Ramouter watched Graham growing more agitated as he searched the folds of his blanket with his hand. ‘What are you looking for?’ he asked.
‘The alarm. I need the nurse. I’m not feeling good.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll get the nurse for you,’ Ramouter said, heading out of the room convinced that Graham’s request for a nurse was just a ploy to avoid answering a hard but straightforward question. Where was his wife when the attack happened? What was Graham hiding?
‘Can’t say that I’m surprised to see you here.’
Ramouter turned towards the direction of the voice. ‘DC Copeland,’ he said as a nurse rushed past him and entered Graham’s room.
DC Copeland smiled broadly as she approached Ramouter. She looked different now that she was out of the shapeless protective oversuit. The aggressive overhead lights bounced off her red hair which hung loosely down her back and contrasted sharply with her black blazer. She had the long and lean look of a marathon runner. Ramouter felt his cheeks grow warm with shame as he realised that he was actually pleased to see her.
‘I don’t want you thinking that I’m interfering with your case,’ he said. ‘I just had some questions.’
‘Please,’ Copeland said, waving her hand dismissively. ‘I was the one who called you first remember? And I don’t think we were properly introduced when we first met.’
‘Salim Ramouter.’
‘Nice to meet you, Salim. I’m Xania Copeland,’ she replied.
‘Xania,’ Ramouter said with a slight grin.
‘You can stop right there. I’ve heard it all. It’s not Xena warrior princess, its Xania. Nia for short.’
‘Got it.’
‘So, how’s Graham? I take it you saw him just before the nurse rushed in?’ asked Copeland.
‘Aye and it was … maybe we should talk about this somewhere else?’ Ramouter suggested.
‘Let’s talk in there,’ Copeland said as she pointed in the direction of a small and empty family room. ‘So how is he?’
Ramouter sat down on a worn green chair. ‘Physically he’s an absolute mess.’
‘They told me that they’d removed his spleen,’ said Copeland, sitting down opposite him with only a small, white coffee table between them.
‘Yeah, they did. Obviously, he’s in pain but he’s lucid. Upset that his wife hasn’t been to see him.’
‘Shehasn’tbeen to see him?’ asked Copeland with surprise.
Ramouter shook his head. ‘She hasn’t visited even though she told you she was on her way, right?’
‘Right. Surely that’s not correct. The poor man must be high as a kite on painkillers.’
‘No, it’s right,’ Ramouter was adamant. ‘The doctor told me I’m his first visitor.’
‘That doesn’t make any sense. She specifically told me on Monday afternoon that she was on her way. I could hear the traffic because she’d just pulled into a petrol station and then she texted me yesterday morning and said that she’d seen him,’ said Copeland. She took her phone out of her pocket and quickly tapped and swiped the screen.
‘Look,’ she said, holding the phone to Ramouter.
‘“Sorry to bother you. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve just seen Graham. Please keep me updated on the investigation.”’ Ramouter read out loud. ‘Why would she lie and say that she’s seen him when she hasn’t?’ he asked.
‘Good bloody question. I’m going to ask her,’ Copeland replied, her face fixed with determination as she tapped the phone again and turned on the speaker.
‘This is Tabitha Ashcroft. Please leave a message and I’ll return your call as soon as possible. Please call my office if this is a work-related matter or send an email to [email protected]’
‘Where the hell is she?’ Copeland asked as she ended the call without leaving a message and began to type furiously. ‘I’m telling her that there’s no record of her visiting her husband and to call me asap. Why on earth would she lie to me?’
‘There’s something else,’ Ramouter said once Copeland had finished. ‘Granted, he’s been through a lot, but he was a bit cagey with his answers. Well, I didn’t get any answers.’
