Chapter 32

Blaine pushed Dr Hartfield away, but she had a firm grip on his wrist. Before he knew it, Dr Jonick had secured his other arm.

‘I don’t know why you’re running, Blaine. You’re out of Ramer’s Cure, so eventually you’re just going to drop in a heap! Then we’ll just cart you back and finish what we started. We’re trying to protect you, remember? You’re a danger to society, and yourself!’

‘Mum!’ Blaine shouted as loudly as he could as they dragged him away. ‘Where’s my Mum?’

‘Oh, your mother’s been and gone, Blaine. I explained about your paranoia and how you despise them for not really wanting you. I also reminded her you were being hunted by the police, but she kindly left something for you. It’ll keep you going until you’re sentenced. It’s a bit embarrassing having a criminal for a son.’

As they pulled him towards the car park, Blaine noticed a backpack hanging off her shoulder. Even in the semi-darkness he recognised it as his own.

Ramer’s Cure. Within reach.

‘The reality is, your parents don’t want the strain of your care anymore, Blaine.’ Melissa forced out her words as her breathing grew heavier from exertion.

‘Is that really necessary, Mel?’

‘Keep your comments to yourself, Eddie!’

‘What are you doing? Let me go!’ Blaine squirmed, lunged for the backpack, but they held him fast.

‘Thankfully, due to your unique circumstances, I was able to assure your mother we’d look after you. Especially as we now have the missing ingredient in all of this.’ She laughed as she reached to grab something out of her handbag.

‘No! No!’ He fought with the little strength he had left, but it all ended with a sharp piercing of his thigh.

‘Well, that was a bit of excitement. Never know what you’ll see around these parts some nights.’

Sophie frowned at the girl wearing a uniform sporting a familiar food franchise logo. A crowd of people were staring off into the darkness.

‘What happened?’

‘There was just some strange guy here a few minutes ago,’ a man holding a toddler offered. ‘I think he was a druggo or something. A couple of plain clothes cops took him off, but he was kicking and screaming all the way. I think they might’ve tasered him, though, as it stopped just like that.’

‘What was he shouting?’ Sophie glanced at Mrs Colton and Jett, certain it was Blaine.

‘Mum!’ A waitress from a nearby restaurant nodded as she offered this information. ‘He just kept shouting “Mum!” It looked like that fellow the police are after—you know, from the identity sketch they’ve been showing on the television.’

Sophie caught her brother’s eye and they sprinted off in the direction everyone was still staring. Looking up and down, there was no sign of anyone dragging another person anywhere. It was strange.

‘There!’

Jett bolted off again, leaving Sophie to canter in his wake. Mrs Colton trailed far behind.

Straining to see what her brother had spotted, Sophie only caught the shadow of some people entering a subterranean car park. Even Jett wasn’t fast enough to see where they were headed.

She slowed to a walk when her phone rang. What were the chances of it being Dr Hartfield?

Sienna’s number came up.

‘Hi Sophie, just got your message and thought I’d give you a call.’

‘Sienna! I didn’t know if you still had your phone or not.’

‘Police got it back for me. Screen’s cracked, but it still works.’

‘So you’re doing okay now?’ Sophie listened closely, able to hear monitors in the background. She wondered if her friend was even supposed to be using her mobile phone in the hospital.

‘Heaps better!’

‘Sienna, this is important. Do you remember if it was my friend Blaine who attacked you, or not?’

‘So not! It was this manky-looking creep with a metal bar! Like you’d carry that round for fun? Memory’s a bit sketchy, but someone shouted at him to stop; tried to push me out of the way. Police showed me the footage. Okay, so it seemed a bit incriminating, but I know what I heard and it wasn’t a second man coming in, as they thought. I’m guessing it was Blaine.’

‘So you’ve spoken to the police?’

‘Just before.’

‘Thanks so much and get better quick. We’ll catch up soon. Bye!’

Sophie ran after Jett, relief etching away the doubt that had built up like a gritty residue about her heart. ‘That’s our Blaine!’ She wanted to shout his innocence across every media network. Instead, she made a beeline for her brother who was still watching the car park entrance.

‘Sophie! Jett!’

‘Over here, Mrs Colton!’ Jett raised his arm and waved to Belinda, who had her phone to her ear.

‘They’re lying, Jett!’ Sophie turned around and raised her voice. ‘Mrs Colton, Blaine does not want to cut ties with you. He was calling out “Mum”. And he didn’t attack Sienna! We need to go get him, now! We need to help Blaine!’

‘Whoa, Soph.’ Jett gripped her shoulders, preventing her from running into the car park. ‘It may not have even been them I saw.’

Phone to her ear, Belinda held up her hand to indicate she was trying to listen. She talked for a moment longer and then hung up. ‘Well, that was an interesting conversation.’ Instantly she gained Sophie and Jett’s full attention. ‘You know that man Luke you mentioned, Sophie? Well, apparently he used to work with Professor Ramer. The reason he was asking questions was that he’d spoken with Blaine and was concerned by some things that were said—even more so after hearing reports of that attack. So, he tracked down my contact details.’

‘What else did he say?’ Sophie shivered, a tumult of emotions careening through her.

‘When I told him of Dr Hartfield’s claims he said it’s an outright lie. He’s going to contact Professor Ramer as soon as he can.’

‘But how will that help Blaine now? His life’s on the clock.’ Jett threw a look back towards the car park.

‘Sophie, Jett, we must involve the authorities!’

‘It’s not fair! We know they’re lying, but he could still die.’ Sophie stopped and raised her hand, her phone clasped tight against her palm. ‘Wait, I’ve got their phone numbers! And I have an idea ...’