1911021494 by MICHAEL HAMBLING Read Free Book Online

shocks that her brain can’t cope with it all,’ said the doctor.
    ‘I’ll stay with her until she drops off. I’ll have to arrange for an officer to be here for security overnight, but I’ll let the hospital staff know. Can you lock all those swabs up for the night? I’ll get them collected by the forensic service tomorrow morning. And can you push the blood test through as a priority?’ Sophie asked.
    ‘Already done. We should have the results back late tomorrow.’
    ‘Thanks — both of you. I know I can always rely on you, and I’m grateful.’
    ‘It’s a pleasure, Sophie,’ said Mark. ‘Laura’s in a hurry so I’ll give the girl a sedative in a few minutes, when she’s been found a bed. Then I’ll be off. One of us will call back to see her first thing tomorrow.’
    Sophie went back into the bathroom. The young woman already looked better. Sophie helped her out of the bath and the nurse gently rubbed her dry. The nurse led her over to the wheelchair and took her to a small room set apart from the main ward. Sophie phoned the police station and arranged for a PC to spend the night outside Nadia’s room. She sat by the bed, while Nadia nibbled at a cheese sandwich and drank some coffee.
    ‘Nadia, can you tell me what happened?’
    ‘We come to England. They told us jobs in hotels. We pay them money. When we come they did bad things to us. Bad, bad things. Are evil. They kill Stefan. Make us watch.’ She started sobbing uncontrollably.
    ‘How old are you, Nadia?’
    ‘Eighteen. I speak a small English.’
    ‘Don’t say any more. I just want you to rest. You are safe now. I will look after you. Trust me. You are safe. The doctor will give you an injection to help you sleep, but I will be here.’
    Mark Benson gave the young woman a sedative and Sophie stayed with her, holding onto her hand until well after she fell into a deep sleep. Sophie dozed off herself and woke when the nurse came into the room with PC Jen Allbright.
    ‘I thought you went off duty?’ Sophie whispered.
    ‘I did, ma’am, but I volunteered for this. I’ll be fine, though I might be a bit late in tomorrow morning.’
    ‘I don’t want to see you until mid-afternoon at the earliest. And I’ll try to have someone else here at six in the morning to sit for a couple of hours until I get back in.’
    Sophie tiptoed out of the room.

Chapter 4: Pink and Blue Clothes
    Thursday, Week 1
     
    ‘Jade, I’m really sorry I couldn’t eat more of your chicken casserole last night. But it was delicious.’ Sophie had been exhausted when she arrived home the previous night. She was still tired this morning.
    ‘It’s okay, Mum. Dad’s already eyed up the leftovers to take in for his lunch today. It won’t get wasted.’
    ‘If the hospital has to discharge the girl and we can’t find anywhere to take her, then I might bring her back here for a couple of nights. Is that alright?’
    ‘I don’t mind, Mum. I’ll look after her.’
    ‘She doesn’t have any clothes, Jade. Before you go, do you think you could put out a couple of things that I could take in for her? She’s about your build, but a bit shorter. Just informal things like jeans, and maybe a jumper.’
    ‘Okay, Mum. I’ll leave some stuff out on my bed before I head off.’
    ‘Jade, in case I do have to bring Nadia back, there’s something you need to know. We suspect that she’s been the victim of multiple rapes. And she’s also witnessed a murder. Don’t expect her to be like just any girl of her age. She’ll be in shock for a long time to come. She couldn’t stop crying last night for all the time I was with her. It was heart-breaking.’
    Jade stopped for a moment, facing the door. Then she left the room.
    Martin watched her go. ‘I know we’ve already discussed this, Sophie. But I still can’t help thinking that it’s a lot for Jade to cope with. Trying to befriend someone who’s been gang-raped and forced to watch a murder won’t be an easy task. I