Blood Pact by Heather Atkinson

Author:Heather Atkinson [Atkinson, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

16

Valerie strode onto the ward, her black high-heeled boots making a gentle click-clack across the linoleum floor. The ward staff greeted her with warm smiles. Fortunately, Jason Gray had been put on a ward where she was well known, so they just pointed her in the direction of a private room in a quiet corner. She had wondered if a police officer would be guarding the door but no one was there. Jason had probably outlived his usefulness to Sharples the moment Jackie had been released from custody.

She walked in to find him asleep. His face was covered in cuts and bruises, his right eye was badly swollen and his nose had been broken. The cuts and bruises on his knuckles indicated he’d put up a fight.

Sensing someone looming over him, Jason jumped awake, eyes briefly filling with panic until he focused on the dog collar.

‘Piss off,’ he told her. ‘I don’t want a fucking vicar, I’m an atheist.’

‘Never mind,’ she replied. ‘God still loves you.’

‘Aye, it feels like it,’ he said, shifting on the bed and wincing.

Valerie took the chair beside his bed.

‘Didn’t you hear what I said?’ demanded Jason. ‘I told you to fuck off.’

‘I heard. I’m not deaf.’

He frowned at her. ‘You look familiar.’

‘You probably saw me on the Gallowburn, although I don’t have any nunchucks on me.’

His eyes widened. ‘Oh, Christ, you’re a McVay.’

‘I am and I want some answers. Like why you accused Jackie Gray of attacking you.’

‘She did.’

‘Come now, Jason, we both know that’s rubbish. You’re afraid of someone and it’s not Jackie, although maybe it should be.’

‘I’ve no idea what you’re banging on about. Bugger off.’

Valerie’s gaze turned cold. ‘If you’re rude to me once more, I’m going to get very angry.’

‘Ooh, I’m terrified.’

She thrust her face into his, causing him to push his head further back into the pillow. ‘You should be,’ she hissed in a way that reminded him of Toni.

The fury vanished from Valerie’s eyes and she sank back into the chair. ‘Now, you’re going to tell me why you said Jackie attacked you.’

‘Because she did.’

‘Oh dear, that’s the route you’re going down, is it?’

‘Yes. Now I’m going back to sleep, so sling your hook.’

‘You’re a slow learner, Jason. It’s such a shame.’

‘Aye, well, I never did well at school.’

‘I’m not surprised to hear it. You’re selfish, narcissistic and completely without compassion. That’s how you managed to point a gun at your own son.’

‘If you’re trying to make me feel guilty, Vicar, it’s no’ gonnae work.’

‘You care about nothing but yourself. One day I hope you realise how wonderful your wife and children are and that you’re the one who’s lost out. But I suspect you’re far too stupid to ever come to that realisation. Anyway, the only stupid life decision of yours I’m concerned with is why you accused Jackie. I assumed you’d agreed to be beaten up specifically to set her up. However, now I’ve seen the defence wounds on your hands, I’m starting to believe I’m wrong. You didn’t agree to that beating.

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