Page 77 of One Left Alive
Ben stood up. ‘Right then, we need to find Harrison Wright. He might be able to tell us a lot more about this than he’s letting on, and do we have an update on Bronte? Life would be so much easier if we could talk to her.’
Declan held up his hand. ‘Actually, that’s why I’m here. I was passing and thought I’d give you the news.’
Morgan felt her heart drop to the bottom of her stomach; even though she didn’t know the girl she didn’t want her to be dead. She’d been rooting for her since she’d found her.
Declan continued. ‘The hair sample tested positive for GHB and she’s awake.’
Ben clapped and Amy let out a whoop of delight.
‘Bad news is, she isn’t speaking much. Can’t remember anything about what happened from what I can gather, although her consultant can tell you more. You can thank me later. Ben, you owe me a drink or two when this is sorted.’
Ben grinned at Declan. ‘I do, thank you. Come on, Amy, we need to get to the hospital and speak with Bronte.’
Morgan felt deflated. She’d wanted to be the one to speak to her and she hadn’t been given the chance. She turned away from everyone and wrote the information Declan had shared on the board.
Declan was still sitting there when she turned around. Everyone else had left.
‘You okay?’
‘Yes, thanks. Are you?’
‘Wonderful, how are you getting on with the O’Brien case?’
‘I have a couple of leads, but nothing concrete.’
‘Well that’s good, it’s not going to be easy; it’s old. You’re probably missing crucial evidence not to mention witnesses and suspects. Is there anything of forensic value that could be retested?’
She told him about the small square of carpet in the hall cupboard.
‘That’s great, it’s a start. You might get trace evidence back from it or if you do get a suspect there’s always a slim chance they might still have something with traces of the fibres on.
‘Hey, you know he likes you a lot. But he’s also a guilt-ridden, mixed-up workaholic. Give him a chance, sometimes he doesn’t see what’s in front of his nose. He’s too busy sorting out everyone else’s lives.’
Morgan laughed. ‘We’re not, well you know… It’s strictly a professional relationship.’
Declan nodded. ‘Might be better to keep it that way, at least until he comes to his senses. Not that it’s anything to do with me. I’m just an old romantic. I like to see people happy and I think Ben deserves a bit of happy. Wait until you see him cleaned up, when he’s had a shave and a decent haircut. He scrubs up quite well. Not sure the paunch is as easy to get rid of, but behind it he used to have a decent set of abs and plenty of muscles.’
She smiled, her face flushed pink. What had her life come to getting relationship advice from a doctor who only worked with dead people?
‘Thanks, I’ll remember that.’
‘Anytime. I have to go; I’m not used to being around so many living souls, it’s not good for my chakras.’
She laughed and he waved as he walked out of the door. She wondered about him, if he had a partner. He was funny and refreshingly caring considering she’d only met him a couple of times. Each time she’d met him he’d been kind to her; it meant a lot.
Forty-Nine
The sister looked both Amy and Ben up and down. She wasn’t having any of it.
‘She’s too poorly to be questioned.’
‘She’s alive though, and her entire family are dead; do you not think she’ll want us to catch their killer? We need to know what she remembers; anything is good. We won’t press her too hard. Please, it’s very important.’
Amy nodded. ‘Just a few questions.’
The sister folded her arms across her chest. ‘Five minutes.’
‘Does she know about her family?’
