Flashing her warrant card, Ruby smiled apologetically at the matron as she granted her access to the ward. At two a.m., it was way past visiting hours, and she was careful to shield her face as she passed the CCTV cameras on the way in. It was unlikely to be viewed, but if anything else was to happen that night, awkward questions would be asked in the morning. The last place she expected to find herself was at a hospital at two in the morning. But a stairwell chat with her neighbour Darren had given her information that temporarily stopped her heart. Nathan had been admitted to hospital after a ruck in his home. Little was known, apart from the fact they had tried to stab him as he slept. She had taken a chance coming to the hospital, but she knew the matron would have kicked his family out as soon as Nathan was bedded in.
The soft glow of a bedside lamp warmed his features, and she saw a peace that had not been present in years. She had no intention of waking him. A stabbing was recorded, but little explanation was offered. Ruby clenched her jaw. It was related to Lenny. It had to be. Since coming out of prison he had caused nothing but trouble, gaining back his territory from the dealers trying to muscle in.
Silently she sidled up to the bed, her heart sinking at the sight of Nathan’s vulnerability. The private room offered comfort, but it was of poor consolation when he could have just as easily been lying in a hospital mortuary. The thought pierced her heart, and she swallowed back the bitterness rising up her throat.
Nathan’s eyes opened as he inhaled, and he blinked a few times before focusing his gaze on her. ‘Ruby,’ he said, his throat dry, reaching out his hand over the waffle blankets.
Ruby glanced up at the closed door before pulling in her chair. Barely trusting herself to speak, she leaned in and kissed him tenderly on the lips.
Her tears betrayed her bravado as they silently spilled down her cheeks. She had come here to tell him off, to warn him against any dealings in his brother’s business. But with a bellyful of alcohol lowering her defences, her emotions erupted and all the stresses of the last week came out. She steadied her breathing, taking his hand as it was offered.
Nathan’s thumb rubbed against hers. ‘Babe, don’t cry. I’m okay. They’re letting me out soon.’
Ruby drew back, pulling a tissue from her pocket and rubbing away the tears. She cleared her throat, composing herself. ‘You could have been killed. I could be looking at your body on a slab right now. Why do you keep putting yourself in danger?’
‘It was a misunderstanding, crossed wires.’
‘Don’t bullshit me, Nathan. Couldn’t your brother have got his heavies elsewhere? Why did he have to involve you?’
‘It wasn’t like that. You know I don’t get involved in his battles anymore. They came after me. I didn’t go starting anything.’
‘They? So who was it? And how did they break into your house?’
‘It doesn’t matter. It’s all sorted now.’ Nathan winced as he shifted position.
‘So someone else has got it in return and the war rages on.’
Nathan didn’t answer. He lay back in bed, tight-lipped.
Ruby felt a pang of guilt. He wasn’t well enough for an interrogation, but she was so angry at him. ‘I’m not here to question you, and I respect your decision to move on without me. But please, Nathan, leave it behind.’
‘For Christ’s sake, I’ve had it in my ear all day from me old mum, nag nag nag. Not you and all.’
Ruby knew his mother would not be nagging him for his involvement, but his carelessness in getting hurt. She could imagine Lenny standing grim-faced at the end of the bed with his fists in his pockets as their mother ranted about honour and protecting the family name.
Ruby sighed, a wave of tiredness overcoming her. ‘Is it really sorted?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then get some rest. You look like shit.’
Nathan gave the faintest of smiles before his eyelids flickered into the depths of sleep.
Ruby set the alarm on her phone and sat back in the chair, watching his chest rise and fall. In sleep, his features relaxed into peace once more, and she wished nothing more for him than to have a normal life, being graced with the things everyone else took for granted. She wanted to crawl in beside him and bury her head in the crook of his neck. But that was behaviour definitely unbecoming of a police sergeant, and she didn’t think the matron would approve. The least she could do was stay and repay him for being with her when she needed him. Lenny and his mum had gone for the night, and she would be left in peace in the private room. It was not unusual for police to stay with a victim of crime overnight, particularly when they were so well known. But in such cases, the officer wasn’t usually in love with their subject.
Ruby was gently lured out of sleep by a familiar hand stroking her hair, gently waking her. She raised her head from the side of his bed wondering how she had deviated from her chair to leaning over the mattress, where she had fallen into slumber. ‘What time is it?’ she asked, hoping none of the nursing staff had seen her.
‘Almost six. You shouldn’t have stayed.’
‘I know,’ Ruby said, knowing he would have done the same for her. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘Honestly?’
‘Yes, honestly,’ she said, rubbing away the crick in her neck.
‘Horny.’
Ruby laughed as she stood. ‘You never cease to amaze me, you know that?’
‘See for yourself. It’s been a while since we… and you smell good.’
‘I think you should reserve your strength for getting better,’ Ruby said, not wanting to think about the last woman he had sex with. Was he really seeing another woman? It was a painful thought, and she had no right to be jealous given her casual fling with her DI.
But that was always the way it had been with them. One minute they were fighting, the next making up. Their bodies couldn’t resist each other. The only way around it was to stay away. ‘I’d best be off. I’ve got work in two hours.’
‘Call in sick.’
‘And what? Stay by your bedside? I’m sure my showdown with your brother would provide some light entertainment.’
‘Don’t piss him off, Ruby; he’s not been in a good frame of mind since he came out.’
Ruby gave him a withered look. ‘I know.’
Nathan narrowed his eyes, unspoken words passing between them.
‘Anyway, take care of yourself. You know how I feel about all this. Just call if you need me.’
‘Don’t I get a kiss?’
Ruby leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. ‘Goodbye, Nathan.’
She turned and walked away. Goodbyes meant nothing in their world.