared in Hathaway's office doorway.

"Here you are, Sergeant. If you're going to work for me, I'll need you over in my area. I know Inspector Lewis, and I expect he's let you have far too much free rein for the way I run things. I need you to report everything to me. I'll be reviewing all your decisions."

Hathaway updated his new boss on what had been done so far. Knox shook his head. "I don't want Peabody and Clifford on the house-to-house, send them out to the prison and get Garfield and Lito on the house-to-house instead." He made other changes in the assignments Hathaway had made, and criticized the focus on David Harvey.

"We certainly don't know that it's him. How could he get all the way over here in that storm? Nothing was moving on Saturday. They're going to find him in a snowbank somewhere. Either that or he's heading for the border. What good would it do him to kill someone else? It's not logical."

Hathaway bridled at Knox's second-guessing, and the older man noticed. "Sergeant, I can tell Inspector Lewis has been lax in enforcing the idea of hierarchy of the ranks. You see, as 'inspector,' I outrank you. You will carry out my orders without question or complaint, is that clear? And you will not disturb the Harvey family with your theory unless and until I decide there are actual grounds for it. Mrs. Harvey is a respected member of the community and she has suffered enough in the recent past."

Hathaway worked at making the reassignments as Knox asked. When he was sergeant for Knox in the days before Lewis came back to Oxford, he just did as he was told and did not question his superior officer. But his years of working with Lewis had taught him that mere rank should not stifle the thought process. He had learned to trust his hunches and to look for things that stood out from the background, and he appreciated how playing devil's advocate enabled the two partners to effectively reason their way through a theory.

He had to bite his tongue to keep from speaking his mind. But not for long. Within ten minutes, Knox informed his new sergeant that he was heading home and would see him in the morning.

It was nearly ten before James packed up his work. Just as he was heading to the car park, his mobile buzzed with another call from Dr. Hobson.

"Come by in the morning, right at seven, and I can get you in for a few minutes, okay? Shift change, people aren't watching as much. That's the best I can do until he's conscious and asks for you himself."

* * *

Hathaway was at the Radcliffe at five minutes to seven, and Laura led him into Lewis's room with an air of authority that went unquestioned. They both stopped short as soon as they entered. Lewis was on a ventilator that hissed rhythmically, the tube tied in position in his mouth. Tubes and wires snaked everywhere, some delivering fluids, some draining fluids, some sending reports of his vitality to the machines beside the bed.

Lynn was dozing in a chair to one side and she stirred when they came in. She had met them both before and seemed relieved to see them in the room. "Oh, great, do you mind staying while I get something to eat? I'm sure he'd be glad to know you're here."

Laura gave her a hug. "This can't be easy for you."

She looked tired. "I really can't stay. I'm supposed to be back at work right now. I hate to leave, but the doctors said they don't know when he'll wake up. Could be days." Her eyes welled with tears.

"If you'd like to go back to Manchester for now, James and I can keep an eye on him if you give permission. He may need you more after he wakes up, anyway."

The relief was obvious. "Oh, that would be fantastic! Would you give me a call as soon as he's conscious?"

They assured her they would, and after she had eaten and left Lewis a sentimental card at his bedside, she left to return to the north. As they stood looking at their friend, Laura stepped closer to Hathaway and put her arm around his waist.

"You know, James, this shot was meant to kill. From where the shooter was standing, he would have had clear aim for the heart. I think Lewis slipped on the icy walk just as the shot was taken, and that's why it only went into his lung. Otherwise, he wouldn't have hit the ground face down. And he wouldn't still be alive."

Hathaway considered this theory. "The shooter will know he wasn't successful. What if he intends to finish the job?"

"Be careful, James," she whispered.

* * *