Page 31 of Deep Down
Chapter 12
Alex
Alex silently closed the door behind him as he left, wishing he could stay with Craig indefinitely. Unfortunately, he was supposed to be working and had to attend to his other patients, too. He wandered over to the nurses’ station, finding Gloria alone, filling out paperwork.
“Hey, Gloria.” Alex dropped into the adjacent seat with a sigh.
“Wow, that has to be the most depressing sound I’ve heard from you in weeks!”
Alex rolled his head on the back of the chair to face her and gave a smile, though he was certain it lacked strength. “I’m worn out. I could do with a holiday.”
“Couldn’t we all? Your fella is doing fine, Alex. You need to remember to fortify yourself; otherwise, you’ll be no use to him at all.” She returned to her papers. “Go get some food inside you. I bet you haven’t eaten properly in days. I’ll hold the fort here.”
Alex snorted. “You keep this place functioning, Gloria, and we all know it.” He stood, stretching his arms overhead and yawning. “Oh, could you request Dr Bagworth to give me a call when she’s free. I’d like to discuss her seeing Craig.”
“Sure thing. Now, get.” Gloria pointed down the hallway, her gaze focused on her work despite her orders.
Alex chuckled. Nobody could get away with bossing him about, except for Gloria. And now Craig. He’d do anything either of them requested. Entering the restaurant, he chose food for energy more than nutritional value and sat by the window. Alex wasn’t particularly hungry, but Gloria was right that he hadn’t eaten properly for a few days. He usually picked whatever was to hand because it was quick and meant he’d be back at the hospital faster.
Glancing up when someone approached his table, he smiled. “Hey. What are you doing—?” His heart sank at the expression on Logan’s face. “What’s happened?”
“Gloria told me I could find you here.” Logan sat opposite him with a sigh and leaned his forearms on the table.
“Where’s Ava?” Logan’s partner was missing from his side, which was unusual.
“She’s outside Craig’s room.”
“Why?” Alex had figured out the reason, but he wanted Logan to confirm his suspicions.
Logan pinned Alex with his gaze. “Darren’s been released on bail.”
“What the fuck! How the hell did he pull it off?” Food forgotten, Alex fought to retain his composure and not dart straight up to Craig’s room to protect him.
“Someone put up the money. Or he had some stashed away himself. I don’t know.” Logan leaned back in his chair and rubbed a hand over his face. “Look, I’m sorry, Alex. I wish we’d been able to keep him longer, but it’s out of my hands. Luckily, there is light at the end of the tunnel because there are conditions to it. Darren must stay at one address, which is not his home address, for obvious reasons, and he’s not allowed to contact Craig at all. He’s also had his passport seized.”
Resting his head in his hands, Alex slumped in his seat. How was Craig going to take this? It was more important than ever to get him in to see the psychologist now. “Craig’s agreed to see the psychologist and talk things over with her.” He lifted his head.
“That’s good. He might remember more information if he begins talking things through.”
“He’s right on the edge, Logan. I don’t know which way he’s going to fall. He’s strong, but this has taken its toll on him.”
“Then, let’s help him.” Logan leaned forward again, pressing his forefinger into the tabletop. “Let’s nail the bastard.”
“How?”
“Talk me through everything once again: your concerns, your home visits, what you saw, what you heard, anything you can think of, even if you don’t think it’s significant. Give me everything you have, Alex.”
He did. Alex explained the finger marks around Craig’s neck on his second visit, about the crack in the wall he saw in Craig’s living room and the military precision neatness of the house. He detailed all his thoughts and concerns until his voice was hoarse, and he was interrupted by his pager beeping. He excused himself and used the phone in the restaurant to call the nurses’ station.
“Hi, this is Dr Wick.”
“Hey, Alex. Dr Bagworth has confirmed she is free now if you want to go and see her?”
“That’s great. Thanks, Gloria. I’ll head over now.” He replaced the receiver and headed back to Logan. “I need to meet the psychologist.”
“Sure. I think you’ve covered most of it, and you know how to reach me should you think of anything else.” Logan stood. “I’ll walk back to the ward with you.”
Alex asked about Casey as they waited at the lift.
