Shadows of the Dead by Jim Eldridge

Author:Jim Eldridge [Jim Eldridge]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2016-11-13T16:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

‘How was your dinner?’

Stark sipped at his cup of cocoa, then said, ‘All right. Not as good as pie and mash. Was Stephen all right?’

Sarah nodded. ‘He wants to go and see his grandad at the hospital. I said I’d take him for tomorrow evening’s visiting.’

Stark looked doubtful. ‘You don’t think it might frighten him?’ he asked. ‘He’s only eight. Dad didn’t look too good when I last saw him.’

‘I was working when I was Stephen’s age,’ said Sarah. ‘So was your dad.’

‘Yes, but they were different times.’

‘People are still the same. And there’s always been a strong bond between him and his grandad. It’s right that we don’t keep Stephen out of the picture; otherwise, he’ll only imagine things even worse.’

‘Yes, you’re right,’ sighed Stark. ‘We’ll all go together.’

‘Will you be home tomorrow night? What about this American?’

‘I’ll be home,’ Stark assured her.

The shrill ringing of the telephone made them both jump. Stark looked at the clock. Eleven at night. It could only be bad news.

Sarah watched him anxiously as he ran to the phone. He picked up the receiver and heard the familiar voice of Sergeant Hathaway, one of the desk sergeants at Scotland Yard say, ‘I’m sorry to trouble you, Chief Inspector, but there’s been an incident involving DS Danvers.’

Immediately, Stark felt a sickness in the pit of his stomach. ‘What sort of incident?’ he asked, forcing himself to stay calm.

‘He was assaulted, sir. He was found unconscious in the street. He’s been taken to Charing Cross Hospital. He’s still hasn’t regained consciousness.’

‘What do the doctors say about his condition?’

‘I’m afraid I haven’t any more information, sir.’

‘Please send a car to pick me up and take me to Charing Cross.’

‘Yes, sir. I thought you might say that, so I despatched one already. It should be with you within the next twenty minutes.’

‘Thank you, Sergeant.’

‘Any time, sir. And do give my best wishes to Sergeant Danvers, when he wakes up.’

Sarah appeared beside him. ‘What’s happened?’ she asked, worried. ‘Is your dad all right?’

‘That wasn’t about Dad. Sergeant Danvers has been attacked,’ he told her. ‘He’s been taken to Charing Cross Hospital. I’m going to see him. I don’t know when I’ll be back.’

As Stark entered the waiting area outside Ward C, he saw Lettie and Cavendish in deep and worried conversation with a distinguished-looking elderly man. Lettie saw him and immediately rushed towards him. He could see that she’d been crying.

‘Oh Chief Inspector!’ she burst out, and threw herself at him, burying her face in his shoulder. Instinctively, he hugged her, although it felt distinctly uncomfortable. He wasn’t a person giving to hugging people he didn’t know well. In fact, he wasn’t one for hugging at all. He was relieved when Cavendish walked towards him and he was able to gently disentangle himself from Lettie.

‘A terrible business, Chief Inspector,’ said the American sombrely.

‘How is he?’ asked Stark.

‘Still unconscious, I’m afraid,’ replied Cavendish. ‘He took a bad beating. Most of it to the head, from what the medics say.’ He turned and indicated the elderly man who’d now joined them.

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