Spencer couldn’t talk, all his words drowned in that suppressed, mad anger, in his shock. Feeling his father peel his mother off.
“Leave him some air… he’s alive, that’s all that matters. The police are here to talk to you… but you don’t have to talk if you don’t feel like it… Oh, and maybe we should ask for a transfer to Riverview… This is a public hospital.” That disdain in his voice, laced with disgust.
Spencer had started trembling, his senses overloaded by his parents blabbering, his mother’s soft sobs.Fuck this.“I… I need the nurse…” Knowing those tremors all too well. Watching his parents stand there, he reached for the caller, nursing his hate.
A nurse arrived shortly; her smile bright as she pushed his bed up. “Awake? That’s good news.”
Spencer lips quivered. “I need… I…”What to say?Steeling himself, he opted for the only truth he had never admitted to anybody, not even to himself. “I am an alcoholic… so… I need stuff to survive… now.” He was shivering, sweat pouring down his brows.
Her face fell a bit but she hurried outside.
His mother stepped closer. “What did you say? Forget this nonsense! You like your drinks but you’re not…”
This time, Spencer’s eyes went to her, filled with his rage. “But I am. I am. I am!” He had snapped, only held back by the cuffs.“Fuuuuuck!” Tugging at them, he almost pushed the caller when the nurse came back with some fluids.
“Here. Let me fix you up.”
“Untie me.”
She looked at him, unsure. “I’m not sure you’re ready to be…”
Spencer sighed, taming his voice. “I was tied up there… where we were… this is scaring the shit out of me, so please.”
She nodded and undid the cuffs.
Spencer rubbed his wrists, the pain flooding him. Still, he grabbed the nurse’s hand when she was ready to leave.
Soft, not to alarm her. “Where’s my bodyguard?”
“Who?”
“Duncan Lambert. The man who was with me. My bodyguard… he…” Eyes wide, hoping he was wrong.
“I don’t know… I can ask?”
“Please…”
Henry patted his hand. “I’m sure he’s fine.” Gesturing at the window giving on the corridor, at uniformed policemen standing on either side of the door. “You’re well-guarded. No need to fret about Duncan…”
“He saved my life! He did. We got out because he made us get out. He did. Not the police. Not you. Not fucking anybody. So I don’t fret. I owe that man my life.”
“And I’ll make sure he gets a nice sum for it, too.”
Spencer whined a laugh, fed up. Burning. Watching a doctor walk in, holding a tablet.
He stood over Spencer with that professional soothing smile which made Spencer’s skin crawl. “How are you?”
“My bodyguard?”
The man smiled and glanced at his tablet. “He’s had surgery and is recovering in the ICU. He’s conscious but resting for now… Lost a lot of blood and that right shoulder will need time. The bullet tore through but broke bones and muscles, anythingin its path. Ex-military like him are as tough as nails, don’t worry.”
“I want to see him.”
“Not possible for now. You need to rest too. Whilst your injuries are minimal, I’m worried about your nerves.”
Spencer laughed, bitter. “My nerves have been frayed raw for a while.”
Henry spoke then. “Doctor, do you think we could ask for a transfer… to Riverview. Not saying you’re not all professionals here but Spencer is used to better surroundings and service.”
