Electric Light (Blair Dubh Trilogy #3) (26 page)

“She’ll get over it, once she’s calmed down,” said Springer, nodding in the direction Freya had gone.

“You don’t know Freya. She really is one to hold a grudge.” She looked down the corridor and saw Freya poking her head out of the Relatives’ Room, drawn there by all the shouting. When Nora hauled herself to her feet on her crutches Freya ducked back inside, the slam of the door following.

“She’s just upset about her husband,” said Springer. “She’ll come round, you’ll see.”

Nora sank back into her seat and started to cry again, the events of the longest night of her life finally catching up with her and the only person she had to comfort her was a complete stranger. Melanie’s well-intentioned soothing words only made her feel worse.

“While we wait why don’t I take your statement, then it’s one less thing for you to worry about?” said Melanie in her kind way once Nora’s tears had dried up.

“If you must,” she sighed.

Talking it through with someone who hadn’t been there actually helped and Nora felt herself growing calmer. By the end of her tale she was exhausted and they sat in silence while they waited for news of Craig. They both looked up and frowned when a large man with a huge beer gut, a big bushy beard and tattoos walked by, clearly looking for someone.

“He looks trouble,” commented Melanie.

“He used to be but he’s a teddy bear now,” replied Nora.

Melanie was shocked. “You know him?”

“He’s my daughter-in-law’s boss. He must be looking for her.”

As they watched, Davey hesitated at the door to the Relatives’ Room, knocked then went inside. Nora hoped he’d talk some sense into Freya.

“Oh hen,” said Davey when Freya looked up at him from her wheelchair, her lower lip wobbling.

“He’s been shot Davey.”

He sat beside her and enveloped her in his big, hairy arms. “I heard. How is he?”

“He’s in surgery, they haven’t told me anything yet so I assume it’s going well. Do you know what happened?”

“I’ve heard enough.” He indicated her leg. “Did you get shot too?”

“No, Graeme hit me in the knee with the butt of the rifle.”

“Fucking bastard. Is he deid?”

“Unfortunately no even though I shot him.”

Davey’s bushy eyebrows shot up. “I bet that felt good.”

“It did but I didn’t kill him. I wish I had.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I bloody do.”

“You’re not a killer.”

For a heartbeat she considered telling him what Graeme had told her about Logan being her real father, that murder was in her DNA, but she couldn’t bring herself to talk about it right then. The situation was just too prickly. Every time she thought about it she hurt all over, not just inside but outside too. Her entire body felt like one raw, open wound.

“I nearly was,” she whispered.

“But you didn’t do it.”

“It wasn’t for lack of trying. I wanted to Davey. I’m a monster.”

He kissed the top of her head and hugged her and she sank into his warmth. “Now that’s enough silly talk. You’re just exhausted and upset. When you’ve had time to think you’ll realise the skinny little prick deserved everything he got. Craig’s going to be fine and soon you’ll be back at home with your wean, end of story, chapter closed on that bloody village.”

Freya didn’t believe his words for a second, but she allowed herself to get some comfort from them.

CHAPTER 27

After hours of interminable waiting Nora was finally forced to concede that if she waited to use the bathroom any longer she was going to wet herself. She didn’t want to go, she was scared she’d miss out on an update on Craig’s progress, but needs must. Melanie had to help her shuffle down the corridor to the visitor toilets on her crutches then waited outside to help her shuffle back again. Nora hadn’t always been independent, when her husband had been alive she’d relied on him for everything, but she’d had no choice but to fend for herself after Pete had died. Now she prided herself on it and she found having to be helped everywhere demeaning.

By the time they returned Craig was out of surgery and had been taken to Intensive Care. When they stopped by the Relative’s Room on the way, Freya had gone.

“Are you okay if I leave you? I’m afraid I must get back to work,” said Melanie.

Nora was reluctant to let her new friend go but it was unfair to keep her there any longer. “Of course. You must have so much to do.”

“I’m afraid so.” She placed her card in her hand. “Give me a call when you’re ready to leave. We’re arranging emergency accommodation for everyone in the village, the whole place is a crime scene so you won’t be allowed back in just yet.”

“To be honest, I’m glad. I never want to go back to that bloody village ever again.”

Melanie gave her hand a gentle squeeze before walking away. Nora took a deep breath then opened the door into Intensive Care. She stood in the middle of the corridor, looking about blankly, not sure where she should go or who she should ask. A passing nurse took pity on her and, after explaining who she was, she was shown into Craig’s room.

