Now
Gray was directed by a nurse to a private room off one of the many wards. Gray knocked lightly on the door.
“Come in,” said someone from inside.
He entered, closing the door behind him. Inside was the patient, a pregnant woman who lay on her back, seemingly asleep, dark hair spread across the pillow. Some monitors beside the bed bleeped intermittently. There was a bunch of flowers standing on the windowsill in a vase. Lilies. Beautiful to look at, not so great to smell. As if something had died and was in the process of rotting. Hardly ideal for a hospital environment of recovery and recuperation.
A grey-haired woman sat in a chair drawn up to the bed. A newspaper lay in her lap, and she was regarding Gray expectantly.
“I’m looking for Rachel O’Shea,” said Gray.
“She’s asleep,” said the woman, standing.
Gray introduced himself, showed his warrant card.
“May I?” Natalie held out a hand. Gray passed over his card. She examined it closely before handing it back. “I’m Natalie Peace. Rachel and I work together.”
“How is she?”
“Let’s talk outside. I read somewhere that unconscious people can hear conversations.” Natalie tucked the newspaper under an arm.
Just along the corridor was a small, square recess with seats bolted to the floor and a vending machine which Natalie fed some coins into. “Would you like something?” she asked.
He shook his head. Natalie pushed several times at the keypad, making a selection, and waited for the machine to dispense a drink. A few moments later, she held a small plastic cup in her hands, blowing on the surface, although Gray couldn’t see any steam rising. She took a sip and pulled a face.
“What do you want?” said Natalie.
“My boss called and told me to speak to you. She said Miss O’Shea was involved in an altercation with a man, possibly a person of interest in a case we’re investigating.”
“I’m the manager of the Lighthouse Project on Belgrave Road. We provide a refuge for the homeless. Rachel is a volunteer.”
“I know it. Not the easiest of places to work, I imagine.”
“Sometimes, no. But I enjoy it.”
“It’s under threat though?”
Natalie scowled. “Bloody developers are after us, yes.”
“Have you had any trouble previously?”
“There’s sometimes a few scrapes, it’s the nature of the beast. But nothing like this.”
“What happened?”
“Two men came in, looking for someone. Rachel discovered them out the back in the dormitory, shining a torch into the faces of sleeping guests.”
“How did they gain access?”
“Kelvin let them in.”
“Who’s he?”
“Another volunteer. If we weren’t short of people I’d get rid of him.” An angry expression crossed her face. “The fact is they shouldn’t have been there. It’s against the rules.”
“Why?”
“We try to provide a safe and secure environment for our sleepers. It’s tough out on the streets.”
“What time did this happen, precisely?”
“Just after 1am.”
“Did you know them?”
She shook her head.
“Can you describe them?”
“Locals, by their accents. Big guys, not pleasant at all. Not homeless by how they were dressed; too smart and they wore aftershave.”
“You were brave to stand up to them.”
“It was Rachel, really. I just called your lot. You get used to dealing with difficult people and situations. They weren’t pleased. I followed them outside to ensure they left.”
“Does this happen very often? Someone trying to find people?”
“Yes, unfortunately. Usually family members looking for a runaway. But they’ve left home for a reason and don’t want to be located. It’s our job to be impartial.”
“How did Rachel end up needing to be hospitalised?”
“I don’t really know. I was outside when it all happened, showing the two men off the premises. One of our guests ran past me into the street and kept going. I went back in and found Rachel on the floor. Kelvin was looking after her. He’d already called an ambulance; the police came pretty much straight away. We’ve been in here ever since. The baby’s all right though, thank God.”
“What did the man look like? The one they were looking for.”
Natalie passed Gray the newspaper. On the front page was a picture of their mystery man from the earlier press conference. “It was him. Look, I’ve got to get back in to Rachel. Is that everything you need to know?”
“What about the baby’s father?”
“He’s working. He’ll be here soon. I really need to be with Rachel.”
“Of course, I’m sorry I’ve kept you for so long. Thanks for your help. I’ll send someone over to take a formal statement and show you some photos when you’re feeling up to it. Perhaps you’ll recognise the men.” Gray handed over his business card. “In case you remember anything else.”
Natalie put the plastic cup down on the table and left. When Gray walked passed Rachel’s room the door was closed.
His phone beeped; a text message. It was from Noble. It said, “I’m out. Meet me later.”
“Where and when?” tapped out Gray.
“Tonight English Flag.”
Gray groaned. The place was a dump. But at least he might learn why Noble had been beaten.