Page 75 of Their Burning Graves
‘Who’s doing the honours?’ Cain asked.
Morgan couldn’t even find her voice and pointed at him.
‘Me? Cool, thanks.’ He bent down and began to read Jackie Thorpe her rights. ‘You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’ Then he stood up. ‘Come on, let’s leave this piece of shit with our colleagues.’
They went downstairs, where they found Ava and Lexie were huddling together in the corner, and Nick, the paramedic, was bending over Natalie, who had an oxygen mask on, but her eyes were open, and she was okay.
Ben ran through the door, took one look at the scene then turned his attention to Morgan.
‘You’re bleeding.’
‘I am?’
She looked down and realised that her fingers were bleeding. Uncurling them she let the huge shard of bloodied glass drop to the floor. ‘Ouch, they are and they’re stinging like mad.’
Nick rushed over, packets of gauze in his hand. He began to rip them open and pressed them into the palm of Morgan’s hand.
‘Try and press your fingers against it and raise your hand. They’re not too bad, maybe need a couple of stitches.’
Morgan felt her knees begin to wobble, but before she could pass out Ben was there, his arm around her waist, guiding her to a chair.
Natalie lowered the mask and whispered, ‘You saved our lives, thank you, Morgan.’
Cain patted her on the back. ‘You did it again, super cop Brookes, don’t you go and pass out on us because of a bit of blood.’
She laughed. ‘I’m good, thanks.’
He winked at her. ‘You know Amy drove like a madwoman to get to you.’
Morgan smiled at Amy, who nodded. ‘We’re not losing anyone else from this team.’
A second ambulance arrived, the paramedics glancing over the mess in the kitchen before being sent upstairs to transport Jackie to hospital with her escort of four burly police officers, to keep her from hurting anyone else.
FIFTY-ONE
Morgan thought Cain was right, it had been too close, for Ava, Lexie and Natalie not to mention herself. She looked across at the trio who were sitting on the sofa, all three of them getting the all clear from the paramedics. They’d probably have flashbacks for a very long time, but nothing a bit of counselling couldn’t help with, she hoped.
Nick smiled at them. ‘I think you’re all good, but if you want to go to the hospital for a check-up then we can take you there.’
Natalie shook her head. ‘No, we’re all okay or as okay as we can be. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.’ Natalie looked pale, but she was breathing okay.
Nick shrugged. ‘Your call, if you feel unwell then call an ambulance.’
‘We will, thank you so much.’
Natalie turned to look at Ben who was standing alongside Cain. ‘What happens now?’
‘We’ll take statements when you feel up to it. Is there anywhere you can go, or are you happy to stay here whilst we document the crime scene?’
‘I’d rather be here, as much as possible. This place is big enough, we can keep out of your way. I don’t feel like going to a hotel or anywhere else at the moment. I need to talk to you about my past.’
Morgan shook her head. ‘I know all about it.’
Tears began to fall down Natalie’s cheeks. ‘You do? Then there are a lot of things I need to tell my husband and Lexie. It’s time they knew the truth about who I am and what I did.’
Lexie, who was sitting with her arms around her mum, didn’t let go, and Morgan smiled, their close calls with death had made them realise how lucky they were to be alive and to have each other.
Morgan nodded. ‘That’s good, what happened was a long time ago and a dreadful accident.’
