Page 21 of Deep Down
“Why?” The noise in the background coming from Casey’s side seemed to indicate he was on a street somewhere noisy.
Alex told him about the shouting match, hesitating when Casey burst into laughter and continued once Casey had contained himself.
“Okay, laughter aside, I can see why you’d be wondering. I don’t have any answers, Alex. I’ll speak to Logan, off the record of course, and see if he has any insights which might help you. He doesn’t seem to fit in the ‘box’ we like to put people in.” Alex could imagine Casey’s finger quotes.
“That would be great, thanks. Gloria told me to trust my instincts, that’s what I’m going to do for now.”
“Good plan.” There was a pause. “Right, I’m going to have to go. I’ll let you know what Logan says.”
“Thanks, Casey.”
They signed off, and Alex headed to work.
Once settled, Alex checked Craig’s file, and his heart pounded painfully in his chest when he read Craig had been discharged several hours earlier. Alex’s stomach clenched, and his mouth went dry as he imagined Craig leaving with Darren. He was being stupid; Craig knew what he was doing, and Alex had to leave him to it. It was something he told himself repeatedly throughout his shift. And when he finished his shift. And in the car on the way to Craig’s house. And after he’d parked the car down the road.
He sat in the car, not wanting to linger too long and be seen by neighbours who may think he was a stalker or kidnapper or whatever. He needed to get his bearings before facing Craig again, knowing exactly the reception he was likely to get.
Alex gripped his bag and headed up the drive before knocking on the door, hoping like hell he hadn’t made a mistake.
Craig opened the door, eyes widening, then darkening as red bloomed across his face, and his mouth twisted. Alex saw the door closing shut. “Wait!” He slapped his hand on the front to get Craig’s attention.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Craig’s expression was furious. “You need to leave.”
“I wanted to check on you, that’s all,” Alex argued.
“Well, you’ve seen me, so go away!”
“NO!”
“Stop shouting!” Craig peered behind Alex, presumably seeing if any neighbours were watching.
“Let me in. I’ll be on my way in no time.” Alex tried to reason with him, and it must’ve worked because Craig opened the door wider.
“You have five minutes, then you have to leave.”
“Can I check you over?” Alex didn’t need to but wanted to be close to him.
“No. I wouldn’t have been discharged yesterday if I wasn’t well enough. I’m fine.” Craig crossed his arms over his chest, feet planted apart.
Alex chanced a glance around the room, seeing nothing out of place, not a speck of residual blood anywhere. “Have you been resting?” He frowned. “I thought Darren was staying with you when you were discharged?”
He watched as Craig swallowed and blinked a couple of times before answering. “He got called into work.”
Alex kept his thoughts to himself. “You need to rest, not work. Even sitting at a computer will wear you out, Craig.”
Craig’s arms flew into the air. “It’s my choice, Alex! Can you get that into your head? My life, my choice.”
“Fine! Sorry I bothered you!” Alex wheeled and flung the front door open and slammed it behind him again. He stalked to the car, but not before the tell-tale twitching of the curtains next-door caught his gaze. He hoped Craig would not be punished for Alex’s visit; he should have thought it through better. Heknewbetter. He kept losing his head with Craig. Nothing was fitting or working as it normally did, and it was all Craig’s fault.
Arriving home, he stormed through the house, heading straight for a shower. He hoped it would calm him enough that he could sleep.
****
“Hey, sis. How’re things?” Alex tucked the phone between his ear and shoulder, several interrupted hours of sleep later.
“Great, thanks. How are you? How’s work?” Ella was three years younger than him and was married, happily, he should add, to Daniel Roberts and had a particularly feisty two-year-old, Danny. Ella loved everything about being married and having a family, and it was a dream Alex would eventually like to have for himself. He had dedicated himself to his hospital dream first, as he didn’t want to have a child who he didn’t see because of his shifts. Ella was a thriving stay-at-home mother; she was made for a role she truly wanted.
“Yeah, good, thanks.” His voice didn’t sound convincing.