Freya was already there, sitting by Craig’s side in her wheelchair, gripping onto his hand. Her look was fierce when she saw Nora, who hovered in the doorway, the waves of dislike radiating off Freya almost causing her to turn and leave. But the sight of her son unconscious on the bed, a huge bandage covering his stomach, all the ugly, strange machines linked up to him propelled her into the room. She sat on the opposite side of the bed and took his other hand.

“What did the doctor say?” Nora asked, her gaze riveted on Craig’s face. He looked so peaceful. When her reply was silence she forced herself to look Freya in the eye. “What did they say Freya?” she said, voice determined.

“He made it through the surgery.”

“Yes, I can see that. What’s the prognosis?” she snapped. Faced by what had been done to her boy her fight was returning.

For a moment it seemed as though Freya wasn’t going to tell her, then she sighed and said, “he’s been really lucky. The bullet entered the side of his abdomen and passed through the muscles, missing the abdominal cavity altogether. Graeme was quite side-on to him when he fired, so I guess that explains it. But he’s lost a lot of blood. That’s the most dangerous thing.”

“He’s going to be alright then?”

“Yes.”

Nora looked up sharply. It seemed Freya was trying to convince herself more than her.

“So, we just wait for him to wake up?”

Freya nodded, refusing to look at Nora, gently sliding her fingers through Craig’s own.

“Will he?”

“I don’t know Nora,” she said bad-temperedly.

“Don’t speak to me like that.”

“You expect me to be nice after what you’ve done?”

“I made a promise years ago that I wouldn’t say a word about your real father and I decided it would be best to stick to it.”

“Best for who?”

“Weren’t you happier thinking John Macalister was your real father?”

Freya’s eyes flickered.

“What good would it have done?” pressed Nora. “You hated Logan.”

“I had a right to know. This was none of your business or anyone else’s in that village. It’s my life, not yours,” she said, eyes filling with tears, although those same eyes still burned with rage. “People have always tried to take control of my life and it’s still happening.”

“I’m not trying to control you, none of us are. We were only trying to protect you.”

“Protect me?” she said cynically. “So I get to hear about it from a mass murderer instead. Yeah, nice job.”

“I mean it. I love you Freya, I only want the best for you.”

“Rubbish. I’m just a disappointment to you.”

“What?” said Nora, surprised.

“I know you didn’t want me for your son, a woman so damaged and with so many issues. Then I only give you one grandchild. You imagined some fertile woman spitting kids out like a baby factory who would stay at home and run round after your son like he was another child. Well life’s full of disappointment, I’ve learnt that the hard way so you just have to deal with the fact that I’m not the perfect daughter-in-law.”

Nora was stunned, she’d no idea Freya felt like that. “Oh I see, so that’s what this is really about.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Yes you’re angry at me for keeping the truth about Logan from you, but in your heart I think you understand why I did it and you’re even relieved about it. You’re using it as an excuse to get back at me because you think I think badly of you.”

“Because you do.”

“No I don’t. I admit I was upset about not getting to see Petie as often as I would have liked but I meant it when I said I love you. You’re my family. This isn’t about me or even Logan. It’s about you.”

Freya’s eyes gleamed bright green with warning. “What?”

“Craig was right. You don’t believe you’re good enough for anyone so you’re using this an excuse to distance yourself from me.”

“Wrong Nora. I’m mad at you for keeping the truth from me.”

“You were perfectly happy before thinking John was your dad.”

“He
is
my dad and he always will be.”

“Even though you can’t even remember him? You were only wee when he died.”

“So? He still exists in my head, I’ve built up a picture of him and if he didn’t live up to that then I don’t care. He gave me his name and he loved my mum. He’s my dad,” she said, voice breaking.

“That’s a wonderful way of looking at it. But don’t you see, by letting this get in the way of our relationship you’re letting Logan win. He wanted to destroy you and your hate and anger will do that for him.” She decided to press on when Freya started to look unsure of herself. “You’ve come so far and you’ve finally got the family you’ve always wanted. Don’t let him spoil it.”

“So you’re saying I should just forget all about it?” she frowned.

“No, that would be impossible. I’m just saying don’t hate me for it. I was only trying to protect you.”

Freya snorted derisively and turned her attention back to Craig, holding his hand to her face and kissing his fingers.

Nora could see how much Freya loved her son, she’d always been able to see it. Right from being little children they’d always been close and their ending up together hadn’t really surprised her. But Freya didn’t realise how much
she
loved her too. “You remember just after your mother died and we took you in, before Social Services forced you to live with your aunt and uncle in Glasgow?”

Freya nodded, refusing to take her eyes off Craig.

“You were so scared and lost. I loved you like a daughter then, just like I do now.”

