Page 89 of One Left Alive
‘No.’
‘See, big mistake. You’re going to have to toughen up and get used to giving the orders. But on the whole, you did good, so don’t let it get to you. Those idiots took advantage of your good nature.’
‘Thanks. What are we doing now?’
‘I’m taking you back to get your car and you’re going home for a large glass of wine or whatever you drink. Then I’m taking the hero of the day back to his house and going home myself for an alcoholic beverage and a night with Jack. All three of us will have an early night, because if you thought today was long, tomorrow will be gruelling. There’s a lot of work to do. Isn’t that right, boss?
‘Barker is claiming he’s having chest pains, so will be taken under armed guard to get checked out at the hospital. Once he’s given the all-clear he’ll be brought back to custody for questioning. It’s not going to be until tomorrow, though, at least.’
Morgan was relieved to get out of the car at the station. She felt as if she’d been told off by her aunty for being immature. As they drove away, Ben looked back at her and smiled. She drove herself home, ready to do exactly what Amy had recommended. She was tired; this week she had worked more hours than she ever imagined was possible. At least they had Barker where he belonged.
Her flat was cold; the heating must be on the blink. She checked the boiler but didn’t have a clue how to get it working again. Instead she put her fluffiest pink pyjamas on and a thick pair of bed socks. Tomorrow she really had to go shopping: living off bowls of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes wasn’t the healthiest of diets. Sitting cross-legged on her chair, she ate the cornflakes and tried not to think of anything remotely linked to work. She needed to switch off, relax, read a book. All week she’d been far too tired to even open one, which wasn’t like her: reading was her favourite thing ever. Instead she ate her cereal and stared into the gardens; movement made her sit straight as she saw a dark figure huddled under the tree. She walked to the glass and stared at the dishevelled figure. Harrison Wright looked as if he’d been sleeping rough. His pale face had huge, black bags under his eyes. His usually perfect hair was hanging limply down over his face.
She knocked on the window. ‘What do you want?’
She could barely hear his muffled voice through the glass. ‘I’m freezing and starving, please let me in. I know the police are looking for me, but I’m so cold. Please, Morgan.’
He looked scared, soaked and almost hypothermic. She couldn’t leave him outside; it was against her better nature.
‘Hang on.’ Slipping her trainers on, she put the door on the latch and went out into the communal hallway. She opened the front door; he was a dripping wreck.
‘How did you know where I live and where have you been?’
‘I followed you home last night. I’ve been hiding. I got scared but I’m too cold and I haven’t eaten since yesterday. I don’t know what to do any more.’
Morgan realised that her senses had been right: she’d felt uneasy and he was why. A puddle was forming around his feet.
‘Come on, you can dry off and I’ll feed you, though I don’t really have a lot of food in.’
He followed her inside.
‘Wait there while I grab some towels.’
She rushed into the bathroom, grabbing a couple of bath sheets, then passing them to him. He began to frantically rub his hair, not bothering with the rest of himself until it was towel dry.
‘I have a pair of joggers and a hoodie I can lend you, if you don’t mind wearing my clothes. I don’t have any men’s clothes here. I’m on my own.’
As she turned to go get them, a small smile played across his lips.
She took the clothes into the bathroom.
‘You can get changed, pass me your stuff and I’ll wash it. No dryer either; they will have to go on a radiator.’
‘Thank you so much, that’s great.’
As he went into the bathroom, she wondered why he hadn’t gone home or to one of his friends’; maybe he wanted to get it over and done with. Although there wasn’t much to ask him now Barker was in custody. They had their killer behind bars.
She put the kettle on and began opening the cupboards. There were two tins of tomatoes and the box of cornflakes; the fridge wasn’t much better. Opening the freezer, she took out the emergency bottle of vodka. Pouring two shot glasses, she placed them on the counter.
Harrison came out of the bathroom looking a little bit more human, and the clothes she’d given him were black, so they didn’t look too out of place.
‘You look a bit warmer now.’
‘Thank you so much, these are great.’
She pointed to the breakfast stool. ‘Have a seat, I can rustle you up some tinned tomatoes or a bowl of Crunchy Nut. Don’t take too long to decide.’
He laughed. ‘To be honest, I’m so hungry I’d eat the tomatoes on the cornflakes.’
