‘Hi, Leah. How’s the boy?’

‘Showing signs of improvement. We will be taking him off the respirator shortly, and we wondered if you’d like to be here?’

‘I certainly would. Thanks for that. We’ll be straight over.’ She closed her phone and looked at Joseph. ‘We’ll drop Cat off at the station and get straight over to the hospital. They’re going to try to bring the lad round. If he says anything, I want to know what it is, first hand.’

CHAPTER TWENTY

AS NIKKI ENTERED ITU, she was met by familiar faces. This was one of the few places where she was rarely known as a detective inspector, but simply as Hannah’s mum.

‘We almost lost him.’ said the Sister shaking her head. ‘But he’s a tough little devil. The doctors are pretty certain that we can keep him stable this time.’

‘Is he off the ventilator?’ asked Nikki

‘Yes, and he’s holding his own. We are just waiting for the anaesthetist, then we’ll bring him round.’ Leah looked at Nikki, her eyes full of compassion. ‘And considering your previous involvement with this procedure, it’s our joint decision that you wait outside for that bit. We’ll call you when he’s compos mentis, okay?’

‘You’re all very thoughtful,’ said Nikki, ‘and I really appreciate it, but I’m here with my police hat on today. It’s imperative that I hear everything that he has to say.’

‘It could still be very traumatic for you.’ Leah looked worried. ‘It’s bad enough without all the bad memories that you have.’ She squeezed Nikki’s arm. ‘I’ll come and get you immediately he’s stable, I promise.’

Nikki raised her hands in silent surrender, and secretly felt a rush of relief. After the panic attack in the barn, she still didn’t quite trust her own emotions.

‘I suppose you’ve had no luck finding out who he is, have you?’ Leah was asking.

‘Nothing as yet. Beggars belief, doesn’t it?’

‘Beautiful looking child, too. Well, he was before someone decided to resculpture his face.’

Nikki shuddered. ‘I cannot begin to wonder what he could have done to warrant such a brutal beating.’

‘Hopefully, we’ll know soon, then you can get the animal that did this.’ The Sister looked towards the door. ‘I have to go. The anaesthetist is here. Keep your fingers crossed, Nikki, and I’ll be out as soon as I can, all right?’

Nikki watched as the nurse hurried away, then went back to the family room to find Joseph.

He stood up as she entered, and somehow that simple gesture touched her. It may have been just inbred good manners, or an Army-indoctrinated respect for a higher-ranking officer. Whatever, it made her feel somehow worthwhile. And that was a welcome change to the kind of treatment she generally received.

‘How’s the lad?’