Freya recalled a younger Nora cradling her as she sobbed into her chest while reliving her mother’s horrific death, Nora hurrying to her in the middle of the night when she woke screaming from another nightmare and soothing her with gentle words. Freya swallowed the lump in her throat and looked down at the floor.

Nora decided to leave it at that, for now. Let her think on that for a while. The silence they sat in together wasn’t exactly friendly but it wasn’t full of anger like it had been earlier. Nevertheless, it was still a relief when Steve entered the room. Freya gently laid Craig’s hand down on the bed then shot up out of the wheelchair to hug him, balancing on her good leg.

“How are you?” he said, holding her tightly.

“I’m fine. He’s not woken up yet,” she whispered.

“He will. Sit back down,” he said softly. “That leg must be sore.”

He helped her slump back into the wheelchair and stood staring down at Craig.

“How’s Gary?” said Nora.

“He’s still in surgery but they’re optimistic. He was lucky the bullet stayed in, it looks like it saved his life and stopped him bleeding out.”

“That’s really good news,” said Nora. “And how are you feeling?”

“Oh I’ll be alright,” he replied, looking like he’d never enjoy a decent night’s sleep again.

“Have you spoken to your fiancée?”

“Yeah, she was waiting for me at the police cordon. I don’t think I’ve ever been so pleased to see someone.”

“Why don’t you go home and get some sleep? You’re dead on your feet,” said Nora.

“I can’t rest, not until I know Gary and the Sarge are going to be okay.”

“We can call you if there’s any news,” offered Freya.

“Thanks but it wouldn’t be right me at home sleeping when they’re here, like this,” he said quietly, gesturing to Craig.

“He’s going to be alright,” said Freya with that same determination.

“Oh, before I forget, some DS from the Sarge’s station, Eric something, wanted me to let you know he’d be by tomorrow to visit,” he yawned, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms. “He’s been roped into the investigation by DCI Armstrong but he asked me to give you his love.”

A nurse popped her head around the door. “I’m sorry, there’s too many people in here as it is. None of you should be here at this time, we’re only allowing it because of the circumstances.”

“I’ll go,” said Steve. “I could do with getting something to eat anyway, I’m starving.”

“Sure you’re okay Steve?” frowned Freya. He suddenly looked old and tired.

“I don’t know,” he replied vaguely before gliding from the room in a daze.

The nurse closed the door behind him and Freya and Nora were left alone again.

“He didn’t look right,” said Nora. “Poor lad’s been changed forever.”

“You’re right,” replied Freya before she remembered she’d fallen out with Nora and the scowl returned.

A grunt from the bed had them both looking down at Craig. He shifted and grimaced, his eyes flickering open.

“Craig?” said Freya gently, running her fingers through his hair.

“Freya?” he mumbled. His eyes snapped open and fixed on the ceiling with horror. “Freya, run.”

“Sssh, it’s okay babe, you’re safe. You’re in hospital. Graeme’s been arrested. It’s all okay.”

He blinked then his eyes focused on her “You’re okay?”

“Yes, fine and you’re going to be fine too. You’ve had some surgery on your stomach but everything went well. You’ll soon be back on your feet. Just get some rest.”

He gave her hand a weak squeeze, it was the most he could manage. “It doesn’t matter…to me…Logan…”

“I know babe, I know,” she smiled, tears standing out in her eyes. She leaned over to plant a kiss on his lips, ignoring the protest of her injured knee.

“Get some sleep son, we’ll watch over you,” said Nora.

Craig smiled up at her too, eyes already closing. “Good,” he whispered before dropping back off again.

“I told you he’d be okay,” said Nora, feeling almost buoyant, such was her relief. “He’s strong. He’s going to need us both while he’s getting better. It will be a struggle for you coping alone with both him and Petie on that bad leg.”

“I’ll manage.”

“You don’t need to manage. I’m here to help.”

“How can you help when you’re in Blair Dubh?” she retorted.

“Yes, well, when I was trapped in that pub with a madman outside I had second thoughts about that.”

“What are you saying?”

“That maybe I’ve had my fill of that village. I can still go back to visit Pete’s grave, although I might take an armed guard. I think maybe it’s time I took a look at the big city and see if it’s all you say it is.”

“You’ll change your mind. You’ll go back there and that village will cast its spell over you again.”

“I can’t live there again. I don’t even want to go back there to get my things but I have to so I can pack and put the house on the market.”

“You really mean it?”

“I do. You were right, that village is rotten. Actually it’s a bloody death trap. Blair Dubh belongs to the dead now. There’s no place for the living anymore.”

“It’s not like you to get so superstitious.”

“I’ve just been through hell. It changed my outlook on life.”

Nora was heartened by the tiny smile Freya gave her.