The Wrong Woman by O. J. Mullen

Author:O. J. Mullen [Mullen, O. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2024-07-17T00:00:00+00:00

Julia understood why Olivia had passed on the hospital. To her, Ravi was more than a colleague and until they knew the extent of his injuries it was wiser she stay away. Julia didn’t have that luxury: there was no one else. The police might have no more to tell but the doctors certainly would, and she forced herself to stay positive. Since the scene in her office Ellis had neither said nor done anything even slightly inappropriate but Julia hadn’t forgotten how quickly he’d changed when she’d rejected his deluded advances and would rather have visited Ravi alone.

On the drive across the city if Ellis felt any lingering awkwardness he kept it hidden. He seemed relaxed, sitting quietly in the passenger seat until a red light forced Julia to stop. He shared a philosophical thought. ‘One minute life is fine, the next… Poor old Ravi. We can only hope he’s able to put this appalling act behind him. I wonder why he was calling you. Doesn’t that strike you as strange?’

Julia didn’t answer him and turned left up High Street; Ellis continued, undeterred by her silence. ‘I meant it about deserving a break. You and Rob put everything you have into your jobs, though wouldn’t a couple of weeks in Marbella have served the same purpose without flying halfway round the world? I’m curious, why Vietnam?’

Julia had no desire to discuss her personal affairs with this guy and kept her reply short.

‘We love South East Asia.’

‘Me too, I envy you. The most important thing is to enjoy yourselves. Grapevine will still be here when you get back.’

At the top of the hill Julia left the Mazda in one of the Cathedral Precinct car parks and walked across the road to the hospital. Main Reception had good news for them: Ravi was out of ICU and they were directed to a ward where a doctor would speak to them. When they got there he was waiting. Julia recognised him from the night before, still tired, but brighter than she remembered him. He nodded and gave them his assessment. ‘I’m pleased to tell you your colleague has had a peaceful night.’

‘You’ve moved him – does that mean you think he’s going to be all right?’

The doctor avoided answering directly. ‘After what he went through he’s in a great deal of pain. We’ve made him as comfortable as possible.’

Julia anxiously repeated her question and he relented a little. ‘For a man who was beaten as badly as he was, yes, I’d say so. We were concerned with possible head trauma. Fortunately, the scan showed nothing. As you would expect there’s extensive bruising all over his body. His ankle is broken, three of his ribs are cracked and he’s suffered a compound fracture to his leg. But, for us, the biggest issue is the damage to his knee. It’s pretty badly smashed up. Also, because his stats aren’t where we’d like to see them, we’re monitoring him for internal bleeding.’

Julia thought about Olivia’s reaction and was glad she’d decided not to come.

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