Fabian stared at the phone in his hand and words failed him. They stuck in his throat and simply wouldn’t go any further. It was as if someone had put a sock in his jaws. He put the phone next to his ear again.

‘Fabian. Go talk to your mother. I published that article on her suggestion. She approved it.’

The line went dead.

Chapter 34

Kelly approached the ICU.

Compared to the rest of the hospital, it was dark and quiet, as if death had already visited to take her quota for the year. Nurses shuffled about like automatons, covered in blue robes and masks, as well as head gear, making them look like they were battling some kind of contagion. She went to the desk and introduced herself, showing her police lanyard.

The nurse behind the station nodded and removed her mask.

‘Sorry, we’re always trussed up like turkeys in here.’ She held out her hand and Kelly took it.

‘Mrs Reilly is expecting you, and I’ve set up a room for you. The waiting room is often empty because the relatives in here are either taking breaks elsewhere to get away from the tension, and taking a walk, or at the bedside.’

‘Thank you,’ Kelly said.

‘Let me show you,’ the nurse added.

Kelly followed her to a room at the end of a corridor, passing closed doors and vast windows glowing with the lights from machines. She had no idea which one was occupied by the Reilly family. The nurse took her into a room which was sparse and no more lit than anywhere else on the ward. There were a few chairs, but she remained standing. The nurse disappeared and Kelly sighed. This was the worst part of her job: dealing with the damage left behind by tragedy. It was a delicate skill and she was better suited to being out there catching the fuckers who caused the pain in the first place.

The nurse came back, followed by a woman who was introduced as Elaine Reilly. She was alone and Kelly was thankful. She knew that Lord Reilly had two adult children and sometimes kids had a way of muddying the waters when emotions ran high. She wanted to talk to them, but not right now. Elaine attempted a smile and Kelly felt for her. She couldn’t imagine the stress of watching a loved one in a coma. It was bad enough being reminded of her mother dying of cancer, in this very hospital. The silence. The lack of hope. The nurses offering you endless cups of tea. The lack of sleep. The burden of the anguish, its incessant grip on all of your senses.

Elaine Reilly looked knackered.

‘Should we sit down?’ Kelly asked.

‘If you don’t mind, I’ll stand. I’ve been sitting next to Donald all night and all day.’